Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

In 1983, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park was established to safeguard the area’s coral reefs and nesting sea turtles. The park is located near Wandoor on the Andaman Islands, a distance of 29 kilometres from Port Blair. It is protected by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest Department.

More than 281 square kilometres of land make up the entire park. The park has numerous creeks that flow into the ocean. The Labyrinth Islands and the Twin Islands are the two main island groups in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. A 16-kilometre drive from Port Blair will get you here. The Rutland Archipelago consists of 17 islands, all of which are inhabited. In between South Andaman and Rutland Islands, they can be found. 

History

As a sanctuary for endangered marine species such as sea turtles and corals, this park was established in May 1983. The forest department of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands oversaw the creation of the park. Labyrinth Island and the Twin Islands are separate sections of the park. The Wildlife Act of 1972 currently protects the park. To safeguard the park’s rare marine life, it recently became a plastic-free zone.

Key Attractions

A tranquil spot away from the city is home to some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs. Yes, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Port Blair’s Wandoor district is around 30 kilometres from the city centre. A highlight of the park is that it preserves a number of islands and keeps tourists away from the usual tourist traps, thus preserving the verdant splendour and diverse marine life that can be found there.

Over 15 islands are linked together and visitors can go from one to the next without pausing at any one location to get a glance at what lies below and on these mangrove-covered islands. A stop at Red Skin Beach, where tourists can participate in activities like snorkelling, allows visitors to get up close and personal with coral reefs and stunning marine life. Visit the national park if you’re in Port Blair and want to see the island’s biggest attractions, the coral reefs, and see a different side of nature.

How to get to this Park?

All of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can be reached from Wandoor jetty. There are five boats available from Port Blair to take visitors to the national park. From 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., a boat leaves the Port Blair pier for Wandoor jetty every 30 minutes.

Permission is required for entry into the national park. You will be given a boat ticket for a specified time based on the permit. Make it to the jetty in plenty of time to board the scheduled boat. You can take any of the boats from Wandoor Jetty to Port Blair for your return journey. In addition to this, there are numerous private boats that may take you to Wandoor jetty from various jetties.

Once you arrive at Wandoor Jetty, the government has arranged for buses to take you to the park. From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., one bus will arrive every thirty minutes. In addition to the government vehicles, private buses and Cabs are available to go to the park.

Best Time to Visit

On Mondays, the tourism departments’ boat services aren’t available. Nonetheless, private boats can be found throughout the week. However, if you visit on a Monday during peak tourist season, the private boats will be congested. Visit this park between November and February for the best experience. Underwater visibility will be excellent, making it possible for divers to see a wide variety of coral ecosystems during this time period. The best time to visit the park is from September through November. The park will be closed due to the impending monsoon season.

Conclusion

It’s recommended to visit Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park during the months of October and February when the weather is pleasant and the evenings are chilly. When compared to the oppressive months from June to August, this time of year is rather dry and humid. Because the islands can be seen from one another, fishermen and boatmen can typically detect whether there is a weather disturbance on one of them. Some of its most notable features include the chance to see some of the ocean’s most endangered species.