Swimming & Water Conditions Advisory
Safety Rating: Monitored Safe Zones
North Bay Beach features active water sports safety marshals, certified sea walk divers, and lifeguard posts. Safe for swimming in designated areas.
1. Overview
North Bay Island Beach, located a 30-minute boat ride from Aberdeen Jetty in Port Blair, is one of the Andaman Islands' most iconic destinations. World-famous as the coastal scene depicted on the back of India's **₹20 currency note** (featuring the 1969 North Bay Lighthouse overlooking coral reefs), North Bay is the premier center in the Andamans for underwater Sea Walking, semi-submarine coral tours, and scuba diving.
2. Geography & Coastal Setting
A picturesque coral island cove dominated by the 1969 North Bay Lighthouse perched on a forested hill overlooking the Andaman Sea. The beach forms part of the Andaman Sea coastline in South Andaman District (Port Blair), a zone characterised by the geological and tidal patterns typical of this section of the Indian coast. The coastal terrain here reflects the local lithology — whether laterite headlands, sandy deltaic plains, or rocky outcrops — which shapes the beach's specific form, sand quality, and wave behaviour throughout the year. Seasonal variation in longshore drift and monsoonal wave energy continuously reshapes the shoreline profile between the calm winter months and the high-energy southwest monsoon period.
3. History & Maritime Heritage
The 1969 North Bay Lighthouse was selected by the Reserve Bank of India to be immortalized on the reverse of the Indian 20-rupee currency note. The coastal communities of South Andaman District (Port Blair) have historically depended on the Andaman Sea for fishing, trade, and maritime navigation. This section of the coastline has witnessed the influence of successive powers — regional kingdoms, Portuguese and other European colonial traders, and later the British administration — each of which shaped the coastal settlement patterns, fishing practices, and infrastructure that visitors see today. The local fishing villages adjacent to this beach maintain traditional boat-building and fishing practices that have largely continued through the modern period.
4. What Makes This Beach Distinctive
World-famous as the ₹20 Indian currency note lighthouse scene, underwater Sea Walk capital of Andamans, semi-submarine glass tours, and live coral reefs. As a Currency Note Lighthouse & Sea Walk Hub along the Andaman Sea, North Bay Island Beach & Light House (₹20 Note Beach) offers a specific combination of natural conditions and visitor infrastructure that differentiates it from the region's other coastal destinations. The beach's character — whether defined by its sand quality, proximity to a lagoon or estuary, eco-tourism facilities, or cultural significance — draws visitors who specifically seek what this location uniquely offers. Local authorities and tourism boards have developed this beach with varying degrees of infrastructure, balancing accessibility with conservation of the natural coastal environment.
5. Natural Environment & Landscape
Fine white coral sand, vibrant live coral reefs, and dense tropical rainforest hill slopes. The beach's natural environment reflects the broader coastal ecosystem of Andaman & Nicobar Islands's Andaman Sea shoreline, which includes inter-tidal sand flats, dune vegetation where conditions allow, and the transition zone between marine and terrestrial habitats. Coastal vegetation — typically comprising casuarina windbreaks, coconut palms, scrub grass, and seasonal flowering plants — provides stabilisation against dune erosion and supports a microhabitat for small invertebrates and ground-nesting birds. The visual character of the beach changes significantly between the dry season (October–March), when wave action is gentle and sand accumulates, and the monsoon season (June–September), when erosion and storm wash reshape the shoreline profile.
6. Marine & Wildlife Ecology
Clownfish, parrotfish, sea turtles, stingrays, and brain corals. The intertidal and subtidal zones off North Bay Island Beach & Light House (₹20 Note Beach) support marine life typical of the Andaman Sea, including diverse fish populations, crustaceans, and molluscs that sustain local artisanal fisheries. Coastal bird activity is concentrated around fish-landing zones and at the shoreline during low tide, with species including brown-headed gulls, Eurasian oystercatchers, sandpipers, and terns observed seasonally. Several Andaman Sea beaches in Andaman & Nicobar Islands serve as nesting habitat for Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) between November and April; local forest department notifications should be checked for protected nesting zone information specific to this beach.
7. Activities & Things to Do
- Underwater Sea Walking with specialized helmet over live coral beds
- Viewing coral reefs from Coral Safari semi-submarine
- Climbing to the iconic ₹20 currency note North Bay Lighthouse
- Scuba diving and snorkeling over vibrant reef walls
- Glass-bottom boat tours and speed boating
8. Visitor Information & Amenities
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Boats depart Aberdeen Jetty 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM). Facilities: Water sports counters, lockers, changing rooms, food stalls. The intertidal and subtidal zones off North Bay Island Beach & Light House (₹20 Note Beach) support marine life typical of the Andaman Sea, including diverse fish populations, crustaceans, and molluscs that sustain local artisanal fisheries. Coastal bird activity is concentrated around fish-landing zones and at the shoreline during low tide, with species including brown-headed gulls, Eurasian oystercatchers, sandpipers, and terns observed seasonally. Several Andaman Sea beaches in Andaman & Nicobar Islands serve as nesting habitat for Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) between November and April; local forest department notifications should be checked for protected nesting zone information specific to this beach.
9. How to Reach (Mandatory Guide)
BY BOAT: Take 30-minute passenger motorboat ride from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex / Aberdeen Jetty in Port Blair. BY AIR: Port Blair Airport (IXZ) is 5 km to jetty.
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar Airport, Port Blair (IXZ, 5 km to jetty)
Nearest Railway Station: Port Blair Aberdeen Jetty Connection
10. Best Time to Visit
October to May offers clear blue waters and maximum underwater visibility (up to 20m). The ideal visiting window for North Bay Island Beach & Light House (₹20 Note Beach) is October to May, when skies are clear, sea conditions are calm, and temperatures along the Andaman & Nicobar Islands coast are at their most comfortable. The southwest monsoon (typically June to September) brings heavy rainfall, rough seas, and reduced visibility; most water sports and swimming are suspended during this period, though the dramatic monsoon seascape attracts some visitors. April and May are pre-monsoon months with high humidity and intense heat; travel to the beach is possible but physically demanding, and early-morning visits are recommended.
11. Sunrise & Sunset Orientation
Beautiful panoramic views over Port Blair harbor and Mount Harriet. The beach is situated along the Andaman Sea in South Andaman District (Port Blair), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, nearest major city being Port Blair (30-min passenger boat from Aberdeen Jetty). Classified as a Currency Note Lighthouse & Sea Walk Hub, it represents one of the coastline's notable destinations for visitors seeking a combination of natural scenery and coastal recreation. The surrounding district retains a strong fishing heritage, with traditional coastal communities living adjacent to the shoreline.
12. Local Culture & Cuisine
Island marine sports and Indian currency heritage. The coastal communities of South Andaman District (Port Blair) maintain a maritime cultural tradition shaped by centuries of fishing, trade, and seasonal migration along the Andaman & Nicobar Islands coast. Visitors to this beach will find local fish markets and seafood restaurants serving fresh catch; purchasing directly from the landing zone early in the morning gives access to the freshest local seafood.
13. Where to Stay
Hotels and resorts in Port Blair (day-trip destination). Accommodation options near North Bay Island Beach & Light House (₹20 Note Beach) range from basic guesthouses and budget hotels in Port Blair (30-min passenger boat from Aberdeen Jetty) to beachfront resorts developed for tourist visitors. Staying in Port Blair (30-min passenger boat from Aberdeen Jetty) provides access to local transport, restaurants, and markets, while beachfront properties offer direct beach access at a premium. During peak season (October–February), early booking is advisable as popular properties fill quickly; the off-season (monsoon months) typically offers significant discounts. Verify current availability and operating status with local tourism offices.
14. Nearby Destinations
15. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The panoramic view of North Bay Island with its 1969 lighthouse and coral coastline is the exact scene depicted on the back of India's red 20-rupee currency note.
Underwater Sea Walking is an activity where visitors wearing specialized oxygen-fed helmet systems walk on the seabed at 5-meter depth to view live coral reefs and marine life up close.
16. Official Sources & References
- Andaman & Nicobar Tourism Board
- Directorate General of Lighthouses