Mahatma Gandhi National Park , Andaman
Mahatma Gandhi National Park is one of the best places to see the biodiversity of marine life in andaman.It is located in Wandoor,which is about 29km west to Port Blair. The park was established in 1983 so that marine eco-sytem bio-diversity ,tropical forest,mangrove,coral reefs and fauna could be conserved.It consists of 15 islands namley
- Alexandra Island
- Bell Island
- Boat Island
- Chester Island
- Grub Island
- Hobday Island
- Jolly Bouy Island
- Malay Island
- Pluto Island
- Red Skin Island
- Riflemen Island
- Rutland Island (parts of the island)
- Snob Island
- Tarmugli Island
- Twins Island
Islands open for tourists are Redskin and Jolly buoy.
Steps to visit jolly Island / Red Skin Island of MGMNP ( Mahatma Gandhi National Park )
- Visitors need to come to wandoor first by road. After reaching ,one need to avail boat to reach these islands. Wandoor is around 29 km from Port Blair. They need to purcahse the entry permits with tickets for boat at wandoor Marine Intrepretation Center Counter.
- STS bus / private buses travels regularly from Port Blair Bus terminus /aberdeen bazaar to wandoor,the MGMNP parks entry point.
- The tourisim department of andman and nicobar adminstration also provide bus facilities to reach the wandoor.
- Private travel operator also book tours to park from port blair.
- The entry permits to visit Red Skin / Jolly Buoy Islands of Mahatma Gandhi National Park will be issued one day in advance on first come first serve basis on production of application and subject to terms and conditions given therein.
- A model copy of the application form will be displayed in the counter for information of tourists / others.
- The entry permits to be issued is subject to availability of authorized boats, the No. of permit to be issued will be displayed in the counter for information of tourists.
- The tourists may purchase the boat ticket from the authorized operators plying inside the MGMNP on production of entry permits. A list of authorized boat operators and permitted passenger capacity of the boats shall be displayed in the counter for information of the tourists.
- To avoid congestion in Red Skin / Jolly Buoy beach and consequent damage to marine life, 5 Nos. of tourism trips will be organized in the Wandoor Jetty as per the following table on all days except "Monday".
- The No. of trips may vary subject to availability of boats / weather conditions. All the permit holders are advised to get the boat tickets with time stamp of the trip to avoid congestion in Wandoor jetty.
| Trip Time | Name of the Trip | No. of Boat Permitted in the Trip |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 AM | 1st Trip | 1 |
| 09:00 AM | 2nd Trip | 1 |
| 09:30 AM | 3rdTrip | 1 |
| 10:00 AM | 4th Trip | 1 |
| 10:30 AM | 5th & Final Trip | Remaining Authorized |
| Trip Time | 08:30 AM |
| Name of The Trip | 1st Trip |
| No. of Boat Permitted in the Trip | 1 |
| Trip Time | 09:00 AM |
| Name of The Trip | 2nd Trip |
| No. of Boat Permitted in the Trip | 1 |
| Trip Time | 09:30 AM |
| Name of The Trip | 3rd Trip |
| No. of Boat Permitted in the Trip | 1 |
| Trip Time | 10:00 AM |
| Name of The Trip | 4th Trip |
| No. of Boat Permitted in the Trip | 1 |
| Trip Time | 10:30 AM |
| Name of The Trip | 5th & Final Trip |
| No. of Boat Permitted in the Trip | Remaining Authorized |
| Entry Fee | |
|---|---|
| Residents | Fee per person |
| Indians | ₹ 50 |
| Indian children’s | ₹ 25 |
| Foreigners | ₹ 500 |
| Charges | |
|---|---|
| Camera fee | ₹ 25 |
| boat ticket | ₹ 500 to ₹ 750 |
Where to stay in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor
A forest rest house having four suits is available at wandoor. It is advisable to stay at Port Blair where many lodging options are available.
Excursions
Traveler need to obtain entry permit at Wondoor and then take boats of marine department or private tourist agencies. Glass bottom boats are used to see corals and under water marine water. It is also perfect place for snorkeling.
What to See
Mangrove forest along the creeks and magnificent tropical forest on Islands offers a splendid view. Corals reef an exotic variety of colored coral fishes and other marine life through the glass bottom boat.
Important Marine Fauna
Mahatma Gandhi marine national park provides an opportunity to experience the fascinating world of tropical forest and coral reefs. The sandy beaches and crystal clear water offers excellent recreational facilities. The park provides a reach and varied habitat for marine animals. These range from the smallest zoo planktons to large see mammals like dolphin.
A forest rest house having four suits is available at wandoor. It is advisable to stay at Port Blair where many lodging options are available.
Excursions
Traveler need to obtain entry permit at Wondoor and then take boats of marine department or private tourist agencies. Glass bottom boats are used to see corals and under water marine water. It is also perfect place for snorkeling.
What to See
Mangrove forest along the creeks and magnificent tropical forest on Islands offers a splendid view. Corals reef an exotic variety of colored coral fishes and other marine life through the glass bottom boat.
Important Marine Fauna
Mahatma Gandhi marine national park provides an opportunity to experience the fascinating world of tropical forest and coral reefs. The sandy beaches and crystal clear water offers excellent recreational facilities. The park provides a reach and varied habitat for marine animals. These range from the smallest zoo planktons to large see mammals like dolphin.
Corals
The fringing type of coral reefs growing around the islands attract not only tourists but also scientists and researchers more than fifty types of coral are found here. The coral reef look like a forest growing in the sea. Some important coral verities are Acropora, Pacillopora, Montipora, Leptoseris, fungia, forties, tubipora and gorgonians.
Fishes: Hundreds of colorful varities of coral reefs fishes can be seen in the park some of these are clown fish which stays within poisonous sea anemons, butterfly fishes, sergeon fishes, angel fishes, parrot fishes, bat fishes, white tip shark, hammer headed shark, manta-ray and blue finack are also occasionally seen.
Reptiles: The beaches of the islands such as twin island an rutland island are among the best nesting ground for four species of marine turtles Green Sea, Leather back, Hawaks Bill, and Olive Ridlay. Their breeding season starts in October and lasts till Aril may. The creeks inside the park are ideal for salt water crocodile. The other important reptiles are Water Monitor Lizard and sea snakes like such as Banded Sea Snake.
Fishes: Hundreds of colorful varities of coral reefs fishes can be seen in the park some of these are clown fish which stays within poisonous sea anemons, butterfly fishes, sergeon fishes, angel fishes, parrot fishes, bat fishes, white tip shark, hammer headed shark, manta-ray and blue finack are also occasionally seen.
Reptiles: The beaches of the islands such as twin island an rutland island are among the best nesting ground for four species of marine turtles Green Sea, Leather back, Hawaks Bill, and Olive Ridlay. Their breeding season starts in October and lasts till Aril may. The creeks inside the park are ideal for salt water crocodile. The other important reptiles are Water Monitor Lizard and sea snakes like such as Banded Sea Snake.
Other Marine Animals
Other marine animals are Start fishes, Sea Liyy, Feather Star, Giant Clam shell, Cowries, Trochus, Sea cucumber, Sponges, Sea anemons and many varities of crustances.
Land Fauna
Mammals:-Andaman Wild Pig, Spotted Deer, Civet,Fruit Bat.
Birds:-Andaman Teal, Whisling Teal, White Belied Sea Eagle, Andaman Serpeant Eagle, KingFishers, Terns, Waders, ReefHerons, Swifts,Parakeet, Lorokeet, Pigeons,Doves.
Reptiles:-Karit, Cobra, King Cobra, Vinake Snake.
Birds:-Andaman Teal, Whisling Teal, White Belied Sea Eagle, Andaman Serpeant Eagle, KingFishers, Terns, Waders, ReefHerons, Swifts,Parakeet, Lorokeet, Pigeons,Doves.
Reptiles:-Karit, Cobra, King Cobra, Vinake Snake.
Flora of the Park:
The important plant species are Dipterocarpous Spp, Andaman Padauk, Andaman Bullet wood, Terminalia Spp, Silk Cotton Tree, Thespesia, Pandanas, Cycas bamboos, Canes, Orchids and ferns.
Main mangrove species are Rhizophora, Auicennia and Herittiera.
Main mangrove species are Rhizophora, Auicennia and Herittiera.
Do's*
- Treat the park with respect as it is a santum sanctorium of our precious national hertage. Make use of services of tourist guidelines.
- Learn more about coarl reefs,other marine and tropical forests.This will make your vist more enjoyable. Help us to keep park clean.Always take back litters.
- Take care of reef ,not just yourself but for all who foloow.
Don'ts
- Donot enter park without permit. Do not collect, destroy or remove any living or dead corals or break live corals.
- Please don't stand on coral reefs while snorkeling. Do not take vide or photo without permit.