Showing posts with label Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Show all posts

Monday, 20 August 2012

Sports Tourism in India - Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Welcome To Sporting Extravaganza in India

We will be going places around India to see what India has in store to present in Sports arena as a part of Tourism. Come and get enlightened about the places you can visit in India to fill you with some adrenaline. We will be starting our journey from remote island - Andaman & Nicobar Islands.  



The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, popularly called Emerald Islands, float in splendid isolation and lie east of the Indian mainland. Once a hill range extending from Myanmar to Indonesia, these undulating islands are covered with dense forests and awesome beaches which makes sporting minds to go crazy.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are suitable for Adventure water sports like Scuba diving, Skiing, Sailing, Para sailing, Wind surfing, Snorkeling etc. Trekking through the dense evergreen forests and island camping in beach front forests are other adventure activities. Andaman and Nicobar is a cluster of more than 500 islands stacked together neatly. Surrounded by some of the most beautiful lagoons in Asia, these islands provide options for some splendid adventure activities. 

The islands have a hilly terrain with coastal areas of white sand beaches and coral reef. Its pristine shimmering water offers its visitors an excellent water sports adventure. Not only is water sports like Scuba diving and Snorkelling a possibility here, one can also indulge in pulse racing, and at the same time soothing experience of trekking in the lush green hills. The best time to visit these islands for adventure sports is between November and April. December and January are the peak seasons to come here.

The Andaman and Nicobar islands are bestowed with the reputation of housing some of the most delectable and gorgeous islands in this entire planet. Thus it constitute one of the major temptations for the anxious holiday-makers. Basically, these water sports and related activities are most enjoyed by the adrenaline freaks who prefer to take risks. But there are other water sports as well which are suited for the ones who are not so much adventurous.



1. Andaman Water Sports Complex
Situated in Port Blair, Andaman Water Sports Complex has become one of the major attractions of the town. It offers safe water sports such as Rowing Boats, Paddleboat, Kayaks and bumper boats. Besides this, the complex also facilitates adventure through Water-skiing, Water scooters, Gemini boats, Para-sailing, Sailboats, Wind-surfers, Speedboats, Glass-bottom boats, etc. Boating from this complex  up to the Ross Island is really an exciting experience. 
 


2. Snorkeling

Snorkelling is among the most popular adventure activities in the lagoons of Andaman Islands. This is one sport which does not require you to be a trained and is as much fun for novice as it is for professionals. However, it is advised that if you are a starter, indulge in snorkelling only with the support of a trained professional. The best places for Snorkeling in the Andaman Islands are the Wandoor National Park-Jolly Bouy and the Red Skin Islands. With splendid coral life, Clique islands is also a highly favored islands for snorkelling.

Snorkeling is an adventure activity which is very popular off the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. One can enjoy the under-water marine life and view the rarest varieties of corals by Snorkeling in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Snorkeling is an exciting sport that lets you rub shoulders with some unique marine species. Underwater, a kaleidoscope of coral colours showcase a variety of reef fishes, turtles, sharks and  rays. Many visitors, never having seen fish in such densities before, are bewildered by the sheer numbers of the fish in the vast shoals that populate the reefs.

The best snorkelling site in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is at Havelock Islands. The sea around Havelock Islands, display an incredible density and diversity of marine life in seas that sometimes seem to almost boil with fish. The other best places for Snorkeling in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park  near Wandoor, Jolly Bouy and the Red Skin Islands. Cinque Island is another location with some fantastic coral.  Snorkeling is also possible off Port Blair at the Andaman Water Sports Complex. The under water corals in Andaman island beaches are extremely colourful. One can experience the live corals at Jolly buoy, red skin, North bay etc.,  People who do not know swimming also can experience the underwater marine world as they will be escorted by experienced person.

It is possible to snorkel in Andaman & Nicobar Islands throughout the year. However, these Islands are subject to monsoons, which bring with them heavy rains and strong winds, so it's a good idea to make a note of the seasons and so avoid the Islands that are subject to the bad weather. We will take you to all of the best snorkelling spots in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.






3. Scuba Diving  

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are brimming with its rich under-water treasures. The best way to explore great diversities of its marine life, of resplendent fishes and unique coral reefs, is to indulge in scuba diving. There are many institutes run by government that organize Scuba diving in the crystalline lagoons of Andaman and Nicobar. There are also certified private divers who assist you in taking up this sport.

Scuba diving is the biggest activity on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands other than lying around and eating seafood. The best season for diving in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is from December to April. The exciting experience of Scuba diving is a major tourist attraction. One can see the fascinating marine life among the world of amazing water bodies, colourful fishes and amazing corals. One can explore the wonders of scuba diving and can get the rare experience mixed with adventure. However, Diving in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is still in its infancy.

The Indian government takes a serious approach to protecting its marine resources. As a result, marine life populations are robust, and divers are often surrounded by fish. At places like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor, clouds of surgeons and barracuda gather in mid-water, snapper and sweetlips swarm over the rocky reef, and big fish like Giant Trevally and Bumphead Parrotfish are seen on nearly every dive. Giant Grouper and schooling Mobula Rays also make regular appearances. Many sites are home to endemic species like Andaman Damselfish, Andaman Sweetlips, and the distinctive Indian-Ocean Spinecheek Anemonefish.

The Scuba Diving centres has all the facilities and necessary equipments for a great experience of scuba diving. Adding to this there are many skilled trainers who can help the tourist in getting into the deep of the sea.  



4. Trekking 


Andaman and Nicobar Islands has some splendid hills that are perfect for beginners as well as trained. One can go trekking through the nature trail from Mt. Harriet to Kalapathar and enjoy the rare forest life, flora and fauna. There are other trekking routes also at places like Chidiya Tapu.