Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Travel Guide

Andaman and Nicobar islands is a tropical paradise. Filled with essentially beautiful beaches and seas this is one of the best travel spots of India. World class beaches, amazing scuba diving experience and an otherworldly atmosphere makes this one of the most pleasurable travel experiences ever. There are a few places one should not miss if they visit the islands!

}Port Blair:

}Cellular Jail

The Cellular jail situated in Port Blair, Andaman Islands  is closely associated with the freedom struggle of India. The  Cellular jail,  built in 1896 was used by the British to transport Indian freedom fighters from the Indian mainland. Thousands of freedom fighters languished for years in solitary confinement in the cells of the Cellular Jail. Today, the Cellular Jail is declared as the National Memorial, a tribute to those who dared to raise their voices against the British rule. Some of the famous inmates of the Cellular jail were Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Dr. Diwan Singh Kalepani, Yogendra Shukla, Bhai Parmanand, and Maulana Ahmadullah.

}Andaman Water Sports Complex

It offers all kinds of water sports facilities: Sail boats, para sailing, water scooters, rowing boats, kayaks, paddle boats, water skiing facilities etc.,. Boating from this complex  up to the Ross Island is really an exciting experience. There is also a Sea water swimming pool and a change room. There is an artificial waterfall as well, which is a great attraction among the visitors. A children park nearby is a place for children to enjoy the serene environment. There is also a Memorial for the Battle of Aberdeen fought between Britishers and Andamanese aboriginals in 1859.

}Fisheries Museum

The Fisheries Museum houses more than 300 marine  species of marine life, including live coral, sharks, polyps and  Starfish. These marine species, peculiar to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is found only in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal.

}Chatham Saw Mill

Chatham Saw Mill, once Asia’s largest Saw Mill is located in Chatham Island & is connected to Port Blair by a Sea bridge. Since the Supreme Court of India banned logging   in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, most of the wood now comes by  ship from Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. Chatham Saw Mill converts huge Logs  into different sizes of timber. It also processes ornamental species which is used in the manufacture of furniture and handicraft.

}Corbyn's Cove

The Corbyn’s Cove, is a serene and unspoiled soft sandy beach, set in picturesque background of lush green coconut palms and pleasant blue sea. The main attractions of this beach are the inviting water sports activities like surfing, scuba diving and boating. The Corbyn’s Cove beach, situated 8 kms from the City centre is the closest Beach from the city. This coconut- palm fringed beach, is ideal for swimming, surfing and sun bathing.The Waves Restaurant, The Peerless Sarovar Portico Resort and the Hornbill Nest Guest House are at a stone's throw, from the beach front.  In fact, Peerless Sarovar Portico is the only beach resort inside the city.

}North Bay Beach

}Bharatpur Beach

}Mount Harriet

ØMount Harriet was  once the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during    the British Raj. Mount Harriet, the  highest point in Port Blair is an   ideal place for a Picnic or a Trek. Mount Harriet is about 55 km from Port Blair by road (15 km by ferry and road), & has a  Forest Guest House located at a height of 365 m

ØTrekking is one of the most sought-after adventure sport in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Camps are the right choice for nature-lovers who wish to enjoy the sun, sea and nature by spending quiet holidays right on the beach.One can go trekking through the nature trail from Mt. Harriet to Madhuban and enjoy the rare forest life, flora and fauna. There are other trekking routes also.  Sometimes, trekking expeditions are only a day or two long.

}Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Wandoor  is rich in corals, varieties of coloured fishes, sea turtles etc., besides other marine life. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park  is a bird's paradise  having more than 271 varieties of birds including,  39 that are endemic. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is located 29 kms from Port Blair. You have to get a permit from the Wildlife Warden's office near the Wandoor Jetty to visit the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

}Cinque Island

The Cinque Island is located 54 kms from Port Blair (2 hours by boat from Chidiyatapu). Cinque Island is one of the best diving destination in Andaman & Nicobar Islands & has clear water with visibility levels of up to 80 feet. It is the best place to view a large variety of marine life and black corals. Nobody is allowed to stay overnight in Cinque Island.  

}Havelock Island *MUST* 2 DAY STAY

Some 2.5 hours (54 kms) away from Port Blair, Havelock offers the best diving and snorkelling sites & unspoiled sandy beaches. People can reach Havelock Island through ship and regular ship service run between Port Blair and Havelock. At Havelock Island, you can visit beaches of Radhanagar and Elephant beach. On Elephant beach, people can even watch training of elephants and elephants swimming in sea. People can also explore other adventures activities like scuba diving, snorkeling and sight seeing etc.MV Makruzz, a luxury catamaran, ply daily  between Port Blair and Havelock Island. The vessel with its luxurious interiors and inboard food Kiosk has a maximum cruising speed of 31.5 nautical miles, covering thedistance between Port Blair and Havelock in an estimated time of 90 minutes. The vessel is fitted with approved lifejackets and life rafts in line with class and high speed craft code passenger safety requirements.Scuba diving is probably the biggest activity on Havelock island other than lying around and eating seafood.

}Baratang Island

Baratang Island is about 90 km away from Port Blair. At Baratang you can see Mud Volcano which is about 4 km away from the boat jetty. Limestone Caves are located about 50 minutes (by sea) away from Baratang boat jetty. The experience at Parrot Island at sunset, when all the parrots are returning home is indeed a mesmerizing experience. 

}Neil Island

A marvelous Island with plenty of marine life, Neil Island is an ideal location for eco-tourism. Neil Island is also known as the vegetable bowl of Andamans. The sandy beaches at Sitapur, Bharatpur and Lakshmanpur are very attractive for spending the evenings. The breathtaking view of sea and the lusting greeneries in the island is really rejuvenating and enjoyable for enthusiastic travelers. Neil Island is connected by regular Boat service from Port Blair. Neil Island is also famous for snorkeling. Another famous activity carried out at the Neil Islands is fishing and angling. 

}Long Island

Long Island is 82 kms. from Port Blair. Long Island is connected by boat from Port Blair, either directly or "island hopping" via Neil Island and Havelock. Long Island offers an excellent sandy beach at Lalaji Bay with unpolluted environment and evergreen forests. Lalaji bay Beach is 6 kms. away from the boat jetty of Long Island. Long Island is approximately 10km from North to South, 5km from East to West, much of it forested. You can also visit nearby uninhabited islands from Long Island. There are no motor cars on the island, and no roads: free of traffic or crime, the island is a perfect destination for families. Generally, people walk or use bicycles.

It is an ideal location for Indians as well as tourists to make the best of tropical memories and also to be close to nature. So go and get your tanlines!