Yes, Havelock is amazing and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is something not to be left out on your trip itinerary.

If you are a family looking for a truly ecological immersion kind of experience, that is educational and stunningly beautiful-fresh, then you don’t have to go far from the main tourist circuit. 

Meet the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor, the ecological masterpiece of the Andaman. 

This post will explain to you what the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has to offer, why it is a required detour, and how our hassle-free family packages make this amazing trip so easy and convenient.

How to Reach Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park?

You may have decided on visiting the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, but how to get there from Havelock is at least a question that people must have had?

The Challenge for Travellers

Mandatory Permits

As a national park, you will need permission from the Forest Department to visit. As these are limited, you will often have to get them the day before your visit to Port Blair, which makes the whole procedure very time-consuming.

The Journey

If you are staying at Havelock and want to visit the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, you'd better be ready to go very early in the morning take the first ferry to Port Blair. 

Then from there, you will be able to get to the Wandoor jetty (approximately 30 km away) by taxi so that you can take a boat, which is in very limited numbers, to the destination.

Memories of a lifetime should not bring you anxiety - they should be stress-free; indeed, that is what we believe. The exclusive Andaman family tour packages are a perfect answer to the logistical problem of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park day trip.

The truth is that you only need to think about having fun because professionals have taken care of everything behind the scenes.

The Star Attractions of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

In order to protect the park’s vulnerable ecosystem, the access is changed, so visitors are allowed to go to either Jolly Buoy or Red Skin Island on a particular day. Both islands have fantastic charms to engross the whole family in fun and adventure:

Jolly Buoy Highlights

Indisputably, Jolly Buoy Island is the best place in the world because of the pure water that makes the underwater world perfectly visible. 

Glass Bottom Boat Rides (Total Yes!)

What could be better than a glass bottom boat ride or rather the whole family experience especially non-swimmers, babies, and seniors? 

The boats float above the reefs, so you can see the corals and fishes in all their colours and types from underwater, but you do not need to get wet.

Red Skin Highlights

Red Skin Island has a soft, white sandy beach and is more for lovers of underwater close-up study.

Simple Snorkeling

The transparent and shallow lagoons here are the most appropriate places to start snorkelling for kids and beginners. 

If the kids are provided with complete gear and guide then they are more than safe to discover the marine world just a few meters off the shore.

In addition, the visitors have a high chance to see rare and unique animals such as turtles going on their way and dolphins playing by jumping that too in the far distance.

Underwater Wonders: A Living Aquarium

The real spectacle of the MGMNP is not on the land but under the water. The park is home to the rich and diverse fringing coral reefs that are among the best in India.

A World of Coral

Where you go, certainly a great variety of corals both hard and soft will come across your way, for example, you get the delicate Staghorn branches and the gigantic Brain Coral formations. 

Those reefs being the pillars of the ecosystem, hence, are the ones that shine with vivid colors which the eye is not able to see.

Marine Life for Kids

Do not forget to look for the most attractive animals! The reefs are jam-packed with vibrant reef fish, just think of presenting clownfish (hello, Nemo!) and the blue tangs to your kids. 

Starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea anemones are everywhere thus providing a great and fun educational experience.

The Dugong Factor

The Dugong (Sea Cow), an extremely rare and critically endangered creature, is sometimes seen in the darkest and most remote areas of the park only in exceptional circumstances. 

This is such a moment that increases the value of the park from the aspect of conservation even more.

Mangrove Ecosystems

These salt-loving forests are the most important nurseries of the young marine life and, at the same time, they are great places for birdwatching and cool, shady spots for photos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How far is the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park from Havelock?

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is located near Wandoor, which is in the Port Blair region (South Andaman), about 30 km from the main city. While it is a separate island from Havelock, it is a manageable day trip requiring an early morning ferry from Havelock back to Port Blair, followed by land transport to Wandoor.

Q2. What is the Speciality of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park?

That's probably Jolly Buoy or perhaps Red Skin, which lets visitors at all times due to constantly changing openings designed to protect fragile coral life. Admission is really limited though and also in terms of number.

Q3. Do I need a special permit to visit Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park?

Yes. The number of permits is limited and it is common to get them a day in advance. Due to this hassle, we take care of the whole permit acquisition process when you make a reservation for our tour package.

Q4. Why should I visit Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park instead of just staying on Havelock?

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a place where you can experience nature at its best with less crowd and conservation as the central theme of the ecological experience. You can see far more vibrant coral reefs than at Havelock and have a neat, educational excursion that is an ideal way to balance out your beach chill time on Havelock.

Q5. Which animal is famous in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park?

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is home to dugongs, which are considered a rare and endangered species. Other than them, you can also easily find corals, sea turtles, jellyfish, sea anemones, starfish, giant clams, and a variety of fish like sharks, rays, and clownfish.

Conclusion

The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is not just a place to see, it is a place to experience. There is no other family trip that will bring you closer together to see a different world under the water than this one. 

Do not let the organization of permits and transfers deter you from this ocean jewel that is waiting to be discovered. Quit wasting your holiday time which is so precious by running around for tickets and taxis.

Whether you are planning just a visit or an entire trip to this oceanic paradise don’t let the hard and complicated procedures of getting permits and transfers take you away from there. 

Refrain from wasting good holiday moments just due to the last-minute hustle of tickets and taxis which are necessary and unavoidable.

Learn More: How to Travel