Scuba Diving & Snorkelling at Jolly Buoy Island
Jolly Buoy Island is only open for approximately six months each year, and that is precisely why diving and snorkelling here are exceptional. Lying within the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly Buoy operates on a conservation rotation with Red Skin Island: each is closed for half the year to allow its coral reef to rest and regenerate without human pressure. The result is one of the healthiest, most biodiverse coral reef ecosystems accessible to recreational divers anywhere near Port Blair, with visibility up to 15 metres in the protected, low-traffic waters.
The island is uninhabited, plastic-free, and strictly protected by the Forest Department. There are no shops, no permanent facilities, and no room for anything but the reef and the water. For beginner divers and snorkellers, these are some of the most rewarding conditions available at any shallow dive site in South Andaman — calm, clear, and richly alive.
Overview of Jolly Buoy (Quick Facts)
About Jolly Buoy Dive Site
The coral reef at Jolly Buoy Island is among the most diverse in the Andaman archipelago. Over 50 coral species have been recorded within the MGMNP reef system, including hard corals such as Fungia, Pocillopora, Acropora, and Leptoseris, alongside sea fans, soft corals, and encrusting formations covering the reef surface.
The reef begins just 3 metres below the surface, making the full coral landscape visible to snorkellers and first-time divers simultaneously. The exceptional coral health here is directly attributable to the six-month rest rotation, the strict no-plastic policy, and the Forest Department's limit on daily visitor numbers. Combined with low boat traffic in these protected waters, visibility regularly reaches 15 metres — unusually clear for a shallow reef accessible from Port Blair.
Topography
Jolly Buoy dive site is a shallow fringing reef with a varying depth of 3 to 12 metres. The bottom of the reef is covered by a thriving mix of hard and soft corals, which provides a natural shelter for teeming marine life.
Best Time to Dive
The best time to scuba dive at Jolly Buoy is between November and April, when sea conditions are quiet and clear and visibility reaches up to 15 metres on a good diving day.
Marine Life at Jolly Buoy
Jolly Buoy is home to protected reef fish species, which take shelter at the shallow depths of the reef. Snappers swim peacefully in large groups, needlefish constantly patrol the shallower part of the reef, and occasional sea turtles rest below rocky reef structures.
On the deeper section of the reef, giant trevally hunt peacefully at reef edges, stingrays rest on the sandy bottom, and lobsters can usually be seen peeping out of the crevices. The reef is covered with 50 species of healthy coral ecosystem, including brain coral, mushroom corals, sarcophyton leather coral, staghorn coral, table coral, and many more.
Cost & What's Included
Included:
- Full scuba equipment (tank, regulator, BCD, wetsuit, fins, mask, booties, weight belt, SPG)
- Certified SSI dive guide throughout (1:1 for non-certified divers/non-swimmers)
Bring yourself:
- Certification card if certified (digital is fine)
- Swimsuit to wear under the wetsuit
- Small towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Water in a reusable metal/glass bottle (no plastic allowed on the island)
- Original photo ID (required for the permit checkpoint)
This dive price is separate from the Forest Department ferry and permit fee, approximately ₹850–1,900 per person, paid directly at Wandoor Jetty.
Getting There
Jolly Buoy Island is accessed from Wandoor Jetty, approximately 25–30 km by road from Port Blair (45–60 minutes by taxi), followed by a 45-minute ferry ride to the island. Ferries from Wandoor generally depart between 8:00 am and 9:00 am; plan to arrive at Wandoor Jetty by 8:00 am at the latest. The last return ferry leaves Jolly Buoy Island at approximately 2:00–2:30 pm, making this a half-to-full-day commitment.
Emergency & Safety Information
DAN Global Emergency: +1-919-684-9111
FAQs
No — Jolly Buoy Island is open to visitors for approximately six months per year and closed for the remaining six months. It alternates with Red Skin Island in a conservation rotation managed by the Forest Department of Andaman and Nicobar: when Jolly Buoy is open, Red Skin Island is closed, and vice versa. The purpose of this rotation is to give each island's coral reef a full six-month rest from human activity, allowing the ecosystem to regenerate without the pressure of daily visitor impact.
Jolly Buoy Island sits within the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, one of India's most strictly protected marine environments. The park contains over 50 species of coral, including hard and soft corals and encrusting formations that cover the reef surface extensively. This diversity is significantly higher than at most commercially operated dive sites in the Andamans.
Jolly Buoy Island enforces a complete no-plastic ban. Plastic bottles, bags, and packaging are confiscated at the jetty before boarding the ferry. Bring water in a reusable metal or glass bottle, and pack snacks in non-plastic containers or cloth bags. There are no food stalls or shops on the island — what you bring from Port Blair or Wandoor is all you'll have for the day. Eco huts on the island provide shelter from rain. There are no proper changing rooms on the island. All waste must be carried back off the island with you. The environment is strictly policed, and littering results in fines. Carry your original photo ID, as permits require ID verification at the jetty checkpoint.
Yes — a Forest Department permit is required for all visitors to Jolly Buoy Island. The permit is obtained at Wandoor Jetty (not in Port Blair city) and is typically included with the ferry ticket purchase. The combined ferry and permit cost is approximately ₹850–1,900 per person, depending on current government rates.
The best time to scuba dive at Jolly Buoy is between November and April, when sea conditions are calm and clear and visibility can reach up to 15 metres on a good diving day.
The dive itself includes a scuba tank, regulator, buoyancy compensator (BCD), wetsuit, fins, mask, booties, weight belt, and submersible pressure gauge, priced at INR 5,000 plus 18% GST per person for beginners and non-swimmers. This is separate from the Forest Department ferry and permit fee (approximately ₹850–1,900 per person), which is paid at Wandoor Jetty.
Ready to Dive Jolly Buoy?
One of the healthiest, most biodiverse reefs near Port Blair — open only half the year, and worth planning around.