Mahathma Gandhi Marine National Park is located at Wandoor, 29 Km from
west of Port Blair in the south Andaman Island. Also known as Wandoor
Marine National Park, it is near to Wandoor Beach, about an hour's drive
from Port Blair town and the open sea itself is the park.
Established on 24 May 1983 under the Wildlife Protection
Act of 1972 to protect marine life such as the corals and nesting sea
turtles, the park is one of the major areas for viewing marine diversity.
The park is placed under the protection of the Chief Wildlife Warden of
the forest department of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Mahathma Gandhi Marine National Park is spread over 15
lushly vegetated islands in the labyrinth group and covering an area of
281.5Sq Km. The islands includes Grub, Redskin, Jolly Buoy, Cinque, Pluto,
Tarmugli, Boat Island, Kalaphar (Rutland) and the Twins. Besides rich
Marine life, these islands has variety of tropical flowers and birds.
The biodiversity consists of tropical evergreen forests,
luxuriant mangroves and a variety of marine fauna. More than 50 different
variety of corals can be seen here. Sea anemones and coloured coral reefs
including Brain, Finger, Mushroom and Antler thrive abundantly here. There
are Sharks, Crocodiles, Sea cucumbers, Water snakes, Hawksbill , Green
Turtles and a variety of shells - Cowries, Turbots, Spider conch and the
rarer Giant Clam. The Coconut Crabs and plentiful of Turtles found
on the South Sentinel Island. The Roseate Tern and Black-naped Tern, Sooty
Tern are also breeds here.
A variety of tropical fauna like White-Bellied Sea Eagle,
Andaman Teal, Reef Heron, Terns, Parakeets, Waders, Swifts, Black Surgeon,
Blue Damsel Fish, Yellow Butterfly etc inhabit the park.
Only three islands Jolly buoy, Cinque and Red skinare
Islands are open for tourists. Situated in the center of the park, Jolly
buoy island, the fascination world of tropical forest and sandy beaches
coupled with clear blue water creates a breath-taking aura. It is one
of the best scuba diving and snorkeling location in Andaman. It boasts
a beautiful golden beach with soft sands and lush green surroundings dense
with coconut palms. It is encircled by a reef which can be seen above
water in low tide. Jolly buoy island is not always opened throughout the
year because it is protected for live corals. Beware of going deeper
because when the tide is going out there are strong currents around the
island.
Red Skin island has limited beach coastline but it is best for snorkeling
like Jolly Buoy. There are a couple of forest trails and a small fresh
water spring. Open on Mondays. Usually, Red skin island will be opened
for visitors when Jolly buoy island is closed for visitors.
Cinque Island is a two hilly islands joined by a sand
bar. An ideal place for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing and
Camping, the sunset at the Cinque Island is a worth watch. A special permission
is needed to visit this island.
Mask and Snorkel hire available from these three islands
and in Port Blair. Boats are available only to reach Jolly Buoy and Red
Skin and it's operate from the Wandoor Village Jetty. Starts at 10 am
and return by 2.30 pm. Boat Fee : Rs. 300/- per person. For Cinque, there
is no boat service, but can hire one's own boat.
Entry fee Indians Rs 50/-, foreigners Rs. 500/-; Timings:
Sunrise-sunset. Fee for Scuba Diving : Rs.500/- for Indians and Rs. 1,000/-
for foreigners. Note : All foreign tourist desiring to visit Andaman and
Nicobar Islands require Area Permits.
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Wildlife 
