The short answer
North Bay Island: what visitors should know first
Yes if you want a taste of Andaman reef life without travelling to Havelock; the boat ride is short and life jackets are provided, so non-swimmers can still snorkel with guidance. Skip it if choppy seas or a wobbly small boat would worry you, and check conditions on the day.
Useful facts
North Bay Island facts at a glance
- Location
- Short boat ride from Aberdeen Jetty, north of Port Blair
- Experience type
- Coral reef, snorkelling and glass-bottom boat day trip
- Known for
- Port Blair's closest fringing reef and a lighthouse pictured on the old ₹20 note
- Architect/Built
- Natural coral-fringed island; lighthouse built during British administration
- Time or schedule
- Boats generally run mid-morning; best season October to May
Why it matters
Why North Bay Island is worth your time
For a city that is mostly a transit point rather than a beach destination, North Bay Island is the nearest place to give visitors a real look at the coral and marine life the wider Andaman Islands are known for, without the two-to-three-hour ferry to Havelock. It matters most for travellers on a short layover in Port Blair who still want a genuine reef experience.
The island's small lighthouse also gives it an odd bit of everyday recognition: many Indian visitors know the view before they arrive, because it is printed on the back of the ₹20 currency note, a detail that makes the trip feel more familiar than a random day-boat excursion.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The fringing reef
Shallow coral close to shore, easy for beginner snorkellers with a guide close by.
- 02
The North Bay lighthouse
A small working lighthouse whose view was used on the back of India's earlier ₹20 note.
- 03
Glass-bottom boat option
A dry alternative to snorkelling that still shows the coral and reef fish below.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
North Bay Island lies a short private-boat ride north of Port Blair and is the city's closest reef, which is why it fills up with day-trip boats through the dry season. Most visitors arrive as part of a snorkelling or watersport package that includes the ferry, basic snorkelling gear and a guide who stays close in the water; you do not need to be a strong swimmer, though some comfort in the sea helps.
The fringing reef here is shallower and easier than what you would find further out at Havelock or Neil, with reef fish, some soft coral and the occasional larger sighting depending on the season. If snorkelling is not for you, a glass-bottom boat or a short walk along the beach still gives a look at the coral and the small lighthouse that appears, somewhat famously, on the reverse of India's old ₹20 note.
Boats typically leave visitors ashore for about three hours before returning, so plan the rest of your day around that window; pairing this trip with a Ross Island stop on the same morning, since both depart from Aberdeen Jetty, is the usual way to make a full but unrushed half-day of it.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Book a package through your hotel or a boat operator at Aberdeen Jetty
- Confirm exactly what the package price includes before paying
- Wear a rash guard or light clothing for sun protection in the water
- Ask for a life jacket even if you can swim; conditions vary
- Time this with a Ross Island visit on the same boat trip if you want both
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 45 minutes by boat from Aberdeen Jetty, Port Blair
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours including the boat crossing and time on the island
- Best time
- October to May, when the sea is calmer and visibility is better; morning departures avoid afternoon winds
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Most of the visit happens on the beach and in shallow water rather than involving much walking, but boarding the boat requires a steady step and there can be some rocking on the crossing. Snorkelling itself is optional; a glass-bottom boat ride is a gentler way to see the coral without getting in the water.
- Tickets and access
- Ferry and island entry fees are modest and usually bundled into a package price with snorkelling or watersport add-ons; confirm current rates with your hotel or a boat operator at Aberdeen Jetty, and ask exactly what the package includes before paying.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near North Bay Island
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Most of the visit happens on the beach and in shallow water rather than involving much walking, but boarding the boat requires a steady step and there can be some rocking on the crossing. Snorkelling itself is optional; a glass-bottom boat ride is a gentler way to see the coral without getting in the water.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Do I need to know how to swim to snorkel at North Bay Island?
No, life jackets are provided and a guide typically stays close, but the experience is more relaxed if you are at least comfortable in water.
How long does a North Bay Island trip take?
Plan for three to four hours including the boat crossing both ways and time ashore, usually as a half-day morning trip.
Is North Bay Island as good as Havelock for snorkelling?
It is more convenient, being close to Port Blair, but Havelock and Neil Island generally have clearer water and more developed reefs if diving quality is your priority.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
