Book Jolly Buoy Island Boat Tickets Online – Permit Included

Buy Private Boat Tickets For Jolly Buoy Island Online (October to April). Get Instant Email Receipt & Instructions.

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A secret haven in the Andaman Archipelago, Jolly Buoy Island is a tiny piece of paradise, tucked away within the magnificent Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Jolly Buoy, an uninhabited island, is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs, visible only through glass-bottom boat rides to the island.

Being a protected region of the marine park, the island’s natural beauty is preserved under stringent rules to safeguard the fragile marine ecosystem. Due to conservation scenes, it is accessible to visitors from October to April of every year, with a special permit from the forest department before the trip. Whether you’re eager to see the vibrant coral reefs or simply indulge in the scenic beach surroundings, Jolly Buoy promises a memorable natural retreat into nature.

Jolly Buoy Island Boat Ticket Booking Online (Permit Included)









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    Jolly Buoy Island At A Glance

    • Distance from Port Blair: 19.2 km (37 minutes) from Port Blair city centre
    • Approx. Transport Cost Per Person: ₹1300 boat price (included ₹75 permit cost per person). The permit cost for foreigners is ₹1000 per person. For children under the age of 12, no fare is charged.
    • No. of Days Required to Explore: One-day tour
    • Time to Reach: 35 minutes by boat from Wandoor Jetty
    • Ferry Availability: Private shared boats only
    • Booking Options: Online & Offline
    • Best Time to Visit: October to April (closed on Mondays)
    • Total Boats Available: 4
    • Timing of first and last boat to/from Jolly Buoy: 8 AM and 2:30 PM
    • Glass-bottom boat ride prices: ₹800 per person for 15 minutes, ₹1000 for 30 minutes, and ₹1500 for 1 hour.

    How to Reach Jolly Buoy Island

    Jolly buoy is situated near Port Blair. If you’re planning to visit the island from Havelock or Neil Island, you have to take a ferry to Port Blair, stay the day in a hotel, and make a trip to Jolly Buoy the next day. Here’s how you can reach Jolly Buoy Island.

    • Take a local bus, taxi, or shared auto rickshaw to reach Wandoor Beach. The bus is available from the Aberdeen Bazaar bus stand via Bathubasti. If you’re traveling from the airport, take a taxi, which will cover 30 km (1 hour) to reach Jolly Buoy.
    • Secure your boat tickets to Jolly Buoy in advance from the forest department counter, either offline or online, along with the necessary permits.
    • From Wandoor Jetty, take a shared boat ride accommodating 10 passengers at a time, which takes about 35 minutes to reach the island’s periphery. From there, take a glass-bottom boat ride until the island’s shores.

    Jolly Buoy Island Entry Permits & Booking

    Visiting Jolly Buoy Island in the Andaman archipelago requires a permit approved by the Port Blair tourism office (IP&T). This restriction is due to Jolly Buoy Island being one of the protected regions of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, which includes 17 islands and open creeks. Both Red Skin Island (May to October) and Jolly Buoy Island (November to April) are open to tourists to preserve their untouched marine ecosystem.

    The permit system allows regulating limited visitors to the island, ensuring its pristine landscape stays protected. It also promotes sustainable tourism by guaranteeing the island’s conservation rules and plastic-free zone guidelines.

    Permits for Jolly Buoy Island can be obtained from:

    • The Directorate of Tourism office, Port Blair
    • Online booking is available for both official and event tourism websites. Limited online slots that are filled quickly.
    • Book your permits and shared or charter boat tickets from our website

    Offline Permit Process for Jolly Buoy Island:

    • Collect your permit receipt and confirmation to show at Wandoor Beach before boarding the shared boat.
    • Visit the tourism office located near the Phoenix Bay jetty, which should be visited two days before the journey date.
    • Submit a copy of ID proof along with the travel date.
    • Fill out the application form.
    • Pay the ₹75 permit fee in cash or with a card.

    Jolly Buoy Island Travel Itinerary

    Jolly Buoy Island is an ideal one-day trip destination to experience the untouched gem of the Andaman Islands. Below is a detailed itinerary to follow to make the most of your visit.

    Depart from Port Blair to reach Wandoor beach in the morning and board the shared boat

    As the island is only open for tourists for the first half of the day, your journey must begin in the early morning, around 6 AM, with a scenic car or bus drive from Port Blair to Wandoor Beach.  Through Wandoor Beach, you’ll reach the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, from where you’ll take a 10-seater shared boat.  Upon arrival, complete the check-in formalities, which include permits and charges for camcorder, glass-bottom boat ride, etc. Meanwhile, if you get time, visit the Marine Interpretation Centre to learn about the marine ecosystem present in the national park.

    Arrival at Jolly buoy Island and coral reef viewing

    By 8 AM, you will board the shared boat, which will take around 35 minutes to reach the periphery of the island. Meanwhile, you can witness the delightful experience of the stunning open sea views and nearby islands during the boat ride. From there, you can take a glass-bottom boat ride as per your preferred time to see the stunning coral reef views without getting into the water until you reach the shoreline by 9:30 AM.  The island’s untouched marine ecosystem is well-kept, offering a small glimpse into one of India’s most extraordinary underwater landscapes.

    Explore the beach, sunbathe, relax, and take a lunch break during the afternoon

    After reaching the shores, you can take a look around the island. The island has resting huts, seating benches and toilet facilities. Spend some time exploring the unexplored white sandy beach up to a 2 km area, have a sunbath along the shoreline, spot some lush greenery and unique postal vegetation, and click some beautiful pictures and reels around the island. Around 12 PM, take a lunch break. As it is a plastic-free zone, you have to carry your own packed food and water from your hotel, Port Blair, or Wandoor beach. There are no restaurants, shops, or food stalls present on the island, so it is important to carry a sufficient supply.

    Take a shared boat back to Wandoor Beach and return to Port Blair by mid-afternoon

    By 2:30 PM, bid adieu to Jolly Buoy Island as the last shared boat departs back to Wandoor Beach. In the same way, you will take a boat ride, enjoying the glass-bottom boat ride to the shared boat, and return back to Wandoor around 3:30 PM. Upon arrival, board your arranged vehicle back to Port Blair and conclude your one-day trip by 4:30 PM.

    Activities & Things to Do on Jolly Buoy Island

    Activities and things to do on Jolly Buoy Island are as follows:

    • Exploring the breathtaking coral reefs by a glass-bottom boat ride.
    • Walk through the tropical forest.
    • Enjoy bird watching, nearby islands, unknown plants, and tide pools.
    • Click pictures, relax on the beach, and have lunch, like picnicking.

    Essential Travel Tips & Things to Carry

    The important travel tips and things to carry before going to Jolly Buoy Island are as follows:

    • You need a valid photo identity card, an entry permit, and shared boat tickets to access the island.
    • Pack food and a steel water bottle, as there are no food stalls and plastic-free islands.
    • Use sunscreen, sunglasses, an umbrella, and a sun hat as sun protection.
    • Beach mat to spend time nearby the shores.
    • Cash to pay for boat rides or rents.
    • The island is only for a limited visit period, so overnight stays are not allowed.
    • Travelers are expected to carry back all the trash, leaving no waste behind.
    • Avoid damaging the properties, corals, greenery, and marine life during the trip.
    • Follow travel instructions from authorities and travel guides every time.
    • Wear life jackets during boat rides, carry a basic first aid kit, anti-insect sprays, and important medicines while traveling.
    • As no medical facilities are allowed on the island, take medical assistance at Wandoor or Port Blair.
    • Jolly buoy has limited or no network coverage, so inform family and friends before and after the itinerary.

    Accommodation Options

    Jolly Buoy Island prohibits overnight stays, so visitors must plan their trip and accommodation in the city center or nearby mainland. Ideally, visitors prefer to stay in Port Blair’s hotels and start their trip to Jollybuoy early in the morning by 6 AM, reaching Wandoor Beach by 8 AM. After spending an entire day on the island, return to Port Blair by the evening, making it an effortless and time-saving option.

    If you’re interested in staying by Wandoor Beach, here are some go-to accommodation options:

    • Costly accommodations: Sea Princess Beach Resort, Symphony Samudra Beach Side Jungle Resort and Spa, Silver Sand Sea Princess Beach Resort.
    • Budget-friendly accommodations: Sunnyvale Andaman, Hotel Galaxy, and Sumit homestay.
    AccommodationContact Details
    Sea Princess Beach Resort03192280002, https://www.silversandhotels.com/
    Anugama Resort03192280068, http://www.anugamaresort.com/

     Final Travel Recommendations

    Jolly Buoy Island is undoubtedly worth visiting for those who seek a combination of natural beauty, adventure, and serenity. The island offers an unforgettable experience due to its eco-friendly environment and vibrant coral reefs that are clearly visible through the crystal-clear waters when sunlight comes over them. In case you’re unable to access the island, go for an alternative to Red Skin Island, which also provides breathtaking marine life and picturesque vistas.

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