Apart from beaches and islands, there are various wildlife sanctuaries in Andaman and Nicobar. If you love getting close to the wildlife then we listed the top 5 Best national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to visit in Andaman & Nicobar. We have also mentioned some of the major tourist attractions in these biosphere reserves along with plenty of things to do and explore.
Read along to know more about the best time to visit, visiting hours, entry fees, and charges
Also Read: Best Beaches in Andaman And Nicobar Islands For Every Water Baby
Top 5 National Park And Wildlife Sanctuaries In Andman And Nicobar
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Mount Harriet National Park
Situated at the height of 1.257 ft, Mount Harriet National Park is one of the highest peaks of Andaman and spans up to an area of 4.62 sq km. As soon as you enter the national park, you will be awestruck by its greenery and landscape views. Not only in Andaman and Nicobar, but the Mount Harriet National Park is also one of the major tourist attractions in India.
October to May is considered the best time to visit Mount Harriet but it can also be accessible from June to September during the rainy season. Though visiting here during rain can be dangerous due to heavy monsoon and it won’t let you enjoy the trip completely.
Best Time To Visit: October to Mid-May
Visiting Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee:
- Adults: 25 INR
- Children and Indian Students: 10 INR
- Foreigners: 250 INR
Things To Do:
- Spot various bird species such Andaman wood pigeon, Andaman cuckoo dove, and Andaman hawk-owl
- Sightseeing
- Trekking
- Camping
How To Reach: Reach here via car or ferry from Ferrargunj. First, you will be required to reach Ferrargunj from Port Blair which is around 2 hours away from Mount Harriet National Park.
In case you chose to reach here via ferry then it would hardly take 15 minutes. Take a ferry from Chatham Jetty, Port Blair.
2. Landfall Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Established in the year 1987 by the administration of Andaman and Nicobar, the Landfall Island Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most satisfying places to visit in Andaman & Nicobar. The Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by the mangrove forest, beaches as well vast lagoons. One of the most recommended wildlife sanctuaries to visit in Andaman & Nicobar.
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: Not Required
Things To Do:
- Explore the marine life
- Go watersports such as swimming and snorkeling
- Photography
- Wander around the beach
How To Reach: You can reach here via public or private ferries from Port Blair which is 228 km away from the sanctuary.
Also Read: Best Places To Visit In Andaman And Nicobar Islands For An Exotic Holiday
3. North Button Island National Park
Received ṭhe status of being the national park in 1979, the North Button Island National Park spans up to 44 square miles. The park is home to several creatures including dolphins, dugongs, blue whales, water monitors, and lizards.
Best Time To Visit: December to March
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Not Required
Things To Do:
- Snorkeling
- Scuba Diving
- Visit the Barren Island
- Visiting the Long Island
How To Reach: Reach here via ferry from Long Island or from Port Blair.
4. Rutland Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated 20 km away from Port Blair, Rutland Island was once inhabited by the Jangil tribe of Andaman. The place is quite famous for breathtaking marine life and turtle breeding. The rich marine life and beautiful sandy beaches make Rutland Island one of the best Wildlife sanctuaries to visit the Andaman and Nicobar.
Some of the major tourist attractions in Rutland Island Wildlife Sanctuary are Imperial Pegion and Andaman Teal.
Best Time To Visit: April to June
Visiting Hours: 24 hours
Entry Fee: Not Required
Things To Do:
- Explore the marine life
- Fishing
- Snorkeling
- Glass Bottom Boat tour
How To Reach: Take a boat from Port Blair to reach here as it is the only accessible route towards Rutland Island.
In case you are coming from Havelock Island, reach Port Blair by grabbing a ferry which will take around 2.5 hours. Follow the same route as mentioned above.
5. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
Listed in the UNESCO for the biosphere as well as sustainable development, the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve is one of the most popular biospheres reserves to visit in Andaman & Nicobar. The biosphere reserve also includes two national parks i.e Galathea National Park and Campbell Bay National park.
If you are looking for the best wild sanctuaries to visit in Andaman and Nicobar then don’t forget to add this magnificent reserve to your travel list. Great Nicobar is a place which you will never regret visiting as it has so much to offer with plenty of things to do and nearby places to explore.
Best Time To Visit: April to June
Visiting Hours: 24 hours
Entry Fee: 13,400 INR
Things To Do:
- Spot wildlife at the Campbell Bay National Park and Galathea National Park
- Sightseeing
- Skydiving
- Parasailing
How To Reach: Reach here either via helicopter or ferry from Port Blair. The helicopter is the fastest way to reach and it usually flies twice or three times a week.
If you choose to travel via ferry, then purchase your tickets from the Directorate of Shipping Services of Port Blair. There is a range of travel options to chose from while you are traveling via ferry. The ferry take will take around 24 to 30 hours to reach Great Nicobar.