Is South Button a national park?

Yes. South Button is the smallest notified national park in India, covering just 0.03 square kilometres. Fishing is banned, which is why the reef stays exceptionally healthy.

Can non-swimmers join the South Button trip?

Yes. We provide life vests and the snorkel zone sits in 2–4 metres of calm sheltered water. Our in-water guide stays close to non-swimmers throughout.

How long is the boat ride to South Button from Havelock?

About 75 minutes each way on our speedboat. The full trip including snorkel time runs around 4 hours door-to-door.

Do I need a permit for South Button Island?

Yes. South Button is a protected national park and requires a Forest Department permit. We arrange the paperwork; fees paid separately are ₹500 for Indian nationals and ₹2,500 for foreign nationals.

When is the best time to visit South Button?

October through May is the prime season - calm seas and 15–25 m visibility. June to September is the south-west monsoon and the trip operates only on weather-permitting days.

How is South Button different from Neil Island?

Neil Island is inhabited and reached by ferry - good for relaxed beach days with cafés nearby. South Button is uninhabited, no ferry, and only reachable by private boat - better for serious snorkellers and divers who want pristine, protected reef.

What should I bring on the South Button trip?

Swimwear, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a light cover-up for the boat ride, water bottle, and a valid photo ID for the permit. We provide the rest - gear, water, snacks, GoPro coverage.

South Button Island tour from Havelock - snorkel India's smallest national park

Snorkeller resting by the float ring on the open sea, a boat trip from Havelock

Guest in a life jacket at the back of the boat with the wake behind, a boat trip from Havelock

Snorkellers in life jackets beside the boat ladder, a boat trip from Havelock

Guests on the boat out on the open sea, a boat trip from Havelock

Snorkellers at the float ring with the shore behind, a boat trip from Havelock

Couple in orange life jackets on the boat, a boat trip from Havelock

Two snorkellers in life jackets floating face down, a boat trip from Havelock

Three guests in life jackets on the boat, a boat trip from Havelock

Two snorkellers in life jackets at the surface, seen from below, a boat trip from Havelock

Course Code: FRG-TRIP-SBI

South Button Island Day Trip from Havelock

₹10,000 per person, inclusive of GST

4.9 2,023 Google reviews

Half-day private boat tour from Havelock to South Button - India's smallest national park. Snorkeling in South Button Island's pristine reef and South Button scuba diving on the volcanic wall.

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Private Charter

Whole boat from ₹60,000 inclusive of GST

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Optional Add-Ons

GoPro Photos & Videos

Snorkel & reef footage from your trip - already included

Included

Snorkel Gear & Refreshments

Mask, fins, life vest + water, fresh fruit and snacks onboard - included

Included

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Things to Know

Booking confirmation sent via WhatsApp within 30 minutes

Cancel 15+ days before: full refund of what you paid (minus 5% fee + GST). 7 to 14 days before: 50% back. Less than 7 days: no refund

No refunds for bookings between 15 Dec and 15 Jan

Up to 8 guests on board (children counted) · minimum age 5 years

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About the South Button Island day trip from Havelock

South Button is the smallest notified national park in India. Just 0.03 km² of uninhabited rock and reef, 38 km north-east of Havelock. No ferry runs here. A private boat is the only way in, which is the whole reason a South Button National Park tour from Havelock works the way it does. Almost no boats reach this reef, and the coral shows it. The Havelock house reefs get busier every year. South Button doesn't.

The trip is a 4-hour half-day to South Button Island from Havelock. Out of the main jetty, 75 minutes by speedboat, then we anchor in the sheltered northern lagoon. The snorkel zone sits in 2–6 m of clear water with staghorn corals and parrotfish schools through the whole session. Snorkeling in South Button Island is the main event. Open Water certified divers can add South Button scuba diving on the wall down to 25 m as an upgrade.

Total Duration

4 Hours

Boat Ride

~75 min each way

Distance from Havelock

~38 km North-East

Reef Depth

2–25 m (snorkel + scuba)

Group Size

4–8 Guests (or private)

Difficulty

Suitable for All · Ages 8+

Best Season

October to May

Visibility

15–25 m (Nov–Apr)

National park rules: South Button is a protected national park. A Forest Department permit (₹500 Indian / ₹2,500 foreign) is mandatory and we file the paperwork. Fishing, anchoring on coral, and removing any marine material is prohibited.

Your day at South Button

Pickup mid-morning from Havelock, on the reef by lunchtime, hotel drop by mid-afternoon. Timings shift slightly with tide and weather; everything below is typical.

Step 1 · 0:00

Hotel pickup & jetty briefing

We collect you from your Havelock hotel and drive to the jetty. Short safety briefing, gear fitting, paperwork on the boat. Light snacks, water and juice loaded onboard.

Step 2 · 0:15

Departure from Havelock

Boat leaves the main jetty. About 75 minutes by speedboat across open water to South Button. The first 20 minutes are sheltered, then it opens up. Calm in season, but bring a light layer for the breeze.

Step 3 · 1:30

Arrival & in-water briefing

We anchor in the sheltered northern lagoon, off the rock. Final safety briefing in the water, gear adjusted, life vests on for non-swimmers. Your in-water guide stays with you the whole session.

Step 4 · 1:45

Snorkel session (60–90 min)

Guided snorkel over the reef top in 2–6 m. Staghorn and table corals, parrotfish, butterflyfish, anemonefish in their host anemones, fusilier schools moving through. Open Water divers drop to the wall (12–25 m) at the same time.

Step 5 · 3:00

Refreshments & second swim

Back on the boat. Fresh fruit, water, soft drinks. Optional second snorkel session in the lagoon if there's time and energy. GoPro footage being prepped for delivery.

Step 6 · 3:30

Cruise back & hotel drop

Boat heads back to Havelock, about 75 minutes. GoPro photos and short video sent to your WhatsApp before you leave the boat. Drop at your Havelock hotel.

Morning slots run calmer than afternoon. If conditions deteriorate, the captain calls it. Weather-cancelled trips are rescheduled or refunded in full.

What's included in your trip

The fare covers everything on the boat. Only the Forest Department permit is billed separately, at the dock.

Included in the fare

Return private speedboat from Havelock jetty
Hotel pickup and drop in Havelock
Forest Department permit assistance (we file the paperwork)
Snorkel gear: mask, fins, snorkel, life vest
RAID certified in-water guide for the full session
Bottled water, fresh fruit, soft drinks and snacks onboard
Captain and crew, minimum 3 staff per trip
GoPro photos and a short video, WhatsApped same day
Full safety equipment: oxygen, first aid, life rafts, marine radio

What to bring

Swimwear, worn under your clothes
Towel and a dry change of clothes
Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat
Light windproof layer for the boat ride
Valid photo ID (mandatory for the Forest Dept. permit)
Cash for the permit fee (₹500 / ₹2,500)

Paid separately at the dock

Forest Department permit: ₹500 per Indian national, ₹2,500 per foreign national.

Cancellation & weather policy

15 days or more before departure: full refund, minus a 5% payment gateway fee and GST
7 to 14 days before: 50% refund
Inside 7 days, or no-show: non-refundable
Trips between 15 December and 15 January: non-refundable
Trip cancelled by us before departure (weather, sea state or safety): rescheduled or refunded in full
Trip ended after we have left the jetty: free reschedule, or 50% refund if we turned back before reaching the island, 25% if we got there but could not run the activity, 10% if part of it ran

Not suitable for: children under 8, pregnant guests, anyone with an active ear or sinus infection, recent ear/sinus surgery, or uncontrolled cardiac conditions. Non-swimmers are welcome with a life vest. If you're unsure, WhatsApp us before booking.

About South Button Island National Park

South Button is one of three uninhabited islands in the Button group (South Button, Middle Button and North Button), sitting between Havelock and Long Island in the Andaman Sea. South Button alone is India's smallest national park by area. It was gazetted in 1987 to protect the fringing reef and the seabird colony on the rock.

The reef

Fringing reef on the north and west sides; reef top at 2–3 m, sloping to a wall that drops past 30 m
Hard coral plateau of staghorn (Acropora), table corals, brain corals and plate corals on the upper reef
Soft coral gardens and fan corals on the wall edge from about 12 m down
Healthy coral cover; a no-fishing protected zone since 1987 with very low diver pressure compared to inshore Havelock sites
Visibility 15–25 m from November through April; 8–15 m in the south-west monsoon shoulder months

Marine life you'll see most days

Parrotfish (5+ species), butterflyfish pairs, sergeant majors
Anemonefish in their host anemones, shallow and photogenic
Schooling fusiliers and surgeonfish over the upper reef
Unicornfish, snappers, triggerfish, moorish idols
Reef octopus and moray eels in the deeper crevices (scuba)

What you might also see

White-tip reef sharks resting under coral overhangs on the wall (scuba zone)
Napoleon (humphead) wrasse, usually solitary, in the blue off the wall
Hawksbill turtles feeding on sponges along the upper reef
Schooling barracuda in transit through the channel
Eagle rays cruising past the corner
Brown noddies and frigatebirds nesting on the rock above

Why South Button beats other Havelock snorkel spots

National park status keeps boat traffic low and the reef healthy
Boat-only access means you'll often have it to yourselves
Snorkel and scuba on the same site, rare on a Havelock day trip
Wall dive for Open Water divers without booking a multi-day liveaboard
Longer boat ride than Elephant Beach, but the difference in reef quality is night and day

Practical notes

Coordinates: 12.295° N, 93.067° E
No facilities on the island; it's uninhabited and landing is restricted
You're snorkelling or diving from the anchored boat. We don't go ashore.
Mobile signal drops out about 20 minutes into the cruise; no signal at the site

South Button Island from Havelock - FAQs

South Button is uninhabited and has no public ferry. The only way in is on a private day-boat from Havelock. Our 4-hour trip leaves Havelock jetty, about 75 minutes each way by speedboat, and it's the most direct route. We run on calm-sea days, October to May.

Yes. South Button is the smallest notified national park in India, covering just 0.03 km². Gazetted in 1987 to protect the fringing reef and the seabird colonies on the rock. Fishing, anchoring on coral and removing marine material are all prohibited. A Forest Department permit is mandatory.

Yes. We provide life vests for everyone and the snorkel zone sits in 2–4 metres of calm sheltered water inside the lagoon. Your in-water guide stays close to non-swimmers throughout. You don't need to swim to enjoy the reef from the surface.

About 75 minutes each way by speedboat in good conditions. Door to door from your Havelock hotel, the whole trip runs 4 hours including briefing, snorkel session and return.

Yes. South Button is a protected national park and a Forest Department permit is mandatory. We file the paperwork; you pay the fee at the Havelock office on the day. ₹500 per Indian national, ₹2,500 per foreign national, cash only. Bring a valid government photo ID.

October through May. Calm seas, 15–25 m visibility, stable weather. December to February is prime, with the calmest seas and the best light. June to September is the south-west monsoon and the trip runs only on weather-permitting days.

Neil Island is inhabited and reached by ferry, good for relaxed beach days with cafes. Elephant Beach is the busy day-trip out of Havelock, first-timer friendly but crowded. South Button is uninhabited, no ferry, private boat only. Quieter water, deeper reef, no crowds. The step up from Elephant Beach for travellers who want the real thing.

WhatsApp +91 95319 24029 or use the booking form on this page. We confirm with a deposit and the balance is due on the day. Full refund if you cancel 15 days or more before (minus a 5% fee and GST). Slots cap at 8 per trip and December–February books up first, so earlier is better.

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sonali kumaritoday

Must try .. awesome experience.. supportive staff .. thnku
Shailesh Dyesterday

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 Rathodyesterday

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 Rathodyesterday

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 Kumar2 days ago

For Professional and cool scuba experience , these guys are awesome :)
Ranjani H G Vakoda3 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 Pius3 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 Sharma3 days ago

best experience
Shishupal Tayade3 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 Mangal3 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 Arya3 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.
Anagha Nadig5 days ago

It was a first time experience for me and I don’t know to swim the whole process was so easy and simple. It was so wonderful to see the marine life. Instructors were really good. Nilkan and Dinesh were highly experienced.

      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! ✨