Planning to travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to chill and explore their diversity? Take your swimsuit along with you, as the island is a storehouse of enthralling water sports. Adrenaline junkies from all over the world visit the Andamans to try their hand at various water sports here. The marine life of the Andaman Islands is extremely rich, and spotting beautiful underwater creatures is definitely an unforgettable experience. The azure and calm waters make it an ideal destination for trying several water sports in the Andaman Islands.
The untouched Indian union territory is known for offering exciting adventurous activities that can be enjoyed by swimmers as well as non-swimmers. Adventure seekers fall in love with the diversity of water sports that one can enjoy here. People of all age groups are sure to have a great vacation here, as the island offers something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
For trying water sports in the Andaman Islands, the best time to visit is post-monsoon, that is, the months between November and May. During this time, the water is peaceful and safe. The sky is cloudless as well.
Best Places for Water Sports in Andaman Islands
The whole island is a treasure house of thrilling water sports, but there are a few places that are perfect for these. These include Port Blair, Havelock Island, Neil Island, North Bay, and Jolly Buoy. The water of these places has the ideal current, which lets you make the most of your adventurous vacation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Their crystal-clear waters let you have a closer look at the marine life.
There are some of the famed water sports in the Andaman Islands that you should definitely try during your vacation. These are as follows:
Let’s jump into what you can experience in each of the water sports, so it becomes a lot easier for you to choose!
- Sea Kart: Adrenaline rush is exactly what Seakart gives. Seakart is a water-sport activity introduced in the year 2020 in India, followed by launching in the famous destinations - Mauritius, Dubai, and, of course, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It involves the traveler to self-drive the Seakart under the guidance of an instructor. It is generally made to fit 3 people and allows you to explore deep waves far from the shoreline.
- Parasailing: The Andaman Islands hold an adventurous water sport - Parasailing, in which you will be harnessed to a parachute-like wing, commonly known as a parasail, and towed by a boat, which will lift you in the sky like a free bird and give you moments to fly and enjoy the scenic and panoramic views from the top.
- Sea Walking: One of the most popular water sports of the Andaman Islands is Sea Walking, too, which lets you experience the waters while you walk on the sea floor. You will be given a clear, special helmet connected to an oxygen supply, allowing you to breathe and walk underwater, which will ultimately refresh your day in one go.
- Snorkelling: The most chosen water sport - Snorkelling lets a person swim on the surface of crystal clear waters with their face submerged, using a mask and a breathing tube to gain the experience of the majestic underwater life. Snorkelling also involves fins to aid swimming and a wetsuit for warmth in the water. The best snorkeling spots can be counted as Elephant Beach, Havelock, Bharatpur Beach, Neil Island, and North Bay Island.
- Kayaking: Kayaking is another popular water sports activity in the Andamans, which involves paddling a small boat through its clear waters. The best part? You can engage in either day kayaking or night kayaking, yes, you heard it right! It is an absolutely popular activity in places like Havelock, Mayabunder, offering the best of its time.
- Jet Skiing: Jet Skiing - the name itself sounds interesting. It is another thrilling water sports activity in the Andaman Islands where you ride a high-speed personal watercraft and enjoy the cool ocean waves. You can navigate at your own convenience while living in the splashes.
- Glass Bottom Boat Ride: The name Glass Bottom Boat Ride gives clear indications of being a boat, all glassy and crystal clear. This boat is going to give you a full experience of the underwater world, where you will get to see vibrant coral reefs and mesmerising marine life through the transparent panel within the boat without getting wet.
- Banana Boat Ride: This ride in the Andaman Islands is rated among the top casual water sports activities, wherein you will be sitting on an inflatable boat, looking similar to a banana with an inflated foot padding on the side to maintain the balance. You are suggested to hang right and tight on the ride to experience the splash, the refreshment, and thrilling jumps due to the wavy waves.
- Semi-Submarine Riding: Submarine rides are always fun. Never tried? We are sure you are going to after reading this. A Semi-Submarine ride in the Andaman Islands is a boat tour, specially designed with a low air-conditioned viewing cabin that allows people to view underwater marine life. This ride is suitable for both young ones and adults.
- Scuba Diving: Dive-in, already feels like diving in the waters. Scuba Diving in the Andaman Islands is an activity that lets you explore the marine life at the closest by giving a chance to feel the clear warm waters, vibrant coral reefs, and beautiful marine creatures that you will be amazed to see. It is flexible for both beginners and experienced divers. Havelock Island, Neil Island, and Port Blair are the best spots for quick dives.
- Game Fishing: Game fishing in the Andaman Islands is one of the most exciting and recreational activities, mainly focused on catching a hold of large, hard-fighting fish using methods like popping, jigging, and trolling, and is often done in the main open sea, mostly in deep blue waters. This activity is most probably done for a whole day, so you won’t need other plans on the same day, as it is going to keep you excited and absolutely thrilled.
- Surfing: As of now, Surfing is quite new to the Andamans, but a certain beach offers an experience season-wise. Little Andaman (Butler Bay) is for intermediate surfers. However, beginners should only go surfing with a certified instructor or guide.
Don’t Book all the Water Sports at One Island
Visitors often get a whole package deal at one place itself but we recommend you try everything at its best. Doing the right sport at the right place changes the whole experience.
Here is a short overview, you can choose from, as each Island has its own speciality.
- Havelock Island is best for Scuba Diving
- Neil Island is best for Snorkeling and Glass glass-bottom boat Ride
- Port Blair is best for Parasailing and Jet Skiing
- North Bay is best for Sea Walking
Safety Guidelines for Water Sports in the Andaman Islands
While every water sport is fun and full of moments, it is important to keep a few do’s and don’ts in mind. Here’s a list for you to have a smooth experience:
Do’s:
- Choose operators and instructors with valid and genuine certification
- Wear life jackets positively for all water sports (where required)
- Follow all the instructions properly given by the instructor/guide
- Inform instructors if you have any phobias/medical conditions/allergic reactions to anything
- Book activities in advance, especially in the peak season
Dont’s:
- Don’t go to dive-in after heavy meals or consumption of alcohol
- Don’t venture into the sea if red flag alerts are there
- Don’t touch, step on, or harm coral reefs or any marine creatures
- Don’t throw any packages, plastic, or trash, as it will disturb the ecosystem
In conclusion, Water Sports in the Andamans is not only thrilling and adventurous but also soothing, relaxing, and refreshing, wherein you are going to feel the magic of the underwater world. The Andaman Islands let you experience the perfect blend of waves, reefs, and marine life that feels unreal, but in reality, it is a master of its own world.
If you are a water baby and want to make the most of your vacation in the Andamans, then contact Andaman Island Travels to make all the bookings on your behalf that will include accommodation, airport transfer, ferry transfer, etc., along with booking slots for water sports in the Andaman Islands. Its experienced staff will take care of all your requirements so that you can enjoy a hassle-free holiday in the lap of nature.