Merk Bay Beach

About Merk Bay Beach

Merk Bay Beach is one of the most peaceful beaches you can visit from Long Island. Located in the North Passage Island group, the beach is accessible only by speed boat and is usually visited as part of a trip covering Lalaji Bay Beach and Guitar Island. Unlike Lalaji Bay, people don’t come here for swimming. They come for the wide stretch of soft golden sand, the peaceful atmosphere, and the feeling of having an entire beach almost to themselves.

The beach stretches for a long distance with dense tropical forest on one side and the open sea on the other. There’s only a single resting hut, no shops, and no tourist facilities, making it a great place to relax, enjoy the sea breeze, or simply listen to the waves. Most travellers spend an hour or two here before continuing to the next stop on their boat trip.

How to Reach Merk Bay Beach

Reaching Merk Bay Beach is part of the adventure. You’ll first need to reach Long Island Jetty, from where private speed boats operate to Merk Bay. The ride takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on sea conditions.

There are two common ways to reach Long Island:

• Government ferry from Port Blair (subject to schedule and availability).
  
• Government ferry from Yerrata Jetty near Rangat, a popular option for travellers exploring Middle Andaman. The ferry ride takes around 45 to 60 minutes and is one of the most economical ways to reach Long Island.
  

Hire a Speed Boat

Merk Bay Beach can only be reached by speed boat from Long Island. The ride takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on sea conditions. Unlike Lalaji Bay, there is no jetty here. The boat gently parks right on the beach, allowing passengers to get down directly onto the sand.

A private speed boat usually costs around ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 (up to six passengers). Most travellers combine Merk Bay Beach, Lalaji Bay Beach, and Guitar Island in a single trip.

Best Time to Visit Merk Bay Beach

October to April (Best Season)

The sea remains calmer and the weather is pleasant, making boat rides more comfortable. Clear skies also bring out the beautiful shades of blue in the water, making this the best season for photography.

Monsoon Months (Off Season)

Boat services and sea conditions depend on the weather during the monsoon season. Boat trips may get cancelled during rough weather.

Best Time of the Day: Morning and early afternoon are ideal, especially if you’re planning to visit Lalaji Bay and Guitar Island on the same boat trip.

Read More: Best Time to visit Andaman Islands

Things to Do in Merk Bay Beach

Merk Bay Beach isn’t about activities or crowds. It’s a place to slow down, walk along the vast stretch of soft golden sand, enjoy the sea views, and experience one of the quietest beaches around Long Island.

Enjoy the Speed Boat Ride

The ride to Merk Bay is an experience on its own. As the boat leaves Long Island behind, you’ll pass through the open sea with nothing but endless blue water all around. On lucky days, dolphins can be seen swimming alongside the boat, while flying fish often glide across the surface before disappearing back into the water.

The speed boat drops you directly onto the beach, making the arrival even more memorable. Since most boats also continue to Lalaji Bay and Guitar Island, the journey becomes just as enjoyable as the destinations themselves.

Walk Along the Endless Beach

One of the first things you’ll notice at Merk Bay is just how vast the beach feels. The soft golden sand stretches so far that you can keep walking for a long time without reaching the end. With the open sea on one side and dense tropical forest on the other, it never feels crowded, even during the peak tourist season. In many cases, you’ll have an entire stretch of the beach almost to yourself.

If you visit during low tide, take a walk towards the far end of the beach where coral patches become visible. You might spot small marine life in the shallow pools left behind by the receding sea. It’s a nice little surprise if you’re exploring the beach on foot.

A Great Spot for Beach Photoshoots

If you’ve always wanted clean beach photos without crowds in the background, Merk Bay is the place. The long shoreline, open space, and peaceful surroundings make it ideal for couple shoots, family photos, and even pre-wedding or model shoots. Since very few people visit here, you can take your time instead of waiting for the beach to clear.

By the time you leave, chances are your phone or camera will be filled with some of the best photos from your Andaman trip.

Combine It with Lalaji Bay Beach & Guitar Island

If you’re hiring a speed boat to Merk Bay, it’s worth making a full-day trip by combining it with Lalaji Bay Beach and Guitar Island. Most boat operators are happy to cover all three destinations for the same trip.

• Lalaji Bay Beach: One of the best beaches in the Andaman Islands for swimming, with crystal-clear shallow water, soft white sand, and changing rooms with freshwater showers. It’s the perfect place to spend a few hours after visiting Merk Bay Beach.
  
  
• Guitar Island: A peaceful island famous for its unique shape and untouched surroundings. Swimming isn’t advised because of occasional crocodile sightings.
  

Since all three destinations are close to each other, most travellers prefer covering them on the same trip instead of hiring separate boats. It saves both time and money while letting you experience three completely different sides of Long Island’s coastline in a single day.

Read More: Top Things to Do in Andaman