Rich with marine flora & fauna and unique coral-covered sea shore, North Bay Island is a very popular day-touring destination in Andaman. Nothing to explore much around North Bay, but the island is overwhelmed with its unique beauty and lots of scopes to enjoy water sports activities, like scuba diving, sea walking, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat sailing, and more. So let’s elaborate on how to enjoy a complete day trip to North Bay.

Special Features of North Bay Island

Two things I really find special about North Bay Island, which I didn’t see elsewhere in my whole Andaman trip.

Beach without Sand

The most impressive feature of the island is the shoreline which is completely made up of small to large stones, different varieties of coral shells and their dust, and sand particles are hardly found along the beach. If you are fond of sea creatures you can spend hours taking photographs of these natural jewels; it’s really exciting to see how the microorganisms created unique patterns with absolutely symmetrical alignments.

Note: It is illegal to collect these coral shells without prior permission from the government authorities. This is for the protection and conservation of natural resources.

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Floating Jetty

The second thing is pretty adventurous! North Bay Island has no permanent jetty because it is surrounded by coral reefs at its visible depth. There is a floating jetty and walking path connecting to the island. The floating platform is not strong enough to encounter high waves during a storm, though the primary thrush of a storm is diluted by the coral belts surrounding it.

The jetty is maintained by the Andaman administration. During a transition through the jetty, you should be careful to stay balanced. There is no sidewall, but it’s only guarded by a rope. So take care of your kids while boarding.

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Things to do in North Bay Island

Although neighboring NSC Bose Island (former name Ross Island) and Port Blair present plenty of historical monuments, North Bay offers a totally different taste to its visitor. Apart from experiencing its natural beauty, you can enjoy lots of adventurous activities there.

Let’s initiate the list with marine adventure activities available in North Bay.

Water Sports in North Bay Island

There are many vendors for different water sports activities in North Bay. You can pre-book and schedule your favorite water adventures online. But fewer options are available online as all counters have no online booking facilities. Better, you go there, book your choices, and rock on!

The spots for water adventures change from time to time for maintaining the density of sea animals and restoration of natural habitats. After all, human interference somehow disturbs the ecosystem of coral belts.

By the way, the following are the watersports activities that you can enjoy in and around North Bay Island.

SCUBA DIVING

After a short training about how to behave and react underwater you will be eligible for scuba diving. Swimsuit is available to the vendors for rent.

The process is very simple. After wearing the swimsuit first they give you some instructions. Depending upon body weight, some extra weight is tied to the diver’s body to make the body heavier and perfect for underwater diving. An oxygen cylinder remains attached at the back and is connected to the mouth with an oxygen pipe. Swimming glasses help you to see underwater. Usually, one guide per visitor is provided, who guides you through the safe path and protects you from unwanted sea dwellers.

Cloudy weather and rainfall are bad indicators in the sense, that water tends to be mixed and visibility decreases. So, scuba diving is perfect for winter (Nov & Dec) and summertime (March-May), when everything underwater remains clearly visible to you.

On a clear day, when you go through the crystal clear water and coral reefs along with all of the underwater ecosystem, it’s really produces an unexplainable joy!

Precaution

If you have any heart problem, high blood pressure, nervous breakdown symptoms, eardrum perforation, or infection in ear try to avoid the diving. High underwater pressure may accelerate your problem (the safety measure is given by the scuba diving counter.)

Best place to enjoy Scuba Dive in Andaman

I won’t say North Bay Island is the best place to enjoy Scuba, rather you can enjoy the same at Havelock and Neel Islands which most tourists do. However, North Bay offers intense diversity of sea creatures within a small range than Havelock Island.

SEA WALKING

This is one of the best adventure activities offered by the island where people walk directly on the sea bed. This activity is rarely found on other islands of Andaman.

For sea walking, you have to go to a temporary floating stage, located about 20 meters away from the North Bay main Jetty. There are many colorful koi fishes kept in a barriered water body near the stage. People of a group who don’t go for sea walking, can wait there and enjoy the activities of koi fishes while giving food to them.

Sea walking is simpler than scuba diving; elongated training is not needed for this adventure. A large glass dome-shaped respiration instrument is placed over a person’s head. This dome is supplied with high-pressure air containing oxygen. The instrument is heavy because it is designed in such a manner that it remains at upright condition and sits steadily upon the shoulder of sea walker. No need to worry about its weight because you hardly feel its weight underwater.

There is a precautionary measure: Stay vertical, and don’t tilt your respiration helmet underwater, otherwise, water enters into it and makes trouble. If anything goes wrong, your guide will take you out of the water within a second.

Places selected for sea walking areas are full of sea flora and fauna with many sea anemones, clown fishes, pearl oysters, and schools of fishes playing around the corals. So, don’t miss the adventurous activity if you are visiting North Bay Island in Andaman.

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SNORKELING

Snorkeling is a very common activity on coral beaches across the world.

There are several small counters for snorkeling. If you know swimming, this is a great advantage for snorkeling. You can swim freely in shallow as well as deep water. But for non-swimmers, a shallow water area is needed, where they feel safe and can listen to the instructions.

There are many shallow areas around North Bay island full of biodiversities where non-swimmers can walk freely and float with the help of floating tyres. The instrument used in snorkeling is called a snorkel which is provided by the counter. You cannot use your own snorkel there, which I reveal as a big disadvantage.

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GLASS BOTTOM BOAT RIDING

Boat with its bottom made up of glass, from where you can clearly look into the sea. This ride is perfect for those who don’t want to get wet or for people who want to adventure together or for families with children and aged members. Children really enjoy the ride and get excited while looking at the marine creatures sitting on the boat. However, for adventure lovers, it’s a dull activity.

SEMI-SUBMARINE SAFARI

This safari is offered by the Coral Safari in Andaman. In this boat, the entire underwater cabin is made of clear glass from where people can get a 3D view of the aquatic ecosystem.

Notably, the entire boat doesn’t sink into the sea like a submarine hence it is called a semi-submarine safari. If you don’t want to get wet, this ride gives you magnificent memories for sure!

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PARASAILING

Though this ride doesn’t show you the underwater beauty, you can get a much more thrilling experience while floating high in the air. You can get a bird’s eye view of the island and the clear cyan water surrounding it.

A parachute is attached to the speed boat by a tow rope which is controlled by a winch system. After going far from the shoreline, a passenger or duo is strapped to a sitting position in the parachute. Once the boat start moving, the parachute slowly makes its move up in the air. After a few minutes, the parachute land slowly on the boat. The complete trip takes about 45 mins and the experience is awesome!

In India, you can experience this activity also in Goa, especially at Baga beach, Palolem Beach, and Arambol Beach.

Trek towards the hilltop

Although it’s a less popular activity on North Bay Island, adventure lovers often try this. If you are another member of the same club, you can go for a trek through the jungle to hilltop, but not forget to take a guide along with you.

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Kid’s Adventure Activities

Kids above 10 years old can scuba dive, if they feel free in the water. Sea walking is easier, so even a 7-year-old kid can do that without any hesitation. Snorkeling in shallow water can be enjoyed by 6 years and above. Semi-submarine safari and glass-bottom boat riding are the best options for younger children along with older family members.

Light House: Featured On 20 Rupees Note

A picturesque view taken near the lighthouse located at the top of a hill of North Bay Island is featured on the backside of the Indian 20 rupee note (old pink-colored note). But the reason behind it is unknown, probably they liked the view from the hilltop, which is only reachable by trekking up to the lighthouse.

When to visit North Bay Island

The prime attraction of North Bay Island is the variety of underwater activities, and these need clear water for better visualization of the aquatic ecosystem. So, it is recommended to visit during non-rainy season (December to March) to be an eyewitness of the beautiful sea jewels (although, the coolest sea water of pick winter may give you some trouble enjoying watersports.)

Some tourists visit Andaman in October. I’m not saying it’s not a suitable time for Andaman trip, but the weather in October is a bit uncertain. If there is any sort of storm alert, you are not allowed to perform any watersports, even you can’t take a sea bath.

So, plan your trip accordingly.

How to Plan A Trip to North Bay Island

You can complete a trip to North Bay Island within half a day. So, it is recommended to visit Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island (Ross Island) and North Bay Island in a single day.

Several ferries are available from Rajib Gandhi Water Sports Complex of Port Blair covering both of the islands which take nearly 7 hours. But if you have enough time to spend an entire day on North Bay Island, just go for it and enjoy.

It takes around 30 mins to reach North Bay Island via Ross Island. Usually, the boats leave for the island at half an hour intervals from around 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and the last departure time from the island is 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

It’s easy to book ferry tickets for North Bay Island or Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island. You can book it online or on spot. If you are traveling Andaman with a tour operator, then they will arrange the ferries for you; you just sit back and enjoy, though I feel there is a special excitement in self-arranging a trip.

Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport

Foods on North Bay Island

There are several huts, food stalls, and open benches shaded by tall tropical trees to enlighten your mood for staying longer.

If you are hungry, just go to one of the food stalls and pick up your dishes. There, you’ll get Indian, Chinese, and seafood dishes.

Things to buy at North Bay

At the North Bay market, there are several stalls of ornaments and home decorative items made up of shells of sea creatures, pearls, etc. You can bargain and buy your favorite ones at a cheap rate.

Where to stay at/ near North Bay Island

There is no place to stay at night in North Bay, so you must have to return to Port Blair before evening.

You’ll get many hotels in Port Blair and from all price ranges. Based on our personal experience, we are preparing a list of best hotels in Port Blair. The complete review will be upcoming soon.

Wrapping up

Although North Bay Island doesn’t offer much more sightseeing options, the water adventure activities surely fulfill your desire. The island is surrounded by a shallow shoreline, crystal clear blue water, white coral beach, and most healthy coral settlements with lots of fishes that give you a magnificent memory.

This is advised to always get a guide with you during water adventures to ensure your safety and to protect the coral habitat from interference. There are several small restrooms, washrooms, and changing rooms available.

For your reminder, take the phone number of the boatman and boat number for a hassle-free return. Sometimes boats leave from Junglighat jetty instead of Water Sports Complex. Nothing to worry about this because you’ll be informed while booking the ticket.

This is all about North Bay Island as per my personal experience. I’d say, must include the island in your Andaman trip and enjoy a complete day trip.

You may post your further queries below in the comment section, I’ll be glad to help you further.

Have a nice journey.