The Department of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Andaman Water Sports Adventures Pvt. Ltd., will host a one-of-a-kind Kayak Festival at North Bay on November 1, 2025. The event, themed “Paddle to Paradise: Explore, Engage, Conserve,” aims to promote safety, skill, and sustainability among the islands’ growing community of certified kayak guides and instructors.
The festival will feature a series of competitive yet friendly events designed to test participants’ agility, endurance, and teamwork. It will bring together trained kayak operators, instructors, and adventure sports personnel from North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, and other islands. Each participating organisation is encouraged to nominate at least one representative, ensuring broad participation across the archipelago’s water sports fraternity.
According to the Department, the initiative is intended not merely as a contest but as a platform for sharing best practices, enhancing technical proficiency, and reinforcing safety standards within the water sports industry. Competitors will take part in several skill-based events that combine physical strength with precision control on the water.
The day’s events will begin at 9 a.m. with the Obstacle Course Race (Tandem), a 100-metre challenge that tests navigation through colour-coded “Port” and “Starboard” markers. At 9:30 a.m., the Capsize Challenge will follow, where tandem teams must intentionally overturn their kayaks, execute re-entry, and complete a 50-metre dash to the shore. The event is designed to evaluate coordination and teamwork under simulated rescue conditions.
The third event, Tug of War (Tandem), scheduled for 10 a.m., will see teams competing in head-to-head paddling contests that emphasize endurance and synchronization. Later, at 11 a.m., participants will take part in the Out & Back Beach Start (Tandem), a dynamic event requiring teams to carry, launch, and paddle their kayaks to a designated marker before returning and sprinting to the finish line.
A closing ceremony at 12:30 p.m. will include result announcements, acknowledgements of participants, and a group photo session. The Department of Tourism has announced that the winners of each event will receive certificates and cash prizes of ₹8,000, ₹5,000, and ₹3,000, respectively.
Safety will remain a top priority throughout the festival. All participants must bring their own Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and paddles, with mandatory safety checks before each race. Lifeguards and safety boats will be deployed along the course to ensure secure conditions for competitors. The events will also serve as practical refreshers in navigation awareness, rescue readiness, and environmentally responsible practices, reinforcing the Department’s emphasis on skill development and eco-conscious tourism.
In addition to the competitions, the Tourism Department has invited tourists, stakeholders, and the local public to witness the festival and enjoy the scenic spectacle of kayaking in North Bay’s clear waters. As part of the celebrations, kayaking activities will be available to visitors at a special discounted rate of ₹400 per person for a 35–45-minute ride throughout the day.
Registration for both the competition and recreational kayaking is free. Interested participants can collect forms from the Adventure Water Sports Cell (AWSC) at the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism (IP&T), or contact the designated officials for registration assistance.
The Paddle to Paradise festival underscores the growing prominence of adventure tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. By combining competition with conservation, the event aims to create a culture of responsible recreation and safety-first adventure, positioning North Bay as a hub for sustainable water sports in the region.
