Book Ferry Services in Andaman

Basic Information

The Mahatma Gandhi Marine Park was established in 1983. The main purpose of the park is to protect the area’s coral reefs and nesting sea turtles. The park is located about 29 Kilometres from Port Blair and has 15 islands, of which only 2 can be accessed by tourists.

• The park is an important landmark in the Andamans and Wandoor jetty is the only spot from where protected islands like Redskin and Jolly Buoy can be accessed.

• The 2 islands are only accessible every 6 months, so tourists can’t visit both islands at once. Depending on the time of year you visit, you can either visit Jolly Buoy Island (November to May) or Redskin Island (June To November) from Wandoor Jetty.

How To Reach Wandoor Jetty, Port Blair

• Hire a bike or car to cover the 30 km distance between Port Blair to Wandoor Jetty. Local buses are also available and leave after every 1 hour.
• Once you reach Wandoor, you can hop onto your scheduled ferry towards the national park islands.
  
• You can also rent cars or private vehicles from Port Blair and reach Wandoor in approximately 30 minutes.
• The other option is to take the local STS bus to Wandoor. These buses take over an hour to reach and are not recommended if you are short on time or have heavy luggage.

Operational Days, Cost, Timings and Cost

For Jolly Buoy Island:

• Ferries from Wandoor Jetty leave for Jolly Buoy Island between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
• The ride will approximately take you 30-45 minutes.
• Tickets for the ride need to be purchased a day in advance and are subject to availability.
• You can purchase the boat tickets from the ticket counter at Wandoor Jetty. Permits though need to be obtained from the Directorate of Tourism office in Port Blair at least 1-2 days before your trip.
• The ticket fare to Jolly Buoy Island is approximately INR 1800/- to INR 4000/-. These are all packages that include boat transfers and other water sports activities at the island. So your pricing will vary depending on the package you choose.
• The permit will cost you INR 75/- for adults who are citizens. The fare for foreign nationals is INR 1000/-.

For Redskin Island:

• There is a single ferry that departs towards Redskin Island from Wandoor Jetty. The departure time is usually 9:00 AM.
• The ride will approximately take you 45 minutes and the route is scenic.
• The island closes by 2:00 PM so the returning ferry departs before that.
• The fare costs approximately INR 1000/- to INR 1500/-.
• The permit for Redskin island needs to be collected a day in advance from the Forest Department office in Port Blair.
•  The permit costs INR 50/- for Indian nationals and INR 25/- for children.

Boarding Guidelines for Wandoor Jetty, Port Blair

• Make sure to reach the jetty at least 60 minutes before your ferry departs.
• Carry your permits, tickets and valid ID proof at the time of boarding.
• Don’t carry any inflammable, explosive, liquor or dangerous items in your bags. While bags aren’t scanned, random checking may occur.
• Strictly do not carry any plastic items in your bag as they will be confiscated. Both Jolly Buoy and Redskin Island follow a no-plastic policy, so avoid carrying disposable plastics.

Facilities at Wandoor Jetty, Port Blair

• Since the jetty is located near the beach, there are no dedicated facilities as such.
• You can always use the restrooms and shop from snacks and water from local vendors on the beach.
• On your trip back you can spend some time at the small aquarium near the jetty.

Go2Andaman Tips – Wandoor Jetty, Port Blair

• Both the protected islands are plastic-free zones, so don’t carry or discard any plastic on the islands.
• Pack snacks, water and a change of clothing when visiting the islands. If you are snorkeling or enjoying glass bottom boat rides then you may need to change into dry clothes. You can always wear quick-drying fabrics.
• Both the protected islands don’t have any medical facilities, so be sure to carry emergency medication.
• Since there is a limited frequency of ferries from Wandoor, make sure you arrive early at the jetty.
• Book your tickets at least 3-7 days before the journey. Also book your permits in advance, especially during the high season. Since tickets are sold out soon during this time.
• Ensure you don’t litter in the waters around the island.
• The ferry ride, especially to Jolly Buoy, Island can be uncomfortable – especially if you suffer from motion sickness. So have your nausea meds handy and have them 30 minutes before departure.
• You will spend approximately 3 hours on the island. So carry reef safe sunscreen to minimise sunburn.