The Andaman Islands are renowned for its adrenaline pumping water sports that promises to satisfy the adventurous souls to the fullest. To have a safe and enjoyable experience, it’s crucial to plan your Andaman tour in the peak/cool season.
Ideal weather conditions, dry days, clear skies, and calm sea conditions enable visitors to participate in water sports such as scuba diving, snorkelling, etc. without any hassle.
Best Time To Visit Andaman: Andaman’s Weather at a Glance
| Season | Months | Temperature (Min – Max) | Travel Recommendation |
| Summer/Shoulder/Warm Season | April to May | 22°C to 35°C | Recommended |
| Winter/Cool/Peak Season | October to March | 20°C to 30°C | Highly Recommended |
| Monsoon/Rainy/Off Season | June to September | 22°C to 34°C | Not Recommended |
The Andaman Islands feature mainly three seasons – the cool season, the warm season, and the rainy season. Among the three seasons, the cool season, which runs from October to March is the best season to visit Andaman for water sports.
Along with watersports, it is also the ideal time for sightseeing, beach hopping, and bird watching. The Andaman Islands are marked by a tropical climate with hot and humid temperatures during most times of the year.
The cool season in the Andaman Islands brings a more welcome relief from the scorching heat and humidity of the summer months.
Now, let us look at season-wise weather conditions in the Andaman Islands.
Andaman Weather in the Cool Season:
Andaman weather in the cool season hovers between a delightful 20 to 22 degrees Celsius at night, and during the day time it remains between 29 to 30 degrees Celsius.
The overall weather is dry and sunny with occasional partly cloudy days, and manageable humidity levels. The Andaman Islands receives an average of 6 to 8 hours of sunshine during the cool season.
One may experience warmth on the beach during peak day time, however, as soon as the sun descends on the horizon, the cool coastal breeze wraps around, providing a sense of calmness and tranquility.
Post monsoon season, the months from October to March in the Andaman Islands exude lush greenery and soothing temperatures when one can participate in a slew of water sports.
Andaman Weather in the Warm Season:
The warm season of Andaman runs from April to May, featuring tropical and sticky weather. The mercury levels reach a high of 30 to 35 degrees Celsius at day, and the minimum temperatures oscillate between 23 to 25 degrees Celsius in Andaman at night.
The humidity levels in Andaman from April to May range between 75% to 80%. The average amount of sunshine in a day remains between 7 to 8 hours. The sea water temperature in Andaman is around 29°C, comfortable enough for participating in various water sports, such as snorkelling, parasailing, and banana boat rides. However, the only catch during the summer season is the occasional burst of showers that may interrupt with your water sports plans.
It is highly recommended to keep track of the weather forecast and plan your water sports in Andaman accordingly.
Andaman Weather in the Rainy Season:
The rainy season or the monsoon season arrives in Andaman from mid June. It is not the best time to visit Andaman due to frequent rain showers, thundery weather, dark- clouded skies, unpredictable sea conditions and poor underwater visibility.
During this season, there are typically 17 to 18 rainy days with overcast skies. The average daytime temperature in the Andaman Islands during the rainy season ranges between 32 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius (approximately). The average temperature at night drops to a soothing 22 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius (approximately).
The rainy season in Andaman is not the best time to visit for watersports. Many watersports are temporarily suspended or available only for a limited time of the day.
Tourists and water sports enthusiasts are generally refrained from visiting beaches due to the risk of high tides. The tough sea conditions makes it extremely challenging for participating in water activities, including surfing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, glass bottom boat rides, etc.
Best Season for Water Sports in Andaman Island:
The best season to visit Andaman for watersports is definitely the cool/peak season. The conducive weather conditions, suitable sea temperatures, and wide availability of water sports attracts many visitors to Andaman. Here are more reasons to travel to Andaman in the cool season for water sports:
1. Ideal Temperature:
The Andaman Islands are surrounded by the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east. The surface temperature of both the water bodies ranges between 27 to 28 degrees with remarkable underwater visibility. This allows visitors to revel in water sports such as snorkelling, scuba diving and sea walking.
2. Gentle Sea Conditions:
Roaring waves and unpredictable sea conditions causes hindrance in watersports. This could be a challenge for the inexperienced or first-time participants. However, that is not the case when you plan your water activities in the cool season. The gentle waves and tranquil waters of the Andaman sea and the Bay of Bengal facilitate a smooth participation in water sports.
3. Clear and Sunny Days
Another benefit of participating in water sports in Andaman is the dry and sunny weather that enhances the overall experience of jet skiing, parasailing or scuba diving.
Note: If you want to revel in the balmy temperatures of Andaman, the ideal months to plan your Andaman trip, especially for water sports, are November, December and January. Those seeking to avoid the tourist crowds should plan their Andaman trip in the beginning of October and in the last fifteen days of March. This period is essentially the beginning and end peak tourist season in Andaman.
Top Water Sports to Try in Andaman Islands
Take a look at the best water sports to try in Andaman Islands for adrenaline junkies and marine enthusiasts. Please note that the best climate to enjoy the following water sports is in the cool and the shoulder season:
1. Scuba Diving:
One of the most popular water sports in Andaman island, scuba diving is a must-try water sport. Gear up and take a plunge in the depths of cerulean waters to enchant yourself with the mesmerizing marine flora and fauna. One of the most asked questions regarding scuba diving is “can a non-swimmer participate in it or not?” The answer is yes. Andaman Islands offer incredible opportunities for both swimmers and non-swimmers to enjoy scuba diving.
- Best Places to Try Scuba Diving in Andaman – Havelock Island, Neil Island, Port Blair, and North Bay Island.
- Approximate Cost of Scuba Diving in Andaman – INR 3,500/- to INR 6,500/- for boat dive
2. Snorkelling:
Say hello to the thriving and colourful marine life of the Andaman Islands with a rewarding snorkeling session. From vibrant coral reefs to sea caverns, and from colourful schools of fish to eye-catching aquatic flora, there is a lot to discover underwater. And just like scuba diving, both swimmers and non-swimmers can participate in snorkelling. Just be sure to hire a trained and experienced instructor with whom you can snorkel with ease.
- Best Places to Try Snorkelling in Andaman – Elephant Beach, Turtle Beach, North Bay Island, Red Skin Island.
- Approximate Cost of Snorkelling in Andaman – INR 700 to 1500 per person
3. Sea Karting:
Feel the rush in your veins and let the coastal winds embrace you as you enjoy a sea kart ride in the waters of the Andaman Islands. The guests are required to wear a life jacket and tuck themselves in the cart with a trained and licensed sea kart instructor. It is a popular, adrenaline-pumping and fun-filled activity, ideal for families.
- Best Places to Try Sea Karting in Andaman – Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Port Blair
- Approximate Cost of Sea Karting in Andaman – Starts from INR 4,500 per person.
4. Game Fishing:
Test your skills at fishing in the Andaman Islands by going on fishing trips to both popular and unique destinations. The ideal month for game fishing in Andaman is from October to March, while some fishing enthusiasts also try their angling skills in April and May. Some of the popular fish to catch and release via game fishing are Black Marlin, Yellow Fin Tuna, Dorado, Sailfish and more.
- Best Places to Game Fishing in Andaman – Port Blair, Rutland Island, Cinque Island, and Havelock Island.
- Approximate Cost of Game Fishing in Andaman – A 4 hour game fishing trip starts from INR 18000/-.
5. Parasailing:
The parasailing adventure provides a memorable experience in Andaman. With a parasailing chute, soar above and soak in the incredible views of the island. All participants must receive a short 10 -15 minute training session in which they learn how to navigate in the air while parasailing. Post that, you will be taken to a chosen destination from where you will begin your adventure. You can simply add parasailing in your Andaman tour packages and enjoy this thrilling experience.
- Best Places to Try Parasailing in Andaman – Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Havelock Islands, and North Bay Beach.
- Approximate Cost of Parasailing in Andaman – Ranges from INR 3000 to INR 5000 per person.
6. Sea Walking:
Do you want to know how it feels to walk on the ocean floor? If your answer is a yes, get ready to participate in seawalking in Andaman. The usual depth of sea walking ranges between 7 to 10 metres. This is a fun, thrilling, and family-friendly water sport to enjoy in the Andaman Islands.
- Best Places to Try Sea Walking in Andaman – North Bay Island, Elephant Beach
Approximate Cost of Sea Walking in Andaman – INR 3500 to INR 4000 per person.
FAQs:
The period of October to February is the best time to go to Andaman for a family vacation.
Kids above 9 years of age can enjoy water sports in Andaman such as sea walking, glass bottom, boat rides and banana boat rides.
The cool and warm season (October to April) is the best time to visit Andaman to spot corals.
Both swimmers and non-swimmers can partake in snorkelling. However, the difficulty level may vary.
A scuba diving course in the Andaman Islands costs INR 18000 to INR 22000 per person.