Nestled away in a small corner of Andaman and Nicobar is the Jolly Buoy Island, an uninhabited and ecologically preserved island known for its clear waters and beautiful coral reefs that make it one of the most sought-after sports in the Andaman for scuba diving and snorkelling, and truly being able to experience the beauty of nature that has been unaffected by man-made dirt and pollution.
Getting to the island takes quite some time, as you need to take a boat from Wandoor Beach, located in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, situated around 30 kilometres away from Port Blair by road. After you reach Wandoor Beach, you will need to travel another half an hour approximately to get to the island. On this boat, you will get a sneak peek of the beautiful underwater coral reefs because of how clear the water is and if you would like to explore the sea some more, you can always opt for underwater snorkelling and scuba diving once you get to the island.
Upon reaching the island, you’ll be stunned by how clean and beautiful the island is, which makes it one of the best attractions in Andaman. There are no traces of pollution or any sort of many made constructions. There is even a very strict no plastic policy and people who visit the island are all required to make a list of all the plastic items in their possessions as they enter the island, and make sure that they show the same plastic covers to the authorities at the time of departure. There are also heavy fines charged for loitering on the island, so make sure to be extremely careful with your belongings and make sure not to litter on the island.
There is a plethora of Andaman activities for you to do on this island, like admiring the various shades of blue and green of the ocean, exploring the uninhabited island, taking a boat glass trip around the island, and trying out activities like scuba diving and snorkelling to get a better perspective on the exquisite underwater world of the island.
There is a beautiful jungle filled with trees for tourists to explore and seek some shade from the sunny beach. Children can also enjoy some fun time splashing around the waves and swimming in the crystal clear water of the ocean.
Most of the major cities in India are connected to the Port Blair International airport, formally known as the Veer Savarkar International Airport. The airport is centrally located and you get easy and quick access to all parts of the city from the airport, through cabs or rented vehicles.
Once you’re in Port Blair, you will need to take a ferry or drive to Wandoor Beach. Either way, the distance is around 30 kilometres, and it will take you 45 minutes approximate to reach Wandoor Beach. There are regular ferries that go to the Wandoor Beach from Port Blair, starting at either the Phoenix Bay Jetty or the Chiriya Tapu point.
One point to be noted is that you need to start from Port Blair at around 7 AM – 7:30 AM as there is only one boat that leaves from Wandoor Beach to Jolly Buoy Island, and that is at 9:00 AM in the morning. So you need to make sure you catch that boat or you won’t be able to visit the island until the next day. Since the journey from Port Blair takes approximately an hour, you need to make sure that you are at one of the boarding points latest by 7:30 AM to catch a ferry.
One of the good things about the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is that the island is blessed with a tropical climate, so most of the year you get to enjoy beautiful, pleasant weather, making anytime the best time to visit the Andaman Island.
During the summer season, from the months of April to June, the island enjoys a warm sunny climate, and this is the perfect time to get into your swimsuits and enjoy the beautiful cold waves at the beach contrasting the sunny rays of the sun. If you feel too hot you can always catch some shade in the tree-filled jungles of the island.
The December season, is the most popular time to visit, during the months of November to March, as the weather is supposed to be the most pleasant, not too hot and not too cold, and right after the rains, the lush forests couldn’t look greener. This season is also considered to be the best time to visit, as the climate is pleasant enough to explore the city without feeling too hot and sweaty under the sun.
The offseason of the islands is the monsoon period, during the months of June to October, and most of the beaches and islands are closed for visiting during this period.