Everyone knows where India is on the map! It is a huge country and it also has a huge exposure to the Indian Ocean, where I am sure there are numerous Chris Craft boats with warm engines right now!
I am surprised we have not seen a lot of boating interest from India before, but recently the readership seems to have taken off! There are obviously some boating enthusiasts in India, and we offer you a hearty
“WELCOME ABOARD”, whomever you may be. We hope you will find the forum of interest and will contribute if you are able to. We would love to learn about your boating environment, and we’ll also be happy to assist with any questions you may have about Chris Craft Commander boats!
Regards, Paul
Forum moderator
India is the largest peninsula in the world with a coastline of about 6000kms with 12 major ports and 163 minor / intermediate ports. Nature has given us a more impressive, nearly 14500 kms of navigable and potentially navigable inland waterways - which include a network of rivers, lakes and canals.
India also has some of the finest yacht clubs in the world, as well as many marinas that are accessible to people who are not extremely wealthy. Here is a note from the Bombay Yacht Club, that gives a hint of some of that yachting history!
These days India is travelling the technology super highway – proudly forging its place amongst modern nations, - but some remnants of the old colonial days under the British Raj still remain. At the Bombay Yacht Club the ABC’s India correspondent Geoff Thompson tucked into a nice hot steak and kidney pie with a side serve of anecdotes about the Raj and famous figures such as Field Marshal Montgomery, who was expelled from the club for dancing on the tables
This looks like a fun loving group! Martinis anyone?!
I’ll meet you guys at the Dolphin Bar!
Welcome to the Dolphin Bar. Once inside, the hustle & bustle of the city becomes a distant memory. Ask our friendly Bartenders Mr. Ramesh Jadhav and Mr. Naresh Mohite to quench your thirst from our vast selection of Wines & Spirits.
While the Royal Bombay Yacht Club is sure to be expensive and exclusive, I am sure there are many other marine facilities on the Indian coastline where people can have fun in a more affordable setting. Here are just a few of the hundreds of islands off the coast of India, that are sure to offer spectacular boating.
Ross Island
Once the administrative headquarters of the British this place is deserted today. Now entrails tourists with its ruins of the printing press, church, bakery, tennis courts, swimming pool, and the cemetery. A small museum here will give an idea of what this place must have looked in those days. For more Visit: Indian Islands For packages and deals please contact us at our Travel Desk.
Jolly Buoy island Offers a breath taking view of the some of the World's most spectacular coral reefs. One has to experience the under water coral and marine life for oneself to believe it. Glass bottom boats help to take a closer look at the coral gardens.
Chiriya Tapu [Bird Island] A tiny fishing village with beaches and mangroves, Chiriya Tapu is 30 kms from Port Blair. From Chiriya Tapu there is a beach which is well known for snorkeling.
Neil Islands 40 kms from Port Blair, here the beaches are numbered and beach number 1 has some lovely hammocks under trees which are very popular among the campers. There is also a fresh water well. One can watch very large fish from these islands.
Havelock Islands 45 kms from Port Blair, this island is full of Bengali settlers. The main attractions of these islands are Dolphins, Turtles and very large fishes.
Middle Andamans The Andaman trunk which through the Middle Andamans have the Jarawa reserves. Independent traveling in this area is discouraged. But the island is open to the tourists and accommodation & other facilities have been provided. Tourists can also visit Rangat and Mayabunder islands.
Viper Island Which was used to harbor convicts before the construction of the cellular jail evokes similar emotions. It had gallows on the top of a hillock where condemned prisoners were hanged. Sher Ali, who killed Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India in 1872, was also hanged here.
Barren Island
India's sole active volcano is located here. It erupted last in 1994-95 after remaining dormant for 177 years. The Island has a diameter of 3 Kms and has a big crater. Tourists can visit here by special boats but are not allowed to land ashore for safety reasons.
Nicobar Islands
Comprising of 28 Islands, with an area of 1,841 sq.Kms. The Nicobars abound in coconut-palm, casuarina and pandanus. Great and Little Nicobar have the Giant Robber Crab, Monkeys with long tail and Pigeons. Megapode, a rare bird is found in Great Nicobar. Nicobar group is out of bounds for foreigners at present. Indians may be given permission in exceptional cases on application.
Great Nicobar Island
Located at the Southern end of Nicobar, Great Nicobar Island has a beach near Galatians which is the nestling ground for Giant leather Aback Turtles. This Island is also home to the biosphere reserve area and the famous Indira Point (the southern most tip of India).
Car Nicobar Island
Full of exotic golden beaches and unique huts built on stilts which have the entrance through a wooden ladder.
Lakshadweep Islands
The spell bound expanse of emerald isles, Lakshadweep, studded in the blue water of the Arabian Sea unfolds another world in itself.
The panorama encompasses magnificent lagoons, sylvan sea shores, miles of sun drenched sand and the enchantment of swaying palms, spectacular marine flora and fauna, All these harmonise to form a colourful kaleidoscope typical of an archipelago paradise.
Four of the inhabited islands (Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy and Kadmath) are open mostly to Indian tourists and Kadmat, Agatti and Bangaram is open to both domestic and foreign tourists.
Sailing in glass-bottomed boats which give enchanting views of the coral below. The wealth of coral formation attracts a variety of tropical fish-angel, clown, butterfly, surgeon, sweetlip, snappers and groupers. There are also manta and stingrays, harmless sharks and green and hawkbill turtles.
Water sports facilities like swimming, Rafting, snorkeling, windsurfing, parasailing, water skiing, catamaran sailing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving are available in the islands.
Kavaratti: The Headquarters of the Administration, Kavaratti is beautiful calm lagoon and forms an ideal spot for water sports, swimming and basking on warm sandy beaches. The Ajara and Jamnath mosques (of the 52 on the island) have the best woodcarving and the former has a particularly good ceiling carved out of driftwood.
Marine life exhibits can be seen at the new marine aquarium and specimens at the museum. Water Sports facilities are available at the Dolphin Drive Centre, a favorite spot for water sport enthusiasts. Kayaks, Sailing yachts and glass-bottomed boats are available on hire.
Kalpeni: Is known for its scenic beauty with the small islets called Tilakkam & Pitti and an uninhabited island on the north called Cheriyam. A huge shallow lagoon encloses all of them. A peculiar feature of Kalpeni atoll is the huge storm bank of coral debris along the eastern & southeastern shoreline.
Minicoy: It is the southernmost island in Lakshadweep; crescent shaped & has one of the largest lagoons. The island is also very interesting because of its unique Maldivian character.
Kadamat: Kadamat is 8 Km long and 550 m wide at the broadest point. In addition to the beautiful shallow lagoon on the west that forms an ideal spot for water sports, there is a narrow lagoon on the east. The best attractions are the long sandy beaches and the sand banks on the southern tip for sunbath.
Kadamat has been identified for staying tourists with its tourists huts aesthetically situated in the coconut palm groves in the beaches facing the lagoon. The place is ideal for a real holiday that brings you away from the maddening crowd, hustle and bustle of city life.
Bangaram: An uninhabited island, Bangaram is one of the islands open to foreign tourists. The teardrop-shaped island has superb beaches and beautiful lagoons. Water sports like scuba diving is an offer here.
Andrott: The tomb of Hazrat Ubaidullah and the Buddhist archaeological remains at Andrott Island, the longest Island in the lakshwadeep.
Minicoy: Minicoy is the southern most island in Lakshwadeep. It has one of the largest lagoons. Viringile is the small islet seen to the south of Minicoy.The Island is set apart from the northern group of Islands by its culture.
The islanders are famous the world over as experienced sea-men. Mahl is the spoken language here. The light house constructed by the British in 1885, the Tuna Canning factory, Pedal boating, Kayaking and Sailing activities are some of the landmarks and attractions found here.