Wandur National Park is located 30 km southwest of Port Blair and it comprises of 12 islands. Andaman and Nicobar islands, the capital city, are also the home of Indias best marine park.
Many islands of the park are dense forests and the open space is covered with scrub and creepers. While looking at the pathways in the park one can see tropical flowers, orchids, broken branches and fallen leaves spread all over. One can hear the birds also but till it is not in open it is difficult to find out whether it is terns, gulls, ospreys, serpent crested eagles, wood pigeons, or swifts.
The most striking feature of the place is the vegetation which is very dense and it comes down to the shore appearing to merge into the sea. One can even see the branches and creepers overhang and dip into the seawater.
The climate here is tropical climate. The rain here is medium to heavy from May mid to September and then November to mid December. No extreme climate other than rains and tropical storms in late summer which causes heavy damage.
These island beaches are great nestling place for growth of Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas). Hundreds of Estuarine Crocodiles are also found here. An important species is also found in most of South Sentinel Island named as Coconut Crab. There are also uncountable number of Roseate Tern and Black-naped Tern nest on this island in addition one can see the Sooty Tern. Another important reef builders here are Molluscus, particularly Tridacna.
There are few attractions on all these islands which one should visit and see. The very first and famous place of attraction is Jollybuoy island, it lies in the middle of the park. The sandy beach on its northern end is the biggest attraction. The beach is encircled by a reef which is visible only during the low tide. While walking over the area one can see the tide pools and in them the sea cucumbers, anemones, starfish, cowries, turbots and spider conch.
Another place of attraction is Redskin Island, which is inhabited by the deer brought here by the British. One can reach the island by boats. The island has a land in sandy coves on either side. It has a large area with number of caves along the northern cliffs. The interiors of the caves is densely wooded with mangrove stands along the eastern and southern creeks. An extensive coral reef on the southern side and an idyllic diving cove at the extreme end of the reef across the channel is Tarmugli.
Near to the place is Grub Island it is very small island that one can walk around it and is a picturesque sand fringed island.
At the southern end of the park lies two peaks rising from the deep of the sea and are separated by a thin strip clean and clear water and is named as Twins.
Another attraction to the islands is the mangrove having their roots in seawater are these hardy trees. The leaves and other debris of the mangrove are a very important source of food to the marine life. These tree provide natural space against storm waves just like the reef.
To reach the place there are regular flights by Indian Airlines from Port Blair to Calcutta and Chennai. From Port Blair to Wandur one can travel by road. To move inside the park the forest department runs a launch service which visits 2-3 islands daily. To less frequented areas more enterprising parties hire motorized canoes from local fishermen and to make your trip safe it is better to take the fisherman along.
To visit the place foreigners need a permit for Andaman Island which one can obtain on reaching Port Blair. This permit is valid only for 15 days and foreigners are not allowed in Nicobar and other southern islands with this permit. One can even apply for the permit from overseas to the Deputy Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of home affairs. The tourist office, Government of India is at Middle Point. The relevant information to the tourists can be taken by t he State Government Directorate of Information, Publicity, and Tourism at Port Blair.
