Corbyn's Cove Beach, Port Blair: Timings, Water Sports and How to Get There
Corbyn's Cove is the one beach you can reach from Port Blair in a quarter of an hour, which is why almost every Andaman trip we plan has a stop here. It is a short curve of pale sand backed by coconut palms, with Snake Island just offshore and a row of Second World War bunkers along the road in. Come for a swim, a jet ski ride or an easy evening by the sea before the ferry to Havelock.
This page covers timings, water sports and rough prices, the best time to go, how to get there and what to watch out for in the water.
Updated October 2026 by the Blue Bubble Andaman team in Port Blair
Corbyn's Cove Beach at a Glance
| Where | South-east edge of Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram), South Andaman |
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| From Aberdeen Bazaar | About 7 km, 15 to 20 minutes by cab |
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| From the airport | About 6 to 7 km, roughly 15 to 20 minutes |
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| Entry fee | Free |
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| Timings | Open through the day. Water sports run from about 9 am to 4:30 pm |
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| Time needed | 1 to 2 hours, or half a day with scuba at Snake Island |
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| Good for | Families, first-timers, water sports, an easy evening |
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| Facilities | Changing rooms, washrooms, food stalls, the Waves restaurant, parking |
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What Corbyn's Cove Is Like
Corbyn's Cove, the closest beach to Port Blair town
The beach is small. You can walk from one end to the other in about ten minutes, with palms on one side and a low sea wall along the road behind them. The sand is light grey to white, and the water is usually calm between November and April. Snake Island, a little rocky island covered in trees, sits a short way out and makes the view.
It gets busy on weekend evenings, when families from town come down to sit by the water, eat corn and watch the jet skis. Mornings are much quieter. The name comes from Reverend Corbyn, a British chaplain posted to the islands in the colonial period. You will also see it written Carbyn's Cove on some signboards and maps.
Be honest with yourself about expectations. Corbyn's Cove is a pleasant city beach, not a Radhanagar. People who arrive expecting Havelock-style white sand are sometimes let down, while those who treat it as a relaxed first or last evening in Port Blair usually enjoy it.
Our tip: Do Corbyn's Cove on the afternoon you land, after checking in. Go around 3 pm for water sports, then stay on until the light fades. It is close enough to fit in even on a tight arrival day.
Things To Do at Corbyn's Cove Beach
Most visitors spend an hour or two here. These are the things worth making time for.
Swim
Swim in the Calm Season
Best from November to April · Morning or late afternoon
The sea here is usually gentle in season and the bottom slopes slowly, so it is a decent swimming beach for families. Stay near the main stretch where other people are in the water, and come out if the lifeguards or staff ask you to.
Adventure
Jet Ski, Speedboat and Parasailing
Counters near the jetty on the left side of the beach
This is Port Blair's main beach for water sports. Jet ski and speedboat rides take ten minutes or so, and parasailing is pulled by a boat out in the bay. See the water sports section below for rough prices.
Diving
Scuba and Snorkelling Near Snake Island
Short boat ride from the beach · No experience needed for a try-dive
Snake Island has patches of hard and soft coral close to the surface. Dive operators take beginners out for short try-dives with an instructor holding on throughout. Visibility is better at North Bay, but this is the quickest option from town.
History
Japanese Bunkers on the Way In
Along the coast road and at the far end of the beach
The Japanese army built bunkers along this coast when they occupied the islands during the Second World War. Several of the concrete pillboxes still sit beside the road. Ask your driver to pull over for five minutes; there is no fee and no queue.
Scenic Drive
The Marine Drive Coast Road
Marina Park to Corbyn's Cove · About 15 minutes
The road from Marina Park runs right along the sea, with Ross Island across the water and forest on the other side. It is a nice ride on a rented scooter, and many people enjoy it as much as the beach itself.
Food
Coconut Water and a Seafood Lunch
Stalls on the beach road · Waves restaurant run by Andaman Tourism
Stalls along the beach sell tender coconut, roasted corn, cut fruit and fried snacks. For a proper meal, the Waves restaurant and bar is right by the beach and serves fish and Indian dishes at fair prices.
Water Sports at Corbyn's Cove and Rough Prices
Tickets are sold at counters near the jetty. Prices change by season and operator, so treat these as a guide and check on the day.
| Activity | Approx. price | Good to know |
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| Jet ski | From about ₹600 per ride | Short loop with a driver. The most popular ride here. |
| Speedboat ride | From about ₹1,000 for a short trip | Some boats go out towards Snake Island and back. |
| Parasailing | From about ₹3,000 per person | Weather dependent. Often stopped when the wind picks up. |
| Sea kart | Around ₹7,000 for two adults | You drive a small powered boat with a guide alongside. |
| Scuba try-dive | Ask us for the current rate | Done near Snake Island. Medical form needed. |
Carry cash. Many water sports counters and beach stalls here do not take UPI or cards, and the signal can be patchy. If you want snorkelling with clearer water, the North Bay boat trip is the better pick.
Best Time To Visit Corbyn's Cove Beach
October to May is the season. December to March has the calmest sea and the most comfortable weather, and also the biggest crowds, especially around Christmas and New Year. April and May are hot but the water is flat, which suits swimming.
From late May to September the monsoon brings rough water. The beach stays open, but swimming is often unsafe and water sports can shut for days at a time.
Time of day matters more than most people think. The beach faces east, so early morning is the time for a quiet walk and a soft sunrise light. In the afternoon the water sports are in full swing, and evenings are when local families arrive. The sun sets early in the Andamans, around 5 pm in winter, so plan around that.
How To Reach Corbyn's Cove Beach
Corbyn's Cove is about 7 km from Aberdeen Bazaar in the centre of Port Blair, and the drive takes 15 to 20 minutes along the coast road past Marina Park.
By Cab
The easiest way. Any taxi driver in town knows the beach. If you are travelling with us, it is already part of your Port Blair sightseeing day.
By Auto-Rickshaw
Autos are easy to find in town and usually charge somewhere around ₹150 to ₹250 one way. Agree the fare before you get in, and ask the driver to wait or arrange a ride back, as autos can be scarce after dark.
By Rented Scooter
A good option if you are comfortable on two wheels. The coast road is scenic and not very busy outside office hours. Carry your licence.
From the Airport
Veer Savarkar International Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes away, so you can stop here on arrival day or on the way to an evening flight.
Safety Tips for Corbyn's Cove
- Swim only where others are swimming and stay out when the sea is rough or a red flag is up.
- Saltwater crocodiles are occasionally reported along this coast. Read any warning boards and do not swim at dusk or near creeks and rocks.
- Wear the life jacket on every water sport, even if you swim well, and check that operators give a safety briefing.
- Keep children within arm's reach in the water. There can be a pull when the tide turns.
- Leave once it gets dark. The beach is lit only near the road and there is little to do after sunset.
- Do not take coral or shells, and carry your litter back. Plastic is discouraged on Andaman beaches.
A Simple Half-Day Plan
- 2:30 pm: Leave your hotel in Aberdeen Bazaar or Junglighat.
- 2:45 pm: Stop at the Japanese bunkers on the coast road for photos.
- 3:00 pm: Reach the beach and book your jet ski or speedboat ride.
- 3:45 pm: Swim, then rinse off at the changing rooms.
- 4:30 pm: Coconut water or an early seafood dinner by the beach.
- Around 5 pm: Head back to town in time for the Cellular Jail light and sound show.
Places Near Corbyn's Cove Beach
Corbyn's Cove fits easily into a Port Blair sightseeing day. These are close by.
History · In town
The colonial prison where freedom fighters were held, now a national memorial. Pair it with Corbyn's Cove and stay for the evening light and sound show.
Read our Cellular Jail guide
History · By boat
You can see it from the coast road. Ruins of the old British settlement, spotted deer and a short boat ride from Aberdeen Jetty.
Read our Ross Island guide
Snorkelling · By boat
The easiest place near Port Blair to see coral. Snorkelling, sea walking and glass-bottom boats, usually done with Ross Island in a half day.
Read our North Bay Island guide
Sunset · 25 km south
Chidiya Tapu
If you want a proper sunset, drive south to Chidiya Tapu and walk to Munda Pahar beach. Allow 45 to 60 minutes each way.
For every beach and sight around the city, see our Port Blair beaches and attractions guide or the full list of Andaman beaches.
Want Corbyn's Cove and the rest of Port Blair built into your Andaman trip?