Pristine beaches, undulating creeks, crystal clear water and unpolluted environment
A colorful mix of flora and fauna amongst white sand beaches.
Adventure water sports for the wild at heart; bird-watching and trekking for the nature lovers.
Port Blair is the capital and the largest city in the union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Surrounded by lush greenery, beautiful islands, and a rugged coastline, it is located in the South Andaman Island.
People of different communities from all over India reside here and one can imagine it as a mini India with no conflicts on region and religion. The city is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places of this exotic island, remarkable for its clean and serene environment.
Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport is the main airfield in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The airport is an Indian Navy/Coast Guard air base with a civil enclave.
Regular ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Vizag. There are 3 to 4 sailings every month to and from Chennai and Kolkata, and once every month for Vizag. The voyage takes about 50 to 60 hrs & the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about 2 to 4 days.
Endowed with immensely beautiful beaches and pleasant weather, this township is known for its picturesque beauty and relaxed ambience. Water sports such as snorkeling is a major attraction for a large number of tourists. You can explore nearby islands like Barren Islands, Corbyn’s Cove and Ross Island. Experience nature’s bounty in the palm lined Corbyn’s Cove or the exotic marine life at Viper Island. Tourists throng the sparsely populated city for a trek up Mount Harriet and relish numerous water sports like scuba diving and snorkeling in Chidiyatapu and North Bay Islands. The Munda Pahad trek in Chidiyatapu is surreal.
Apart from great beaches, Andamans has a lot more to offer, like the Chatham Saw Mill and the forest museum, which was set up by the British in 1883 and is Asia’s biggest and oldest saw mill.
Next is the infamous Cellular Jail or Kala Pani, one of the most popular attractions of Port Blair, where Indian freedom fighters were imprisoned and executed by the British.
Also, within the city, you can learn about the ways of the Jarawa tribes at the Anthropological Museum. Explore more than 350 varieties of aquatic life at the Samudrika Marine Museum.
With all the colours of nature in its truest form, Havelock Islands is a place of surreal beauty. Verdure of tropical trees, unending stretches of silvery sand with clear blue waves rolling over them, and delightful sights of seeing the sun sinking into the sea in evenings- this is Havelock for you.
The Havelock Islands is known for its stellar beaches. With breathtaking islands and cays, and the clearest water on Earth, it’s no wonder visitors come from all around the world to sink their toes into miles of pure white, and in some places pink, sand. Many of our beaches have been voted “best in the world” by numerous publications, and it’s not uncommon to find a celebrity or two strolling along our shores. In short, the beaches you’ll find here are the very definition of paradise.
The best way to reach Havelock is by the air-conditioned catamaran ferry, which takes only 90 minutes from Port Blair. Cruises are currently operating in Andaman Islands, connecting Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. These cruises adds more comfort to your journey and takes 90 minutes to reach Havelock Island and 60 Minutes to reach Neil Island. Makruzz, Coastal Cruise and Express Bhagya are the cruises that operates in this region. . There are government ferry services available as well which take about 2.5 hours. Do book your tickets in advance during peak season.
Local buses and shared jeeps ply the 2 main roads between the port (a.k.a Beach #1), Radhanagar Beach (a.k.a Beach #7), and Beach #5 where the bulk of the accommodation is located. There is a local bus for Radhanagar waiting at Beach #1 at the time the ferry (10-10:30AM) arrives. Bicycles, scooters and motorcycles are available for hire near the center of ‘town’ (or Beach #3), or you can inquire about them at your guesthouse. As of 2013, geared motorcycles are available for Rs 500/day and gearless scooters (Honda Activa etc.) for Rs 400/day.
Havelock Island offers an array of things to do. Snorkelling, scuba diving, trekking, sailing, parasailing, are some of the activities that you can enjoy here. Take a trip to Radhanagar or Elephant Beach for some adventurous sports or just to relax and sunbathe. You can also take a trip in glass-bottomed boat and see some marine action. Shop for local island crafts or savor some delicious seafood, and let Havelock Island with its pristine beaches and clean fresh air, rejuvenates your senses. You can also go on a fun game fishing trip on a charter boat. These boats can also be chartered for a sunset cruise or candle light dinner. Kayaking through the mangrove forests is a much-loved activity, starting from the Jetty.
Radhanagar Beach (Beach #7) is the most beautiful on the island and was rated as the best in Asia by Times Magazine in 2004. Gorgeous, silky white sand backed by a forest that provides welcome shade looks out over turquoise water. Some stretches of the beach have a sandy bottom good for swimming and some have excellent coral reefs that are great for snorkeling.
Elephant Beach, which is further north from Radhanagar, is very popular for the extensive coral reef ecosystem. The sea-life is not just in abundance but is colorful and blows your mind away. Hence it is a great site for snorkeling and diving. Elephant Beach is accessible by foot from Radhanagar.
Kalapathar Beach. The Kalapathar beach is situated on one corner of Havelock Island. The beach gets its name from the surrounding village called Kalapathar Village and the black rocks (kala-black, pathar-rock) that adorn the coastline here. The pristine environment makes it perfect for a walk during sunset or relaxation.
Neil is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea, 25 Nautical miles North East of Port Blair. Endowed with beautiful beaches and inhabited by some 4000 odd peaceful, friendly people living in picture-perfect hamlets, Neil is often skipped by tourists who throng to its more famous neighbour, Havelock Island. Neil offers old world charm, tranquillity and a chance to be by oneself in a rustic backdrop. We personally recommend a visit to Neil Islands, as it is an experience you will never forget.
Ferry from Port Blair to Neil takes 2 hours and costs Rs 715. No Standing tickets are issued post the unfortunate Tsunami accident, which claimed many lives. Two boats (and three on some days a week) make the round trip from Port Blair to Neil Island every day with one of them going via Havelock Island.
The private Makruzz catamaran also sails from Port Blair and Havelock to Neil Island once every day. Three times a week, a ferry also leaves from Long Island to Port Blair, stopping in Havelock and in Neil.
Bicycles can be rented here for a price between Rs 100 per day. You can also hire a motorcycle or scooty for Rs 400 per day. This is the best way to explore the Island as you have the freedom to go to any place at any time. Definitely much cheaper than hiring a taxi or an auto, which of course, is also an option.
You are at Neil Island because you didn’t want to do anything. So you should just lie on the white soft sand for hours staring at the blue sky listening to gentle waves. When you get tired of doing this, roll onto the sea and take dip.
If you do get tired of lying on the beach and still up for some more excitement try the game fishing, jungle trekking activities.
Baratang Island is a gateway to North & Middle Andaman District of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This District is quite unexplored from the tourism point of view. This is one of the best parts of your trip to the Andaman Islands because of its virgin beauty and natural wonders.
Termed as “The Land of Natural Wonders”, Baratang is connected by road from Port Blair traversing through the thick tropical rainforest. Mainly famous for its backwater, mangrove forest, limestone cave and mud volcano, it calls out to the inner explorer in you.
The added advantage of Baratang island is that, it is connected by road from Port Blair and accessible throughout the year.The jungle along both sides during your travel would be a treat to watch. On your way you would pass through Jirkatang.After reaching Jirkatang, the bus would halt for security personnel would board the bus for safety of both travelers and tribes. You would now pass through the Jarawa Tribe reserve.The native tribes of these Islands.If you are lucky you might catch a glimse.
The major tourist spots like Lalaji Bay Beach, Merk Bay Beach, Spike Island etc. are easily accessible from Baratang and are reachable within 30 to 45 min by sea.
Lime Stone cave is close to Baratang Jetty. The sea journey starts from the Nilambur Jetty/Baratang Jetty. Lime stone cave is 20 minutes by boat from Jetty. It’s closed on Monday
The mud volcano is one more attraction for visitors travelling in Andaman islands. It is an active mud volcano which ejects mud rather than the burning lava. This Volcano is nearer to Baratang Jetty of Andaman Islands (middle Andaman). It takes a day to visit this place and return to Port Blair.
Parrot Island is a tiny island near Baratang Island. The Island is home to hundreds of Parrots. The parrots in the Parrot Island come home during evenings. Beautiful sunsets are a given in Andamans, but add a pandemonium of parrots returning home, you have to experience it to believe it. This gives an unforgettable experience which is quite heart-warming.
Cinque Island is a mesmerizing island with beautiful coral reefs. The island lures the tourist during different seasons of the year with its natural charm and pleasing environment. As the day starts melting on the island, the beauty of the island reaches its heights. The sight of sun hiding in the sky while the moon starts making preparations for its ingress into the sky is awe-inspiring. One can reach the island from Chidiya Tapu within two hours and from Wandoor within three hours.
Just a boat ride away from Port Blair, there straddles the famous Ross Island. The island is very close to Phoenix Bay Jetty and has many scenic and historical attractions quietly cultivating here. The place is smeared by a small church and also gives shelter to many historical ruins such as chief commissioner’s residence, a swimming pool and a cemetery. There is also a small museum depicting some old records, hosted by the Indian Navy in the island.
Though today it is resplendent with scenic beauty, Viper Island holds a dark past. This marked the site for the British gallows, where political prisoners were kept, endlessly tortured and finally hung to their deaths. This jail was abandoned once the Cellular Jail came into place in 1906. Today, the dilapidated ruins of the jail still stand as a reminder of its gory past and the inhuman hardships faced by the Indian freedom fighters.
Located about 136kms away by seaway and 240kms by road from Port Blair, Mayabunder town serves as administrative District headquarters of North and Middle Andaman. Mayabunder is mainly populated by natives of East Pakistan, Burma, and many ex-convicts of the colonial era.
For those looking forward to exploring this part of the islands can visit:
Narcondam or Narcondum is a small volcanic island located in the Andaman Sea. Its central peak rises some 710 m above mean sea level and is formed of andesite. It is considered to be part of the Andaman Islands, the main body of which lie approximately 114 km to the west. The island is part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island is small, approximately 3 km×4 km. It was classified as a dormant volcano by the Geological Survey of India.
Narcondam’s prime dive sites include rocky ridges and steep slopes, where massive barrel sponges, huge gorgonian fans and lush soft corals thrive in often-vigorous currents. Fish life can include Napoleon wrasse, bump head parrotfish and mantas, as well as occasional white tip and grey reef sharks. Another special place is a submerged rock formation that acts as a magnet for hefty dogtooth tuna and hundreds of bigeye trevally. Several bays around the island offer gently sloping terrain populated with fields of hard corals and plenty of colourful reef fish.
Barren Island is a part of Andaman Islands and is the only active volcano in South Asia. It is a beautiful sightseeing experience for tourists. It is situated in the Andaman Sea and belongs to Union Territory of India. Barren Island is situated about 135 km from Port Blair, territory’s capital.
The first volcano eruption occurred in 1787 and since then it has erupted ten times with the latest one happening in May 2008. The subsequent eruptions occurred from 1789 to 1852.
There are also reports that confirm eruptions in 1994 and 2005. The 2004 eruption is linked to Indian Ocean earthquake. This volcanic island is located in the middle of Burmese tectonic plates and Indian plates.
Also surrounded by miles of deep, open sea, Barren Island has a rather misleading name, since it’s also heavily forested. Unlike Narcondam, however, there is ongoing volcanic activity here. Immediately below the smoking, sulfur-encrusted summit, a dark swath of lava rock reaches all the way to the water’s edge, where it flowed during the most recent eruption in 2005.
