Best Ferry To Take In The Andaman Islands - Makruzz, Green Ocean Or The Government Ferry
Which ferry service to take?
Now, strangely enough, or maybe not, people have a preference about which of these boats they take. The reasons vary. For me, I prefer Makaruzz because they are more organised and offer a more refined experience of traveling the waters. The boats are faster, modern and their service more professional.
For others, who tend to get sea sick, claim that they feel better traveling on the government ferry, while the next choice is Green Ocean ships. The reasons is that those boats pitch about to a lesser degree than Makaruzz, especially if the waters are choppy.
The government ferry is an impressive boat. It is an all metal ship and rides the water in a staid calmer manner. It cuts through the water with its nose and heavy weight. It is also slower so that adds to the calmer ride.
Green Ocean boats are similar but not as solidly built as the government ferry.
Makruzz on the other hand are modern fibre boats with twin hulls. It is arguable that these boats bounce about a bit more on the waters as compared to the heavier metal boats, especially if the waters are choppy.
This is not just because of their design and lighter weight but also because of their faster speed through the water.
Regardless, hundreds of people take the Makruzz and prefer it, just like I do. I did not have any problem with the ride even though we traveled through choppy waters and a sea storm. And I like the fact that it gets me from one island to another faster.
Once the boat has entered deeper waters and moving along steadily, the passengers are allowed to go up and enjoy the view and the sea air. There is also a small canteen there which sells snacks and beverages. So far so good. It is indeed fun to be up there and enjoy the wind in your face. But then the music and the dancing begins.
Now, the deck gets crowded pretty fast. And then they start playing really loud music which for me really killed the whole experience of the the short voyage and being able to enjoy the view of the sea and the passing islands on the horizon. I mean the music was uncomfortable loud so much so that we moved to the lower deck. Some people took to dancing in a group as well.
There were people who were enjoying this, which is why I said earlier on that people have their choices when it come to which boat to take.
Makruzz on the other hand is a closed boat. You sit inside in your seats, very much like you are in a airplane, expect of course that the seats and the cabin are much bigger. When I first read this, I thought “Hmm, that doesn’t sound as good as an open deck.” But after having experienced both the ships, I can say that Makaruzz was the more comfortable of the two. The pictures below with give you an idea of both the different boats.
The service is better. The overall treatment of the passenger is better. From checking in your luggage to seating you in your place, serving you some water and snacks during the voyage etc. Im not saying that the sandwich they served was great. In fact I remember returning it since I was not going to eat it :) But you get the point. It’s just a more organised affair. You feel like you are traveling in a couple of classes above what you get on Green Ocean.
The bathrooms are better. The bathrooms on the Green Ocean 1 are just short of being unaccessible. It is hard to describe. You have to go down a almost vertical metal staircase to the level where the engine. Then you enter what can only be described as a small metal container with absolutely no extra room than absolutely necessary. Sure, the experience on the Green Ocean is more rustic and real to that of traveling on a boat. If you want that experience, then go for it. The bathrooms on the Makaruzz are like entering a regular near and clean tiled and ceramic bathroom.
Easier to book online. The booking system of Makruzz seems to be more stable and developed.
Modern boats. Makruzz has modern boats. This not only translates into better facilities on the ship like seating but also shorter time.
Shorter travel time. Agreed that the difference between 2.5 hours and 2 hours might doesn’t seem like much, but I like the fact that they get you where are going quicker.
If you need to buy a ticket right before travel. If for some reason you get stuck in the same situation that we did that we did not have any advance bookings and even their offices could not give us a ticket due to network issues, Green Ocean will probably give you a ticket through their field agent who is there on the docks when the ship comes in.
If you want a rustic and real like feel of a boat. Travelling in Makruzz is comparable to travelling in a flight or modern train expect that the seats and the cabin are much bigger than an airplane. For a more rustic feel of traveling in a boat, Green Ocean is your ship. These are a few pictures taken during the voyage on Green Ocean from the top open deck.
Now, strangely enough, or maybe not, people have a preference about which of these boats they take. The reasons vary. For me, I prefer Makaruzz because they are more organised and offer a more refined experience of traveling the waters. The boats are faster, modern and their service more professional.
For others, who tend to get sea sick, claim that they feel better traveling on the government ferry, while the next choice is Green Ocean ships. The reasons is that those boats pitch about to a lesser degree than Makaruzz, especially if the waters are choppy.
The government ferry is an impressive boat. It is an all metal ship and rides the water in a staid calmer manner. It cuts through the water with its nose and heavy weight. It is also slower so that adds to the calmer ride.
Green Ocean boats are similar but not as solidly built as the government ferry.
Makruzz on the other hand are modern fibre boats with twin hulls. It is arguable that these boats bounce about a bit more on the waters as compared to the heavier metal boats, especially if the waters are choppy.
This is not just because of their design and lighter weight but also because of their faster speed through the water.
Regardless, hundreds of people take the Makruzz and prefer it, just like I do. I did not have any problem with the ride even though we traveled through choppy waters and a sea storm. And I like the fact that it gets me from one island to another faster.
Pros of taking the Makruzz ferry.
The experience is quieter and more refined. I had read about this somewhere, but experienced it first hand when traveling on Green Ocean 1. (There is supposed to be a Green Ocean 2 as well, which is a newer boat, but it doesn’t seem to be operational most of the time.) The Green Ocean 1 has an open upper deck. Its covered from the top but open otherwise.Once the boat has entered deeper waters and moving along steadily, the passengers are allowed to go up and enjoy the view and the sea air. There is also a small canteen there which sells snacks and beverages. So far so good. It is indeed fun to be up there and enjoy the wind in your face. But then the music and the dancing begins.
Now, the deck gets crowded pretty fast. And then they start playing really loud music which for me really killed the whole experience of the the short voyage and being able to enjoy the view of the sea and the passing islands on the horizon. I mean the music was uncomfortable loud so much so that we moved to the lower deck. Some people took to dancing in a group as well.
There were people who were enjoying this, which is why I said earlier on that people have their choices when it come to which boat to take.
Makruzz on the other hand is a closed boat. You sit inside in your seats, very much like you are in a airplane, expect of course that the seats and the cabin are much bigger. When I first read this, I thought “Hmm, that doesn’t sound as good as an open deck.” But after having experienced both the ships, I can say that Makaruzz was the more comfortable of the two. The pictures below with give you an idea of both the different boats.
The service is better. The overall treatment of the passenger is better. From checking in your luggage to seating you in your place, serving you some water and snacks during the voyage etc. Im not saying that the sandwich they served was great. In fact I remember returning it since I was not going to eat it :) But you get the point. It’s just a more organised affair. You feel like you are traveling in a couple of classes above what you get on Green Ocean.
The bathrooms are better. The bathrooms on the Green Ocean 1 are just short of being unaccessible. It is hard to describe. You have to go down a almost vertical metal staircase to the level where the engine. Then you enter what can only be described as a small metal container with absolutely no extra room than absolutely necessary. Sure, the experience on the Green Ocean is more rustic and real to that of traveling on a boat. If you want that experience, then go for it. The bathrooms on the Makaruzz are like entering a regular near and clean tiled and ceramic bathroom.
Easier to book online. The booking system of Makruzz seems to be more stable and developed.
Modern boats. Makruzz has modern boats. This not only translates into better facilities on the ship like seating but also shorter time.
Shorter travel time. Agreed that the difference between 2.5 hours and 2 hours might doesn’t seem like much, but I like the fact that they get you where are going quicker.
Pros of Taking the Green Ocean Ferry
If you want to be on an open deck. Green Ocean is your only choice if you want to enjoy the open deck and wind in your hair when traveling. We didn’t get to enjoy it for long as the really loud music started playing and it got pretty crowded. It’s good for a few minutes or if you are feeling sick and want some fresh air. After the first experience, we took a Makruzz for all other island hops.If you need to buy a ticket right before travel. If for some reason you get stuck in the same situation that we did that we did not have any advance bookings and even their offices could not give us a ticket due to network issues, Green Ocean will probably give you a ticket through their field agent who is there on the docks when the ship comes in.
If you want a rustic and real like feel of a boat. Travelling in Makruzz is comparable to travelling in a flight or modern train expect that the seats and the cabin are much bigger than an airplane. For a more rustic feel of traveling in a boat, Green Ocean is your ship. These are a few pictures taken during the voyage on Green Ocean from the top open deck.
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| A girl enjoys the view and wind in her hair from the deck of the Green Ocean ship on the way to Havelock Island in the Andaman. |
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| Young couples enjoy the view from the railing of Green Ocean ferry on the top open deck. |
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| View from the top deck of Green Ocean 1 ferry of distant islands passing by on the way to Havelock Island from Port Blair. |
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