Have you been to India's smallest national park?

*representational image
With a total area of just five square kilometres, South Button Island National Park in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the smallest national park in India. This tiny protected island may be small in size as compared to other national parks in India, and it also may not have large terrestrial animals, but the real gem is what you don’t openly see – the underwater world.


South Button Island National Park forms a part of the Rani Jhansi Marine National Park. On your visit to the spectacular Havelock Island, make sure to add South Button Island National Park to your itinerary. It is located just 24 km southwest of Havelock Island, an interesting two-hour ride on a motor boat.


So what's there to see in this national park? Well, what you won’t get to see are the large terrestrial animals (land mammals). You see, the island is way too small to support them. Also, the plant species on the island are very limited. And for these reasons, the best thing to do while visiting the South Button Island National Park is to go scuba diving and snorkelling.



The water is crystal clear and teeming with marine life. The national park and the water surrounding it are home to dugongs, water lizards, sea turtles, dolphins, blue whales, several species of fishes, corals and birds such as the edible-nest swiftlet and white-bellied sea eagle. The island is also an important breeding site for the sea turtles. Also, shallow water coral reefs surround the island. The visibility is incredible. With a depth of just six feet, these coral reefs offer visitors great snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities.


Winter season (December to April) is the best time to visit the national park. The monsoon season receives plenty of rainfall and park visit is not a great idea around that time.

1. Where is South Button Island National Park?
   South Button Island National Park forms a part of the Rani Jhansi Marine National Park. On your visit to the spectacular Havelock Island, make sure to add South Button Island National Park to your itinerary. It is located just 24 km southwest of Havelock Island, an interesting two-hour ride on a motor boat.
2. What is the entry fee for South Button Island National Park?
   INR 50 for Gate Pass; INR 50 for Photography
3. How much does it cost for scuba diving and snorkelling in South Button Island National Park?
   INR 6,600 for Scuba Diving at South Button (1 Dive). INR 3,500 for Snorkeling at South Button