How much does Red Pillar snorkeling cost?

₹2,500 per person. Includes the boat, guide, all gear, 20 GoPro photos and 2 videos.

How long is the boat ride to Red Pillar?

5–10 minutes by speedboat from the main Havelock jetty. The red channel marker above water sits at the centre of the reef and is visible before you even get in.

What will I see while snorkeling at Red Pillar?

Clownfish in anemones, fusiliers, angelfish, parrotfish and triggerfish on the reef crest. On clear days the house-sized barrel sponges and the sunken scooter and bicycle are visible down at 8–12 m.

Red Pillar snorkeling tour in Havelock Island

Snorkeller in an orange life jacket by the float ring, seen from below, snorkelling in Havelock Island

A coral boulder covered in small corals, Havelock Island, Andaman

Snorkeller resting by the float ring on the open sea, snorkelling in Havelock Island

A white branching coral on a green coral rock, Havelock Island, Andaman

Couple in life jackets on the boat, snorkelling in Havelock Island

Mushroom coral lying on coral rubble, Havelock Island, Andaman

Snorkeller in a full-face mask swimming, snorkelling in Havelock Island

Coral reef close up with small corals growing on rock, Havelock Island, Andaman

Guide in a wetsuit and mask snorkelling, snorkelling in Havelock Island

Orange starfish on a coral-covered reef, Havelock Island, Andaman

Course Code: FRG-SNK-RDP

Red Pillar Snorkeling Havelock

₹2,500 per person, inclusive of GST

4.9 2,024 Google reviews

Boat snorkel at Red Pillar reef, Havelock. Reef crest at 2.5-3 m around the red channel marker, barrel sponges and sunken kit below. 5-10 minutes from the jetty.

Want more details?

Snorkel Package *

Guided Guide in the water with you · best for non-swimmers ₹2,500

Guided

Guide in the water with you · best for non-swimmers

₹2,500

Swimmers

Confident in open water · guide on the boat

₹2,000

Participants

Choose Date

Optional Add-Ons

GoPro Photos & Videos

20 photos + 2 videos - already included in your booking

Included

Book on WhatsApp

Secure payment RAID Certified & Expert Instructors 10+ years experience 4.9★ rated

About Red Pillar snorkeling

Red Pillar is a shallow reef in the channel just north of Havelock, 5–10 minutes by speedboat from the jetty. The name comes from the red channel marker that stands above water at the middle of the reef. You can spot it before you even get in. The reef crest sits at 2.5–3 metres and that's the snorkel zone.

The site sits in an active channel with a mild to moderate long-shore current, so it's better suited to confident swimmers. Non-swimmers can join on calm-tide sessions with a life vest and a 1:1 guide (ask us first). Your guide carries a GoPro and you'll get 20 photos and 2 videos sent to your phone.

Total Duration

2.5–3 hours (including the boat)

Time in Water

30–40 minutes

Depth

Reef crest 2.5–3 m

Visibility

Typically 6–9 m

Difficulty

Confident swimmers preferred

Access

Boat, 5–10 min from jetty

GoPro included. Your guide carries the GoPro the whole session. 20 photos and 2 videos sent to your phone via WhatsApp before you leave. No add-ons to select.

Snorkeling vs scuba. Snorkeling keeps you at the surface looking down through clear water. Scuba puts you underwater with tanks and regulator. If you want to go below the surface at this site, see our Red Pillar Scuba option.

What's included

Speedboat to the reef, guide in the water with you, all your gear, and the GoPro content. That's the session. No add-ons to pick from.

You get

Speedboat to Red Pillar and back
Snorkeling mask, snorkel and fins, fitted at the jetty
Life jacket or buoyancy vest (required for non-swimmers)
Guide in the water with you throughout
20 GoPro photos and 2 videos, sent to your phone
Safety briefing (hand signals, breathing, how to clear your snorkel)

Bring

Swimwear to wear under or instead of a wetsuit
Towel and a dry change of clothes
Reef-safe sunscreen only (regular sunscreen damages coral)
Water to drink before and after
Sea-sickness tablets if you're prone to it (short boat ride, but it's there if you want it)

Not included

Food or drinks

How the session runs

Step 1 · 15 min

Meet and briefing

Meet us at the jetty, where your guide runs through the basics: mask fit, breathing through the snorkel, how to clear it if it floods, and hand signals. Life vest on for non-swimmers.

Step 2 · boat ride

Speedboat to Red Pillar

Short speedboat out to the Red Pillar mooring. Sea is usually calm through the peak season.

Step 3 · 30–40 min

In the water

Step off the boat at the mooring with your guide. Float the reef top, guide points things out and takes your GoPro shots. You stay at the surface the whole time.

Step 4 · after

Back to the jetty

Towels on, quick ride back, and your GoPro photos and videos (20 photos, 2 videos) shared to your phone via WhatsApp before you leave.

Age and health: Ages 8 and up at boat sites. Kids under 12 need a parent or guardian in the water. Not suitable if you've got an active ear infection on the day. Pregnant guests should check with their doctor before joining.

What you'll see from the surface

Red Pillar's reef top sits right in the snorkel zone, so most of what divers see at this site is also visible to you from above. Anything on the deeper sections (usually 8 m+) is listed too but generally needs scuba to see up close.

Usually spotted from the surface

Clownfish in anemones. On the shallow reef top, right below the snorkel zone.
The red channel marker (above water). The site's namesake. Its coral-encrusted base marks the centre of the reef.
Coral garden. Staghorn, cauliflower, mushroom and valley corals across the reef crest.
Sergeant major and fusilier schools. Fast schools above the reef.

Also seen regularly

Angelfish. Multiple species across the coral.
Triggerfish. Colourful and curious.
Parrotfish. Grazing the crest.
Barrel sponges below. House-sized sponges at 8–12 m. Visible from the surface on clear days.
Sunken scooter and bicycle. At 8–12 m, sunk by local operators years ago and fully coral-encrusted now. Scuba territory.
Seahorses. Reportedly common on the reef (scuba only).
Rays. Occasional, across sandy patches between coral heads.

Snorkeling view

The shallow reef top sits in full natural light, so you're looking down at the reef from above. Anemones and clownfish at the reef top are easy to watch from directly overhead; they don't hide from snorkelers.

Anemones look like big pulsing clusters of colour from above
Clownfish are easy to follow; they stay in their anemone
Sandy patches between coral heads are visible too, good for spotting rays
Fish schools above the reef stand out clearly against the reef
On clear days you can see structure down to the reef slope below

What you need scuba for

The deeper sections, crevice-dwellers and anything in the shade of an overhang are diver territory. For that, see our Red Pillar Scuba option.

About Red Pillar

Location

Site: Red Pillar, off Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
GPS: 12.048° N, 92.984° E
Distance: 1–1.5 km north of Havelock
Access: Boat, 5–10 min from jetty
Boat entry, not shore entry

Conditions

Current: Mild to moderate long-shore current
Visibility: Typically 6–9 m
Water temperature: 26–30°C year-round
Swell: Minimal during peak season

Best time to come

January to March (clearest water)
Morning slots give the best light for underwater colour and the GoPro shots
Shoulder months are quieter with still-good visibility
June to September is monsoon. The site can be inaccessible on rough days; check before booking

Reef zones

0–3 m Reef crest, snorkel zone. Clownfish, corals, schools

3–8 m Upper reef face. Densest coral, clownfish and angelfish

8–12 m Barrel sponges, sunken scooter and bicycle (scuba)

12–14 m Sandy edge (scuba only)

Why pick Red Pillar

Short boat ride, a landmark you can see from the surface, and a setup that feels different from the other Havelock snorkel sites thanks to the barrel sponges and the sunken kit. The mild drift means you move along the reef instead of staying in one spot. Pick this one if you've already done a reef or two and want something with a bit of character.

FAQs

Red Pillar sits in a channel with a mild to moderate long-shore current. Confident swimmers handle it fine. Non-swimmers can only join on calm-tide sessions, with a life vest and a 1:1 guide. Message us before booking and we'll check the tide for your date.

The speedboat to Red Pillar and back; mask, snorkel and fins; a life jacket if you need one; your guide in the water with you; and 20 GoPro photos plus 2 videos sent to your phone.

Nemo Reef is a shore-entry site at Beach No. 2. You walk in from the sand, no boat. Red Pillar is a boat-entry site: short speedboat ride out, snorkel from the mooring. Same gear, same GoPro package. If you want the simplest option, pick Nemo Reef. If you want to snorkel one of the named offshore reefs, pick Red Pillar.

Snorkeling keeps you at the surface floating over the reef. Scuba puts you underwater with tanks and a regulator, so you can move through the reef instead of looking at it from above. If you want to go below the surface at Red Pillar, see our Red Pillar Scuba option.

Ages 8 and above at boat sites. Kids under 12 need a parent or guardian in the water with them. We fit child-sized masks and fins at the jetty.

Budget around 2.5–3 hours (including the boat). That's the briefing at the jetty, the boat out, 30–40 minutes in the water, and the ride back. Morning slots get the best light and usually the calmest water.

Yes. The ₹2,500 is inclusive of GST, so the amount you see is the amount you pay. Your invoice shows the breakdown.

Loved by Travelers

Guest reviews of Frogman Adventures, Havelock Island

See why we are the top rated dive center in Andaman (Havelock) on Google & TripAdvisor

4.9/5

2,024 reviews

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dileep chavatoday

We had a wonderful and hassle free experience with frogman. Very friendly people and had a great time
sonali kumariyesterday

Must try .. awesome experience.. supportive staff .. thnku
Shailesh D2 days ago

Our visit to Havelock (Govind nagar Beach) with Frogman for scuba diving and snorkeling was an absolutely amazing experience. Everything was organized very well by Mr. Suchit Sir, who was present throughout the entire experience and made sure we were comfortable and safe at all times.
The team was extremely professional, supportive, and friendly. Safety was clearly their top priority, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Underwater, we saw beautiful corals and a wide variety of colorful fish in the deep sea it was truly a different and unforgettable world.
I sincerely thank the entire Frogman team and everyone who supported us during the activity. I would highly recommend Frogman to anyone visiting for scuba diving or snorkeling. Keep up the great work, guys!
Thank you, Frogman 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸!
Shraddha Rathod2 days ago

It was an amazing experience for us.All the instructors and divers were patient teachers. They took us to exact spots where we got to see many corals and fishes.🥳
Dhruvi Rathod2 days ago

It's very wonderful. They show a different world that exists under our water in Havelock with Frogman. The staff is very experienced and helpful. Great time.
Prashant Kumar3 days ago

For Professional and cool scuba experience , these guys are awesome :)
Ranjani H G Vakoda4 days ago

We took early morning slot and the view was too good. Divers Bhaskar and Neelkanta took us for scuba diving in Andaman with Frogman. It was definitely a beginner friendly diving experience. Had an amazing time.
Sreya Ann Pius4 days ago

I’ve been scuba diving three times, and this was my second dive with Frogman. Once again, it was an amazing experience! Everything was absolutely worth every penny, and I couldn’t have asked for a better diving experience. Highly recommend Frogman to anyone looking to explore the underwater world. Definitely an experience worth having!
Jyoti Sharma4 days ago

best experience
Shishupal Tayade4 days ago

Nice place for scuba diving. Instructor is very nice. Nice trained persons..My experience is very nice. I will try again to come such a nice place.
Raj Mangal4 days ago

This is such a nice place for scuba diving and other under water activities. Staffs are very comparative and very helpful.
Thanks a lot of all frogman teams.
Rahul Arya4 days ago

I highly recommend scuba diving in Havelock Island with Frogman. The trainers are well trained and handled everything well if you have any kind of fear.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 52 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Getaway37242087056 
 
 
 
 Verified Great experience!
It was a great experience! I’m scared of water but Neelkanth and James made sure we had a seamless and memorable time.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Vaibhav B 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent Experience
It was an excellent experience. The trainers were very good.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Coastal03225447858 
 
 
 
 Verified Lighthouse scuba diving experience
It was a great experience. Instructors were patient enough to explain everything thoroughly. The divers also made us feel comfortable underwater and kept checking on us to see if all was okay. They showed beautiful scenic views. We enjoyed it very much. Would definitely recommend to others.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   tiredofwhat 
 
 
 
 Verified Happy about the decision to do scuba with Frogman
What an experience! We as a family enjoyed every bit of this activity. We did the lighthouse scuba dive. Never had the experience this close with the variety of fishes and corels. Must do while in Havelock and frogman makes scuba diving comfortable and relaxing. Founder Suchit is very professional and the instructors and divers are also very professional. They all know their responsibilities and passion. Neelkant, Ketan, Rubin and other divers were very patient and explained everything (does and don't) underwater. The team really makes u comfortable and tries to push themselves and us for an excellent experience. If time permits, will book this dive again. If not for sure next time.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Aditya P 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic first experience in scuba diving.
We had a wonderful experience with Frogman. We had Neelkanth and Ketan sir as our diving instructors. It was our first time trying it out. The pre-training was very clear. In the first 10 minutes open sea, I even had a panic reaction, but Neelkanth sir calmly got me to the surface and explained my mistake patiently, and we went back underwater, and it went all superbly well!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sagar N 
 
 
 
 Verified Scuba diving
Amazing experience, Would recommend
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sandeep K 
 
 
 
 Verified scuba with frogman
Awful experience...the divers are so good.Plzz try frogman once u never disappoint
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Quest60314418233 
 
 
 
 Verified Review of my scuba dive experience with frogman adventure
Experience was very good and the price was Good and the instructors were very responsible and it was the best experience of my life . A 10/10 life time experience ❤️
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   jayeshb08 
 
 
 
 Verified Best Scuba Experience with Frogman
It would highly recommend this business to go without any hesitation. We were 3 people and each one had 1 instructor with them. We got a 5 min training before the dive and then explored the underwater world. Saw fishes and corals and safety was well taken care off.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Srujan K 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing deep dive experience
Amazing deep dive experience with Frogman in Havelock Island! 🌊🤿 The instructors were professional, friendly, and made me feel completely safe. The underwater views were absolutely breathtaking with beautiful corals and marine life. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Havelock! ✨