Craggy Island is a tiny, rocky island just off Kalipur Beach in Diglipur, and it is one of the best places in the far north of the Andamans to see coral and fish. It is little more than a speck on the map, with no buildings and no facilities, but the water around it is clear and the reef is the reason people make the trip. For snorkellers and divers who have come all the way to Diglipur, it is a quiet, rewarding sea day.
Craggy Island is reached by a small boat, and the trip depends on weather, tide and local arrangements. This guide covers what to expect, how access works, the safety points that matter, the best time to go and how to plan your day. If you would rather have the boat, timing and guide arranged for you, explore our Andaman tour packages, planned by Andaman Emerald Travels, a travel team based in the Andamans.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | A small island off Kalipur Beach, Diglipur, North Andaman |
| Reached by | Small motorised boat; arranged locally via the Aerial Bay and Kalipur area |
| Known for | Snorkelling, clear water, coral and reef fish; a newly identified boat-dive site |
| Facilities | None; no shops, shelter or food |
| Suggested time | Half day, including the boat ride |
| Best season | Roughly November to April |
| Before you go | Boat availability, price and permissions can change; confirm locally |
| Best for | Snorkellers, divers, nature lovers, offbeat travellers |
Craggy Island lies a short distance off the Kalipur shoreline, a rocky outcrop surrounded by shallow water and reef. Travel guides describe it as tiny but memorable, with crystal-clear water, shoals of fish and colourful marine life, and snorkelling is its main activity. Because the island is small and uninhabited, there is nothing to do on land except enjoy the view, so the trip is really about the water.
It sits in the same part of Diglipur as the turtle nesting beaches at Kalipur and Ramnagar, which makes it an easy add-on to a day on the coast. For the area’s most famous sight, the twin islands joined by a sandbar, see Ross and Smith Islands.
Snorkelling is the highlight. The shallow water around the island has coral and plenty of reef fish, and on a calm day visibility can be very good. Bring your own mask, snorkel and fins if you can, since rental options are limited in the north. Wear a life jacket and snorkel with a guide or buddy, and never stand on or touch the coral.
Diglipur’s tourism authorities have recently identified new boat-dive sites in the area, including one known as “Wall of Craggy” or “Gentle Slope”, with depths of roughly 8 to 31 metres. These sites are new, and diving here depends on approved operators, equipment and conditions. If you are a certified diver and interested in scuba diving, ask our team what is currently available, and do not dive without a licensed operator.
The boat ride itself is part of the pleasure, with open water, a view of the Kalipur coastline and the rocky island ahead. Keep your hands and belongings inside the boat, and enjoy the quiet.
The island, the water and the coastline make a simple, peaceful backdrop for photographs, particularly in soft morning light. Sea birds often rest on the rocks.
| Highlight | What It Is | Approx. Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Boat ride | A short crossing to the island | Around 15 to 30 minutes each way (varies) |
| Snorkelling | Coral and fish in shallow water | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Boat diving (if available) | Newly identified dive sites, for certified divers | Half day with an operator |
| Photography | Island, water and coastline | Throughout |
Timings are approximate and vary with tides, weather and the boat arranged.
The best season is roughly November to April, when the sea is calm and the water is clearer. Morning is the best time of day, with calmer water and better light. Monsoon months bring rough seas and low visibility, and boat trips are often cancelled.
| Months | Season | What to Expect | Our Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| October to November | Post-monsoon | Seas settling; visibility improving | October, November |
| December to February | Peak season | Calm seas and clearest water | December, January, February |
| March to April | Summer | Warm and bright; start early | March, April |
| May to September | Monsoon | Rough seas; trips often cancelled | May, June, July, August, September |
Diglipur is the far northern town of the Andamans, around 300 km from Port Blair, a journey of roughly 12 hours by road or 12 to 16 hours by overnight ship, which is why most travellers break it into stages. From Diglipur, head towards Aerial Bay and Kalipur. Small motorised boats run to Craggy Island, and a travel guide lists a return fare of about ₹3,000, though prices change. Boats are usually arranged through local operators or your hotel. If you are on one of our packages, we arrange the boat, the timing and the transfers.
| Stage | What Happens | Things to Note |
|---|---|---|
| Port Blair to Diglipur | A long road or sea journey, often with a stop in Rangat or Mayabunder | Plan at least a day; follow convoy rules at Baratang |
| Diglipur to Kalipur or Aerial Bay | A road transfer of 30 minutes or more | Arrange a cab or auto |
| Boat to Craggy Island | A small motorised boat | Weather and tide can delay or cancel the trip |
| Return | Boat back to the shore, then transfer to your stay | Plan to be back before dark |
Convoy times, ferry schedules, boat availability and rules change, so confirm everything before you travel. Carry valid photo ID.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Boat to Craggy Island for snorkelling while the sea is calm |
| Late morning | Return to Kalipur Beach for a walk and a picnic |
| Afternoon | Ramnagar Beach, or Ross and Smith Islands on another day |
| Evening (December to February) | Ask the forest staff about guided turtle watching at the nesting beaches |
Looking for a ready-made plan that includes Diglipur? Longer packages suit the far north best: see our 6 nights 7 days, 7 nights 8 days and 8 nights 9 days Andaman packages. For more quiet places, read our guide to offbeat places in Andaman, or browse all Andaman destinations on our site.
Stays near Kalipur and Diglipur are simple, with a handful of resorts and guesthouses. Facilities are modest, and rooms are limited, especially from December to February, so book early.
Diglipur and north Andaman stops are part of many of our packages. Every traveller has different needs, so we offer a package for each:
| Traveller Type | Package | What It Offers |
|---|---|---|
| Couples | Andaman honeymoon packages | Quiet stays and private transfers |
| Families | Andaman family packages | Comfortable, child-friendly plans |
| Friends and colleagues | Andaman group packages | Shared planning for large parties |
| Value-focused travellers | Andaman budget packages | Affordable trips that cover the highlights |
| Government employees | Andaman LTC packages | Plans designed for LTC travel |
| Thrill seekers | Andaman adventure packages | Snorkelling, diving and offbeat excursions |
Not sure which suits you? Reach out through our contact page for a customised itinerary.
See what travellers say about us on Andaman Emerald Travels on Google, then call +91 9933245630 or send an enquiry for a free quote on your Andaman tour packages.
It is a small island off Kalipur Beach in Diglipur, North Andaman.
It is known for snorkelling, clear water and coral, and for being a quiet, uncrowded spot on the Diglipur coast.
By small motorised boat arranged locally from the Aerial Bay and Kalipur area. Prices and availability change, so confirm first.
One guide says very strong swimmers can do it in good conditions with fins. We do not recommend it because of currents, so take a boat.
New boat-dive sites have been identified nearby, including one called Wall of Craggy, but availability depends on approved operators. Ask our team before you plan a dive.
Roughly November to April, in the morning.
No. Bring your own water and snacks.
Longer packages that include Diglipur can include it, subject to weather and boat availability. Couples often choose a honeymoon package, families a family package and adventure lovers an adventure package. Our team can customise any plan.
C-43 WARD NO. 12, DIGNABAD, PORT BLAIR, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 744101
Copyright ©2026, Andaman Emerald Travels { A Unit Of Andaman Emerald Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd. } All Rights Reserved
Call
Enquiry