Wandoor
- Not to be confused with Wandoor, a town in Malappuram District of Kerala.
Wandoor is a small village near the southern tip of South Andaman. It has some beaches and a couple of accommodation options and is a nice place to relax, but it is more known as the gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. From Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park you will get boats to Jolly Buoy (Boat charges ₹450/- per person both ways, ₹50 for a forest permit to Jolly Buoy and ₹25/- for the camera).
Understand
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At Jolly Buoy you will get to see corals (red, blue, sponge corals etc). Also, you will be able to see life within these corals (particularly zebrafish). There is another island called Red Skin Island. Both Jolly Buoy and Red Skin remain open for tourists for 6 months alternately. Tourists Wandoor + Jolly Buoy/Red Skin is a day trip. A night stay is not required. Boats from Jolly Buoy would return by 3PM and then you can watch the sunset at Wandoor beach and return to Port Blair by bus.
Corals at Jolly Buoy are simply mesmerizing. You are requested not to litter, or throw bottles, paper or food at Jolly Buoy. Please try to keep the island clean. Coral grows at the rate of 1 inch every 10 years. So please try to keep the island clean.
Climate
[edit]In March/April (the best time to go there) its generally very hot and humid. But the scenic beauty and landscape will soothe it. Do wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Also, wear a cap. You can carry an umbrella while you walk. Carrying food and water for Jolly Buoy trip is must.
Get in
[edit]- Buses are available from the Port Blair STS bus terminal to Wandoor village. There is no bus number, but the bus will have a board saying Wandoor. They take around 1.5 hours to reach. Buses are more or less comfortable since there is hardly any passenger in the bus. Tickets can be purchased in the bus itself (₹12 per head per trip). Wandoor beach is around 5 minute walk from Wandoor village. All buses are forced to go up to the beach for their return journey, as narrow roads in village are not wide enough to allow buses turn back. Tourists planning to go to beach directly can continue in the buses till beach (for no extra cost). Just for a landmark, from the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park as you walk towards Wandoor beach you will get a public toilet on your left. At Wandoor beach there is a government primary school (established 1969, New Wandoor, South Andaman).
- Scooters & motorcycles not available in Wandoor (March 2010).
Fees and permits
[edit]Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park — a national park of India in Wandoor on the Andaman Islands
Do
[edit]- Snorkeling is possible at some good sites near Wandoor. (Jolly Bouy/Red Skin Island)
- People who do not wish to swim can hire glass-bottomed boats to view the coral-reefs. Boats are available only up to noon (unless in peak tourist periods).
Buy
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Eat
[edit]There are a few small food stalls operated by the locals, serving basic food, eggs and some groceries. There are a couple of new resorts and hotels at Wandoor, like Sea Princess or Anugama resorts which offer other specialities. A lot of Indian tourists come to Wandoor during the season to visit Jolly Buoy or Red Skin islands.
Drink
[edit]There is a tap near the village, carry bottled water if possible. There is a lot of coconut water around to sustain.
Sleep
[edit]Sea Princess Beach Resort [dead link] is located at Wandoor Beach. The tariff for the season ranges from ₹6000- ₹10000 A jungle resort, Anugama Resort , is along the road to Wandoor jetty (on the left).
The Tsunami of 2004 affected mostly the Nicobar islands. There have been a lot of exaggerated reports about the damage done. When in the Andamans, take everything you hear with a pinch of salt. Wandoor has a very natural setting and the beaches and islands there are fantastic. Go see for yourself. the best part is that you don't need to get on a ferry to get there. It is only about 40 minutes by road!