Places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar

Named after a British diplomat, the Neil Island has a charm which is quite contrary to its buzzing counterpart the Havelock Islands. The stellar beaches, coral reef and fantastic villages make Neil Islands one of the most special islands in Andaman. Not many people tend to visit this less explored gem that hides itself away from most tourist itineraries. However, your visit to Andaman shouldn’t be complete without a visit to the islands and experiencing complete detachment from civilization.

Location: Located 30 kilometers from Port Blair, Andaman

Known for: It’s less explored, unspoiled beaches, biodiversity, views of the coral reefs, tropical woodlands and more. The vibe is definitely laidback and if there’s one place on earth that is slowed down and lets you feel who you really are, it’s the Neil Island. No internet connectivity, villages that are named after mythological characters from the Indian epic the Ramayana, watersports and more, the Neil Island definitely seems to the Andaman’s favorite child. Oh yeah, you can also get bicycles on rent and explore the island on your own.

How to Reach: There are several government and private ferries operating from Port Blair that reach the Neil Islands on their way to the Havelock Islands. Tickets are priced at around Rs. 450 for the government run ferries and anywhere between Rs. 800 and Rs. 2,500 approx. for the private ferries, where different luxury classes are available. It takes about 90 minutes to reach the islands on a government ferry.

Cost: The beaches on the island are free to enter and the only expenses you will incur are on adventure sports and food.

Any Precautions: Neil Islands are free from everyday concerns, chaos and paranoia that bug our peace of mind. Just get your beach bag and gift yourself the peace of mind you deserve.

Type: Beach

The relaxing sites and beaches of Port Elizabeth would cheer up your mood. The excellent weather coupled with pictorial milieu offers you a pleasing and relaxing trip here. Spas are an added wonder in The Windy City.

Also commonly known as cave exploration, Andaman offers you one of the most diverse experience in exploring the limestone caves in the Baratang islands. The gigantic monolithic structural formations of limestone take you to a whole new world. Your fascination not just begins after you reach the caves but the moment you step onto that speed boat as well. Nestled between Middle and South Andaman, the boat takes you through a scenic route covered by mangrove trees, limestone caves and mud-volcanoes. Located at a distance of 100 kilometers from the capital, the ride through the groves and the caves make it absolutely worth the ride.

Location: Baratang Islands, 100km away from Port Blair. You can reach the place by taking a bus from Port Blair or ferries. While buses take around two hours and thirty minutes to take you to the islands, ferries do that under 15 minutes. The cost of the boat is approximately Rs. 300 per person for a two-way ride.

For: Families, kids, honeymoon couples and groups of friends

Difficulty: Easy

Why You should do it: To outgrow claustrophobia if you have one or simply surrender to nature’s beauty and get caught in the sweet bewilderment of what you just saw. The caves stand as an example of evolution on earth, gradually formed by deposits of diverse marine ingredients and compression over millions and millions of years. Where else will you find such magnificence?

Tips: Since some of the caves tend to be slippery and dark, it’s suggested you carry flashlights and wear shoes instead of regular flip flops. Also don’t wear anything white as the ride may cause permanent stains on your dress.

Probably the most famous destinations in Andaman and the one that most Indians look forward to visiting, the Havelock islands are indeed a haven for pristine beaches, teal lagoons, Mahua trees, backwaters and more, they are the perfect blends of adventure and scenery packed together. For most travelers, the Havelock islands give the contentment of their entire Andaman vacation and end up spending most of their time chilling and getting more acclimatized to the contagious spirit of the island.

Nestled between Neil and Peel Island, the Havelock islands are part of most of the Andaman tourism guides, itineraries, recommendations and visits. It is also one of the very few places to avoid much of the devastating intensities of the 2004 tragedy – tsunami. There is a lighthouse in the island and a number of mesmerizing beaches like the Radhanagar beach on the island’s west coast. One of the specialties of this beach is that it is known locally as the NumberSeven beach and was announced as Asia’s Best Beach in the year 2004.

Apart from this beach, there are also other prominent beaches like the Elephant Beach, Vijay Nagar Beach, and Kalapathar Beach. If you’re wondering where to indulge in some water-based adventure sports, it’s on the Havelock islands that you’ll find tour operators and adventure experts taking you on some rides of a lifetime.

Location

Like all good things, it takes a while to catch a glimpse of this scenic beauty when you’re traveling from Port Blair. Being a completely different island, it’s located at a distance of approximately 70

kilometers from the capital and requires a ferry ride to reach the destination. If you’re a fan of Hollywood movies and coordinate fancy you, the Havelock Islands are located at 11.96oN 93.00oE.

You can choose from a number of cruise liners such as Makurzz Gold, Makurzz, Green Ocean, Coastal Cruise and Green Ocean 2.

Known for its pristine beaches and tons of adventure sports and unique experiences it offers

How to Reach

There are both government run ferries and cruise boats that take from and to the Havelock Islands. It takes about two hours and thirty minutes to reach the islands from Port Blair and a government ferry ride will cost you around Rs. 900 for adults and Rs. 100 for children per ride.

There are specific timings for these ferries with no facilities to book tickets online. From Port Blair, the ferries start at 6:30 AM and 2:00 PM and from the Havelock Islands, they depart from 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM. For more comfort, you can always go for the private cruise boards that ply from the capital to the islands. These cruise boats ride faster and take you within 90 minutes. However, the catch is that these boats are divided into luxury classes and have prices accordingly. For a deluxe class ticket, you will pay approximately Rs. 1,600 and Rs. 1,800 and Rs. 2,500 for premium and royal classes respectively. During peak seasons, the ticket prices have an addedaroundRs. 100 to their regular fares.

Cost: NA

Operating hours

Though the island is generally open, some of the beaches may close early to limit tourism and to foster safety of tourists in getting back to Port Blair. For instance, the Elephant Beach closes by 3:00 PM.

Any Precautions:

Since watersport activities are available, make sure you carry adequate clothing and cash. Also stay careful of lethal marine animals such as jellyfish, sea snakes and camouflaged stone fish. Carry light clothes, sunglasses, sunscreens, and hats to prevent tanning (if you want) and have plenty of water. Do not experiment anything underwater and follow your guide’s instructions. It’s the ocean and not swimming pool!

Type

Beach/Island

Also commonly known as cave exploration, Andaman offers you one of the most diverse experience in exploring the limestone caves in the Baratang islands. The gigantic monolithic structural formations of limestone take you to a whole new world. Your fascination not just begins after you reach the caves but the moment you step onto that speed boat as well. Nestled between Middle and South Andaman, the boat takes you through a scenic route covered by mangrove trees, limestone caves and mud-volcanoes. Located at a distance of 100 kilometers from the capital, the ride through the groves and the caves make it absolutely worth the ride.

Location: Baratang Islands, 100km away from Port Blair. You can reach the place by taking a bus from Port Blair or ferries. While buses take around two hours and thirty minutes to take you to the islands, ferries do that under 15 minutes. The cost of the boat is approximately Rs. 300 per person for a two-way ride.

For: Families, kids, honeymoon couples and groups of friends

Difficulty: Easy

Why You should do it: To outgrow claustrophobia if you have one or simply surrender to nature’s beauty and get caught in the sweet bewilderment of what you just saw. The caves stand as an example of evolution on earth, gradually formed by deposits of diverse marine ingredients and compression over millions and millions of years. Where else will you find such magnificence?

Tips: Since some of the caves tend to be slippery and dark, it’s suggested you carry flashlights and wear shoes instead of regular flip flops. Also don’t wear anything white as the ride may cause permanent stains on your dress.

One of the most surreal natural phenomena, bioluminescence makes you feel you’re in your most beautiful dream with the only difference in you being awake and remembering to share your experience with others. Imagine a night sky – dark and silent. Now imagine the stars and the lustrous clusters of stars not in the sky but under your feet in water. What looks like a visual straight out of Pandora, the phenomena turns the ocean water by the shores blue and glowy. It’s not CGI or artificial lighting but purely nature teasing you with its possibilities. Caused due to phytoplankton in the water, the phenomenon is truly one-of-a-kind!

Location: Havelock Islands

For: Family, Kids, couples and groups of friends.

Difficulty: Easy

Cost: Free

Why you should do it: Simply because this is a rare phenomenon and happens in a very few places on earth! Water turning blue and glowing is something you’ll only read in fantasy novels and if you want to watch it unfold live in front of your eyes, you cannot afford to miss the chance.

Tips: This is visible only during no-moon nights and tours can be arranged by local tour operators. Locals will be able to guide you better on when and where of the phenomenon.

Don’t let the number of jails here intimidate you, because they are going to be one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture that you have seen. Located on the Viper Island, the construction of this structure can be dated as far back as 1867. Another home to the Indian freedom struggle, the addition of Chain Gang to the name is mainly because of all the brutal atrocities that the prisoners had to face. However, at present stonewalls of the buildings are overshadowed by the growth of exotic trees and luscious greenery, thus making it a trip not to be missed!

Why you should attend this

Organized by the department of tourism to promote entertainment and tourism for the locals, this 15-day cultural extravaganza offers the best of shows, programs and music to its visitors. It’s an annual event that starts from 5th of January and goes on for fifteen days. You should attend this event to experience the sights and sounds of the locals and witness live performances of popular music bands, movie celebrities and dance performances. Though held at the capital, the event also happens at Havelock, Neil, Wandoor, Car Nicobar and more.

You should attend this if you’re into culture, arts and experiences and witness something like never before in your hometown. Plus, it’s a great way to meet the locals, interact with them and get to understand them better.

Port Blair isn’t primarily known for its beaches, but if you’re willing to take a hiatus from the bustle of the town, Corbyn’s Cove is the place to be because of its enthralling scenery which includes palm trees spread across the white sand of the beach. The journey to the Cove takes you along the most beautiful route decked with beauties of nature on either side which is not to be missed.

Setup in the year 1883 on Chatham Island, this saw mill has the distinguished profile of being the oldest saw mill in Asia. In the early years of World War II, the mill was bombed by enemy forces which led it to be demolished. It revived its glory back in 1946, after which it has been functioning very smoothly.

This is a national park which surrounds the third largest peak in the Andaman Islands, Mount Harriet. Home to salt water crocodiles, turtles and robber crabs, the park is filled with nature’s most beautiful creations.

Not sure if you’ve grown up listening to threats from your grandparents on being exiled to prisons far away from home in case of you do mischief but let’s say that this prison is a tangible example of the threat. Used as a place to send people to exile, especially freedom fighters and political prisoners. The prison is also known as Kala Paani, which literally translates to death and water respectively and is known for the incarceration of freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar and ButakeshwarDutt. The airport has been named after the deceased freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. It took 10 years to construct this prison and it is surprising to think that even during times connectivity was meager, they managed to erect a monument that could house thousands of prisoners amidst an island.

Location

Atlanta Point, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744104

Known For

Being a notorious and the most dreaded prison in the days of the British regime. Freedom fighters and rebels were chained and punished in inhuman ways by the British and asked to work on constructing ports, buildings and other activities. The seclusion of the prison from the Indian mainland made it further horrifying for prisoners to think of getting captured and escaping. Today, it stands as a remembrance to the lives of the freedom fighters and offer a glimpse of freedom struggle to visitors.

How to Reach

Located at one of the prime locations in Port Blair, it is very easy for tourists to reach the Cellular Jail from any part of the city. You don’t have to get charged to visit the jail but simply take a taxi, an auto-rickshaw, minibuses or buses. The prices of the cabs are fixed and are very nominal. You can also rent a two-wheeler for approximately Rs. 500 and visit on your own.

Cost

There’s an entry fee of approx Rs. 30 for visitors. Camera and Video recording fees are charged separately; around 200 to 1000. The fees for light shows here are approximately 50 rupees.Operating Hours

9 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:45 PM The attraction is closed for visits during national holidays.

Light Shows: 6pm to 7:15pm on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

7:15pm to 8:30pm on Friday, Monday and Wednesday

Any Precautions/Must Carry Items

Carry your cameras without fail as this gigantic structure will leave you marveling over the architecture. To capture the moments from freedom struggle to permanence, a camera will be definitely handy.

Type

Notable Building

Far away from the chaos of the city, rests a serene place home to some of the most enchanting coral reefs. Yes, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at the Wandoor region of Port Blair is located approximately at a distance of 30 kilometers. The best part about the park is that it sort of conserves several islands and keeps visitors away from tourism and touristy activities to actually protect the lush grandeur and marine life.

The park compiles close to 15 islands together and takes people on a tour from one island to another without stopping at most places to give you a glimpse of the magical land that lies underneath the waters and on the mangrove covered islands. You can also indulge in snorkeling and get up, close and personal with the coral reefs and some beautiful marine animals at the Red Skin beach, where the tour halts for tourists to take part in the activities. If you’re in Port Blair and intend to view what the island offers the best – coral reefs – buy a ticket to the national park and spend time with a different face of nature.

Location: SH8, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (30 kilometers from the main area of Port Blair)

Known for: Its views of coral reefs, snorkeling opportunities and glimpses of some of the most endangered marine animals like the scorpion fish, butterfly fish, surgeon fish, angelfish, giant robber crab and more.

How to Reach: The Mahatma Gandhi National Park is easily accessible for tourists in Port Blair, where several taxis and buses ply from the islands connected by roads and cost around Rs. 10 (for buses). There are buses every half an hour for those on a shoestring budget and there are transportation facilities arranged by the Department of Information, Tourism and Publicity too.

Getting in: To go on to the islands and the tour, you need to approach the Wandoor jetty, where tourism trips are arranged on a daily basis except on Mondays. There are close to 150 permits available every day and this may vary daily depending on the number of boats and weather conditions. There are four boat trip timings starting from 8:30 AM to 10:00AM for every half hour. The 5th and authorized trip is arranged for 10:30 AM.

Cost: The permit required to enter the park costs around Rs. 50 approximately and is given on a first-come-first-serve basis. With that said, the forest officials may increase the number of daily permits depending on the demand during the peak seasons. If you intend to take a camera with you, an additional of Rs. 25 will be charged on your permit. Apart from the entry permit, you need to pay an additional of Rs. 300 for the boat ride, which includes a ride to the Red Skin island a snorkeling dive. The boating is on a transparent, glass-bottomed boat and the price includes return fare. This is one of the best alternative spots for diving from the other tourist-flocked clichéd destinations.

Operating hours: Open 24 hours but entry depends on the availability of permits.

Any Precautions: Set up with a vision to avoid pollution and conserve marinelife, the place does not allow taking plastic bottles in the tour. You need to deposit your plastic bottles by paying aroundRs. 100 for three hours and you can definitely not carry plastic bags. Jute bags are available at the counters arranged at the forest office for you to hire. Also carry snacks on utensils or bags other than those made of plastics as you will not find anything to eat or drink or get very, very limited dining options at Wandoor.

Type: Landmark

Named after a vessel which was met with a wreck at Andaman, Viper Island is home to one of the many jails which lie throughout this entire region. A beautiful serene destination for tourists, this island can be accessed by a harbour cruise which originates from Port Blair.

Have you read any of those folk tales or watched cartoons that have islands surrounded by a volcano which is active and the entire place looks so magical? Well, Barren Islands is one such destination, where the volcano is still active. In fact, it is the one and only volcanoes to have been confirmed active in South Asia and along the chains of volcanoes that occupy the belt from Indonesia to Myanmar. True to its name, the island is barren and devoid of civilization or inhabitance. The only life forms you will identify in the islands are goats that come there to feed on the grass. Rest are just temporary visitors who just come to witness the volcano and the scenic route to reach it. Plus, it’s one of the most popular places in the world for scuba diving.

Location: On the archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Barren Island is located from Port Blair at a distance of around 130 kilometers. The island can be entered only after taking necessary permissions from the forest department. There are ships and chartered boats that take you to the island but don’t allow you to get down. You have to see the island while cruising and take back memories of seeing an active volcano.

For: Families, kids, honeymoon couples and groups of friends

Difficulty Level: Easy

Cost: There are no government ferries operating to the islands and staying is not allowed there. So you need to take private ships that can cost you approximately Rs. 1,50,000 to Rs. 2,00,000. All the facilities required are available in the ship like a boathouse you will find in Kerala.

Why you should do it: To witness one of the most surreal geographical phenomena live! If you can afford this, we promise the sight is mesmerizing and keep scintillating for long. This is the only active volcano in South Asia and it makes complete sense to witness its beauty.

Tips: As mentioned, necessary permissions from the forest department are mandatory to set out on this journey. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the place is for the chosen one of sorts. If you see it, consider yourself really lucky.

Why you should attend this

When a place is entirely made of beaches, how can one not organize events and festivals surrounding them? The beach festivals are organized to more active participation from tourists on the beaches and get them involved in activities like beach volleyball, Kabaddi, tug of war and more games. Happening throughout Andaman, the events are fun and a great chance to meet new people. It happens annually during April. 

You should attend this event to get out of beach bumming and get the best out of Andaman’s beaches. This is a great way to know that fun is not always on the other side of the beach but on the beach too.

A twenty minute ride from Port Blair gets you safely to the former capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This island was of crucial geographical importance during the British rule in India which is why it is filled with ancient relics and broken down structures of various governmental offices, churches and other significant historical ruins. Ross Island, with a perfect mixture of forest cover and old buildings, bears resemblance to a lost city- something utterly fascinating to the human eye.

Hours to visit in: 6 AM to 6 PM

Suggested time to be spent on this beach: 3 Hours

Address / Location: Radha Nagar, 12 Km from Havelock Jetty, Havelock Island 744211, India

How to reach Radhanagar Beach

You can take a Seaplane or a Makruzz (catamaran) from Port Blair. Government boats connecting Havelock and Port Blair are also available.

Things to do on Radhanagar Beach

You can swim, sunbathe and enjoy the beach activities at the Radhanagar Beach.

Best Time to Visit Radanagar Beach

One can best enjoy the weather of Radhanagar beach from October to February. The temperature at that time is between 15 degrees C to 30 degrees C.

Radhanagar Beach Highlights

Radhanagar Beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. It attracts huge tourism due to its awe striking beauty and is also titled as the 7th most beautiful beach in the world.

Radhanagar beach is a treat to watch during sunrise and sunset. One can sit on the shore for hours together admiring the beauty of the sky and the sea submerging together at some point. If you are the adventurous types then you can even do some scuba diving and other water sports available at the beach.

The sea food available at the food stalls on Radhanagar beach is simply lip smacking and to make the scene even better you can even order some lovely coconut drinks with food.

A holiday at the Radhanagar Beach is a must. Come, breathe, enjoy and get mesmerised by this beauty of Radhanagar Beach.