The Andaman Islands have been a popular tourist attraction since the start of time. These islands are known for their natural beauty, rich flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. The Andaman Islands are located in the northeastern Indian Ocean and consist of approximately 200 islands. This cluster of islands offers a huge diversity of marine life that tourists can experience through the wide range of water activities offered here. Trekking is another tourist attraction for those who want to explore these islands’ untouched beauty. The Andaman Islands were also used as a naval base by the English East India Company and became a union territory of India in 1956. All in all, this group of islands is an amazing destination for those who love nature and adventures.
PORT BLAIR
Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is also the only place which is connected to the main cities via air and hence the only accessible airport is located here. You can also reach Port Blair via water which is a cheaper option but takes a longer time to reach. All the main islands can also be accessed from here via water, road or air.
Port Blair is home to Kalapani(cellular jail), the jail where the freedom fighters of India were imprisoned by the Britishers.
You can engage in endless thrilling water activities and water sports here and sip on the delicious coconut water when you need a refreshment
Ferries, boats, public transport and rentals and readily available to travel throughout the Andamans.
Go scuba diving at Chidiya Tapu and enjoy looking at the colourful marine life in the clear waters.
Experience kayaking to offbeat destinations that give you a taste of the dense forests of the Union territory.
If you are in Port Blair then visiting Corbyn’s Cove is a must. With a relaxing landscape, it also offers a wide range of water sports like sea karting, scuba diving, jet skiing, surfing, boating and kayaking.
You can also hop on a boat to visit the nearby snake island where deadly snakes are said to be seen slithering around.
HAVELOCK ISLAND
Havelock is arguably the most visited island of Andaman. It is the perfect getaway for nature lovers, adventure seekers or partners who just wanna get cosy and spend some quality time together. It has officially been renamed as SWARAJ DWEEP. It takes about 1.5-2 hours to reach here from Port Blair using a private ferry. You can also use the government ferries that may take up to 3 hours.
A must when travelling to Havelock is exploring its beautiful beaches. The Radhanagar beach which is often considered one of the best beaches in Asia
The Elephant Beach which is often referred to as Elephanta Beach is the perfect spot for snorkelling. You can reach here via a speed boat or with a small trek of around 2 hours while being accompanied by a professional guide. Other activities for adventure enthusiasts include scuba diving, jet skiing, sea walking and parasailing.
Or visit the Kalapathar beach for a calm walk in the sand while you look at the gorgeous sunrises or sunsets.
Try kayaking through the thick mangrove forests if you are an adventure lover.
A few hotels here also provide a candlelight dinner for the lovely couples.
NEIL ISLAND
Neil Island which was renamed as Shaheed Dweep in 2018 is often called a quieter counterpart of Havelock Island. The island is also said to be the vegetable bowl of the Andaman. It is the perfect spot to visit because of how much less crowded it is and yet provides beautiful scenic views and thrilling adventure sports. It is about 1.5 hours from Port Blair and 45 minutes from Havelock via water.
Neil has beautiful beaches that offer breathtaking sunrises/sunsets like the Sitapur beach where you can also spot the Howrah bridge, a natural rock formation, during the low tides.
Visit other beaches like Bharatpur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach or Ramnagar Beach to experience looking at the beautiful coral reefs, scuba dive, snorkel, witness beautiful sunsets and if you are lucky enough you may also be able to spot the Dugongs swimming around in the water.
Internet is mostly unavailable at Neil Island.
NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE ISLAND
The island, formerly known as Ross Island, lets you see the ruins of British-made buildings that include churches, cemeteries and other archaeological buildings’ ruins. Ross Island was once the administrative headquarters of the Britishers. The island remains inhabited to this day and there are no accommodations so the tourists have to return the same day after exploring the place. This historical place is about 15 minutes away from Port Blair using a boat and you can experience the sound and light show with prior booking.
NORTH BAY ISLAND
North Bay Island is most famous for its thrilling water sports. Like the Netaji Subhash Chandra Dweep, this island stays inhabited and has no place to accommodate the tourists. The endless adventures include Scuba diving, parasailing, sea walking and snorkelling. If you are someone who wants to see the mesmerising underwater life without getting wet then glass-bottom boat rides and semi-submarines are the best options for you. An interesting fact about North Bay Island is that it is featured behind the Indian Rs.20 note.
LONG ISLAND
An island perfect for beach activities in Long Island. Adventure lovers can experience trekking and snorkelling as the Merk Bay and Lalaji Bay offer scenic coral reefs and marine life. Others who want a quiet getaway can enjoy a picnic or sunbathing as mostly the beaches are almost empty. You can also get a view of the Guitar beach from Blue Planet Beach. The island is around 35 km away from Port Blair and the nearest jetty is in Rangat.
JOLLY BUOY ISLAND
The Jolly Buoy Island is a part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. It is open to visitors for 6 months of the year i.e. November- May. The time for the island to be open for civilians is 8 am-2 pm. Tourists can experience trekking through the forests and snorkelling with permission from the forest department. It is about 45 minutes from Wandoor Beach which is 30 km by road from Port Blair. Jolly Buoy is strictly a no-plastic zone. You’ll be asked to list all the items you bring so it is advised to pack light with a few snacks and water bottles. It is not recommended to get into the water during the low tide as the coral reefs are almost at the water’s surface and may be damaged.
BARATANG ISLAND
Baratang Island is a lot less developed compared to islands like Havelock and has almost no tourist facilities. It is around 100 km from Port Blair and one can reach there by road which is a 4 hour bumpy ride. You can witness the interesting limestone caves, the small yet fascinating mud volcanoes and thousands of colourful parrots returning to their nests in evening on the Parrot Island. The Baludera beach is another attraction if you wanna swim all by yourself and need some me-time as it is mostly always empty. There are also some trekking options. During your road trip to Baratang you may spot the Jarawa tribe and clicking their picture or offering them anything is not allowed. It is tricky to find places to stay overnight at Baratang unless booked months in advance so it is recommended to plan a one-day trip.
DIGLIPUR
Diglipur is the largest town in North Andaman Islands and yet it is not often visited by tourists due to how far it is from the capital city of Port Blair. It takes about 10 hours to reach Diglipur from Port Blair using a government ferry and about 12 hours if you decide to travel by road. This place is a perfect mix of nature, adventure and serenity. You can climb Saddle Peak which is the highest peak of the Bay of Bengal and the only river of Andaman, Kalpong flows from here. The trek is 8kms long and pretty steep and might be a challenge even for experienced trekkers on sunny days and permission from the Forest department is to be taken before climbing.
You can also visit the twin Ross and Smith islands which are connected by a 50-meter-long sandbar and are perfect for a quick dive into the clear waters. Witness the turtle nesting/hatching at the Kalipur beach (15 km from Diglipur town) which is one of the few beaches in the world that has 4 species of turtles laying their eggs. One can also trek to see the mud volcanoes similar to those in Baratang.
LITTLE ANDAMAN
Unlike its name, Little Andaman is one of the largest islands of Andaman that is open to tourists. It is about 120 km from Port Blair and takes about 6-8 hours due to which it is not much visited. Surfing is one of the most famous activities on the island. There are also trekking options that are going to reward you with beautiful waterfalls. Swimming the sea is also an option but swimming in freshwater is not recommended as you may encounter salt-water crocodiles. Snorkelling is available on a few beaches like Harminder Bay Beach or near the jetty. There are also mangrove forest trails, red oil plantations and also ponds filled with lotus and water lilies during the rainy season. Little Andaman has the longest beaches on the Andaman Islands with turquoise waters and shade from trees. You may also want to trek to the highest lighthouse and enjoy the beautiful views.
RED SKIN ISLAND
Red Skin Island is the second island of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park that is open to tourists apart from Jolly Buoy Island. It is opened alternatively from Jolly Buoy Island i.e. June-November. It takes about 35 minutes to reach Red Skin Island from Wandoor (45 mins drive from Port Blair) beach by a shared boat. The spectacular coral reefs are what attract tourists here every year. Snorkelling and glass-bottom boat rides are something worth experiencing here. The beach here is small but serene nonetheless. Carrying your own water bottles and snacks is recommended.
BARREN ISLAND
The Barren Island is inhabited due to the presence of the only active volcano in India that last erupted in 2017. It is now open to tourists for a one-day trip as there are no places to stay here for obvious reasons. The only way to reach Barren Island is using a boat which takes about 4-5 hours from Port Blair and 2-3 hours from Havelock island. This island is a geological wonder and you can witness the volcanic rocks, craters and ever-evolving landscape and the flora-fauna that survive even in such harsh conditions.
CINQUE ISLAND
Cinque Island is a hidden gem mainly divided into two parts viz north cinque and south cinque that are connected by a sandbar. The island has a rich and colorful marine life so you can go scuba diving or snorkelling to witness the underwater beauty. The island is also home to a diversity of bird species which is why a lot of bird watchers visit this island. Take a walk in the lush forests of the island and enjoy the serenity. It is about a two-hour boat ride away from Chidiya Tapu which is an hour’s drive away from Port Blair.
VIPER ISLAND
This is the island where a lot of freedom fighters and political prisoners were kept and tortured before the construction of the cellular jail. It is a 40-minute boat ride from Port Blair and one can see the ruins of the British architecture including the Gallows that are a reminder of the sacrifices the freedom fighters made for us to live as a free country.
NARCONDAM ISLAND
Narcondam Island is a significant site due to its status as a wildlife sanctuary that houses endemic species like the Narcondam Hornbill, which is found nowhere else in the world. It is also a house to other unique Andaman Scops Owl, Nicobar Owl and various geckos. The island is mostly inhabited except by the guards stationed to monitor the area by the Indian government. You can hop on a ferry from Diglipur to reach this island which is about 140kms.
ROSE ISLAND
Rose Island is often confused with Ross Island which has a high significance with the freedom fighting however, the Rose Island is not much known and is mostly known for its lush greenery and pristine beaches. The beach can accessed through a boat ride from Port Blair
AVIS ISLAND BEACH
This island also known as the Coconut Island is the perfect spot for a serene getaway from all the sightseeing during your trip. Experience a joyful group picnic or a peaceful me-time.
RUTLAND ISLAND
Rutland is the island at the far tip of India. It is a 2.5-hour boat ride away from Port Blair. There are a lot of thrilling activities for adventure lovers like snorkelling, scuba diving, game fishing, and glass bottom boat rides You can also visit a turtle breeding centre and watch the hatchlings make their way to the water for their life journey. Given that turtles are an endangered species in India this can be once in a lifetime experience for you. You can also take a leisure walk around the island and explore the beauty of the untouched nature.
GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND
This is the largest Nicobar group of islands. The Indira point which is the southernmost tip of India is located here. Visit the Campbell Bay National Park and the Galathea National Park and also experience snorkelling and Birdwatching. However you will have to carry your equipment for snorkelling. The journey from Port Blair takes about 24-32 hours by boat which is why there aren’t many visitors here.
CHATHAM ISLAND
The Chatham Island flourished over time during the British rule boasting Asia’s largest sawmill. Though the mill faced setbacks as it was bombed during the Second World War it is now been rebuilt to its original glory and can be visited any day except Sundays and public holidays between 8 am and 2:20 pm. Tourists can take auto rickshaws from Port Blair and easily reach the mill.
TRAVEL TIPS
A few travel tips for tourists-
- The best season to visit Andaman is October-April
- Carry cash as the only place where ATMs are mostly available in Port Blair and the internet connection is not good enough for online payments
- If you come across or see anyone from the tribal community then don’t interact, click pictures or offer anything to them as it is not allowed to do so.
- Book everything in advance especially during the peak season for hassle-free travel.
- The mobile networks are not the best and the internet is not even available on a lot of islands
- If you are renting a car or two-wheeler then please keep yourself informed that the fuel stations shut pretty early.
- Do carry along sunscreens and mosquito repellent for a better travelling experience.
RECOMMENDED 5 DAY 4 NIGHT TRIP
This is a recommended planned trip to Andaman that you can take. With the destinations mentioned, you can experience most of Andaman with a time limit.
Day 1- Reach Port Blair by mid-day and check in to your hotel.
- Take a rest and have a quick meal.
- Explore nearby beaches and take a stroll in the local market to witness the natives and their culture.
Day 2- Visit the Kalapani jail
- Experience the adventures of Corbyn Cove Beach which is 30-minute drive away from Port Blair.
- Come back to your hotel and take a rest.
Day 3- Wake up bright and early and take a 2-hour private ferry ride to reach Swaraj Dweep(Havelock Island)
- Visit the most popular beaches of Havelock like Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and Kalapathar Beach
- You can also experience a bunch of adventurous water sports here
- Take a ferry back to Port Blair and reach your hotel.
- The last ferry leaves at 4 pm until and unless the weather demands a change of time.
Day 4- Reserve this day for all the thrilling water sports that Andaman is famous for.
- Hop on a ferry and take a 20-minute ride to North Bay Island.
- Experience a variety of water sports and make endless memories on this beautiful island.
- Take a ride back to your hotel as North Bay Island is inhabited and closes at 4 pm.
- Get to your hotel and give your body a much-needed rest.
Day 5- Take a rickshaw from your hotel to go see the historical Chatham Sawmill
- Witness the historical site
- Check out of your hotel and the journey back home begins with new and unforgettable memories.