National park · India
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Enter the park for a day of snorkeling and short island hikes: buy the entry ticket (check price), take the 30‑min boat to Jolly Buoy in the dry season, and avoid monsoon months (Jun‑Aug).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
282 km² (109 sq mi)109 sq mi (282 km²)
approximate
Established
1983
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 282 km² (109 sq mi)109 sq mi (282 km²)
- Total area 281.5 km² (land and marine) as defined by the forest department (check).
- Established
- 1983
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Port Blair
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park protects a cluster of coral‑rich islands and mangrove‑fringed coasts in the Andaman archipelago, offering snorkeling, short hikes and birdwatching while limiting access to preserve fragile ecosystems.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1983.
Size and age
282 km² (109 sq mi)109 sq mi (282 km²) · national park since 1983
Total area 281.5 km² (land and marine) as defined by the forest department (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Port Blair.
Why go
- Snorkelling on clear waters around Jolly Buoy and Red Skin islands.
- Explore mangrove‑fringed islands with coral reefs and sea turtles.
- Observe seabirds such as white‑bellied sea eagles and terns.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool nights, calm seas
- FebCool nights, calm seas
- MarWarm, still dry
- AprWarm, low rain
- MayWarm, start of pre‑monsoon
- JunMonsoon, heavy rain, activities closed
- JulMonsoon, heavy rain
- AugMonsoon, heavy rain
- SepTransition, occasional showers
- OctDry, clear water
- NovDry, pleasant
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coral reefs, colourful fish, sea turtlesOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| White‑bellied sea eagle, terns, heronsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Port Blair
Taxi or bus (45 min) to Wandoor, then boat to islands
1 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Wandoor entry area | Parking, ticket office, boat launch | Open to visitors with permit |
| Jolly Buoy & Red Skin islands | Snorkelling beaches, coral reefs | Boat trips from Wandoor; limited daily visits |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata for park centre; island points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Wandoor gate) | Free | person | Price not published; check locally |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit permission from forest departmentcheck
- Guides
- Not required for short island visits, but mandatory for any extended trek beyond designated paths
- Camping
- Not permitted on park islands; stay in Wandoor resorts
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; fines may apply
Where to stay
Near the park
Anugama Resort (Wandoor)
Rooms and meals about US$45 per night
Near the park
Sea Princess Resort (Wandoor)
Similar mid‑range accommodation
Safety
Monsoon flooding high
Strong currents medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Wandoor entry area reachable by road; short walks only
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen; avoid touching corals
- Support local vendors for food and water
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park?
Entry fee is not published online; obtain the ticket at the Wandoor gate – expect a modest INR amount (check on arrival).
What are the best hikes in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park?
Short walks on Red Skin and Jolly Buoy islands are the main trails; longer jungle treks are restricted to guided groups.
When is the best time to visit Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park?
October to February offers dry, calm seas and comfortable temperatures; avoid June‑August monsoon.
Can I camp on the islands?
Camping is prohibited; stay in Wandoor resorts or return to Port Blair.
Do I need a guide for snorkeling?
Guides are not mandatory for snorkeling, but local operators provide safety briefings and equipment.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go