Cinque Island

1 dayBest: Nov–AprIslands#diving#coral#adventure

Diver's favourite of coral walls

Why this weekend?

Coral wallsDive sitesBoat day trips

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The reef day
- Early boat out
- Lagoon crossing
- Snorkel or dive rounds
- Island lunch break
- Return by evening

Geography & terrain

Cinque Island is the uninhabited twin-island pair about 3 km off the south-west of Rutland Island, inside the waters of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park — two forested teardrops with a turquoise lagoon between them, roughly a two-hour boat ride from Port Blair or a shorter run from Havelock's south side.

History & culture

Named by the islands' early British surveyors for their five-part silhouette, Cinque stayed empty through the colonial and post-colonial years — a seamount of forest and coral with no settlement and no road; its fame rests entirely on the reef that wraps it, making the pair the archipelago's celebrated dive destination.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–4,000/night

Mid-range

₹4,000–9,000/night

Comfort

₹9,000+/night

Things to do

Twin-island lagoon
Coral gardens
Sandbar snorkel
Dive walls & bommies
Turtle sightings

Eat & drink

Grilled reef fish
Coconut and seafood curries
Tropical fresh fruit platters

Getting there

Fly: Veer Savarkar Airport (IXZ), Port Blair
Train: No rail — island chain served by ferries
Road from Port Blair: road + ferry hub for all islands
Getting around: Autos and scooters on the islands; ferries between them

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹5,000–14,000 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,500–9,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹1,800–2,200

Month by month

Jan · Best: 23–30°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 23–30°C · None rain
Mar · Good: 24–31°C · None rain
Apr · Good: 25–32°C · Light rain
May · Hot: 25–32°C · Moderate rain
Jun · Monsoon: 25–30°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 25–29°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 25–29°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon: 25–30°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 24–30°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 23–30°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 23–30°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi / Bengali / Tamil (multi-language islands) (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Nov–Apr
Connectivity: Patchy off the main islands — download offline maps
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

Trips go with the weather — December to April is the dependable window
Non-divers still need the park permit and a guided boat; book through Port Blair operators
Certified only for the deep walls — a first-timer's open-water qual isn't enough

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Cinque without diving?

Yes — the lagoon snorkel is the classic day-tour; the deep walls are for certified divers with a dive shop along.

Why is it a famous dive?

Because the reef sits untouched in a marine park — long walls, soft corals and pelagic traffic in water that rarely falls below 27 degrees.

Is it the same as the marine NP's day trips?

No — the short park trips stop at Jolly Buoy or Red Skin; Cinque is the farther, wilder upgrade.