Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park — Attraction in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

New Beginnings at a Beautiful Viewpoint – Pongi Balu Entrance Gate

If you're planning a trip to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and are exploring the less-touched corners of Andaman, Pongi Balu is a hidden gem that deserves a stop. What was once an open and relatively unknown access point has now been officially developed by the government — complete with a proper entrance gate and nominal entry charges, which is a great step toward protecting and managing the rich biodiversity in this area.

📍 Location & Accessibility Situated just a short ride off the main road, the Pongi Balu gate marks the entry into a peaceful, scenic part of the Marine National Park. Though the trail is still quite raw and unpaved, it’s accessible by two-wheelers — but do ride cautiously, especially after rain. Expect a slightly bumpy but adventurous path that leads you right into nature’s lap.

💸 Entry Fees The entry charges are very reasonable — somewhere in the ₹50–₹70 range per person (within 100), and yes, there’s an extra charge for vehicles, including bikes. But the price is worth every rupee for the experience that awaits.

🌊 Scenic Views & Islands Once inside, you'll find yourself surrounded by serene greenery and open views of the sea. The spot offers a picturesque viewpoint of Jolly Buoy Island, and on a clear day, you might even catch glimpses of nearby islands like Red Skin. It’s an ideal location for those looking to enjoy natural beauty, click some memorable photos, or simply sit and soak in the tranquility.

🧭 Why Visit?

Great offbeat destination in Andaman

Perfect for photography and nature lovers

Now with government-managed entry, adding to safety and structure

Less crowded than mainstream tourist spots

🔔 Pro Tips:

Carry water and snacks as there are no shops inside, but do not litter.

Wear shoes suitable for light trekking if you plan to explore around.

Go during early morning or late afternoon for the best light and cooler weather.

In summary, the newly introduced gate at Pongi Balu is not just a checkpost; it’s the beginning of a calm and rewarding journey into one of the more underrated parts of the Marine National Park. Whether you’re a local explorer or a first-time visitor to the Andamans, this place offers a refreshing dose of natural beauty, far from the crowds.

🌿 A small fee for a big view —...

🏝️ Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India 🇮🇳

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

📍 Visited: July 2025

🌊✨ An absolute marine paradise! Nestled near Wandoor, this national park offers crystal-clear blue waters, vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, and a tranquil escape into nature. Whether you're a marine life lover, birdwatcher, or just a peace-seeker—this place has it all.

🛶 Activities:

Glass-bottom boat rides (must-do!)

Snorkelling & scuba diving 🐠🤿

Trekking on Jolly Buoy Island

Nature walks in forested zones 🌿

Island hopping to Red Skin Island 🏝️

📸 Photo-worthy spots:

Coral beds 🪸

Wooden jetty at Wandoor Beach

Sunset over the Bay of Bengal 🌅

Mangrove forests and coastal trails

🚍 How to Reach:

From Port Blair, approx. 30 km (~1 hr by road)

Boats to Jolly Buoy & Red Skin Islands leave from Mahatma Gandhi Marine Jetty (Wandoor).

📝 Tips:

Carry valid ID – permit required to visit islands

Jolly Buoy is plastic-free zone: carry reusable bottles ♻️

Limited boats: book early in the day!

Closed during monsoons (June to October)

🌐 Languages Spoken: Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil. Locals are friendly and helpful.

🗣️ Multilingual Captions:

🇮🇳 Indian English: "A peaceful retreat into nature’s aquarium. Marine life, coral beauty & clean waters – all in one place!"

🇪🇸 Spanish: "Un paraíso marino escondido en la India. Aguas cristalinas, arrecifes de coral y tranquilidad absoluta."

🇷🇺 Russian (Русский): "Морской заповедник с кораллами и экзотической природой. Невероятное место для отдыха и приключений!"

📌 Tags / Hashtags for SEO & Reach:

#MahatmaGandhiMarineNationalPark #AndamanIslands #WandoorBeach #GlassBottomBoat #JollyBuoyIsland #MarineLifeIndia #EcoTourismIndia #ScubaDivingIndia #HiddenParadise #IncredibleIndia #NatureLovers #UnderwaterWorld #SustainableTravel #IndiaTravelDiaries #TravelTamil #TravelKannada #TravelMarathi #LocalGuideIndia #GoogleMapsReview #IslandVibes #CleanBeachesIndia #BlueLagoonIndia #BayOfBengal #BharatDarshan #पर्यटनभारत #ভ্রমণভারত #भारतकेरत्न #TravelReelsIndia #ReelGuide2025

📍 Google Maps Link: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

✅ Would I recommend? 1000% YES! A must-visit eco-tourism gem in the Andamans. Great for families, solo travelers & nature...

MAHATMA GANDHI MARINE NATIONAL PARK

The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is located in Wandoor, 29 km from Port Blair. The park is situated in the southern western coast of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The park came into existence on 24th May 1983, under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The aim was to preserve the marine life such as corals and the nesting sea turtles common in the area.

The Marine National Park was closed in 2004 due to the tsunami that struck and damaged the place but it was reopened to the tourists again. Jolly Boys and Red Skin Islands are two of the most popular islands of the Mahatma Gandhi National Park and the only islands that can be accessed by the tourists. There are various adventure sports like, deep-sea diving, snorkelling, and scuba diving organised for the tourists. Besides the adventure sports, sun bathing on the sandy beaches is another very popular tourist activity.

The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park consists of 15 islands namely; Alexandra, Red Skin, Boat, Hobday, Tarmugli, Grub, Chester, Snob, Bell, Pluto, Malay, Jolly Boys, Riflemen, Twins and parts of Rutland Island and covers an area of 281.5 sq km. The Marine National Park is highly diversified in terms of white sandy beaches, vegetation, and marine life. You can spot a variety of coral reefs, colourful and exotic fishes, turtles, shells, molluscs, starfish and crocodiles.

You can also see a variety of birds including White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Parakeets, Andaman Teal, Heron, Terns, Waders and Swifts in the tropical rainforests of the national park. The time required to spot the birds is usually longer and special permission can be obtained from the Chief Wildlife Warden of the forest department of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, under whose administration the park falls.

Day trips are organised to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park from Port Blair on a jetty and it is usually best for the tourists to carry packed lunches and water bottles. However there are some small eating joints in Wandoor that offer limited options of eating. But once you get to Jolly Boys or Red Skin Island, there will be nothing available, so it is a must to carry something to...