Located in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly Buoy Island is home to colorful corals and rich underwater life. Whether you want to go for snorkeling or get a sun-kissed tan, its beaches are perfect for both. The island promises you a long stretch of pristine white sandy beaches with hues of turquoise waters fringed with a drool-worthy coastline.
Rich in exotic corals and marine life, the island is adorned with surrealism and tranquility where one can find nature in its purest form. It is covered with mangrove swamps and tropical rainforests that provide it with a tranquil landscape and a touch of incredible appeal. You can enjoy the spellbinding beauty of nature here and enjoy seclusion at its best.
Visit to Jolly Buoy and Red Skin Islands
One of the fifteen beaches found inside the Marine National Park of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Red Skin Island is located adjacent to Jolly Buoy Island. This island is like a tiny paradise on earth where you can enjoy relaxed quality time. Tourists from all over the world visit Red Skin Island owing to the picturesque beach and adjoining forest that make it a picture-perfect holiday.
The island is home to abundant red coral reefs, aquatic animals, tropical plants, white sandy beaches, and azure water. It is also located in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Its beautiful beach offers an impressive view of corals and marine life. Thus, it is popular among snorkelers. Red Skin Island is a great day trip from Port Blair if you are looking for a fun day at a secluded beach.
Highlights
Red Skin Island is located inside the Marine National Park in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. One of the 36 inhabited islands of the union territory, Red Skin Island and Jolly Buoy Island are often considered alternatives to each other as they are located adjacent to each other.
The most special features of Red Skin Island are as follows:
- It is a must-visit to one of India’s most safeguarded eco-friendly beach.
- Have an amazing journey through the thick wilderness encompassing the ideal perfect ocean.
- You can watch rich marine life and miraculous submerged corals from glass-bottomed vessels ride
- You can spend your time amidst the flawless pristine blue waters. Go for a swim and watch the white sparkling sands wash your feet.
Jolly Buoy Island has adventures that an adrenaline junkie seeks as well as pure beauty that a nature enthusiast looks for. It is the perfect spot for both. If you want to enjoy everything that it has to offer, then you should visit here when the weather is pleasant so that you can try all the water sports as well. You can go for all the thrilling activities and also relax at the turquoise beach without worrying about rain. You can relax at the shimmering beach while getting the perfect tan.
You can easily plan a trip to Jolly Buoy by gathering the below-mentioned three important permissions and tickets:
- First, obtain the required permissions from the local authorities and forest department.
- Second, you can go for booking the boat tickets by visiting the Wandoor Beach.
- Third, you can book the return ticket as well from the island for a seamless travel experience.
Overview
You cannot visit Jolly Buoy Island at any time of the year like other islands in the Andaman Islands. It remains closed for six months in the year for the preservation of the corals. In 2019, the island was open from November to April. During these months, the temperature remains moderate, neither too hot nor too cold. Therefore, you can easily engage yourself in different enthralling water sports during this time. You are required to obtain a proper permit from the Wandoor beach along with the ferry ride for entering the Jolly Buoy Island. Moreover, it is closed on Mondays.
Water Sports & activities
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Jolly Buoy Island and Red Skin Island are perfect destinations to enjoy various adventures in the lap of nature. They are nestled away from pollution and dirt. To get an insight into the best adventures to enjoy on these islands, stroll through the list below:
Snorkeling
On your Jolly Buoy Island and Red Skin Island tour, snorkeling would be the most fantastic adventure activity to get indulged. The island gives amazing underwater opportunities to snorkelers for enjoying exotic corals and marine life in the turquoise waters of the island. The place is highly rich in corals and has crystal clear waters. You can appreciate the beauty of marine life from close and capture the memories forever in your heart and mind.
Glass Bottom Boat Ride
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If you are a little faint-hearted and don’t want to go under the water, then this activity is specially designed for you. A glass-bottom ride will allow you to experience the exotic marine world without indulging in arduous activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. The activity is extremely popular among kids as they get to witness the real beauty of the underwater world. These special boats have a glass enclosure through which you can have a look into the underwater world while sitting in the boat.
Scuba Diving
You should make the most of your island trip by undergoing a scuba diving adventure. Keep your fear aside and let your adrenaline rush get high. Get bewildered at the beauty of nature by having a glimpse of the colorful world of marine flora and fauna. One thing to note is that you should know the weather conditions beforehand undertaking scuba diving. It is not recommended to try it during the high tides on these islands as it can be dangerous.
Enjoy Sunbathing
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Under the glistening rays of the sun, the spellbinding scenic landscape of the island calls for nothing but just relaxing and enjoying sunbathing. This is the best place for soaking yourself in the sunshine and admiring the pristine aura of natural beauty. You can also go for swimming at its beach.
Nearby Hotels
Jolly Buoy Island is a very small island, which is protected by the forest department. Thus, there are not places to stay there at night. You will be required to leave the island in the evening. There is no hotel available in Red Skin Island as well. Night stay is not allowed. Thus, you have to come back to Wandoor or Port Blair by the end of the day.
How to Reach
To reach Jolly Buoy Island and Red Skin Island, you need to take a boat from Wandoor Beach, which is located 30 kilometers southwest of Port Blair. You have to take a taxi from Port Blair to reach Wandoor Beach. The route is a scenic drive covered with a lush green forest. Keeping the map of both the islands with you is highly recommended. From the Wandoor beach, take a ferry ride to reach these islands. You can also choose to do snorkeling for a while as it is included with the ferry ride.
- Jolly Buoy Island Ferry Timings - 9 am
- Jolly Buoy Island Ferry Cost: INR 850 including permit charges
- Jolly Buoy Island Entry Ticket: For Indians, the permit fee cost to visit Jolly Buoy Island is INR 50 and for foreigners, it is INR 500.
One can buy the tickets only one day before the trip begins. If you have made the bookings via a tour operator, then the company will provide you the tickets as these may be included in the package. Before you board the boat, the tickets will be handed over to you. Please note that the tickets are subject to availability.
Pro tips for Travellers While Visiting Jolly Buoy Island & Red Skin Island
- Do not plan a visit to the Jolly buoy Island on Monday as it is closed on this day. Also, there are no ferry services available to Jolly Buoy Island on Mondays.
- Remove all the plastic items such as bottles, plastic bags, etc. before going to Jolly Buoy Island as the island comes under the plastic-free zone.
- You cannot enter the island without taking a proper permit from the administration. Permit to visit the island can be obtained at Wandoor Beach.
- There are no eateries and water facilities available there. So carry your own eatables and water bottles (not plastic ones) before heading here.
- You are not allowed to carry any shells, corals, and any other thing from underwater before the prior permission from the government.
- Make sure to carry a sim card of either Airtel or Vodafone while visiting there as these two networks work comparatively better on the island.
- Carry all important things like sunscreen, extra clothes, insect-repellent, power bank, sunglasses, and medicines. There is no accessibility to all these things on the islands.
- You should reach the Wandoor Beach before time as all the ferries leave from the beach for the island at 9 am sharp. No ferry is available after this.
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