Andaman snorkeling info

sbballer33

Just a run down of the sites I snorkeled at in the Andamans and my humble rankings:

1) Kalipur near Diglipur North Andaman, the Island off the coast of Pristine Beach resort (200-300 rupee huts. Best beach snorkeling place I visited in the Andamans. Very diverse too, great coral between on the beach side of the island on the far side are rocks which go down quite deep with lots of fish especially the northeast corner. Saw sting rays, lion fish, sea snake, octopus, several Giant Parrot fish about 1.5 m long, small barracudas, lots of fish of all sizes. Sea turtles are often seen here as well but I didn't see one.

2) Neil Island off the west side of corner of beach #1 seems to be the most consistently good. Saw a sea turtle, Giant Parrot fish, sea snake, coral is not bad but not as good as Kalipur or Lalaji beach on Long island, the tsunami damaged the reefs around Niel and Havelock quit a bit. Others saw Durgong (sea cow) out there as well.

3) Lalaji beach, Long island (1.5 hour walk from Guest house either along the cost or through the forest) beautiful beach for one lined with a coconut grove, on the left side is a very nice coral reef. I didn't see many big fish but lots of small ones and the coral is very nice there. Plus very easy snorkeling since the reef is shallow and you can walk out on the nice sandy bottom of the beach.

4) Havelock, the coral is better at Elephant beach, but not as good as Kalipur of Lalaji, I saw more larger fish out on the right and left side of the lagoon at the end of beach 7 than Elephant. Off beach 7 I saw Giant Parrot fish and a sea turtle, in addition to the usual stuff. Guesthouse plug, full power guesthouse on beach seven is a great place to stay. Really nice owner only has 4 huts though 150-200.


I didn't make it out to South Button but I hear its good although people I talked to who went to both South Button and Kalipur preferred Kalipur, and you don't need to hire a boat for Kalipur

Satyagraha

Thanks. Exactly what the doctor ordered. Just out of itnerest, can you buy snorkelling kit out there, or is it cheaper to rent?

I don't think i will need it again once i leave andamans and i expect to be there 3 weeks.

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martinez

Thanks for that info SBBALLER33. You just answered a question that i did not need to ask.I have spent the last 2 Decembers at Neil and am fancying a change that does not include the Havelock scene.
To our other friend from London... you can hire snorkelling stuff in the Andamans but it is usually poor quality.Maybe a good idea is to buy a cheapish rig that fits you and sell it, even if you loose a little, before you leave,or even better give it to some poor island kid so that he/she can hire it to tourists and get a small income?

Satyagraha

Good idea. But where to buy the snorkelling gear? perhaps there is some place in Kolkata? Would it be good quality if i bought it in andamans?

martinez

Hi Satragyaha, I think it best to buy your gear in europe .Mask ,fins and snorkell are not heavy,and if you are flying on British Airways sporting gear goes for free as long as it is in a seperate bag.If there is a Decathelon store near you it´s a good place as you can try on the mask(place over eyes and nose and breath in through the nose to see if you have an airtight fit.)..Another place to buy the goods is by Embankment tube station on the district and circle line of the London underground(exit station at bottom of Villiers street,turn left and under railway brige and the shop is on the left about 100 mtrs from station)It is quite important to try the mask on for size and comfort. If you are just snorkelling you can buy full foot fins,that is a rubber shoe built in to the fin blade.They dont need to be big or heavy.

shahronakm

sbballer33, thanks for the info. on snorkelling. Had been to Elephant beach enjoyed snorkelling there.

Ronak.

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sbballer33

You can buy stuff in Port Blair that will get the job done, if you can bring it from home, not an option for me, I bought a mask and snorkel in port Blair you can find them for just over 500 rupees. The fins were pricier, I decided not to buy fins as they were pricier 1500 they did have big sizes I found ones that fit ok a little snug but I wear 48 Eur 13 US. I rented them a couple times and did quite a bit of snorkeling without fins. Standard rate is 50 for fins and 50 for snorkel and mask.

I sold my mask for 200 to another tourist in port blair when I left.

Satyagraha

Cool, well I just spent the equivalent of 2500 rs on a snorkel and mask yesterday!

martinez

Just a word of warning to any snorkellers at Neil Island or anywhere else, I have spent 7 week in the sea around Neil Island,i have snorkelled half of the coastline around Neil and also scubadived many places around it and as a consequence can testify to periodical very strong currents and if caught in one of these without fins,ones life is in serious danger. Please use fins.

Satyagraha

Thanks for the warning. I was also thinking about having a snorkelling buddy - like a dive buddy.

shahronakm

Martinez, Thanks for the warning.
7 weeks - you must had a great time. Would love to spend that much time someday.

Ronak.

martinez

Also a very good idea. My problem is i can´t get people to go on 2-3 hour swims with me

martinez

God willing it will be another four weeks this year too. Tickets to Chennai already bought,although we would like to spend a week or so on the reefs of Middle Andaman and go to Neil again for two or three weeks as i still have a lot of the coast line there that i have not yet snorkelled.

sbballer33

True, depending on the tides the current could be quite strong on Neil, you must be a very strong swimmer to snorkel without fins. If you do get caught don't swim directly against the current swim at a right angle in a direction that gets you closest to land.

shahronakm

Wow that's wonderful. Will you be carrying an underwater camera ?