When you have pristine waters like that of the Andaman Sea in front of you, if you sit out, you miss out. Get ready to jump in with a set of snorkel, mask and fins and explore the marine life in the Andaman Islands. Schools of colourful fish, clear visibility and calm sea conditions are sure to make this an experience you will remember. Shallow reefs are accessible easily just off the shore. You will be amazed at how many fish you can spot just from a short swim off the beaches.
What exactly is snorkelling?
Andaman Snorkeling and scuba diving are commonly confused by many of the tourists that come to find out about the water sports activities conducted in the Andaman Islands. The key difference between scuba diving and snorkelling is that you go underwater while scuba diving and while snorkelling, you observe marine life from the surface of the water. You will be floating on the surface while wearing a mask, snorkel and fins. The mask makes it possible for you to see the underwater life clearly, while the snorkel, which is a plastic tube fitted with a mouth-piece, helps you breathe air through your mouth. It is also possible to do this with a full-face mask. In case you are using a full-face mask you will not need to hold the snorkel in your mouth as the whole face is covered by the mask itself.
How is snorkelling conducted?
Snorkelling is conducted in the Andaman Islands typically with a guide who can direct you on where to find the best marine life and lead you with the help of a ring buoy if required. You always have the option to ask for a life jacket and enjoy snorkelling even if you are a non-swimmer. Your snorkelling guide will explain how to use the mask and snorkel and teach you the techniques to clear water from the snorkel or mask and then tow you over the reef, thereby making it a smooth experience even if you are a beginner. It is possible to enjoy snorkelling at reefs that are accessible from the shore or go on a boat trip to explore snorkelling sites that are far away from the islands.
The best time to go snorkelling in the Andamans?
It is advisable to go snorkelling when the sea is calm and when there are minimal waves. Luckily that is how conditions are for most of the year in the Andamans. October to March is considered the best time to explore the seas here. Most operators normally avoid going snorkelling when the seas are choppy as the visibility tends to be affected thereby compromising on the experience.
What is the snorkelling experience like in the Andaman Islands?
The abundant marine life makes snorkelling quite exciting here. Just a short distance from the beach, you can already see schools of snappers, fusiliers and more. You are likely to see lots of colourful clams, sea urchins, maybe an octopus hiding out for a hunt, parrot fish munching on patches of the reef and many more exciting sightings. While shallow water coral has gone through extensive bleaching due to environmental factors since 2010, some reefs have shown rapid recovery and are covered with colourful hard and soft coral.
Why
should you choose the Andaman Islands for snorkelling?
There are a number of reefs easily accessible where you can enjoy snorkelling in the Andaman Islands. Since there are very few commercial fishing operations in the Andaman Islands, marine life is abundant here. For many months in the year the water is calm and flat like a sheet of glass and it’s easy for a beginner to jump in and enjoy a calm and easy experience.
Who
can participate?
Almost anyone that is willing to enter the water can enjoy snorkelling. While there is an extensive list of medical conditions that could keep one from scuba diving, snorkelling is the option that will allow many of them to explore the marine life in the Andaman Islands.
What
is the price of snorkelling in the Andaman Islands?
The cost of snorkeling in Andaman differs based on on-site support, facilities, or services availability. Snorkelling from the shore is conducted at price of INR2OOO and snorkelling trips from the boat could cost upto INR4000. You are likely to find operators who will organize the activity at cheaper prices however we recommend that you check about the duration of the session, the quality of assistance available and whether photography is included in the price before you decide on the operator you choose to go with.
What
are the inclusions in the price mentioned?
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