Fast facts

About The Wandur National Park

The Wandur National Park is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean. The Andaman and Nicobar Island groups have over 300 islands, many of which are uninhabited. The 12 islands of the Labyrinthine island group, make up the Wandur National Park, also known as the Mahatma Gandhi Marine Park. Situated 30 Km south of Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Wandur National Park consists of tropical islands, covered with dense forest, that includes creepers and rare orchids. The islands have beautiful beaches but in many places, the thick vegetation comes down to the shore and the tips of leaves and branches trail in the water. Mangrove swamps along the waters edge are another fascinating sight. The islands also have a number of caves, which can explore on your tour of Wandur National Park.
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Wildlife in The Wandur National Park

The Wandur National Park is known for its rare marine life. The Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Hawskbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), and Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) make their nesting grounds on the beaches of the islands in Wandur National Park. There is a significant population of Estuarine Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in Wandur National Park. Another rare creature found here is the Coconut Crab (Birgus latro), many species of fish, amphibians and mollusks are found along the sea shore of the Wandur National Park. Many species of water birds including the Black-naped Tern (Sterna sumatrana), Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) and Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) as well as gulls, swifts, serpent crested eagles, and ospreys live along the waters edge and feed on the abundant marine life of Wandur National Park.

The Wandur National Park consists of a number of islands, each of which has its own unique ecosystem. Some of the islands are Jollybouy, which is known for the tide pools on its beach where you can see anemones (Heteractis crispa), cowries (Cypraeidae), sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea), starfish (Ophioderma), and spider conch (Lambis). Redskin Island has a number of deer, which were introduced by the British. Mangrove swamps and a coral reef add to the charm of this island. The Andaman islands are known for their abundance of marine life. Over 135 species of coral are found in the Andamans. Various species of fish found in Wandur National Park include yellow butterfly fish (Chaetodon), black surgeons (Acanthurus), parrot fish (Cheilinus digrammus), silver jacks (Carangidae) and blue damselfidh (Chrysiptera cyanea). Larger fish include the barracuda, the grouper and the shark. The clownfish that lives in symbiosis with the sea anemones and the cleaner wrasse that feeds on pests on sharks and other large fish are fascinating in their behavior.

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The giant clam is another unique creature found in the Wandur National Park. It can grow up to 3 feet in size. The coral reefs are a fascinating sight, with coral laid down over centuries forming amazing reefs and underwater landscapes. Some of the varieties of coral seen here are finger coral, antler coral, brain coral, leather coral, vase coral and plate coral. The xooanthellae algae living in associating with the coral provides the reef with its amazing colors. Many other marine creatures such as fish, crabs, oysters, shrimp, lobsters, and sea urchins live along the nooks and crannies of the coral reef. You can see this amazing ecosystem on tours to Wandur National Park with wildlife India tours.

Around The Wandur National Park

Sights to see around Wandur National Park include Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where there are a number of historic buildings such as the cellular jail, where Indian freedom fighters were imprisoned.

You can enjoy a wide range of water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing while in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with Wildlife India Tours. The islands are also known for their pristine ebaches, beautiful climate and idyllic atmosphere. You're sure to have a memorable and relaxing vacation on your tour to the Andamans with India Wildlife Tours.

Travel Tips

Remember the words take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints, when you travel to the Andamans. The pristine coral ecosystem can easily by damaged by tourists who break off pieces to take with them as souvenirs. Visitors are urged to refrain from damaging the coral formations underwater. If you're a keen scuba diver, you could bring along your own equipment. Equipment is also available for hire.

Indian tourists require a permit to visit the Nicobar Islands. Foreign tourists are not permitted to visit the Nicobar chain of Islands and require a permit to visit the Andamans. This permit is valid for 15 days and is granted by the Government of India.

Accomodation is available in hotels and tourist guesthouses in Port Blair, 30 Km from Wandur National Park. Port Blair has excellent communication facilities including Internet connectivity.

Climate

The climate at Wandur National Park is tropical. Rainfall is medium to heavy from mid September to mid December. Occasional tropical storms and heavy thundershowers occur in summer.

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How To Reach

There are daily flights to Port Blair from Chennai and Calcutta. From Port Blair you can travel to Wandur by road or by boat. While traveling around the marine park, you can travel on totrized launches. Local fishermen who act as guides are knowledgeable about local marine and bird life and are of immense help while traveling.
India Wildlife tours offers tours to the Wandur National Park. To know more about the national parks of India or to book a tour, please enter your query in the form below.