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.
Timing: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ticket Cost: Free.
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