The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has initiated steps to introduce organised watersports activities at New Wandoor Beach, signalling a fresh push to diversify tourism offerings while addressing long-standing local demands. The Directorate of Tourism has announced plans to start activities such as glass-bottom boat rides and parasailing near the Fish Landing Jetty, with applications now invited from interested operators.
According to the Tourism Department, the proposal aims to promote adventure and eco-tourism in the Wandoor area, which serves as a key gateway for visitors heading towards nearby marine attractions. The move is also positioned as an effort to enhance the overall visitor experience by adding structured recreational options at a beach that is already popular among domestic and international tourists.
The introduction of watersports at New Wandoor Beach has been a long-pending demand raised by Panchayati Raj Institutions of the area as well as local residents. Officials indicated that the lack of formal adventure activities had limited the economic potential of the beach despite steady tourist footfall. With the proposed activities, the Administration expects increased engagement of visitors beyond short-duration visits, potentially extending stays and local spending.
Glass-bottom boat rides are expected to provide tourists with a controlled and non-intrusive way to view marine life without direct water contact, aligning with eco-tourism principles. Parasailing, meanwhile, is aimed at attracting adventure-seeking visitors and expanding the range of tourism products offered in South Andaman. The Department has indicated that these activities will be regulated through a formal application and approval process to ensure safety and operational standards.
The Tourism Directorate has invited applications for operating glass-bottom boats and parasailing, with submissions to be made to the Watersports Section of the Directorate of Tourism. While the press release does not specify timelines for commencement, the invitation of applications marks the first formal step towards operationalising the plan. Officials familiar with the process indicated that shortlisted operators would be required to adhere to prescribed safety, environmental and operational norms before being allowed to commence services.
Beyond tourism promotion, the initiative is also being viewed as a livelihood-generation measure for residents of the surrounding areas. Local employment is expected to be created through boat operations, equipment handling, maintenance activities and ancillary services. For communities around Wandoor, where dependence on traditional livelihoods remains high, the expansion of tourism-linked activities is expected to provide supplementary income opportunities.
The proposed watersports hub fits into a broader pattern of incremental tourism development being pursued by the Administration, which has increasingly focused on structured, permission-based activities rather than unregulated operations. Officials have emphasised that the introduction of adventure activities will be aligned with environmental considerations, particularly given Wandoor’s proximity to ecologically sensitive zones.
Tourism stakeholders note that organised watersports facilities have so far remained limited to a few locations in the Islands, leading to congestion and uneven distribution of tourist activity. The addition of New Wandoor Beach to the watersports map is expected to ease pressure on existing locations while spreading economic benefits to newer areas.
With applications now open, the pace at which the initiative moves forward will depend on the response from operators and the completion of scrutiny by the Tourism Department. If implemented as planned, New Wandoor Beach could soon emerge as a new node for adventure-based tourism in South Andaman, adding another layer to the Islands’ evolving tourism landscape.
