Table of Contents
- Introduction
- History and Importance
- Best Time to Visit
- Top Things to Do for Underwater Photography
- Photography Gear and Techniques
- Nearby Attractions
- How to Reach Port Blair
- Accommodation Options
- Estimated Costs
- Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Tips and Essential Guidelines
- Traveler-Specific Tips
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Port Blair, the gateway to India’s Andaman Islands, is a dream canvas for underwater photography. Turquoise bays, living coral gardens, and a kaleidoscope of reef fish create scenes that beg to be captured—whether you’re snorkeling with a GoPro or diving with a fully housed mirrorless camera. This guide covers the best seasons, sites, techniques, logistics, and costs to help you plan a smooth, photo-focused trip to Port Blair.
History and Importance
The waters around Port Blair sit near the Indo-Pacific’s Coral Triangle fringe, home to rich biodiversity. Protected areas like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park have helped reefs rebound from past bleaching and storms. Responsible dive tourism, stringent rules at islands like Jolly Buoy (plastic-free), and trained operators have made Port Blair a sustainable base for marine exploration while raising awareness about coral conservation.
Best Time to Visit
Peak underwater visibility: November to May
- Nov–Feb: Calm seas, 12–25 m visibility, pleasant air temperatures. Great for wide-angle reef scenes.
- Mar–May: Warmer water (28–30°C), often glassy seas; excellent for macro and ambient-light shooting.
- Jun–Sep (Monsoon): Choppy seas, rain, 5–10 m visibility. Some trips may be canceled; limited sites operate.
- Oct: Shoulder month; improving conditions, fewer crowds.
Water conditions: Typical visibility 8–20 m; currents mild to moderate, stronger around channels and during spring tides. Always follow your guide’s advice.
Top Things to Do for Underwater Photography
1) Snorkeling Hotspots (Beginner-Friendly)
- North Bay Island: Easy access from Port Blair; shallow coral patches perfect for GoPro shots with a red filter.
- Jolly Buoy Island (seasonal): In Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park; some of the clearest waters near Port Blair. Permits and plastic-free rules apply.
- Red Skin Island (seasonal alternative to Jolly Buoy): Good visibility in season; glass-bottom boats available.
2) Intro Dives and Fun Dives (All Levels)
- Carbyn’s Cove/Snake Island area: Gentle conditions; ideal for first underwater photo sessions and fish portraits.
- Chidiya Tapu reefs: Macro-friendly sites with nudibranchs and soft corals (conditions vary).
- Wandoor side (MG Marine NP): Healthy coral gardens; check site openings and permits with operators.
3) Advanced Photo Opportunities (Day Trips/Short Hops)
- Havelock (Swaraj Dweep): Lighthouse, Aquarium (beg–int), Johnny’s Gorge/Dixon’s Pinnacle (adv). Superb for wide-angle and schooling fish. Reachable by ferry; consider an overnight if you’re photo-focused.
- Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep): Clear water and macro subjects; calmer vibe.
4) Courses and Workshops
- Beginner photo clinics: Many dive shops offer add-on photo coaching (composition, white balance, strobe basics).
- PADI Digital Underwater Photographer: A structured way to improve quickly over 1–2 days.
5) Non-Dive Options
- Sea walk (North Bay/Elephant Beach excursions): Helmet-walk photos are popular; quality varies by operator.
- Glass-bottom boat rides: Great for families capturing reefs without getting wet.
Photography Gear and Techniques
Recommended Setups
- Action cameras (GoPro/Osmo): Use a dive red filter for 5–15 m, set flat color profile, 2.7K–4K/60 fps for flexibility.
- Compact cameras: Add a wet wide-angle lens for reefs and a close-up (macro) lens; use a single strobe initially.
- Mirrorless/DSLR: Lenses: 16–35 mm (wide-angle reefs), fisheye for dramatic vistas, 60/90/100 mm macro for critters.
Settings and Technique
- White balance: Custom WB every 2–3 m depth change if shooting ambient light; consider manual WB or use a gray slate.
- Strobes: Start 1/4–1/2 power, position outwards to reduce backscatter; shutter 1/125–1/200, aperture f/8–f/11.
- Video: 60 fps for fish movement; lock exposure, use gentle finning to avoid stir-up.
- Buoyancy first: Stable buoyancy protects coral and sharpens images.
Care and Safety
- Test housing vacuum/seal before boarding. Inspect and grease O-rings daily.
- Rinse in fresh water after dives; dry before opening. Use silica gel packs.
- Use lanyards; boats can be bouncy crossing to islands.
Ethics
- Never touch or stand on coral; avoid chasing wildlife.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen. No collecting shells/corals (illegal).
Nearby Attractions
- Cellular Jail: Stirring history and evening light-and-sound show for topside photography.
- Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island): Ruined colonial structures draped in roots and deer roaming—great textures and light.
- Chidiya Tapu: Sunset vistas over forested hills.
- Samudrika Naval Marine Museum: Learn about local marine life before you dive.
- Aberdeen Bazaar: Street scenes and local flavors.
How to Reach Port Blair
- By Air: Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) has direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and seasonal/directs from Delhi. Flight time ~2–3.5 hours from mainland hubs.
- By Sea: Infrequent passenger ships from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam (approx. 60–70 hours). Basic cabins; schedules can change with weather.
- Local Transport: Taxis, auto-rickshaws, rental scooters. Ferries connect Port Blair with Havelock and Neil; book advance in peak season.
- Permits: Indian nationals don’t require permits for Port Blair. Foreign visitors generally don’t need a Restricted Area Permit for Port Blair/Havelock/Neil under current norms, but some islands remain restricted. Jolly Buoy/Red Skin require day permits. Drones need prior permission; avoid flying near airports/ports and protected areas.
Accommodation Options
- Budget (INR 1,200–2,500/night): Guesthouses near Aberdeen Bazaar/Goal Ghar; convenient for early ferries.
- Mid-range (INR 3,000–6,000/night): Boutique hotels and beachside stays near Carbyn’s Cove/Wandoor.
- Premium (INR 8,000–15,000+/night): High-end resorts with sea views and in-house travel desks.
Choose stays close to your jetty (Aberdeen/Middle Strait/Wandoor) to cut transfer time for early island trips.
Estimated Costs
- Snorkeling trip (North Bay): INR 1,000–2,000; add underwater photos by operator: INR 800–1,500.
- Glass-bottom boat: INR 800–1,500 (site-dependent).
- Discover Scuba (intro dive): INR 3,500–6,500 including gear and guide; photo/video add-on: INR 1,000–2,500.
- Certified fun dives: INR 3,000–4,500 per dive (boat + weights/tank included).
- PADI Digital UW Photographer/OW course add-on: INR 6,000–12,000 (module) / INR 22,000–30,000 (Open Water full course).
- Jolly Buoy permit + boat: Permit ~INR 150–350; boat transfer INR 1,000–1,500 (varies by season/operator).
- Gear rental: Snorkel set INR 200–400/day; GoPro rental INR 500–1,000/day (availability varies).
Prices fluctuate by season and operator; confirm inclusions (guides, permits, media files, taxes) before booking.
Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
Food
- Fresh seafood: fish curry, crab, squid, and prawns with coastal spices.
- South Indian and Bengali influences; try thalis and local masalas.
- Coconut water, banana chips, and tropical fruits between dives.
Shopping
- Sagarika Emporium (Govt.): Authentic handicrafts, woodwork, shell-inspired art (no real coral/shell collection).
- Aberdeen Bazaar for spices, souvenirs, and casual wear.
Culture
- Cellular Jail’s narrative offers deep context to the islands.
- Marine museums provide species ID insight—handy for captioning your photos.
Tips and Essential Guidelines
Safety & Environment
- Check weather and sea conditions; monsoon can cancel boats last-minute.
- Listen to dive/snorkel briefings; stay within guide’s line of sight.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen; carry a reusable water bottle (Jolly Buoy is plastic-free).
- Emergency: Recompression facilities are available in Port Blair via naval/medical services; operators coordinate in case of DCS.
Packing Essentials
- Action cam with red filter / compact or mirrorless in housing; spare batteries, memory cards.
- O-ring grease, silica gel, microfiber cloths, housing vacuum pump (if applicable).
- Reef-safe sunscreen, anti-fog, rash guard/3 mm shorty, dive computer if certified.
- Dry bag (10–20 L), lanyards, power bank, universal charger.
Permissions & Rules
- Recreational underwater photography is generally allowed. Commercial shoots may require permissions from the Forest Department/Port authorities.
- No drones without approvals (DGCA/Local); banned near protected areas and the airport.
- No touching/feeding wildlife; fines apply for damaging coral or carrying restricted marine products.
Traveler-Specific Tips
Families
- Choose calm, shallow sites (North Bay, Jolly Buoy). Glass-bottom boats are ideal for young kids.
- Carry snacks and seasickness tablets; sun protection and quick-dry towels.
Honeymooners
- Book private snorkel sessions around Jolly Buoy/Red Skin for crowd-free frames.
- Golden-hour topside shoots at Chidiya Tapu and Ross Island ruins.
Friends/Groups
- Plan a 2–3 dive day combining wide-angle morning sites and macro afternoons.
- Share accessories (filters, lights) and split boat charter costs.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to be a certified diver to try underwater photography in Port Blair?
A: No. You can shoot while snorkeling or during a supervised Discover Scuba (intro dive). Certification is required for deeper/advanced dive sites and independent camera setups.
Q: What is the best month for clear underwater photos?
A: December to April typically offers the calmest seas and best visibility, though conditions can vary day to day.
Q: Can I rent underwater cameras in Port Blair?
A: Some operators rent GoPros and provide photo/video add-ons. Full DSLR/mirrorless housings are rarely available for rent; bring your own if you need advanced gear.
Q: Are permits required for islands like Jolly Buoy?
A: Yes. Day permits are issued via the Forest Department, usually arranged by your operator. Jolly Buoy is plastic-free—carry reusable bottles.
Q: Is there a hyperbaric chamber in Port Blair?
A: Yes, recompression facilities are available in Port Blair via naval/medical services. In an emergency, your dive operator will coordinate evacuation and care.
Conclusion
Underwater photography in Port Blair blends accessible reefs with protected marine parks and a spectrum of sites for every skill level. Time your visit between November and May, choose operators who value safety and conservation, and pack the right filters and housings. With thoughtful planning, you’ll return with crisp reefscapes, vibrant fish portraits, and a deeper understanding of Andaman’s living seas.
