Nomad Saikat
Beach locations are one of the most fascinating locations to visit because of the all encompassing beauty you get to see here. The Wandoor Beach in Andaman is one of those beaches that the tourists love visiting. It is also one of the most beautiful beaches in Andaman. On all three sides of the beach the lush greenery covers the beach and that looks beautiful. Also one of the key attractions here is the sustainable tourism and protection of forests here under the Andaman Islands Administration is something Wandoor Beach famous for. Moreover the beach is located in a remote area and therefore it is accessible only after a long drive through the forests. All of these makes the Wandoor Beach Port Blair more alluring as a location.
A beach surrounded by forests also makes an eye soothing experience for the visitors. The sea waves gushing and the dense forest around can be an ideal treat for the eyes. So if you are ever visiting Andaman then visiting this beach should be a must in your itinerary. Keep on reading this article to know everything about the Wandoor Beach Andaman as I will mention all information here. In this article I will mention everything that you need to know to plan a successful trip to this pristine location.
Wandoor Beach
Wandoor Beach location: Port Blair, Anadaman and Nicobar Islands
Timings of Wandoor Beach: The Wandoor Beach timings is 4 am to 9 pm
Overview of Wandoor Beach
Located in the east of Port Blair the Wandoor Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Andaman. It is also one of the most visited locations in Andaman as well that the tourists love visiting. One of the key attractions of this pristine beach is the presence of beautiful colourful corals. The tourists find it extremely fascinating and visit here to catch a glimpse of these. It is one of the beaches that is perfect for spending some relaxing time. As the beach is located at a much secluded location therefore the ambience that it offers is also enjoyable and peaceful. The crystal clear water gushing in the sandy shore is captivating to look at.
How to reach Wandoor Beach from Port Blair
Port Blair to Wandoor Beach distance is about 25 km and there are multiple ways to reach the beach. You can cover Wandoor Beach to Port Blair distance in about 1.5 hours approximately.
By bus
If you wish to travel by bus there are a number of private as well as Government buses from Port Blair that you can opt for. It is also one of the most economical ways to travel as well. Bus fare starts from Rs. 25 per person and in total there are 10 stops. However you must keep in mind that the number of buses is not very high and therefore there is an issue of seats. You must board the bus from Aberdeen Bus Stand to ensure you get a seat. If you are travelling on a strict budget only then this can be a good option. Otherwise these buses are old and not too active. They are prone to issues like break down or stopping half way, so keep that in mind.
By cab
Private vehicles or cabs are also available like Swift Dzire and Ertiga that is the most preferred way of communication for the tourists here. It is comfortable and also takes a little more than half an hour to reach the beach. However it is advisable that you always pre book the cab to avoid any last minute hassle. Also by pre booking the price of the cab also remains within a limit. And during peak seasons there can be less availability of cabs, so pre booking is always recommended.
For pre booked cab the fare is approximately Rs. 1200 and for non pre booked cab the fare is around Rs. 1500. You can get these cabs from the Airport.
Auto rickshaws are also one of the popular modes of transport here and it costs around Rs. 1200 to Rs. 1500. You can opt for that as well for a convenient travel option.
Best time to visit Wandoor Beach
This beach is an all year round destination and technically you can visit here any time of the year. The winter season is really comfortable here with the temperature ranging from 15 to 34 degrees. From the months of October to March most tourists visit here. Also because of the weather during this time it is ideal for beach activities. Also you can explore the place really well during this time as well. It is the ideal time if you are interested in participating in activities like snorkeling, trekking, hiking, diving etc.
Surprisingly the summer season also is not very hot or humid here. It does get hot during the afternoon though but otherwise the temperature ranges between 28 to 30 degrees. From March to May the area experiences summer. The evenings feel cool with the cool breeze, so you can visit here during the summer months as well if you want.
If there is a particular one time that is not so ideal for a visit here, that is the monsoon season. From the months between June to September the area receives heavy rainfall and that can dampen your travel spirit. Also a lot of times there is excessive thunderstorm activities during this time and therefore there are some restrictions to access the beach. Water sports also remain suspended during those times. Also the monsoon is not ideal for sightseeing as well. So if you are planning a visit here try to avoid the monsoon season.
Places to visit near Wandoor Beach
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
This is one of the major attractions near the Wandoor Beach and is a popular destination for nature lovers. This park is located at a one minute walking distance from the beach. After the dangerous Tsunami of 2004 this park remained closed for a really long time. But after it reopened it got tremendous popularity. The main attractions here are breeding of sea turtles and the restoration of corals of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Chartered boats are available at the park which is another interesting activity for the visitors here. You can enjoy the boat ride and visit the nearby islands as well.
Jolly Buoy Island
This is a beautiful island near the beach and you will get boats from the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park to reach here. It is around 25 km away from the Wandoor Beach. There are boats from the Wandoor Jetty as well. You need tickets of the speed boats from the IPNT office in Bengali Club and the charge is Rs. 750 per person. Also you need a forest permit to visit Jolly Buoy and that is Rs. 50 additional charges. And if you are carrying a camera then there is an additional charge of Rs. 25. Also it is possible to pre book the tickets to reach the island as well if you contact appropriate tour operators and DMCs.
The boats usually return by 3 pm and there are glass bottomed boats as well to see the coral reefs here. The coral reefs here are of different colours like red, blue along with sponge corals. You can even see life within these corals, especially zebrafish. Also activities like snorkeling and scuba diving are popular here so you can even try that. The Jolly Buoy Island is open for 6 months and then for the next 6 months it remains closed for the protection and preservation of coral reefs. During those 6 months alternatively the Red Skin Island remains open.
Red Skin Island
This is another island almost similar to the Jolly Buoy Island and it remains open for the 6 months when the Jolly Buoy Island remains closed. And later when that reopens this one remains closed. Here also you can enjoy the same coral reefs and crystal clear water. However, similar to the Jolly Buoy here, the boat rate is the same as Rs. 750 and you need permission from the forest office to enter the island. The permit would cost Rs. 50 and additional Rs. 25 charges for the camera.
Viper Island
This is another island that you can visit 40 minutes away from the Wandoor Beach. This is a perfect blend of a historical as well as a scenic location. From Port Blair also you can take a ferry ride to reach here. During the colonial era there was a jail here which is a popular tourist spot here.
Chidiya Tapu
This is another beautiful beach located only 15 km away from the Wandoor Beach. The Chidiya Tapu beach is mostly famous for its variety of birds here and you can easily visit here to enjoy.
Mount Harriet National Park
This national park is located 30 km away from the beach and is one of the popular destinations here for tourists. You can spot a variety of flora and fauna here including some endemic bird species. It is a popular spot for trekking as well.
Lohabarrack Crocodile Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located 40 km away from Wandoor beach and it is a specific protected area for the crocodiles. You can spot the crocodiles at their most natural habitat here while taking a boat ride.
Wandoor Beach Resort
You will find some good hotels and resorts near Wandoor Beach as it is a popular tourist destination. However you can also get many options for accommodations near Port Blair though. Some of the popular ones near Wandoor Beach are
Silver Sand Sea Princess Beach Resort
Address: Wandoor Beach, in New Wandoor, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Anugama Resort
Address: Wandoor Village, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar islands
Wrapping Up!
This beach is a must visit spot when you are travelling to Andaman. The way this beach looks and the type of experience here is extremely unique. Even though it is a commercial beach it also is secluded. The authorities here take enough care to protect this area and its natural resources. This is a no plastic zone and conservation is one the main aims here. So next time when you plan to visit Andaman make sure you are surely visiting Wandoor Beach Port Blair. Let me know when you are planning a trip to this location. Also don’t forget to let me know if this particular article is helpful for you in planning a trip to this beautiful beach.
