Brought up in Mumbai, Aseem Bhatnagar is a passionate traveler who seeks to travel and explore the length and breadth of India. He enjoys walking a lot on his travels and believes it is the most exhaustive way of exploring a place.
He is a dedicated travel writer, blogger and amateur photographer by heart and also an adventure freak. He is currently focused on writing about different places in India and several adventure activities along with religion, festival, heritage, people and cuisines of India.
In recent years Tarkarli has emerged as one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the state of Maharashtra. Located in the Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg district, Tarkarli lies on the Konkan coast 6 km south of Malvan in the southern most part of Maharashtra.
The beach town of Tarkarli
So if you are planning to visit Tarkarli and wondering which would be the most convenient way then we at Tripplatform have provided detailed information from which you can then decide the various modes of transport that are available by air, rail or road.
An aerial view of the scenic Konkan ghats
Reaching Tarkarli is not an issue as this town enjoys excellent connectivity from places like Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Goa and other major cities of Maharashtra and neighboring states.So let’s have a look at some of the options travelers can opt for to reach Tarkarli.
By Air
If you are not keen in spending long hours of travel by rail or road and would like to reach Tarkarli fast and in comfort you can opt for an air travel.
The town of Tarkarli does not have its own airport and Goa is the nearest airport to Tarkarli. The Dabolim Airport (Goa) is about 130 km from Tarkarli and it takes about 2 and half hours to reach Tarkarli by taxi or by a private car from Goa. Travelers can also opt to travel by tourist buses available from Panjim to Malvan.
In case you are an international traveler the nearest airport will be Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai.
By Rail
Tarkarli does not have its own railway station, but travelers can even then reach Tarkarli very conveniently and afford-ably by train.
There are many super-fast; mail and passenger trains available from Mumbai, Goa and Pune.The most popular ones being the Konkan Express and Mandovi Express which serve Tarkarli the best.
Tarkarli from Mumbai:
Kudal:
To reach Tarkarli travelers can book their tickets to the nearest railway station i.e. Kudal.Kudal is on the Konkan railway line and is about 45 km from Tarkarli town and it takes around 1 hour 15 minutes by road via Malvan city and from Malvan city buses and rickshaws are easily available for Tarkarli which is 6 km away. You can also reach Tarkarli directly from Kudal by hiring a taxis or rickshaws available from Kudal station (east), but do a bit of bargaining, a taxi ride will take you directly to Tarkali beach road.
Sindhudurg:
Sindhudurg railway station is one of the nearest stop and is well connected to Tarkarli, the distance is about 45 km and it takes about an hour to reach Tarkarli from Sindhudurg. But the only drawback here is that not many trains’ halt at Sindhudurg and the connectivity by means of bus and rickshaw for Tarkarli are not very good. There are many State Transport buses that ply for Tarkarli from Sindhudurg at a frequency of 30 minutes.
A view of the Konkan Railway
Kankavli:
One more railway station near Tarkarli is Kankavli Railway Station which is about 50 km from Tarkarli and is connected via Malvan city and it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. After reaching Malvan city there are many state transport buses, rickshaws that are easily available for Tarkarli.
Tarkarli from Pune:
Sawantwadi:
For travelers from Pune there a few trains which take the Konkan railway route and move towards South India from Pune and they stop at Sawantwadi Railway Station. The distance between Sawantwadi and Tarkarli is 60 km and takes less than 2 hours to reach from Sawantwadi to Tarkarli.
There are no direct buses to Tarkarli, but to Malvan city which is 6 km away and is well connected by road to all major cities, from Malvan city tourist can hire a taxi, rickshaw or board a local bus and reach Tarkarli.A local bus ride is a perfect way of exploring and understanding the beach town, the people and culture of Malvan.
Tarkarli from Mumbai:
By Bus:
Daily there are several private, luxury and state transport buses available from various parts of Mumbai to Malvan, tourist seeking to travel by private or luxury buses can contact their local tour operators for the schedules. State Transport buses are easily available from Mumbai Central, Parel, Thane and Borivali S.T. stands.
By Car:
If you love driving then just hop into your vehicle and drive down by NH-17 or NH-4 via Mumbai – Pune Expressway and reach Malvan city from there a 6 km ride will take you directly to Tarkarli.
Youngsters enjoy the scenic beauty on their way to Tarkarli by car
The other option is to hire a vehicle of your choice from the large number of private players in Mumbai and reach Tarkarli directly and comfortably.
NH-17 (Mumbai Goa Road) – approximately 500 km (Duration: 9 hours 30 min)
NH-4 via Mumbai – Pune Expressway approximately 575 km (Duration 9 hours 45 min)
Tarkarli from Pune:
By Bus:
Daily there are several private, luxury and state transport buses available from various parts of Pune to Malvan, tourist seeking to travel by private or luxury buses can contact their local tour operators for the schedules.
Using State Transport Services:
Tourist coming from Pune can opt for M.S.R.T.C (Maharashtra State Transport) bus from Pune to Malvan. The Bus timings are: 07:00 a.m. (Express Bus) & 08:00 p.m. (Semi – Luxury Bus) daily from Pune.
Tourist from Pune can also board the Kadamba Transport Corporation buses that ply on a daily basis between Pune to Goa.While using this bus service tourists can get down at Kasal and from there board buses moving to Malvan.
The Bus timings are: 06:30 p.m. (Luxury Non AC) (Pune – Madgaon) & 07:30 p.m. Volvo (AC) (Pune – Panaji).
Please note: There are plenty of buses plying between Pune and Goa via Kasal. Incase tourist do not get a direct bus from Pune they can reach Kolhapur by any MSRTC or KSRTC bus and from Kolhapur they can board any bus moving towards Konkan or Goa.
But make sure to board buses going by the route either via Radhanagari – Phonda – Kankavali – Kasal or via Gaganbawada – Talere – Kankavali – Kasal. Then from there tourist can catch a bus for Malvan from Kasal.
By Car:
The best way to drive down in your own vehicle to Tarkarli from Pune via Kolhapur, this is the best route to reach NH-17 from Kolhapur via Gaganbawda Ghat.
The other option is to hire a vehicle of your choice from the large number of private players in Pune and reach Tarkarli directly and comfortably.
via NH-4 approximately 390 km (Duration: 8 hours ).
Distance between Tarkarli and major cities.
Mumbai to Tarkarli : 500 km
Pune to Tarkarli : 400 km
Kolhapur to Tarkarli : 180 km
Panaji to Tarkarli : 107 km
Ratnagiri to Tarkarli : 173 km
Nagpur to Tarkarli : 980 km
Sangli to Tarkarli : 210 km
Bangalore to Tarkarli : 650 km
Hyderabad to Tarkarli : 700 km
Ahmedabad to Tarkarli : 1050 km
Getting Around Tarkarli
Tarkarli is still developing as a tourist attraction; hence having your own vehicle to get around Tarkarli is the best bet.
Autos are easily available for local travel in Tarkarli town
Otherwise there are local auto rickshaws to get you around, but youngsters can enjoy walking around the quaint town and enjoy the sights and sounds of this picturesque beach town.
Golden sands, blue waters and clear skies describe the peaceful town of Tarkarli the best. This small, quaint but upcoming beach town in Maharashtra is fast becoming a tourist hot spot.
The pristine beaches of Tarkarli
Tarkarli is blessed with a pleasant climate throughout the year with cool sea breeze blowing throughout the day. Hence Tarkarli receives a number of visitors from different parts of India throughout the year.
Crowds throng the beaches of Tarkarli during the peak season
The best time to visit Tarkarli is between October to March and this is the peak season when all hotels, resorts and lodges are open and water sport activities are in full swing, so tourist visiting during this period won’t be disappointed and will be able to enjoy all activities during their stay.
Best Time (Season Time): October to March. Off Season: June to September. Average Temperature: 16 to 33 degree Celsius. Relative Humidity ranges: 69 % to 98 %. Average Rainfall: 2275 mm.
Monsoon Season (June to September) – Off Season
Every year Tarkarli receives medium to heavy rainfall, this is the perfect time for nature lovers to be here and enjoy the lush greenery in and around Tarkarli and relax in the cool environment.
A tourist relaxing and admiring the greenery of the monsoon
This is the ideal time for budget travelers to visit Tarkarli as they will get the best hotel deals and will also find the beaches less crowded.
A tourist enjoys a beach side stroll at Tarkarli.
Tourist visiting during monsoons must carry umbrellas, raincoats and appropriate footwear.
Tourist enjoy a view of the sunset at a deserted beach during the monsoons in Tarkarli
The only drawback of visiting Tarkarli during monsoons is that most hotels and lodges may not be fully functional and water sport activities will be erratic or shutdown depending on the weather.
Winter Season (November to February) – Peak Season
The winter season is the ideal time to visit Tarkarli as the weather is pleasant during the day and mildly cold at night.
Youngsters having a good time enjoying snorkeling at Tarkarli beach
This is the perfect time to indulge in water sport activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, boat rides and other water sport activities which are operating in full swing.
Water sports in full swing at Tarkarli
Apart from water sports tourist can also enjoy other outdoor and beach activities.This is also the ideal time to experience the cultural spirit of Tarkarli as during this time there are several cultural programs and festivals the most popular one being the Ramnavami Utsav celebrated in the Mahapurush temple with great fanfare by locals and visiting tourist.
Summer Season (March to May)
The summer sets in by mid March and remains up to mid June. The temperature during this time is anywhere between 25 to 32 degree Celsius.
Tourist relax at a Tarkarli beach.
The day is slightly hotter and is the ideal time for beach activities, sightseeing along with exploring the quaint town and the nearby areas of Tarkali.
If your idea of a perfect holiday is to take a dip in the cool blue waters of the Arabian sea, enjoy some mouth watering fresh sea food at cheap rates, indulge in various kinds of water sport activities and spend a quiet evening watching the sun go down then head straight for Tarkarli – the jewel of Konkan Belt.
The quaint village of Tarkarli
Tarkarli is a village in Malvan taluka in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra and it is an ideal getaway for travelers from Mumbai, Pune and other neighboring cities. A visit here ensures travelers a peaceful, tranquil and secluded time away from the hustle bustle of city life.
Fishermen line their fishing boats on a secluded area of the beach
Family vacationers, small group of friends and couples can spend some exciting and memorable moments as Tarkarli has something for everyone.
Beaches :
The beaches of Malvan are unexplored gems, so if you are a lover of sea and virgin beaches then take a break from the overcrowded beaches of Goa and head straight to the beaches in Malvan the most happening place to be.
Clean and Sparkling beach of Tarkarli
The beaches at Tarkarli are one of the most picturesque in Malvan, with an 8 km of coastline the beaches have white sand, clear blue waters and suru trees at the backdrop that add to the splendor of the beach.
Holiday makers have the entire beach to themselves
The waters here are so clear that the seabed can be seen up to a depth of 15 feet on a bright sunny day and it is truly an enchanting experience to stroll on the beach with nature’s music and cool breeze all around.
Water sports :
If you are a water sport enthusiast you need not go all the way to Andaman Islands, Lakshadweep Islands or Goa to enjoy it. Today Tarkarli has developed a good infrastructure for water sports and is the only place in Maharashtra where you can enjoy multiple water sport activities including underwater adventure activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.
Scuba diving in Tarkarli
The best part is that all these water sport activities including underwater activities (scuba diving) can be enjoyed at affordable rates and those keen on becoming professionals can enroll for special certified courses at the training centers at Malvan.
Tourist enjoying a Banana Ride
Water Sport Activities: Para sailing, Banana rides, Boat rides, Jet Ski, Kayaking, Bumper ride, Scuba diving, Snorkeling etc.
Forts :
A must visit for history buffs, as Tarkarli has a special mention in history because of its connection to the legendary Maratha warrior Shivaji Maharaj.
A view of the Sindhudurg Sea fort
Here tourist can visit the famous 17th century Sindhudurg Fort a prominent naval fort built by Shivaji Maharaj along with other forts – Padmagad, Rajkot and Sarjekot fort.
Beach Games and Activities :
The beaches of Tarkarli are clean and pleasant and have all the required ingredients to meet the expectations of beach lovers. For couples it is an ideal place to enjoy a romantic holiday as the beaches here are less crowded and peaceful.
A game of beach volley ball in Tarkarli
If reading and sunbathing on a beach is your idea of an ideal holiday, then bring in a mat, a hat and a mini umbrella and enjoy lazing around the whole day. The blend of seas and sands will work wonders and will make you feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
Enjoying a game of beach football
Children can indulge in a host of activities like sand sculpturing, collecting pebbles and shells or enjoy horse or camel ride. Youngsters like enjoy beach games like Cricket, Beach Volleyball, French Cricket and Frisbee games.
Spotting dolphins and marine life :
Dolphins have always been a thrill to watch, and Tarkarli is a wonderful place to catch a glimpse of schools of dolphins and other sea animals in their natural habitat.
Dolphin Spotting at the Tarkarli sea
Furthermore Tarkarli is also a protected area for turtle nesting and if tourists are lucky they can get a glimpse of this rare event. Underwater adventure enthusiast can explore rich coral reefs, a vast diversity of marine life and abundant colorful fishes during their underwater trips.
Visit to the temples :
Combine your sightseeing in Tarkali with a dash of religion and pay a visit to the numerous temples in and around Tarkarli and learn more about their rich history and their beautiful architecture.
Shivrajeshwar Temple a popular temple in Tarkarli
The temples of Tarkarli are beautiful and well maintained by the locals and their attractiveness and deep spiritual power makes them popular with visiting tourist.
Relish authentic Malvani Cuisine :
After enjoying a wonderful day in the white sands and the blue waters of Tarkarli, tourist can unwind and indulge in some mouthwatering, spicy Malvani Cuisines.
Malvani cuisine is the standard cuisine of the entire Konkan region and it includes both vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes. The restaurants in Tarkarli serve some of the best vegetarian specials in Malvani cuisine followed by delicious sea foods.
However, Tarkarli is a paradise for non vegetarians as the region has abundant seafood and Malvani cuisines are dominated with many varieties of fish and other non vegetarian dishes.
Backwaters of Tarkarli :
Now you need not travel all the way to Kerala to experience a houseboat cruise in the backwaters. The backwater of the Karli River between Tarkarli and Kudal is a hotspot for backwater cruise in Maharashtra and has become a star attraction with visiting tourist who can enjoy an overnight stay in a luxury houseboat.
House boat cruise at the backwaters of Karli waters
Situated on the confluence of the Arabian Sea and the Karli River, the scenic beauty of the backwaters at Tarkarli is beyond imagination, the river banks surrounding the river are covered with verdant forests and can be compared to a ride across the Amazon forest.
Shop for Malvani Items :
It is impossible to think of a holiday without the thrill of shopping in Malvan, visiting tourist can buy fresh cashew nuts from factory outlets at reasonable prices and take back home some yummy local items like Aam papad, Amba wadi, Kokum, Karvanda, Kaju chocolates and authentic Malvani spices for their friends and family.
Try a Home stay and enjoy the local flavors :
Whether you are seeking a relaxing or an adventurous holiday, home stays in Tarkarli offer a great alternative to the usual beach hotels and resorts.
Most locals in Tarkarli have opened their homes to tourists and they offer decent service and food, visiting tourist can lookout for home stays that are closest to the beach and yes do try their homemade food, you will surely love it. Renting a bike culture has also seeped into Tarkarli and most home stay owner will be more than happy to help you rent one.
Meet the friendly people of Tarkarli :
Be it any season, the locals of Tarkarli always look forward to welcome tourist and they are famous for their warmth and hospitality.
The people of Tarkarli always meet visiting tourist with a smile and are always willing to help, they live life to the fullest and if lucky you might end up making some good friends during your trip.
Scuba diving is an exciting recreational sport, which can be undertaken by anyone who is in good physical and mental health and above all you do not need to be an expert swimmer to take a plunge into the deep blue waters. Irrespective of whether you can swim or not as long as you are 8 years old, and above you can try your hand at Scuba diving and get addicted to it for life.
Even today scientist believe that we have only explored about 5 % of the world oceans making it by far the most undiscovered part of our planet. There are 3 main centers for scuba diving in India, the Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands in the Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea and Goa in mainland India and every destination is completely unique in its own way and they all have a widely different diving conditions and marine life.
The seas around the Andaman Islands are some of the worlds most unspoiled and unexplored and the only way to get close to these underwater treasures is to venture into the deep waters and take up a scuba diving trip. The coastal waters surrounding these Islands is the abode of one of the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world and till date the coral reefs and underwater formations are undamaged by human activity and the marine life here is abundant with an estimated 750 species of fishes.
Preparing for Scuba Diving
Unlike snorkeling, Scuba diving requires some preparation before you venture into the sea, the basic operational skills with diving equipment is necessary to begin with. On the first day of the training you will be taught how to breathe with your scuba diving equipment, how to connect it, understanding changing of depths, adjusting with swimming with the entire equipment and some brief lessons in the water and basic diving with the instructor.
The rest days you will spend in water with the instructor exploring the seabed and marine life. One basic advice to all divers is to be completely relaxed and do not take stress and maintain normal breathing even when you are underwater. Once done with the basic training you can then hire a professional diver’s service to help you discover the natural beauty underwater to your satisfaction.
Scuba Diving Gear
The word SCUBA is the short form of SELF CONTAINED UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS which is the primary equipment used in Scuba Diving. The Scuba diving equipment consists of an air tank, a suit (wet or dry), mask, fins, snorkel, breathing apparatus, belt, dive watch and a slew of optional accessories.
What each diver wears (wet or dry suit) completely depends on the temperature of the water, the length of the dive. Dive watches can be used as it indicates the time when you should swim back to the surface, the length of the dive and the depth you are at. All the above equipment is available on rent and beginners should stick to renting. Advance or professional divers can carry their own gear with an exception of an air tank which is available at every diving center of Andaman Islands.
A word of caution: The state and the quality of the scuba diving equipment are extremely important. Your equipment should be tested often for your own safety as in the past serious injuries and deaths have occurred across the world simply because of faulty equipment’s.
The Cinque Islands is one of the best diving sites in the Andaman Islands because of its crystal clear waters which offer a good view of the sea bed up to 80 feet. An ideal place for experienced divers as a dive here will give them amazing views of a variety of black corals, marine life and if lucky there can be rare sightings of sharks.
North Point
The North Point dive site is located at the Cinque Islands and is a popular dive site for viewing natural sponges, small to midsized corals and a diverse variety of fishes and other marine life.
South East Reef
The Southeast Reef also a part of the Cinque Island is home to a very large variety of hard and soft corals, this diving site is ideal for beginners to get acquainted with underwater marine life.
Fish Rock
As the name suggests, Fish Rock offers a wonderful dive spot to view a wide variety of fishes in their natural habitat. Here divers will get views of some rare marine life like Eagle Rays, Potato Cod, Turtles, Bat fish, Bump heads, Parrot fish, Squirrel fish, Oriental Sweet lips, Surgeon fish, Yellow Tangs, Trigger fish, Tuna, Rainbow Runner and many more species of rare fishes. Apart from smaller variety of fishes divers will also get rare views of Reef Sharks and Nurse Sharks in the near vicinity. Also Coral lovers will get amazing views of a variety of corals and natural sponges making it a memorable dive which they will remember for a lifetime.
Bala Reef
The Bala Reef is located on the western side of Little Andaman and spreads over an area of 5 km; this site is popular with divers for its variety of colorful corals.
Snake Island
The Snake Island is off Corbyn’s Cove Beach and the diving site here is popular for its incredible rock faces and impressive dive capes along with a variety of colorful marine life which includes rare fishes.
Corruption Rock
Corruption Rock lies between Chidia Tapu and Rutland Island and the dive site is located on the western side of the rock and consists of huge underwater boulders. This site does not have much of coral life but is extremely popular for its undersea landscape of boulders. The entire underwater stretch is like a fantasy world full of ridges, gullies, channels and underwater canyons. Divers will also get glimpses of a rare variety of fishes that are seen here like Reef Sharks, Dolphins, Tuna, Banner fish, Unicorn fish, Eagle Rays, Giant Snappers and Schooling Fusiliers.
Rutland Island
The shallow waters of the Rutland Island is an ideal spot for beginners and for initial scuba diving training as here divers will discover a large variety of small fishes and corals and there is also a shipwreck near this site.
Havelock Island
Located at about 50 km away from Port Blair, Havelock Island is a paradise for Scuba divers as there are many unexplored diving sites that are rich in coral reefs and other marine life.
Is considered a good diving site as the visibility here is one of the best. The site is popular for hard corals and their inhabitants and even Dugongs have been sighted here.
Aquarium
Is an ideal place to view a large variety of fishes and hard corals, the clear water here offers good visibility to add to the thrill of diving.
Barracuda City
This dive site offers divers with an excellent blend of hard and soft corals, a wide variety of fishes and if lucky glimpses of turtles. This is an ideal dive site for beginners and novices in diving.
Turtle Bay
True to its name Turtle Bay is an excellent place for turtle spotting along with other marine life. Known to be a pleasant diving site, the depth here does not exceed more than 45 feet giving clear views of the sea bed.
Seduction Point
Seduction point is a rocky area with a rich marine life and being a shallow area it offers divers excellent views of Napolean fishes and staghorn corals.
Lighthouse
This is one of the best diving sites at Havelock Islands as it provides a good and equal opportunity for all kinds of divers to explore the sea. Popular for having night diving facilities too, this site is home to a huge variety of soft and hard corals and other marine life.
The Wall
The Wall is a unique diving spot as it consists of a mammoth sized submerged rock which descends up to 180 feet and is full of marine life. It consists of a dense forest cover full of soft corals and many species of fishes encircling the entire structure making your dive a memorable one.
Pilot Reef
The Pilot Reef dive site is an exciting site as it consists of a vast area of unspoiled and untouched hard corals. At about 80 feet at the bottom of the sea bed there are canyons that are stretched out where leopard and white tip sharks can be easily spotted.
Minerva Reef
The Minerva Ledge has a much larger stretch of hard corals, a large variety of fishes and generally this diving site has a clear visibility making it an ideal site for viewing sharks at a close range hence making it one of the best dive sites near Havelock Islands.
Campbell Shoal off North Button Island
Campbell Shoal is another preferred diving site for all kinds of divers as here the sea bed is largely covered with a colorful variety of hard corals and in addition to a wide variety of marine life like Large Cod, Grouper fish, Coral Trout, Blue and Golden – banded fusiliers, Giant Trevally, White tip Reef Sharks and a host of rare colorful reef fishes.
The marine national park comprises of 15 islands out of which only 2 are open to tourist alternately i.e. Jolly Buoy and Redskin Islands. This dive site is a gold mine for all divers as here they can get a glimpse of many colorful varieties of coral reef fishes like butterfly fish, clown fish, parrot fish, angel fish, surgeon fish, bat fish and groupers. If lucky divers may get a glimpse of White Tip Shark, Hammer headed Shark, Manta Ray and Blue fin jack. There are also more than 50 different varieties of soft and hard corals spread across the underwater marine park.
Barren Island (Active Volcano)
The Barren Islands is located at about 150 km from Port Blair and is a unique diving site and is recommended for professional divers and adventure seekers. The seabed around the Island is full of unexplored corals, variety of fishes and many unique and rare underwater treasures which only a fortunate few can witness.
Narcondam Island (Extinct Volcano)
The Narcondam Island is located at about 250 km north from Port Blair and is popular for its Extinct Volcano, this diving site is ideal for professional divers as they can explore the sea bed and rich marine life that is till date untapped and unexplored.
Invisible Bank
Located 160 km southeast of Port Blair is a secluded diving spot (an extensive seamount) in the middle of the sea and this diving spot is recommended only for professional divers to explore the untapped and unexplored marine life underwater.
Advice to Scuba Divers visiting Andaman Islands
The best season for scuba diving in the Andaman Islands is between December to April.
Divers should dive only in those diving areas that have been permitted by the local administration.
Make sure you hire the services of a professional certified diving operator for scuba diving, as they will provide you with the required equipment, infrastructure and the best certified diving professionals to assist you during your dive.
While exploring the sea bed do not walk or stand on the coral reefs.
Do not touch, break or even collect live or dead corals.
Take all valid permits and permissions before entering the National parks or any secluded diving spot.
The Decompression chamber facility is available at Clearance Diving Unit, Navy, Port Blair, and Contact Number: 232871. Another decompression chamber has almost been setup at G.B. Pant Hospital (Government) – Port Blair.
Safety Guidelines for Sea – Enthusiast.
The beaches of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are beautiful and inviting, its crystal clear waters and coral reefs make it irresistible for many sea enthusiast to resist. But visiting tourist must know that only a few of these beaches are under supervision for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling etc.
Though safe, the waters of Andaman have some dangerous marine animals and that they may attack thinking of prey or defending its territory, but this kind of incidence are very rare and if tourists follow the safety precautions mentioned they can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of Andaman Islands without any worry.
Do’s:
Take advice and guidance from the local administrators (Tourist Information Centers/ Tour Operators/ Forest Department Staff) about safe swimming areas/diving areas and avoid swimming in protected areas/un-patrolled areas in order to avoid dangerous animals.
Look around for safety signs or signboards to help you know about potential dangers.
Take advice from lifeguards to know more about the swimming conditions like currents, tides, visibility and presence of dangerous marine animals especially if you are entering into the water in an un-patrolled area.
Always swim in company with someone for safety reasons and children should always swim under supervision of adults.
In case you need help raise your hand up and stay calm and wave your arm for help.
Don’t s:
Do not hang or swing loosely your arms and legs in the water while taking a boat ride.
Do not venture into the sea in the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Avoid wearing any kind of shiny jewelry or accessory while swimming, as they could attract predatory fishes.
Do not swim if you have an open wound as many predatory fishes are attracted to blood odour.
Do not swim or dive in the dark.
Do not swim along with school of fishes as this may attract predatory fishes.
Potentially dangerous marine life in the sea to look out for
Salt water crocodiles:
Avoid swimming or undertaking any water sport activity near creeks, mangroves, still waters or mouth of creeks as these are the potential places where salt water crocodiles are found. Occasionally these crocodiles also move deep into the sea so take advice from the life guards before venturing into the sea at these potentially dangerous places and alert the authorities if you see one to avoid any accident.
Sea Snakes:
Sea Snakes can be recognized by their paddle like tail and these species are known to be highly poisonous. So stay away from them and do not try to play or handle them as a bite can be lethal.
Stone Fish:
Stone fish is generally found in shallow corals or rocks and are camouflaged in mud and sand. This fish has a highly venomous dorsal spine and its sting could be lethal. So divers must avoid walking on the coral reef areas, do not lift any rock or coral to admire it and wear a sturdy sandal while walking in shallow coastal waters as most attacks take place while stepping on Stone fishes rather than holding them.
Sharks:
Sharks are normally found in the open sea or in certain coral reef areas of the Andaman Islands. Divers must avoid diving alone and must not enter the water if they have any open wounds as the odour of blood will attract the sharks.
Jelly Fishes:
They may look very attractive and you might want to play with or handle them, but avoid any contact with them as a sting of a jelly fish may cause pain, giddiness or cause skin allergy. If you see a large school of jelly fishes move away from them or get ashore, and in case you happen to accidentally come in contact with them apply some vinegar or ice pack, but do not rub.
There are basically two types of inhabitants in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, viz. the Indian community and the aboriginals (native tribal’s)The aboriginals, the original inhabitants ruled these islands for centuries and they developed no particular cuisine, even today they rely on old traditional hunting methods for food and live a secluded existence away from the modern world.
A typical North Indian Thali
However, the Indian population settled here is from main land India and they migrated to the Andaman Islands from places like Punjab, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu etc. As they moved into the islands they brought with them their rich culture and cuisines, hence today the island has become a melting pot of several cultures and different cuisines from all over the world.
A typical South Indian fare which is loved by all
There are no special cuisines of Andaman and Nicobar; here tourist will find many restaurants offering authentic cuisines of North India, South India, Chinese, Mexican, Israeli and Continental food items. However, Andaman Islands has been popular for its fresh seafood’s like crabs, prawns, lobsters and a variety of fishes that are easily available in every restaurant of the Andaman Islands.
Best Vegetarian Restaurants
Travelers visiting Andaman and who are strictly vegetarian must be aware of the kind of options they can explore beforehand so that they do not end up spoiling their trip due to their culinary habits.
A typical Vegetarian Thali that is available in most Vegetarian restaurants across Andaman
Even though sea foods dominate the cuisines of Andaman, there are a few exclusive vegetarian restaurants in the Andaman Islands that focus only on vegetarian customers and serve only pure vegetarian food that is high on quality and taste.
Icy Spicy
If you are a lover of North Indian food and want to take a break from the regular fare then visit ‘Icy Spicy’. The menu here includes an array of Indian, Italian and Chinese cuisines.
Icy Spicy Restaurant
The food is of very good quality and is reasonable priced and is even patronized by members of the Jain community who rely on Icy – Spicy for the best lunch and dinner. The restaurant also has its own sweet mart on the first floor and serves a variety of Indian sweets which can be ordered and enjoyed with your meal. The interiors are aesthetically done and overall the ambiance is very calm and pleasant.
Address : Island Arcade, Jungli ghat, Port Blair – 744103. Timing : 08:00 a.m. to 10: 30 p.m. Phone : 03192 232704.
Annapurna
Annapurna is one of the most popular restaurants that serve pure vegetarian food and Jain specialties. Well known for its array of South Indian dishes tourist also visit the restaurant to enjoy the taste of its popular vegetarian Chinese dishes and rich north Indian style curries. The prices here are slightly on the higher side but you will surely not mind as the food here is of a high quality and uber in taste.
Address : MG Road, Port Blair – 744101. Timing : 06:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Phone : 03192 233139.
Kattabomman
Tourist who would love to indulge in the true flavors of South Indian can visit the Kattabomman restaurant and the savor authentic flavors of South India. The menu offers a whole lot of South Indian delicacies like Idlis, variety of Dosas, fast food items and many other dishes. The cuisines available here are easy on the pocket and irrespective of time it is full of customers which says a lot about the food being served here.
Address : Near Clock Tower, Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair – 744101. Timing : 08:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Paradise Cafe
Paradise Café is a popular vegetarian restaurant serving South Indian, Gujarati, Rajasthani and Maharashtrian cuisines. Serving regional cuisines makes domestic tourist feel at home and at the same time the food here is reasonably priced along with good service. Tourist from the Jain community can also find some Jain specialties to indulge in; overall the ambiance of the restaurant is good and is ideal for families with kids and elderly.
Address : Behind Axis Bank, MG Road, Middle Point, Port Blair, South Andaman Islands – 744101. Timing : 08:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Phone : + 91 9679504934/ + 91 3192 240243.
Royal Palace
Hotel Royal Palace has an in-house multi-cuisine restaurant that serves authentic Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines. This is one of the good restaurants in Havelock Islands for enjoying good Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian dishes and is highly recommended for its reasonable prices and quality of service which won’t leave you disappointed. There is a coffee shop adjoining the restaurant.
Address : Near ANIIDCO Petrol Pump, Goal Ghar, Port Blair, South Andaman Islands – 744101. Timing : 08:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Phone : + 91 8001777000
Fat Martin Cafe at Havelock Island
Fat Martin Cafe
Is simply the best café in Havelock Islands, the café offers a variety of multi–cuisines to choose from and tourist can enjoy the food in the relaxed and comfortable ambiance of the café. The place is popular with vegetarians for its breakfast and lunch fares. Apart from the normal cuisines the café is popular for its Dosas, banana & coconut pancakes. Try out the desert “hello to the Queen” which is outstanding.
Address : Towards Kala Pathar Road, Havelock Island. Timing : 07:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Best Non Vegetarian Restaurants
If you love coastal cuisines and seafood’s then a trip to the Andaman Islands will surely be a memorable one. Here you will be spoilt of choices as non vegetarian food is available in almost every small restaurant to high end hotels, and every dish served will surely please your taste buds.
Seafood on a platter
Keeping in mind the influx of tourist from all over the world, non vegetarian restaurants serve the best traditional seafood along with other non vegetarian cuisines belonging to other countries.
Lighthouse Residency
Lighthouse Residency is arguably one of the best non-vegetarian restaurants in the Andaman Islands. Always packed to capacity the place may look a bit old but given the reputation of its master chef whose magic surely works wonders will surely surprise your taste buds with every dish.
Fresh Lobster dishes are available at reasonable rates at restaurants across Andaman.
Once here tourist can select from the beautiful display some live crabs, tiger prawns, red snapper, lobsters and other fishes of their choice and get it barbecued, cooked or grilled as per to their wish while enjoying a glass of cold beer. Besides seafood there are several varieties of dishes available which include Thai, Indian and Chinese dishes. A meal here will always be a memorable one for every visiting tourist.
If you are a fan of authentic Bengali cuisine then straight away head to Adi Bengali Hotel. Fish curry fans need not go anywhere else as this eatery has a variety of fish curry dishes which includes fishes like Rohu, Pabda and Parshe Bata etc.
Fish Curry at Adi Bengali
Besides fish curry visitors can also try out Bengali style mutton curry and sweet Pulao. The eatery also serves some mouth watering Bengali vegetarian dishes the most popular being the Bengali Thali which consists on Rice, Bengali Dal, Potato fry and other vegetables. A Bengali fare is never complete without a sweet dish, do try some Misti Doi(sweet curd), Payesh and other sweet dishes prepared fresh at the restaurant.
Address : M.A. Road, Port Blair – 744101. Timing : 08:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
New Light House Restaurant
This restaurant is one of the most recommended restaurants by locals and auto rickshaw drivers, as seafood is their specialty. This is an open air restaurant where tourist will get some of the best seafood and very reasonable prices.
A Chilly Crab dish
Live crabs, prawns, fishes and lobsters are kept for your pick and it can be cooked as per to your choice, a must visit for all seafood lovers who will not forget the experience of gorging on some piping hot sea food at very reasonable rates while sitting in an open air place.
Address : City Center, Port Blair, South Andaman. Timing : 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Excel Restaurants
Located above Hotel Lalaji Bay, Excel rooftop restaurant offers a perfect view of the sea and coastline of Port Blair, the lovely breeze blowing provides a perfect ambiance for tourist to enjoy hot piping food like grilled fish and cold beer making it a perfect setting for a wonderful lunch or dinner with your spouse.
The Excel Restaurant at Port Blair
The hotel provides a wide variety to choose from i.e. Italian, Chinese, Israeli and Indian cuisines. The restaurant also has Wi-Fi facilities to keep you connected with your family and friends back home, the restaurant is an ideal place for backpackers from all over the world to meet and share their travel experience while enjoying a wonderful meal.
Address : Hotel Lalaji Bay View, RP Road, Port Blair. Timing : 07:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Full moon Cafe
If you are a married couple and are eagerly looking for a change from the regular restaurants, then try spending a romantic evening with a candle light dinner on a beach restaurant.
The Full moon cafe at Havelock Islands
Full Moon Café provides one of the best ambiance at Havelock island for visiting tourist, be it a couple, group of friends or family they all can enjoy some of the best multi cuisines and seafood’s that are served here along with a few drinks to complement the food.
Address : Govindnagar No.3, Havelock Island – 744211 Timing : 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Phone : +91 9933254220.
Charcoal Grill and Restaurant
The Charcoal grill and restaurant is rated as one of the best restaurants for providing quality food and ambiance in the Havelock Island.
This restaurant serves all types of cuisines vegetarian and non- vegetarian, ranging from Seafood’s, North Indian, Chinese, and Mexican etc. But one must try the pizzas and pastas of this restaurant; wood char-coaled pizza is the specialty of this place.
Tourist from all over the world visit the Andaman Islands every year and in order to satisfy the varied tastes and appetite of all coming from different corners of the globe there are several buffet restaurants in the Andaman Islands that offer multi-cuisines in both vegetarian and non vegetarian from different countries.
Mandalay Restaurant
Mandalay Restaurant is located in the Fortune Resort Bay hotel of Port Blair. This restaurant is popular for its buffet system and attracts Indian and Foreign tourist everyday in large numbers.
The Mandalay Restaurant, Port Blair.
It has a vegetarian and non vegetarian section and serves a wide variety of cuisines i.e. Indian Chinese, European, Mexican Continental etc. Though the food here is slightly expensive but it is really worth it as visitors get to choose from a large variety of food items and the service also is very good which makes your visit memorable.
Address : Marine Hill, Port Blair, South Andaman Island. Phone : 03192 234101 Timing : 07:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Bay Island Restaurant
If you are in mood for a grand buffet, then visit the Bay Island restaurant, a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves mouth watering cuisines for lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers a wonderful sea view and visitors can enjoy the ambiance while enjoying their meal. Though the cost of the buffet is slightly expensive here but visitors would not mind as the food is of high quality and taste and the ambiance offered by the restaurant is what attracts tourist to the hotel.
Address : Port Blair, South Andaman Island.
Waves
Waves Restaurant is located on Corbyn Cove beach and can be visited during your visit to this beach. The restaurant is popular for its Italian, Thai and variety of sea foods and has a wonderful ambiance which adds to the dining experience. Since it is located right at the beach tourist can visit the restaurant after a swim and spend a lazy afternoon with fresh sea food and cold beer.
Address : Corbyn’s Cove, Port Blair, South Andaman Island.
Corbyn’s Delight
Corbyn’s Delight restaurant is part of a beach hotel ‘The Peerless Sarovar Portico’ and is popular in Port Blair for its buffet dinner serving a wide variety of Indian cuisines both vegetarian and non vegetarian.
Tourist enjoying their meal
The ambiance of the restaurant is very pleasing with a beautiful view of well manicured lawns and gardens and overall with well designed interiors making it a wonderful dining experience. The restaurant offers a wide variety of delicacies and visitors can eat to their heart’s content, an ideal place for budget travelers.
Are you craving for Punjabi or Tandoori Cuisines?? Well then head straight to Ha 0 Restaurant which is part of the Sun Sea Resort and offers one of the best a buffet breakfast and dinner.
Ha 0 Restaurant, Port Blair
The restaurant is famous for mouth watering North Indian and Chinese dishes and is one of the up market eateries well known for its Tandoori grills. Patrons who enjoy their drink can also visit the ‘Purple Bar’ in the vicinity which is separate from the Restaurant.
Address : Sun Sea Resort, Port Blair, South Andaman Island.
Holiday makers coming to Andaman Islands can indulge in an extensive array of adventure sport activities that this place has to offer. In fact they will be spoilt for choices when it comes to having a pick from amongst the list of water sports in the Andaman Islands.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the most popular adventure activities in the lagoons of the Andaman Islands and to enjoy this adventure activity one does not have to be a trained swimmer, snorkeling can be enjoyed by both a novice as well as professionals.
A trainer gives basic lessons on snorkeling
However it is advisable to take some basic training from a trained professional before venturing out into the sea. A typical snorkeling kit includes a snorkel, a wet suit in case the temperature of the water is low, a diving mask along with a pair of swim fins.
A Snorkeler gets a feel of a Star Fish
Snorkeling is ideally done in shallow water’s but professionals can probably go up to 20 or 30 feet and can stay underwater as long as they can hold their breath. While doing this activity you can enjoy amazing views of the underwater marine life and explore the rarest varieties of multicolored corals. Get a feel of a Starfish or just simply watch sea cucumbers or a school of fishes that go past you as you explore the wonderland.
Swimming with turtles
Apart from the regular marine life there is a possibility that you may come across rare marine life like Stingray’s, sea turtles, shrimps and seaweeds while enjoying this recreational activity. Lovers of snorkeling from all across India and abroad can come here and experience the richness of the sea life in the Andaman Islands.
Exploring the rich corals at the sea beds of Andaman
Today, this recreational activity is slowly gaining popularity and can be enjoyed at numerous venues in the Andaman Islands.
Best places for Snorkeling: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Jolly Buoy Island, Red skin Island), Havelock Islands (Beaches), Cinque Islands (Beaches), Corbyn’s Cove Beach (Port Blair) and Andaman Water Sports Complex (Port Blair).
Best time during the year: November to April.
Scuba Diving
The deep waters of the Andaman Islands are brimming with rich underwater treasures and the best way to explore them is by indulging in scuba diving.
While taking part in a scuba diving activity you will have to carry a cylinder of compressed air on your back attached to a breathing kit and you can remain underwater as long as the air lasts in your cylinder, scuba diving activity can be done on shallow as well as in deep water.
The major thrill of Scuba diving in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the rich coral life that dominate the underwater territory and have not been exposed to any sort of damage or catastrophe of excessive tourism as a result water sport enthusiast from all over the world come here to explore the rich coral reefs, colorful fishes and mysterious remains of sunken ships of the British colonial era.
A non swimmer takes a guided tour of the sea.
The Scuba Diving centers at the Andaman Islands have all the necessary equipment’s and facilities for tourist who would like to experience Scuba Diving. Furthermore there are many skilled trainers who will take tourist on a guided tour into the deep waters in case they do not know swimming or are not confident in venturing into the deep sea themselves.
Best places for Scuba Diving : Havelock Island, Cinque Island, Neil Island, North Bay Island, Little Andaman Island, Chidiya Tapu, Corbyn’s Cove Beach and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Jolly Buoy Islands, Redskin Islands).
Best time during the year : November to April.
Trekking and Island Camping
The Andaman Islands offers a splendid forest cover with beautiful hills that are perfect for activities like trekking and camping for both beginners and experienced trekkers. The Andaman Islands are full of evergreen forests, massive trees, colorful chirping birds and a trek here is so fascinating that it takes you back into time.
There are several trekking routes trekkers can choose from i.e. Mount Harriet to Madhuban, Bambooflat to Mount Harriet and Durgapur to Saddle Peak and enjoy the rare forest life, flora and fauna within the deep forest of Andaman Islands.
There are many trekking expeditions in the Andaman Islands to choose from i.e. from a day long trip to multiple days and nights of expeditions which can be blended with Island camping, backpacking or hiking which further enhances the charm and charisma of the trip.
Trekking equipment’s are easily available on hire at moderate rates between the months of October to May. While hiring trekking equipment make sure it not to heavy as it might cause terrible fatigue or injuries while carrying or handling it. The main trekking equipment’s comprises of food, water, tents, stoves, hydration bags and many more handy and crucial items.
Best Trekking Trails
Mount Harriet to Madhuban.
Chidia Tapu to Kala Pahad.
Havelock to Elephant Beach.
Baratang to Limestone Caves.
Diglipur to Alfred Caves.
Diglipur to Saddle Peak.
Trek to through the rain forest to reach White Surf and Whisper Wave waterfalls in the Little Andaman Islands.
Best time during the year : November to April, while the peak period is from December to January.
Surfing
The Andaman Islands burst into the surfing scenes internationally when Jack Jackson and Chris Malloy video opus ‘Thicker Than Water’, featured the first known surfing trip in the Andaman region.
A surfer tears into a wave
Being a tropical Island in the Bay of Bengal the waves here are both high performance and barreling hence making the region suitable for surfing for both intermediate to advanced surfers.
Hutbay in little Andaman Islands is one of the best surfing destinations in India as it hosts the longest beach of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago i.e. a 22 km stretch from Netaji Nagar at one end till Butler Bay beach at the other. The coastline is blessed with some best waves on the planet and they remain unridden except by a few blessed surfers who come here, year after year to enjoy surfing in the crystal clear waters of the most remote surfing place in the world.
With the growing popularity the Havelock Islands have also introduced surfing and is usually practiced in 3 beaches i.e. Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and Kalapathar Beach.
A surfer receives basic training on surfing
Tourist keen on surfing in the Andaman Islands can start their training with experts on safety and beach awareness then move through to paddling skills and eventually learn to stand up and ride a wave and soon they will be able to ride across a wave and tear it up like a pro.Experienced surfers can directly visit the best surfing spots after considering the swell and wind conditions and enjoy the surfing on the best waves the Islands has to offer. Tourist can hire surfing boards which are easily available at the venues on a per day basis.
Best Place for Surfing : Little Andaman Islands and Havelock Islands.
Best time during the year : February to May is the best time to surf in the Little Andaman Islands.
Game Fishing
If Game Fishing is your scene, then a visit to the Andaman Islands is a must as it offers one of the last virgin underwater environments to all game and sport fishing enthusiast.
Tourist enjoy game fishing.
Situated in the Bay of Bengal these tropical Islands are full of rain-forests, mangroves and deep drop offs in the Andaman basin making it an ideal location for any form of fishing and angling. Even today this destination is off the grid and has barely been touched by large scale commercial fishing or by mass tourism.
Tourist can enjoy one of the most addicting of sporting past times in the Andaman Islands by chartering a boat and exploring the untouched waters for a true big game and be prepared for a fishing adventure that will certainly put them and their fishing gear to the ultimate test.
A couple show off their prized catch
Tourist can take up game fishing with the help of local organizers whose boats are equipped with all equipment for trolling, popping and jigging and the trips range from half day, full day to multiple days depending on the traveler’s interest.
Sea walking in the Andaman Islands is one of the latest attractions and is fast gaining popularity with adventure enthusiast. Visiting tourist must experience this waterborne activity as it is the first ever and the only sea walk station in India.
Sea walking can be enjoyed by non swimmers too, as the participants take a walk on the sea bed which is about 20 to 25 feet deep and are able to get a close view of the magnificent marine life which includes untouched flora and fauna, corals and a wide variety of fishes all in their natural habitat. Every participant wears a special helmet which allows them to breathe normally.
The underwater trip lasts for about 30 minutes and is completely secured with the help of certified guides who will accompany you during your underwater trip and ensure maximum protection.
After the completion of your underwater expedition the organizer will give you a CD which contains photographs and videos of your visit to the sea bed, the moments of which you will surely cherish for the rest of your life.
Best Places for Sea Walk : North Bay Island and Elephant Beach (Havelock Island).
Operational period : September to June.
Age Limit : 7 to 70 years, as long as the participant is physically fit.
Must Avoid : Travelers with medical conditions like Asthma, Heart patient or pregnancy.
Best time during the year: November to April.
Glass Bottom Boat Ride
Tourists who are unable to take up snorkeling or scuba diving can still explore the underwater marine life by taking a Glass Bottom Boat Ride.
This is a special kind of boat which has a unique transparent material (a magnifying glass) at the base of the boat which allows tourist to experience many fascinating aspects of the marine life without even getting wet.
There is no dearth of underwater coral gardens in the Andaman Islands and Glass Bottom boat rides are available at a number of spots which are famous for their coral reefs.
Best places for Glass Bottom boat rides: Jolly Buoy Island, Redskin Island, North Bay Island, Havelock Island and Cinque Island.
Best time during the year: November to April.
Other Water Sports
Jet Ski Ride
If you are looking for a cool and refreshing way to enjoy your vacation in the Andaman Islands then just hop on a jet ski and zoom around on the calm waters of the Andaman Islands. A Jet Ski ride is safe and is handled by a certified rider and utmost care is taken regarding the safety of the tourists by the way of providing life jackets.
Tourist can enjoy this unique experience as they make their way around the Island and may even spot a dolphin or a sea turtle. Do carry your waterproof camera as you will get ample opportunities to get some great photos of some of the Andaman’s most popular sites.
Banana Ride
A Banana boat ride is a very joyful activity and is enjoyed by children and adults especially if they are part of a big group. An inflatable boat similar to the shape of a Banana is used and it is connected to a speed boat which drives through the sea. During the ride the driver of the speed boat attempts to flip the banana boat upside down by taking sharp turns, each Banana boat can accommodate around 4 to 6 people and all participants are given a life jacket for safety reasons.
The funniest part about this ride is the speed boat throws off the passengers from the Banana boat as soon as the speed boat sprints across the sea. After being thrown into the water, the passengers pull themselves back into the banana boat and start afresh. This is a repetitive process of getting flung into the sea and then hauling yourself back to the banana boat. Nevertheless, a fun filled activity which cannot be ignored at any cost.
A speed boat ride is one of the most thrilling activities tourists can enjoy in the Andaman’s. Tourist can go for long rides into the sea or just a take a short spin around the bay. There are several speed boats available in the Andaman Islands which cruise at more than 50 mph tearing through the waves of the sea. They can accommodate 6 to 8 people at a time and hence are great to enjoy with family and friends.
Do not miss your chance of getting that nerve chilling experience, fast and furious racing against the water, Speed Boats give a sense of excitement that will last for long. So, hold on to your hats and get ready for an unforgettable journey into the sea.
Water Skiing
Water Skiing is fairly a new in the adventure sport arena of the Andaman Islands and is gaining popularity with visiting tourist as it offers a welcome change and adds more thrill than any other water sport.
Adventure enthusiast can take up this activity with a little practice in order to get a sense of balance in the water, but it is important that every participant should be a swimmer as during the course of this activity the tow rope attached to the boat could let go anytime during the ride.
The Andaman Islands has some of the best beaches suitable for water skiing and numerous operators at the beaches are well equipped to provide all facilities needed for water skiing.
Para Sailing
Parasailing in the beaches of the Andaman Islands is an adrenaline pumping experience that gives every adventure enthusiast a chance to enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and beaches while flying in the air.
A long rope straps a Para-sailor with a parachute at one end and a speed boat at the other end and as the boat speeds ahead into the sea the sailor gets lifted in the air. Para sailing can be enjoyed by all and no prior experience or training is required.
Best places for water sports : Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex (Port Blair), Havelock Island, North Bay Island, Neil Island, Water Sport Complex at Diglipur.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of the most preferred holiday destinations for both tourists from India and abroad because of its unexplored white sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters which provide an ideal environment for travelers who love to spend their holidays in the lap of nature.
An aerial view of the Andaman archipelago.
So if you are planning to head for the islands this season for a vacation then we at Trip Platform have prepared a brief of some of the most frequented islands of Andaman and Nicobar and the attractions within them which you can visit as per to your choice and indulge in activities of your interest.
Islands
There are about 26 inhabited islands in the Andaman archipelago and only a few of them are open to tourist which have been listed below, tourist can visit these islands as per to their choice and interest.
Havelock Island
The Havelock Island is one of the most popular islands as it lures most visiting tourist whom many a times are content staying here for their entire trip.
Tourist enjoying snorkeling in the blue waters of Radhanagar beach.
Havelock Island is famous for its greenish blue waters, white sandy beaches, rich coral reefs and sighting of rare marine creatures like dolphins and turtles. The calm and pleasant waters are ideal for water sport activities like scuba diving and snorkeling. The Island also offers a favorable environment for wildlife excursions into the deep jungles which are extremely safe for activities like trekking and camping.
A tourist poses with an elephant at the Elephant beach.
After enjoying a day filled with fun and adventurous activities tourist can enjoy some fresh coconut milk, a variety of mouth watering sea foods and relax in one of the several luxury resorts in the Islands.
A view of a luxury resort in Havelock Islands
Distance from Port Blair : Approx 60 km. Time to reach: Varies from 90 min to 3 hours depending on your preferred mode of transport (public or private ferries) Overnight stay facilities: YES. There are many luxurious resorts within the Island. Sightseeing: Radhanagar beach, Elephant Island, Vijaynagar beach, Neil’s Cove and Kalapathar. Activities: Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming, Boat rides on glass bottomed boats, Game Fishing Trekking, Camping and Sightseeing.
Baratang Island is located between middle and south Andaman Islands and is a major tourist attraction. A visit to this part of Andaman is something different as tourist will get a glimpse of dense forests; get a view of the local Jarawa tribes, ride through the mangroves on a speed boat, enjoy bird watching, explore lime stone caves, small mud volcano’s and a trek through the jungles.
Inside the Limestone Caves at Baratang Island.
Limestone Caves: A short trek and boat ride will take you to the limestone caves which are largely unexplored and unique. The limestone caves are full of splendid stalagmites, stalactites, and pillar rocks which tourist can explore and take back home memories which will last with them for a lifetime.
A rare view of a Mud Volcano.
Mud Volcano: Get a view of some rare mud volcano’s which are created by natural gases emitted by decaying organic matter underground.
A scenic view of tourist rowing through the dense mangroves at Baratang Island.
Boating through the creeks: Boating through the creeks and bypassing the dense mangroves is a splendid experience as the scenery around is charming and photogenic, something we only get to see on TV channels like Discovery and NatGeo.
As sunsets hundreds of parrots return to the their home on Parrot Island.
The Parrot Island: This is a must visit for all bird lovers and the ideal time to visit is during the sunset when all parrots return home and watching their sheer number is a mesmerizing experience.
Distance from Port Blair: 100 km Time to reach: Approx 2 hrs and 30 minutes. Overnight stay facilities: YES. Attractions: Mud Volcano, Tropical forests and mangroves, Limestone Caves, Parrot Island and an isolated beach at Baludera.
Neil Island
Neil Island is a small and a very peaceful island with pristine beaches having different shades of blue waters; here tourist can rent a bicycle or motorcycle and explore the entire island at their own pace.
A small light house at the Neil Islands
The island is gaining popularity for its beautiful beaches, corals, flora and fauna and other marine life. In recent years this island has become a hot spot with foreigners as they prefer staying here for weeks as it’s a peaceful island and is not as crowded as compared to others.
Tourist enjoy snorkeling at the virgin beaches of Neil Islands
Distance from Port Blair: 40 Km Time to reach: 2 hours Overnight stay facilities: YES. Activities: Snorkeling, Scuba diving, Swimming, Glass bottom boat rides, Water scooter rides, or hire a bicycle and ride through the picturesque Island. Attractions: Sitapur beach, Bharatpur beach, Lakshmanpur beach, Rampur beach, Natural Bridge and Sunset point.
The fascinating town of Diglipur is one of the largest towns in north Andaman Islands. The island is like an enormous outdoor adventure amusement park and is a must visit for nature lovers.
A panoramic view of the Island and sea from the Saddle Peak.
Diglipur has numerous places for tourist to explore, right from climbing to the highest peak ‘Saddle Peak’ at the National park to trekking in midst of unexplored rain forest to reach the ‘Alfred Caves’.
Inside view of the Alfred Caves at Diglipur.
The pristine beaches offer activities like snorkeling, swimming, view turtle nestling, basking in the sun. Adventure sports can be enjoyed at Kalipur Adventure Sports Complex which offer rides on speed boats and water scooters.
Saddle Peak the highest point in Diglipur as seen at the backdrop from Kalipur beach.
Distance from Port Blair: Tourist can reach Diglipur by sea, road and air.
By road: Diglipur is 290 km from Port Blair.
By sea: Diglipur is 180 km from Port Blair.
By air: Sea planes run between Port Blair and Diglipur.
Time to reach: Travel time by road and sea is about 10 hours.
Tourist enjoy a swim in the blue waters of a beach.
Overnight stay facilities: Yes. Activities: Snorkeling, Trekking, Swimming, Hiking, Camping or basking in the sun. Attractions: Diglipur National Park, the Craggy Islands, Ross Islands, Mud Volcanoes, Alfred Caves, Turtle Nestling, Kalipur beach, Lamba Bay, Kalipur Adventure Sports Complex, Kalighat Creek and Radha Nagar beach.
Little Andaman Islands
Do not get deceived by its name, as this is the 4th largest island in the Andaman archipelago which is open to tourism, but its remote location makes it lesser visited.
A scenic view of the Whisper Wave Waterfall in Little Andaman Islands.
But those who embark on the long journey will be rewarded with deserted pristine beaches, dense evergreen rain forest, breath taking waterfalls, palm plantations and the best place to surf in India.
A surfer negotiates a tide at a beach in the Little Andaman Islands.
The islands diversity offers plenty of activity for tourist to indulge in and natural sights to explore. North Bay and South Bay are tribal reserve areas for the Onge tribes and are off limits to tourist. Overall the island offers a very relaxed atmosphere and its friendly locals make it a wonderful place to stay on and spend a memorable vacation.
Tourist get ready to enjoy surfing at the Little Andaman Islands.
Distance from Port Blair: 120 km south. Time to reach: 6 to 8 hours. Overnight stay facilities: Yes. Activities: Surfing, Scuba diving, Game Fishing, Coral viewing, Elephant safaris, boating through the creeks, sun basking, Rent a bicycle or motorbikes and explore the island at your pace. Attractions: Butler Bay beach, Harminder Bay beach, White surf waterfalls and Whisper wave waterfalls in midst of evergreen rain forest, Lush green Jungles and Palm Plantations.
Long Islands
Long Island is one of the most pristine and untouched islands of Andaman. Being an offbeat destination it is sparsely populated and has very few tourists visiting its beaches; hence anyone visiting the islands will enjoy its calm and peaceful ambiance.
Lalaji Bay beach.
The beautiful unexplored and untouched island is the best place for diverse walks around the beaches, forests, villages amongst which the most stunning is the Lalaji Bay beach.
A view of a deserted Lalaji beach in Long Islands.
Distance from Port Blair: 90 km Time to reach: 3 – 4 hours. Overnight stay facilities: YES. The Island has very limited facilities and tourist infrastructure. Activities: Snorkeling, Swimming and Basking on sun kissed beaches, Trekking through the forest region. Attractions: Lalaji Bay beach.
North Bay Island
The North Bay Island is famous for its breathtaking views of underwater corals and rich marine life along with the spectacular natural beauty all around. Sea Walks, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving are very popular activities here and tourist throng this island in large numbers because of the facilities that are available on this Island.
A Scuba diver explores the sea bed full of corals and colorful fishes
The Water along this island is very clean and due to the transparency Corals can be seen distinctly along with other marine life fishes, turtles etc. The Island also has many huts and shacks available for resting especially for the tourists who would prefer to relax and enjoy the sea and beach views.
Glass Boats are also available here which are preferred by the elderly tourist to enjoy the view of corals and marine life and for all those tourists who are not willing to take on Scuba Diving or Snorkeling. There is a light house on this island and tourist can take a hike up to the famous light house that features on the 20 rupee note of the Indian currency.
The Light House at North bay Island a popular tourist spot
Distance from Port Blair: 10 km. Time to reach: 30 – 45 min. Overnight stay facilities: NO. Sightseeing: Enjoy a panoramic view of the Islands from the Lighthouse, Spend time on the beach besides indulging in water sports and shop for souvenirs Activities: Sea walk, Scuba diving, Snorkeling, Glass bottom boat ride, speed boat rides and trek to the lighthouse.
Ross Island
Ross and Smith Islands are twin islands in the Andaman archipelago joined together by a natural sandbar. Visiting these islands seems like discovering a lost city which in its heydays was known as the ‘Paris of the East’.
The Ross Island Harbor
Today this island is controlled by the navy, but when you explore this island you will get a feeling of how planned and structured this place must have been during the British rule. As at that time they had a tennis court, bakery, church, boilers, clubs, hotels and entertainment centers. Today the ruins of these buildings are still alive and will give you an idea of the kind of lavish lifestyle the British officers led.
An old church of the colonial era today stands in ruins.
Within the island there is a small museum displaying pictures of the bygone era. There is a Ross Island Memorial documentary shown inside the Bakery during the morning time daily at (09:30 a.m. to 09:45 a.m.) & (11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.) and a documentary on Andaman Islands is shown from 03:00 p.m. to 04:00 p.m. daily.
A spotted deer roams freely on the Island
Distance from Port Blair: 10 km Time to reach: 40 minutes from Port Blair Overnight stay facilities: NO. Sightseeing: Ruins of old buildings of the bygone era, Get a glimpse of wildlife like deer’s, peacocks, rabbits that roam around freely and Japanese Bunkers used in the II World War. Main attraction: Historic Ruins belonging to the British Colonial Era.
Redskin Island
The Red Skin Island is part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and is another gem in the crown of the Andaman Islands, boasting of diverse species of beautiful corals that can be observed in their natural environment and unspoiled beauty all around. If you happen to be a water sports enthusiast then Red Skin Island will surely live up to your expectations as there is plenty of scope for snorkeling and scuba diving.
A view of diverse species of beautiful corals underwater at Redskin Islands
Red Skin Island is open to tourist from May to October only and Jolly Buoy is open from November through April so tourist can visit any one of the Island depending on the season of their visit.
A group of tourist enjoying swimming and snorkeling
In order to promote Eco-tourism carrying of plastic bottles and plastic bags is strictly prohibited at the islands and tourist are further advised that the Red Skin Island does not have a proper beach, the beach here resembles more like the backwaters so the main activities that can be done on the island are snorkeling and glass boat rides.
Distance from Port Blair: The Red Skin Island is located at a distance of 24 km from the Wandoor Jetty, while Wandoor beach lies at a distance of 30 km from Port Blair and you can reach there by car. Time to reach: Redskin Island is 90 minutes from Wandoor beach. Overnight stay facilities: NO. Tourists have to return back to main land by 5:00 p.m. Sightseeing: Spend time at the beach; Tourist can enjoy the running sea view and glimpses of other islands with thick forest surroundings while traveling by ferry. Activities: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Swimming, Boat rides on glass bottomed boats, Dolphin sightings.
Jolly Buoy Island
The Jolly Buoy Islands is part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and is very famous for its underwater corals and pristine clear beaches.
The Island is only open to tourist for 6 months in a year giving the other 6 months for corals to grow, during this time tourist can visit the Red Skin Island nearby and enjoy the same activities. Both Jolly Buoy and Red Skin Islands are alternatively open for 6 months to accommodate tourist and at the same time ensure the corals are protected in this Marine National park.
Prior permit and entry fee is required to make this trip and Jolly Buoy Islands has been declared as a NO plastic zone, so travelers have to deposit all plastic items at Wandoor beach.
Distance from Port Blair: The Jolly Buoy Island is located at a distance of 24 km from the Wandoor Jetty, while Wandoor beach lies at a distance of 30 km from Port Blair and you can reach there by car. Time to reach: Jolly Buoy Island is 90 minutes from Wandoor beach. Overnight stay facilities: NO. Visitors can spend time only up to 2:00 p.m. at the Island and the return journey back to Wandoor beach starts from around 2:30 p.m. on-wards. Overnight stays are not allowed on this Island. Sightseeing: Spend time at the beach; Tourist can enjoy the running sea view and glimpses of other islands with thick forest surroundings while traveling by ferry. Activities: Boat rides on glass bottomed boats, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming and Basking on sun kissed beaches, Boat trips are organized for dolphin spotting and fishing.
Chatham Island
Chatham Island is home to Asia’s largest saw mill which was set up by the British in the year 1836, and is still functional to this day. This is relatively an offbeat attraction and is a must visit for tourist who are interested in learning about the history and the economy of Andaman Islands.
A aerial view of the Chatham Islands connected by a bridge to the main land
When here, tourist can take a guided tour of the Saw Mill, learn and witness the entire process and functioning of the mill. Then later tourist can visit the forest museum which exhibits souvenirs and various handicrafts items made of timber. The wooden products on display have intricate carvings, polishing, and designing done by skilled craftsmen of Andaman.
Inside the Chatham Saw Mill.
Distance from Port Blair: 2 km. A 100 meter bridge connects Port Blair and Chatham Islands. Time to reach: 10 minutes. Overnight stay facilities: NO. Timings: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed on Sunday and Industrial holidays. Sightseeing: Take a tour of the oldest saw mill of Asia, Explore the forest museum that showcases a variety of wood and its products, look out for the crater formed by a Japanese bomb during World War II, Check out the Harbors of Chatham Islands. Attractions: Chatham Saw Mill and Forest Museum.
Viper Island
If you are a lover of Indian history then this island is a must visit as it was part of the great Indian Independence struggle and was witness to the sufferings and sacrifices made by Indian nationals involved in the freedom struggle.
Viper Island
This small little island derives its name from the vessel ‘Viper’ in which Lt Archibald Blair came to Andaman Islands and later met with an accident and its wreckage was later found near this island.
The ruins of the gallows atop a hillock.
Distance from Port Blair: Very close to Port Blair around 10 – 15 km by ferry. Time to reach: 40 minutes from Port Blair. Overnight stay facilities: NO. Sightseeing: Explore the island which is of historical importance. 30 minutes is all you need to explore this place. Activities: The major attraction here is a 2 storied dilapidated building that was used by the British to execute freedom fighters.
Cinque Island
Picture this! An Island completely uninhabited with lush green forests, white sandy beaches with bluest of waters you have ever seen. That is Cinque Islands for you.
An aerial view of the Cinque Islands
Cinque Islands consists of 2 islands North and South Cinque Islands which are connected by a narrow sand bar hence it is referred as a single Cinque Island.
A chartered boat at the Cinque Islands
A trip to the island is a bit expensive because tourists have to charter a boat and get a special permit from the department of forestry. There are no scheduled ferry services to this island. Though a bit expensive a trip here is worth it and travelers will never forget an experience of having an island all to themselves for a lifetime.
A tourist shows is catch after a session of game fishing
Cinque Islands offers a vista of coral reefs, colorful fishes, seaweeds, shells, starfishes, turtles etc. The entire Cinque Island is surrounded by unexplored and untouched coral reefs which extend to a few hundred meters into the sea.
Note: Since this island is uninhabited and as good as close to raw nature, travelers are advised to bring plenty of water, food, mats, etc and other essentials as there is absolutely nothing on this island.
Distance from Port Blair: Wandoor Jetty is 30 km from Port Blair by road. Time to reach: Cinque Island can be reached in 3.5 hrs from Wandoor Jetty and about 2 hrs from Chirya Tapu. Overnight stay facilities: NO. Tourists have to leave latest by evening. Sightseeing: Explore unexplored white sandy beaches, explore the rich marine life. Activities: Snorkeling, Swimming, Scuba Diving, Game Fishing and Camping.
Barren Island
Barren Island is a tiny Island in the Indian Ocean situated towards the eastern part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is popular for having the only active volcano in India; the island is about 3 km and has a large crater of the volcano at the center.
The active volcano at the Barren Islands
The island is completely uninhabited and is only accessible to coast guards and naval ships. There are no attractions here and the island is completely barren. So visiting tourist travel through ships without getting down on the island and circle around it. While circling around the island tourists will get a good view of the active volcano and if lucky they may get to see the molten lava coming out of the volcano.
A view of the active volcano from a ship
A good place to visit if you are interested in volcanoes and this island is also regularly visited by scientist and researchers.
Distance from Port Blair: 135 km. Time to reach: Every week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday ships start from Port Blair at 9:00 p.m. and return back the next day at 11:00 a.m. A one side journey is about 4 – 5 hours and after making a short tour of the Barren Island the ship returns. Overnight stay facilities: NO. Landing on the island itself is prohibited. Sightseeing: Tourist can get a glimpse of smoke and hot lava coming out of the active volcano. Activities: View of the only active volcano in India while on a ship tour to the Island.
Historical Places of Andaman Islands
Cellular Jail
Built in the year 1906, this historic landmark in Port Blair is remembered for its dark and brutal past. Also known as ‘Kala Pani’ it served as a colonial prison for the Indian freedom fighters during India’s freedom struggle and was reputed for being one of the most inhuman and torturous place on earth during that time.
An aerial view of the Cellular Jail
In present times you will find the prison complex both fascinating and disturbing at the same time as the complex has a grand architecture with extremely small suffocating jail cells.
Do not miss the Light and Sound show held in the evenings, which is narrated by actor Om Puri, the show offers a glimpse of the freedom struggle in this region and has daily 2 shows one in Hindi and the other in English.
The gallows inside the Cellular Jail
Timing: 09:00a.m. to 12:30 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Monday and Public Holidays. Light and Sound show: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m.(Hindi) & 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.(English). Ticket Cost: INR 20. Extra Cost: Video Camera – 100 & Still Camera – 25. Must See: Take a guided tour of the prison complex.
Later in the evening watch the Light and Sound show within the complex.
Adventure Sports at Port Blair
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex
The water sport complex is situated in the center of Port Blair and it serves as a harbor for tourist for visiting the nearby islands as well as for water sport activities.
The sports complex has all the possible aqua sport facilities like paddle boats, row boats, kayaking, speed boat rides, banana ride, sofa ride, water scooters, jet ski, water skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling and many more activities. The rides here are the most reasonable priced as compared to anywhere in the Andaman Islands.
Timing: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (All days of the week).
Museums of Andaman Islands
Science Center
Setup in the year 2003, the Science Center is located at Goodwill Estate in Port Blair and is a delightful place to spend time with your family.
The large museum provides a perfect environment for fun filled learning as there are various models on display which explain various natural phenomena and the behavior of fishes according to the climate and the way the oceans work keeping both adults and children fascinated.
A must visit for all science enthusiast as many scientific facts have been presented in innovative ways to the audience. Also the museum boasts of a large island mosaic which displays every island in detail on the Andaman archipelago.
Timing: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Closed on Monday and Public Holidays. Ticket Cost: INR 5. Camera/Video: INR 10. Major Highlights:
Gain knowledge of the sea world by getting a glimpse of various sizes of corals, fishes and other marine life.
Enjoy a short Sci-fi documentary.
Take a quiz and test your knowledge.
Anthropological Museum
Established in the year 1975 the museum is located at Phoenix Bay at Port Blair, it showcases the history and interesting facts about the local tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar region.The main highlights of this museum are the various handicrafts, tools, implements photographs, arts and crafts of the bygone era.
Most items on display reflect the cultural beliefs, traditions and lifestyle of the tribes belonging to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. So take a journey into the fascinating history and colorful culture of the region at this unique museum.
Timing: 09:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 01:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed on Monday and Public Holidays. Ticket Cost: INR 5. Camera/Video: INR 10.
Fisheries Museum
The Fisheries Museum is located close to the Andaman Sports Complex at Port Blair. The museum is an ideal place for tourists who are interested in marine life and is home to as many as 350 species of marine life which have been carefully preserved at the Museum.
The museum offers a great learning opportunity for both children and adults who are interested in learning about different forms of marine life both endemic and endangered. Do not miss this museum as it is a fine example of good preservation and information of marine life which is rarely found anywhere else in India.
Timing: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Monday and Public Holidays. Ticket Cost: INR 5. Video recording: INR 35.
Samudrika Marine Museum
The Samudrika Naval Marine Museum is located on the Haddo Road in Port Blair. The Museum is managed by the Indian Navy and has 5 sections presenting the History of Andaman, Geographical Information, the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Archaeology and the beautiful marine life.
The skeletal remains of a Blue Whale on display at the museum
The Museum aims to bring together all aspects of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also generates more awareness about the environment in the ocean and the marine life. While visiting do not miss the massive blue Whale in its skeletal form at the entrance of the museum which greets tourist as they enter.
Timing: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Monday. Ticket Cost: INR 20. Camera/Video: INR 20/50.
National Parks of Andaman Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar islands has about 9 National parks within its archipelago, below are some of the popular National parks which are accessible to tourist.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
The Marine National park is accessible from Wandoor, a small village in the Andaman Islands and covers an area of 281 sq km; this national park was created out of 15 islands out of which only 2 islands are open to tourist i.e. Jolly Buoy Islands and Redskin Islands. They are both open for 6 months alternatively, the Red Skin Island from May to October and Jolly Buoy from November through April.
The national park was created with the intent of protecting and preserving marine life from excessive tourism and hence during a trip to this national park tourist will get breathtaking views of the rich coral reefs and marine life which has been kept intact due to the efforts of the local administration. The rich flora and fauna makes this park an ideal destination for nature lovers and a paradise for bird lovers as the national park is home to at least 271 different species of birds.
Attractions: Mangrove forests, Creeks and Tropical forest, rich coral reefs, 271 varieties of birds, colorful fishes and other marine life.
Chidiya Tapu
Known as a bird’s island, Chidiya Tapu is about 25 km from Port Blair, this small village is home to lush green mangroves, tranquil beaches and a forest bestowed with numerous chirping birds making it an ideal place for a family picnic.
Chidiya Tapu Forest
Chidiya Tapu is popular with tourist as it is home to a wide variety of birds both migratory and resident, white spotted deer’s and seasonal orchids. The island is also famous for its sunset point where tourists converge in the evenings to enjoy the beautiful glimpse of the sunset.
Sunset at Chidiya Tapu
Attractions: Best sunset view point, Chidiya Tapu beach, Munda Pahar beach, Chidiya Tapu Biological Park and saltwater crocodile spotting.
True to its name the Mini Zoo at Port Blair houses only those species of wild animals that are limited to the Andaman and Nicobar region. Once upon a time it was bigger and housed numerous indigenous species but today it has a fewer animals as most have them have been shifted to Chidiya Tapu.
An ideal place for children to get acquainted to wildlife the Zoo is a great place to spend some peaceful moments while watching the numerous bird species, crocodiles, macaques, malayan Box Turtle, pythons and stately rosewood padauk and maple trees.
Timing: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed on Monday. Ticket Cost: INR 2. Location: Haddo, Port Blair.
Mount Harriet National Park
If you are a nature lover, a trekker, a jungle enthusiast then here is an ideal place for all to spend an entire day in the lap of nature. This National park must not be confused with other National Parks of India where you will find many animals on a safari kind of a trip.
The Mount Harriet is one of the highest peaks in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is an excellent spot to view exotic scenery of the outer islands and sea after a 16 km trek to the summit.
The park is full of natural beauty and is home to over 90 species of birds, 27 species of reptiles and amphibians, 12 species of mammals, 120 species of butterfly’s and 393 species of plants.
Activity: Trekkers can take a trek up to Madhuban and enjoy the scenic beauty.
Ticket Cost: INR 25. Camera: INR 25. Vehicle Entry Cost: INR 10. Distance from Port Blair:
By sea: 15 km, Time: 20 – 25 minutes.
By road: 55 km, Time 60 minutes.
Sippighat Farm
The Sippighat Farm is located at about 15 km from Port Blair on the way to Wandoor. The farm covers a vast area of about 80 acres of cultivated land and is dedicated to research and development programs for improvement in cultivation of spices like cloves, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, jaitri, coffee, vanilla, betel nut and coconuts.
Recently this farm has become a tourist spot owing to its natural beauty and spice plantations. At the farm there are guides who will take you on a tour of the farm and explain to you the plantation procedures and process. Apart from spices the farm is also home to medicinal plants, rare orchids and various species of flowers and ornamental plants.
After touring the farm tourist can purchase spices of their choice at reasonable rates, visit the water sports complex nearby or enjoy bird watching.
Are you planning a vacation with your family or friends to Andaman Islands?? and still wondering when it is the best time to visit ?? Well we at Trip Platform have prepared a season wise breakup for you to understand and decide for yourself when it is the best for you to visit the Andaman Island and enjoy your holiday and indulge in water sports along with your family and friends.
The emerald islands of Andaman and Nicobar is situated at a distance of 900 km from India in the Bay of Bengal and is a popular tourist destination of India. The island offers visiting tourist with breathtaking natural beauty, wonderful landscapes and lush vegetation. Furthermore, the islands provides a clean environment for tourist to enjoy thrilling adventure sports and above all the warm hospitality of the people of Andaman which attracts thousands of nature lovers and holiday makers from across the globe all year round.
Climate
The Andaman Islands is blessed with a nice weather throughout the year. The Island experiences a tropical climate with an average temperature ranging from 22 degree Celsius to 35 degree Celsius and relative humidity ranging from 70 % to 90 %.
Rain Forest in Andaman Islands
About 86% of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is covered with tropical rain-forest and is not known for any severe climatic conditions with an exception of tropical storms and heavy rains in the monsoons and late summer.
The islands receive an annual rainfall of 3000 mm and there is no fixed climate in the islands as out of nowhere it may start raining and all of a sudden there is bright sunshine after a drizzle or heavy downpour. Usually the tourist season is from October to April and OFF season is from mid May to September.
The best time to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands if from November to April.
Seasons
Monsoon (June to September) and Post Monsoon (October to mid December)
The islands experience monsoon season almost twice a year, the reason is the first monsoon takes place under the influence of southwest monsoon winds which starts from mid May and lasts till September. However the post monsoon continues under the influence of the northeast monsoons winds from October to December.
Lightning a common occurrence at a beach in the Andaman during Monsoon.
Andaman Islands receive heavy rainfall which is accompanied with strong winds from mid May to September while from October to December the rainfall is fairly moderate and during this time the weather is hot and humid.
A boat man signals of a heavy downpour as a tourist boats rush towards the coast.
Many tourists avoid visiting the islands during the peak monsoon season (June to September), as during this time the islands are more prone to heavy rains and thunderstorms which makes it very difficult for them to enjoy sightseeing and indulge in other outdoor activities.
A Tourist walks along a beach on a cloudy evening as the sunsets
Though the monsoon season may not be a good time to visit the Islands, but it is a wonderful time for nature lovers to come a explore nature and admire the lush greenery and pristine beauty of the islands and at the same time take pleasure of the rain. Moreover during this time hotels give attractive discounts which make a visit even more memorable.
Winter (December to February)
Technically speaking there are only two seasons in Andaman Islands i.e. summers and monsoons.Andaman does not have chilly winters like north India, but during the months of December to February the weather is mild and pleasant as the temperature hovers around 20 degree to 30 degree Celsius during this time.
Tourist enjoy a pleasant weather while relaxing at Havelock Island.
This is the best time to visit Andaman’s and enjoy water sport activities and explore the islands without any worry.
Summer (March to May)
Summers in Andaman begins by March and ends by mid May these months are warm with pleasant sea breeze blowing throughout the day and humidity is about 80 % during this time.
Tourist enjoying water sports at the Water sports Complex at Port Blair
During this time tourist can indulge in all kinds of activities which are in full swing without any interruption.
If visiting during Monsoon season(June to September)
Pros:
An experienced surfer negotiates huge waves
During the monsoon months (June to September) Little Andaman islands is famous for its pumping and high rise waves this is the ideal time for experienced surfers to enjoy some serious surfing.
Furthermore during monsoons visiting tourist can enjoy the scenic beauty and enjoy solitude as there are minimum tourists during this time and can avail of attractive discounts.
The month of October is time for festivals like Durga Pooja and Mari Amman which are celebrated in a grand scale.
Locals of Andaman celebrating Durga Pooja with great fanfare
Cons:
A tourist spends time relaxing at a resort and singing songs on rainy day at the Andaman Islands.
Activities like Sea walks, scuba diving, snorkeling is not operational from June – August due to poor underwater visibility.
During monsoons ferry schedules are erratic and get cancelled whenever there are heavy rains and storms hence island hoping becomes impossible.
Private cruises like Makruzz and Coastal Cruise are not operational from June to August and tourist will have to make use of Government services which is operational all round the year.
If visiting during Winter & Summer season (November to May)
Water sport activities in full swing at the Andaman Islands
The tourism season sets in and the island is full of tourist from all over India and abroad. Tourist can enjoy thrilling activities like water sports, trekking, visiting active volcanoes, wildlife safaris, beach volley ball, game fishing, sea walking, turtle nesting and many other adventure activities uninterrupted. Tourist can also take part and enjoy in the 10 day Andaman and Nicobar Island festival which is held in December.
Trekkers enjoying a trek on a sunny day at the Andaman Islands.
A Word of Caution
The Andaman Islands has witnessed 3 major storms in the last 10 years
Cyclone Sidr in 2007 on November 15, 2007.
Cyclone Phailin in 2013 on October 6, 2013.
Cyclone Hud Hud 2014 on October 12, 2014.
These three storms started in the ocean of Bay of Bengal and reached mainland India after crossing Andaman Islands. So travelers visiting Andaman should keep a constant tab on the weather and also plan their travel smartly.
Cyclone Hud-hud Batters Andaman and Nicobar Islands
It is a good idea to reach Port Blair 2 day before your departure especially if you are flying out of Port Blair, the reason is that in case of a sudden bad weather everything on the island stops, and there will be no ferry service to transport you from one island to another.
Ideally opt for a packaged tour if you are planning 10 days in Andaman Islands and once you reach customize your travel accordingly, the reason is always have a point of contact with someone local who can help you in case you land in odd situations, as in the past there have been situations where travelers have got stranded at remote islands for a day or two before help came their way.
So, that’s it! Hope this information helps all readers to plan their visit to the enchanting Garden of Eden – The Andaman’s!!
Locating the Andaman and Nicobar islands at one go on the map of India is never easy, sprinkled far away in the Bay of Bengal these beautiful emerald islands are a part of the Indian territory, even though they are geographically closer to countries like Thailand and Myanmar.
The Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar islands consists of about 572 islands out of which very few islands have been inhabited.The Andaman group of islands comprises of North Andaman, Middle Andaman, South Andaman and little Andaman in addition to many more smaller islands.The Nicobar group of islands consists of the Great Nicobar, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Katchal and Chowra.The territory’s capital is Port Blair and is situated in the Andamanese islands.
An Aerial view of Andaman Islands
Port Blair is the major gateway to Andaman islands and is directly connected by air and sea from 3 major cities of India viz Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam.As an Indian national you do not need any permit to visit Andaman islands.However, you will require a permit to visit the Nicobar islands and other tribal areas, and these permits are only issued in exceptional cases by the deputy commissioner of Andaman district at Port Blair.
By Air
This is by far the best and easiest way to reach Andaman islands and most tourist prefer reaching the Andaman islands by flight.The airport at Port Blair i.e. ‘Veer Savarkar International Airport’ is connected with airports at Chennai and Kolkata and the air journey is approximately about 2 hours from both places.There are also a few flights every month from Bhubaneshwar on certain days.Tourist from Mumbai and Delhi can travel to Port Blair by a direct flight (with a brief halt at) via Chennai or Kolkata.
A view of Veer Savarkar airport at Port Blair
The flight fares from Kolkata and Chennai to Andaman Islands are expected to be anywhere between INR 7000 to INR 15000 depending on the choice of airliner.While air fares from Mumbai and Delhi are expected to be anywhere between INR 10000 to INR 25000 depending on the flight duration and halts.
Passengers board an airliner at the Veer Savarkar airport at Port Blair
The major airlines that operate airway services to and from Port Blair are Jet Airways, Air India, Go Air and Spice Jet.These airliners operate regular flights to Port Blair on all 7 days of the week.Private jets and chartered flights are permitted to land at Port Blair airport only after fulfillment of all guidelines laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
By Sea
The Andaman and Nicobar islands are located far away in the Bay of Bengal, this isolation makes tourist and local islanders heavily depend on water ways to reach Port Blair as the Ship fares are cheaper as compared to the flights.
MV Nancowry at the Chennai Port
Traveling to the Andaman islands by sea is less preferred by tourist because of the long and arduous journey, but a journey by sea is enjoyed by adventurous travelers and is also preferred by honeymooners who have all the time in the world to enjoy and experience a wonderful 3 day journey by the sea.
One of the best things of going by sea is that you get to see beautiful sunsets over the Bay of Bengal and get a rare glimpse of the dolphins gliding through the waters and flying fishes.
MV Harshvardhana in midst of a journey
Regular cruises and passenger ships are available for Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam.There are about 3 to 4 sailings every month from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair and vice versa, while there is only one sailing from Visakhapatnam in a month.
Chennai to Port Blair – Voyage time about 60 hours (1190 kms). Kolkata to Port Blair – Voyage time about 66 hours (1255 kms). Visakhapatnam to Port Blair – Voyage time about 56 hours (1,200 km).
After reaching Ships normally dock at Port Blair for about 2 to 4 days.
Please note : Schedules of ships can be erratic and cancellations are common due to weather and sea conditions so kindly keep a day or 2 in buffer during your trip.
Regular Ships traveling for Port Blair
M.V Nicobar.
M.V Nancowry.
M.V Swaraj Dweep.
M.V Harshvardhana.
M.V Akbar Deluxe.
Accommodation types and rates on ships
Deluxe Cabin – Between 7000 to 8000.
1st Class Cabin – Between 6000 to 6500.
2nd Class Cabin – Between 5000 to 5500.
Bunk – Between 1500 to 2000.
You can choose deluxe cabins; air conditioned dormitories or bunker class depending on your budget.
A family relaxes inside the MV Nancowry during their journey to Port Blair
Please note the above mentioned fares are for visiting tourist, each class on a ship has separate charges for local islanders and for tourist.
The Directorate of Shipping Service.
Andaman and Nicobar Administration,
Phoenix Bay Jetty,
Port Blair – 744 101. Telephone : (03192) 232528 / 232742.
Shipping Corporation of India Limited.
Shipping House,
No.18 Strand Road,
Kolkata – 700 017. Telephone : (033) 22482354 / 22488013.
The Deputy Director of Shipping Service.
Andaman and Nicobar Administration,
6 Rajaji Salai,
Chennai – 600 078. Telephone : (044) 25220841 / 25226873.
M/S A.V.Bahanojirow and Garuda Pattabhiramayya & Co.
Agent – Shipping Corporation of India Ltd,
Post Box : No – 17,
Vishakhapatnam. Telephone : (0891) 2565597 / 2562661.
Inter – Island Transport in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The inter – island transport system is the lifeline of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and all islands here are located at a considerable distance from each other, so these inter – island transport system plays an important role in connecting all inhabited islands. There are two kinds of transport systems i.e. water transport and road transport.
Tourist boarding a Government Ferry at a Jetty
Inter – Island connectivity by Ferry (Government Services):
The Ferry services run by Andaman and Nicobar administration and the Directorate of Shipping Services is the main mode of transport for tourist and local residents while traveling in and around Andaman islands. The administration operates regular ferry services from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Fisheries Jetty and Chatham Jetty all at Port Blair to various tourist places in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands like Havelock Islands, Neil Islands, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Chowra, Nancowry, Katchal and Campbell Bay.
Tourist line up at a Jetty
The sailing schedules are published in local newspapers like ‘The Daily Telegram’ (English Daily) and Dweep Samachar (Hindi Daily), the sailing schedules are also announced on AIR(All India Radio) and Doordarshan.
Ferry ticket reservation counter at the backdrop
Tickets for ferries are issued through ‘STARS’(Ship Ticketing advanced Reservation System) counters which is managed by the Directorate of Shipping Services.
Ferry Timings
Government ferry to Havelock Islands starts at 6 a.m. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Government ferry to Port Blair starts at 9 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Inter – Island connectivity by Ferry (Private Services):
Apart from the inter – island ferry services of Directorate of shipping services, there are a few private players providing ferry services to visiting tourist that operate from Aberdeen Jetty(Andaman Water Sports Complex) to nearby popular tourist destination including Havelock Islands, Ross Island, North Bay and other popular islands. This private service is highly recommended for visiting tourist since your travel time will be considerably cut down and is hassle free.
Private Ferry in Andaman
Inter – Island Luxury Cruise Vessel (Private Service):
MAK Logistics is a major private player in Andaman and Nicobar islands that operates passenger shipping services. They have introduced a daily passenger luxury cruise namely M.V. Makruzz that connects Port Blair with Havelock Islands. This passenger cruise can seat 280 people and can reach Havelock islands in 90 minutes. It starts its daily service from Port Blair at 8:30 a.m. and returns from Havelock Islands by 4:00 p.m., tickets for the luxury cruise can be booked online through tour operators, travel agents or hoteliers at Port Blair.
Recently the Directorate of Civil Aviation has introduced sea plane service for tourist places like Havelock Islands, Hut Bay and Diglipur. Tourist can also avail daily helicopter services from Port Blair to other nearby islands such as Havelock Islands, Diglipur, HutBay etc.
Since there is an absence of rail transport within the islands, road transport is the backbone for both long and short distance travel within the island.
Rent a metered taxi and explore Port Blair
The city of Port Blair has various modes of transport to choose from, metered taxis are easily available while auto rickshaws (Tuk – Tuks) can ferry you to various points of the city. There are also government buses that are ideal for visiting far away destinations within the island.
Tourist prefer renting a bike to explore Port Blair
Motorbikes, scooters and mopeds are easily available at most resorts for hire for a price of about INR 500 per day and is an ideal way to explore the island at your own pace, furthermore the roads are in good condition so tourist will definitely enjoy the drive.
Whatever you have desired in a fascinating holiday the Andaman Islands has it. The island is a tropical fantasy in the Bay of Bengal and is blessed with endless beaches, natural wonders, historical monuments, culture, adventure sports, spas and shopping. So get inspired and enthralled as I share with you the major attractions of this magical place that will give you a reason to visit the beautiful islands of Andaman’s.
An aerial view of the picturesque Andaman Islands
Beaches
While there are many places in India that offer sandy beaches but none can be compared to the gorgeous collection of sandy beaches with clear blue waters of the Andaman Islands. Visitors will feel relaxed the minute they set foot on any of the beaches and enjoy the sun, the waves, and the scenic beauty all around and indulge in a host of beach activities. For the more adventurous and romantic couples it is ridiculously easy to find a deserted beach and call it their own for the day.
The pristine beaches of the Andaman Islands.
Here is a list of fantastic beaches to choose from: Radhanagar beach, Ross and Smith beach, Wandoor beach, Corbyn’s Cove beach, Elephant beach, Long Island beach and many many more.
Untouched Virgin Islands
Tourist can pack a picnic to one of the several untouched islands and have the island completely to themselves with pristine beaches and crystal clear waters; tourist can also explore the untouched island from within which is home to many rare species of flora and fauna.
A view of the Havelock Islands in Andaman
Hire a boat and take your time in exploring every island in the vicinity, which are unique and have their own beauty and charm for every traveler to experience once in a life time.
Tourist on a boat exploring the virgin Islands of Andaman
Tourist can go island hoping as there are many islands to choose from and some of the most beautiful and visited islands are the Havelock islands, Ross and Smith islands, Hut Bay islands, Campbell islands, Avis islands and many more.
Explore the rich marine life
The clear blue seas of Andaman are home to numerous water sport activities like snorkeling and scuba diving where divers can explore the treasure trove of coral reefs and the rich marine life in all shapes and sizes.
Coral Reefs on the sea beds of the sea
Even if you do not know how to swim you can still get an experience of the beautiful marine life as you will be escorted by experienced seas divers.
A diver gets a close up view of the coral reefs
Best diving sites for Scuba diving and Snorkeling: Havelock Islands, Rutland Islands, Jolly Buoy, North Bay, Cinque Islands, Red Skin, Bala Reef and many more.
Climate
An excellent weather awaits you from winter to summer i.e. (December to April) when the weather remains pleasant throughout the day for sightseeing, beach activities and water sports.
Children enjoy themselves on a sunny day at the Andaman Islands
Winter (December to February)
During winters the minimum temperature remains around 22 degrees while the average maximum is around 30 degrees making the daytime a bit warm.
Summer (March to May)
In summers the average minimum temperature remains around 24 degrees while the maximum temperature is generally in the mid-thirties making it a slightly uncomfortable time to visit.
Monsoon (June to September)
A visit to Andaman should be avoided during this time as the entire Bay of Bengal region is home to tropical storms and heavy winds. However, the post monsoon rain continues till December and the weather during this time remains hot and humid.
Food Lovers Paradise
A paradise for sea food lovers, as the island offers them with fresh and wide variety of fishes, crabs, prawns, and lobsters to choose from.
Availability of fresh sea-foods like lobster and prawns at the Islands make it a food paradise.
Apart from sea foods both vegetarian and non vegetarian cuisines of Indian, Chinese, Thai, Continental, South Indian, Bengali and Israeli origins can be relished at some of the most popular restaurants of Andaman.
Adventure Sports Activities
Are you a water sports enthusiast? If yes, then you can’t afford to miss this when in the Andaman’s, the Andaman Water Sport Complex offers all kinds of water sports facilities like Para-sailing, sail boats, rowing boats, water scooters, paddle boats, kayaks and water skiing, So gear up for your adventure trip and experience some adrenaline rush at the picturesque spots on the islands.
A tourist enjoying a ride in a Water Scooters at the Andaman Water Sports Complex.
Take a trek through nature from Mount Harriet to Madhuban and get a firsthand experience of the forest life in Andaman’s which is home to some rare exotic flora and fauna.
Tourist trekking through the dense forest in an Island.
Travelers can add more adventure to their trip by enjoying Island camping at Havelock Islands on the white sandy beaches and club Island camping with backpacking or hiking which will further enrich their trip to the Andaman’s.
Take a Wildlife Safari
Discover some enticing wildlife that is hidden deep in the jungles of the islands or in the lagoons surrounding the islands.
A herd of elephants cooling themselves from the heat.
Andaman’s is home to famous National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries like Wandoor National Park, Saddle National Park, The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve and Marine National Park. These Parks boast of a diverse range of wildlife and are a bird watchers paradise.
Turtle Nesting
For some more adventure, visit the Kalipur beach in Diglipur and get mesmerized by this craggy island as this is the only place in the world that boasts of nesting by four types of sea turtles i.e. Leatherback turtles, Olive Ridley, Green turtles and Hawks Bill.
Tourist get a rare glimpse of a huge Leather-back turtle
Apart from this beach, turtle nestling takes place at many other beaches in Andaman’s and the best time to get a glimpse of Turtle nestling is from December to February.
Relax and enjoy in solitude
Escape the hustle and bustle of the daily city life and come on a unhurried holiday into a different world where you can enjoy a quiet village life in solitude, in midst of lush green forests and sandy beaches and breathe fresh air and feel rejuvenated.
A Romantic Getaway
Getting Married? Are you planning your honeymoon and undecided where to go? Visit the Andaman Islands which is one of the top honeymoon destinations of India.
Be it a honeymoon or just a romantic getaway, couples can enjoy romantic moments on quite beaches, with clear waters and calm surroundings and share special moments of love with their partner.
Apart from being paradise for honeymooners, the island offers an exotic environment, world class hotels, privacy, fine dining and loads of adventurous activities for couples to remember for a lifetime.
Meet cheerful and kindhearted people
Andaman is a unique tourist destination and has been home to no one particular religion, language or caste, but to people of all religions. Andaman’s is inhabited by people from different ethnic backgrounds like Tamil’s, Telugu, Punjabi’s and Bengali’s who now form the local population, Hindi is the common language and is used and understood by most, also the people here are very kindhearted and welcoming and value visiting tourist very much. Furthermore, the Andaman Islands is very safe to visit and solo female travelers can travel here without any worry.
Female tourist being welcomed by locals of Andaman
With this post, I hope readers have enough reasons to visit the Andaman Islands, Get inspired and live their dreams.
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