Jolly Buoy Island

By Divyakshi Gupta

Many tourists flock Andamans and visit Havelock and Neil islands but the uninhabited Jolly Buoy Island is a must visit gem for its surreal beauty.

Jolly Buoy Island is home to  Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park which was created to protect corals and the marine life that inhabits them

The island remains closed for 6 months in order to protect the corals and one requires a permit to visit Jolly Buoy Island, which can be visited by a ferry from Wandoor Jetty

Apart from gorgeous hues of blue, cyan, aqua and green, the island boasts of pristine beaches and the best part? It is a plastic free island and no plastic is permitted on the island. 

Not many people know that Jolly Buoy Island is one of the best places to see corals in India. While Scuba diving isn't permitted, one can snorkel here to see the wealth of corals.

If you don't wish to snorkel, you can opt for a glass boat ride over the corals which has a magnifying glass at the bottom. The boatmen show you the rich marine life of the island.

Marine life includes starfishes, sea cucumbers, sea turtles apart from dense clusters of corals and reef walls and if you are lucky you might spot Dolphins too!

Jolly Buoy Island is Andaman's secret. Such a well maintained, pristine island. What is heartening is the local's love  for promoting responsible tourism here.

Follow my stories as I discover and document more such hidden gems in Incredible India.