Island Hopping Adventure: Day Trip to Jolly Buoy Island from Port Blair (2024)

I am in love with Jolly Buoy Island. A definite visit from Port Blair is to this spectacular island. With transparent, pristine blue waters and amazing coral reefs, Jolly Buoy Island is one of the untouched and protected islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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Short on time? Here are Andaman and Nicobar Islands Travel Resources
For the Best Hotel Deals in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, use Booking.com or Goibibo
For Hostels in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, use HostelWorld
Use Skyscanner or Trip.com to get affordable flight tickets to Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Viator and GetYourGuide are your best tour operators
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For comprehensive travel insurance, use SafetyWing or WorldNomads

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Plan Your Visit to Chidiya Tapu
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One-Day Trip to Ross Island from Port Blair
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One-Day Trip to Jolly Buoy Island from Port Blair
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Where is Jolly Buoy Island?

Part of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly Buoy is an island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. Famous for its coral reefs and marine life, it is one of the most delightful islands in the Andaman. The island is around 30 kilometres from Wandoor beach.

For my detailed guides for islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, refer the section, Andaman and Nicobar Islands travel diaries.

The best time to visit Jolly Buoy Island is during the winter season (between October and February) and, of course, when the island is open for tourism. As the island does not have any accommodation facilities, it can be visited as a one-day trip from Port Blair.

Permission to Visit Jolly Buoy Island

The Jolly Buoy island is open only for 6 months, and for the remaining 6 months of the year, a different island called Red Skin Island is open. This is a step taken by the Andaman government to protect both the Jolly Buoy and Red Skin islands from overtourism.

To visit Jolly Buoy or Red Skin Islands, one must obtain a permit prior to the date of travel. The permits can be obtained from the Andaman and Nicobar Tourism office. A valid identification proof will need to be submitted to obtain the permit. The permit costs INR 950 per person, which includes the entrance fee to the island and the boat ride. The entire trip is a one-day trip to the island and back.

• Note: Usually, there are long queues at the tourism office for obtaining permits.

Things to Note Before Visiting Jolly Buoy Island

• Jolly Buoy Island is a small island.
• On the island, there are only glass-bottom boat rides available. Glass-bottom boats have glass viewing on the floor. One can sit comfortably, dry in the boats, and view the corals underwater.
• No scuba diving or snorkelling is allowed on the island.
• There is no restaurant or shop on the island, so ensure you carry sufficient water and food.
• Take care of your belongings, as no shelter protects your things.
• Be sure to board the boat at the Wandoor Jetty before 8 AM.
• The department checks for plastic prior to boarding the boat, as no plastic is allowed. Plastic water bottles must be converted to the water bottles given by the department. To rent these water bottles, one must pay INR 100 as a deposit and INR 5 as rental charges. The deposit is returned when the water bottle is returned after the trip.
• There is no place to change clothes on the island.
• There are toilet facilities on the island, but they are not clean.
• Do not dirty the island and the ocean. Take your garbage with you or dispose of it in the proper bins.

How to get to Jolly Buoy Island?

The only way to Jolly Buoy is by taking a government-run boat. The boat leaves (at around 8 AM) from Wandoor Jetty, about 20 kilometres from Port Blair.

• Note: Be careful at the Wandoor Jetty, as there are frequent sightings of crocodiles in the area.

The best way to reach Wandoor Jetty is by hiring a taxi. We hired a taxi from the hotel travel desk as it was easier that way, and it cost us INR 2000 for one day. Usually, the taxis are hired for the entire day, as the taxi drivers wait until the boat returns from the island in the afternoon (at around 2 PM) and then drop you off back at the hotels.

There are also regular government-owned buses that run between Aberdeen Bazaar bus stops in Port Blair and Wandoor Jetty. The bus journey takes about one hour, and the fare is about INR 20, which needs to be paid in cash.

Glass bottom boat

The glass-bottom boat is totally worth it, and it costs around INR 1000 per person. The boat ride is only 20 to 30 minutes, and they take you around the island to show you as much as they can. It is a great way to see the corals and the beautiful underwater world. The water is so clear that the corals are easily visible. I also saw a turtle from the glass-bottom boat, which was a pretty cool experience.

Safety for solo female travellers

Visiting Jolly Buoy Island is very safe for all travellers, including solo female travellers. The island is monitored and protected by the Andaman government, and hence, it is very safe. However, be a bit cautious on the road trip to the jetty. Ensure to take a trusted taxi or ride. The best is to hire a taxi from the hotel you are staying at, as they are usually very trustworthy. Also, be careful while returning, as it can get dark.

Closing Notes

It is worth visiting this amazingly beautiful island. Even if you do not take the glass-bottom boat, ensure to visit the island. I loved playing in the crystal clear, warm water here. I wish I could visit the island again someday and hope to scuba dive if the government ever allows it.

Have you visited Jolly Buoy Island? Did you like it? Let me know in the comments below.

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