Image by: Tatonomusic, Unsplash
The union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an Indian archipelago made up of around 572 beautiful islands, of which only 37 are inhabited. These stunning islands, which are situated at the meeting point of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, have sparsely populated beaches with turquoise blue water that paves the way to an ocean rich in fascinating marine species and coral reefs.
The North Bay Island at Port Blair, Elephant Beach at Havelock Island, and Bharatpur Beach on Neil Island are among the beaches that are considered to be the most exotic. Visitors can engage in a variety of water sports, such as scuba diving, snorkelling, sea walking, etc.
The three main districts that make up this union territory are the Nicobar District, whose capital is Car Nicobar; the South Andaman District, whose capital is Port Blair; and the North and Middle Andaman District, whose capital is Mayabunder. They are all covered in thick, wet, evergreen forests, as well as an infinite variety of unique flora and fauna.
The Dugong also referred to as the sea cow, is the state animal of Andaman. In addition, the endangered Andaman Wood Pigeon and the Andaman Padauk have each been designated as the State Tree and State Bird respectively. Tourists can also gain an in-depth understanding of the fascinating and diverse past as well as the modern aspects of these peaceful and serene islands, by visiting sites like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Sippighat Farm, Ross Island, Viper Island, Hopetown, Mount Harriet National Park, and the old Cellular Jail, which has become a popular tourist destination.
Best Places To Visit In Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Image by: Sumit Shah, Unsplash
Port Blair
Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This is the biggest town situated on Southern Andaman Island. It has excellent ferry networks to all the other islands, including Havelock, Little Andaman, Long Island, and Neil Island. The town is growing into a hub for tourism and is also cosmopolitan, providing a taste of rich cultural diversity and regional traditions, including those of the main inhabitants: Bengalis, Burmese, Nicobarese, Tamils, and Telugus.
The scenic beauty of Port Blair consists of a confluence of the most captivating landscapes; rocky coastlines; and tropical forests. Visitors can also enjoy some leisure time at the well-known Corbyn's Cove Beach close to Port Blair, do birdwatching at Chidiya Tapu, and shop at Aberdeen Market.
Apart from these, Port Blair has a deep history of colonialism, making the Cellular Jail and all of the museums there a must-see. The three popular islands close to Port Blair are Havelock Island, Ross Island, and Viper Island. There's also Barren Island known for its only active volcano.
Image by: Ravigopal Kesari, Unsplash
Havelock Island
Havelock Island, also often referred to as the Swaraj Island, is the largest Andaman island that is a part of Ritchie's Archipelago. Tourists from all around the world come to admire the vast rice and paddy fields or lush green tropical jungles with unusual flora and fauna, stunning white sand beaches, and coral reefs. Radhanagar Beach, Vijayanagar Beach, and Elephant Beach are three of their popular and beautiful beaches. Visitors flock to these waters to participate in a variety of water sports activities, such as snorkelling, scuba diving, sea walking, surfing, glass-bottom boat rides, swimming, banana boat rides, speed boat rides, and diving.
Camping and jungle hikes are common land-based past times. There are also many lavish cafes and resorts where one can enjoy fresh coconut milk and recently caught scrumptious fish.
Image by: Ravigopal Kesari, Unsplash
Neil Island
Neil Island, also known as Shaheed Dweep, is a small island located on the southern side of Andaman. Coconut palms, blue seas, tropical jungles, stunning and colourful coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna, and serene, lovely beaches can all be found here.
The Indian government has recognized Neil Island's soil as naturally organic, preserving the freshness and quality of the crops or vegetables while keeping it chemical-free, fresh, and hygienic. In fact, due to the large harvest, Neil Island even provides vegetables to the entire Andaman. However, in contrast to the other Andaman Islands, Neil Island avoids the usual hustle and bustle of the crowds. The island only has five villages, with a total population of about 3000.
One can easily take a hammock and a book to either of the three main sandy beaches—Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach, or Lakshmanpur Beach—and enjoy the serene and calming sea breeze.
Image by: Debal Das, Unsplash
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, also known as Wandoor National Park, is a place where marine life is conserved and is situated close to the Wandoor beach on the southwest coast of the Andaman Islands. The 17 islands that make up the nature reserve are arranged in a labyrinthine pattern. Together they form part of the Rutland Archipelago between Rutland Island and South Andaman Island.
This park features some of the most beautiful marine life in the world like coral reefs, mangrove creeks, rainforests, and breeding sites. The resting sea turtles can be found here. It is also the breeding site for more than 50 unique and beautiful fish species including many threatened fish species like angelfish, butterflyfish, giant robber crabs, grouper fish, lion or scorpion fish, and surgeon fish.
Image by: Nabil Naidu, Unsplash
Sippighat Agricultural Farm
Formed in 1959 as the "Soil Conservation and Demonstration Center," the Sippighat Agricultural Farm was turned into a horticulture farm in 2003. It is. The Sippighat Agricultural Farm, which extends over 80 acres, is still being developed and operated by the government of India and the Central Agricultural Research Institute. The goal of the research is to improve horticulture not just in the Andaman Islands but also throughout India.
Tourists are permitted to have a close look at the small demonstration plot, which has a narrow pathway encircling it where all the plants are being grown. The aroma of a wide range of spices, including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and even pepper fills the entire farm, and visitors can familiarise themselves with the method by which these are grown.
The farm's main appeal is several migrating bird species, like the Andaman teal, Eurasian Curlew, Large Falcons, Mongolian Plover, Narcondum Hornbill, Osprey or Fish Eating Eagle, Pacific Golden-Plover, and White-bellied Sea Eagle.
Image by: Deepak Kumar, Unsplash
Ross Island
Ross Island often referred to as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, is a small island in the South Andaman region. It served as the British Administration's headquarters in the early 1900s, and the British referred to it as "Paris of the East". The site is now home to some must-see ancient ruins of buildings constructed during the British era and is therefore a popular vacation spot. The most significant buildings include the Officers' Quarters, the Chief Commissioner's home, the Cathedral, a dilapidated church from the British era, and the Graveyard of the Britishers. All these buildings are surrounded by the roots, trunks, and vines of several hundred-year-old trees on the island.
Tourists who visit the island are certain to have a superb, breathtaking view of the adjacent islands and the possibility of seeing a variety of wildlife near the sea, including deer, ducks, and even peacocks.
Image by: Niket Malpani, Unsplash
Viper Island
Viper Island is yet another island in the South Andaman area of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island is named after the vessel, H.M.S. Viper, which was involved in an accident, and the remains were discovered close to the island. The region was well-known during British colonial authority since it served as a jail for political prisoners and criminals. It is also said that the island got its name because there were a lot of viper snakes dwelling there. Viper Islands has developed into a popular tourist attraction due to its historical significance, like the gallows on top of a hill mixed with beautiful and serene natural surroundings. Spotted deer are often spotted on this island. Tourists will also pass by Port Blair's main port and navy ships on their way to the island.
Image by: Nabil Naidu, Unsplash
Mount Harriet National Park
Mount Harriet National Park is a 46 sq km park that serves as a habitat for some of the rarest and most unusual plant and animal species. The site is without a doubt the most stunning of the nine national parks located on Andaman Island. It gets its name from the third and most prominent mountain on the Andaman Islands, Mount Harriet, which rises 365 meters above sea level in Port Blair's Ferrargunj Tehsil. Along with having some of the most stunning beaches, the national park offers hikers and nature lovers a 16-kilometre Mount Harriet to Madhuban trekking experience full of breathtaking and unforgettable landscapes.
It is home to 90 different bird species, 11 of which are endangered.
The best time to visit the park is between March and October to spot Andaman serpent eagles, Andaman wood pigeons, orchids, red water lilies, as well as other wildlife. There are an estimated 27 species of reptiles and amphibians, among which the significant ones are King Cobra, Andaman Cobra, two marine green sea turtles, and Olive Ridley. The park is also home to 12 different kinds of mammals, including the rare Andaman pig, shrews, and bats.
Image by: Jeshika Sinojia, Unsplash
Cellular Jail National Memorial
The Cellular Jail, popularly referred to as "Kala Pani," is a former colonial prison situated near Port Blair. It is the most popular and must-see tourist destination in the Andaman Islands. The jail was used by the British to detain political prisoners and criminals. The massive building now functions as a national memorial. The 698 cells of the three-story structure are linked to one another in the form of a starfish. The names of prisoners and the states they were from are written on a pillar and along the walls at the end of the passageway. The location is well-known for its amazing evening light and sound display that provides a glimpse into the historical struggle for freedom.
Image by: Vows on the Move, Unsplash
Chidiya Tapu
Chidya-Tapu, also known as Andaman's Bird Island, is the ideal home for several rarely seen migratory and native birds, such as emerald doves, parakeets, and sea eagles. The Chidiyatapu Biological Park, Chidiyatapu Beach, and Mundapahad (Black Mountain) are the main features of this park. Other than these Sunset Point provides stunning views of the sun setting into the vast Bay of Bengal. The miniature zoo at Chidiya Tapu is also a must-visit for tourists. The island is surrounded by dense forests and abundant mangroves, making it a perfect place to go trekking.
Samudrika Marine Museum
The Samudrika Marine Museum was constructed by the Indian Navy as part of their effort to promote awareness of marine life. It is located in Delanipur, Port Blair, directly across from the Andaman Teal House. The exhibition hall of the site is divided into five gallery sections that outline the history, geography, and anthropology of the Andaman Islands including detailed information about the tribal communities and plant and animal life. This museum also has a small aquarium with a variety of fish, coral, and shell exhibits. A blue whale skeleton that washed ashore on the Nicobar Islands is also on display. In addition to this, Haddo on Andaman Island has a small zoo where saltwater crocodiles are bred.
Image by: Amit Jain, Unsplash
Baratang Island's Limestone Caves
The naturally formed limestone caves on Baratang Island offer a distinct artistic delight to nature lovers. These caves, located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, were carved out of enormous sedimentary rocks and are covered in countless glowing stalagmites and stalactites. Visitors must carry a torch with them when they enter the caverns because the interiors are deep and dark. The long boat ride to the caverns passes along a beautiful coastline covered in mangrove trees of the Jarawa forest. Tourists even sail past canals covered with mangroves, beautiful beaches, and mud volcanoes that add to the excitement of the whole journey.
Image by: Abhijit Chirde, Unsplash
Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach, which is located on the western coast of Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), was declared "The Best Beach in Asia". The breathtaking beauty of the beach is mainly complemented by palm trees, pearl white sand, shallow coast, curvy shoreline, and crystal-clear turquoise blue water with quiet and pleasant waves.
Radhanagar Beach is also a popular spot for sports like boating, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, seabed walking, and snorkelling. To top it Radhanagar Beach has vast forests nearby filled with countless forest animals and birds.
Image by: Sakshi Mohapekar, Unsplash
Kalapathar Beach
Beautiful Kalapathar ("Black Stone") Beach gets its name from the black pebbles or stones that stick amid the white dunes. Small shacks flank the beach, offering a wide variety of savoury and sweet foods. The mesmerizing view of sunrise and sunset and a few scattered tree trunks that have fallen across dunes add to the beauty and offer great scenery for photography. On the beach, you can also purchase beautiful souvenirs and handmade items. There is a narrow trail that goes to the nearby forests, which originally served as an elephant training base. During the mango season, tourists can enjoy fresh mango and coconut juices. Tourists can also have thrilling adventures via boat.
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex
The Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex also referred to simply as the "Andaman Water Sports Complex," is among Port Blair's most popular tourist attractions. Much like the majority of the Andaman sites previously mentioned, the facility today acts as a memorial for the struggle between the Andamanese and the British in 1859, also known as the Battle of Aberdeen. In addition, the sports complex provides tourists with a wide range of exciting and fun water sports activities, such as parasailing, rowing, paddling, banana boating, speed boating, snorkelling, scuba diving, sea walking, etc. The facility has two main entrances, one to the jetty and the other to Marina Park. This park is fantastic for relaxing and other wellness activities like strolling, jogging, yoga, etc.
