Jolly Buoy Island

Located at 30 KM from the Wandoor Beach, Jolly Buoy Island is a very small islet in South Andaman that comes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Park along with Red Skin Island, which is a preserved area, protected by the Andaman Administration.

Although there are no palm or coconut trees here, the Jolly buoy features a small yet dense tropical forest that covers 70% of the island and can be easily trekked through with the help of a guide.

The beach is only present at one side of the island while other sides open up to a cliff that ends in water, which is why it is not advised to stand near the edge of the jungle.

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As it is a protected area, the complete island is a no plastic zone and visitors are required to submit the list of all plastic items they are taking with them. It is not allowed to leave any plastic or other belongings in the island because it might affect the biodiversity.

Due to all these efforts, it has the densest and unique coral population in Andaman that supports one of the most richest biodiversity in the isles. Wide variety of coral species houses some of the most vibrant and beautiful fishes that are waiting to be explored by adventure lovers.

The waters near the Jolly Buoy beach is extremely shallow and clear, which allows for a clear view of the sea bottom and all the dwellers. Sometimes during low tide, the water becomes so shallow that the corals are almost out of the water, and Snorkeling is restricted at that time.

But no need to worry about that, there are plenty of rental boats available at the island who will take you deeper into the sea for a great experience.

Things you need to know before visiting:

• Jolly Buoy can only be reached by taking a boat from Wandoor.
• The usual time to reach there is 1.5 hours from the airport including a 30-minute drive to Wandoor and then a boat to Jolly Buoy.
• It is always advised to prebook the ferries because the demand can be really high at times.
• Jolly Buoy is only open for 6 months from June to September after that Red Skin island is opened for visitors.
• The opening and closing time of the island is 8 A.M to 2 P.Mm after this the island is closed to civilians.
• You will need permission from the forest department to Snorkel near the island if you are planning to do it independently.
• There are no changing booths or places on the island, so make sure you don't wet your clothes.
• There are no shelters where you can hide from rain so make sure you take an umbrella during your trip if you visit during the rainy season.
• Jolly Buoy is a plastic free zone which means you can't throw away even a small amount of plastic or polythene there.
• You will be asked to list every item you are taking with you to the island by the forest department, so make sure you pack light.
• There are no food stalls or drinking water available at the beach, keeping a bottle of water and light snacks will go a long way.
• Sometimes, the water levels may go down and the corals may surface, during this, it is advised not to go in the water because it may damage the corals.

Available activities at Jolly Buoy:

If you are planning for some water sports at Jolly Buoy, you'll need to book a trip from the Wandoor Beach by visiting the booth near the Jetty. Usually, 10-15 min snorkeling is provided free and can be easily extended by contacting the provider.

Here are the available activities on the island:

1. Snorkeling
2. Glass Bottom Boat Ride

Reaching Jolly can get really complex if one doesn't know where to start, the island is not connected by any roads and can be reached only by taking a boat.

To reach Jolly Buoy from Port Blair, first you'll have to take a bus or cab to the Wandoor Beach. Buses are available at an interval of 1 hour from any bus stand going through Bathubasti. Cabs are also available to take you there, you can easily book one by contacting the right vendor. The beach itself is located 30 Kms from the airport and it takes around 1 hour to reach there.

Once you are at Wandoor Beach you can inquire about speed boats by taking a right from the cluster of shops till you see the board for boat offices. If you need to do snorkeling by yourself you can get the permit by visiting the forest office and presenting you identity proof and passport.

Once there you'll embark on a 30 minute trip to the Jolly Buoy Island and enjoy your day. Make sure to book a return ticket as there are no vendors there.