Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the east of the Indian mainland geographically, is a splendid island in the Bay of Bengal. Once a hill range extending from Myanmar to Indonesia, these picturesque undulating islands, islets numbering around 572, are covered with dense rain-fed, damp and evergreen forests and endless varieties of exotic flora and fauna.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been declared as two of the 218 endemic bird area of the world. As many as 270 species and sub-species of birds have been reported existing in these islands, 106 of them being endemic. The Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Padauk and Dugong are declared as State Bird, State Tree and State Animal respectively. There are about 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries, nine National Parks and one Biosphere Reserve in the islands. These islands are blessed with the bounties of both south-west and north-east monsoons.
Most of these islands (about 550) are in the Andaman Group, 28 of which are inhabited. The smaller Nicobars, comprise some 22 main islands (10 inhabited). The Andaman and Nicobars are separated by the Ten Degree Channel which is 150 Kms. wide. These islands also boast of freedom fighting days’ historically significant landmarks viz. Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Viper Island, Hopetown and Mount Harriet.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been recognised as an eco-friendly tourist’s destination. As a tourist paradise, these islands have something very special to offer like Cellular Jail, Ross Island and Havelock Island. The Andaman tropical evergreen rain forests, beautiful silver sandy beaches, serpentine mangrove-lines creeks, marine life abounding in rare species of plants, animals, corals, etc., provide a memorable experience to the tourists. There is tremendous scope for enjoying nature in the beach resorts, water sports and adventure water sports, adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, Nature trail, Scuba Diving, etc.
Havelock Island
The island is one of the most popular destinations in Andaman and it attracts millions of visits from people across the globe and India. It is well-known among many people for its natural and pristine beaches, rivers, lakes, resorts, variety of flora and fauna, and untouched forest of earth. Apart from beautiful nature, there are several adventure things to do on the island and this place deserves to be part of your Andaman Tourism. Let’s look at the top attractions of Havelock Island
Radhanagar Beach
Located on the Havelock Island, this beach is ranked as the 8th Most Beautiful Beach In The World and is one of the most visited places in Andaman. Located amidst blue waters and lush green tropical forest, Radhanagar Beach is a perfect place for nature lovers as well as adventure seekers.
It’s clear skies, calm waters along with extremely rich and well preserved marine life and coral reefs makes this place one of the best places to visit in Andaman and also the most preferred spot for activities like snorkelling, swimming, scuba diving, boating and parasailing.
Mount Harriet And Madhuban
Apart from being the destination with the most beautiful beaches, Andaman’s Mount Harriet and Madhuban offers you a breath-taking and memorable trekking experience too.
If you are a nature lover, adventure seeker or a trekking enthusiast, this 16-kilometre trek will give you a chance to see some of the rarest and the most exotic plants, trees, animals, birds and landscapes.
The beauty of Mount Harriet National Park is at its peak between March – October and it’s also the best time to spot Orchids, Red Water Lily, Andaman Serpent Eagle, Andaman Wood Pigeon, Narkondam Hornbill and more.
It’s enchanting beauty and variety of offerings for people belonging to every age group makes it one of the best tourist places in Andaman and Nicobar.
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex
A trip to the beaches with crystal clear, blue water is always incomplete without a dip in the water. Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, also known as Andaman Water Sports Complex gives you a chance to dive into extreme excitement and ride the waves of joy with its wide variety of water sports like banana boat ride, jet ski ride, speed boat ride, parasailing, rowboat paddling, snorkelling, sea walking, scuba diving and more.
Whether you are young or old, experienced or first timer, the extremely experienced and friendly instructors ensure you enjoy every ride with ultimate safety and care.
Being the best spot for adventurous activities, Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex is undoubtedly one of the best tourist places in Andaman and Nicobar.
North Bay Beach
The North Bay Beach is a paradise for divers, swimmers and all those who wish to see the most beautiful coral reefs and marine life in India. It is one of the best places to visit in Andaman for scuba diving, snorkelling and sea walking. Considering the amount of people engaging themselves in such adventurous activities, there are many professional clubs offering various activity packages.
In case, you are someone who loves to explore the underwater life while staying dry, there are a number of glass-bottom boat tours that enable you to get a glimpse of the wonderful world, underwater.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park was established in 1983 to save the marine life and preserve the underwater ecosystem.
Spread across an area of 280 sq.kms. and made up of 17 islands, this park comprises of mangrove creeks, rainforests, breeding grounds and coral reefs with more than 50 different species of rare and colourful fishes.
The best time to visit this park is between November – February and it is closed for tourists during the monsoons.
Offering a wide variety of landscapes, flora and fauna, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is undoubtedly a must visit tourist place in Andaman.
Diglipur
The largest town on the North Andaman Island, Diglipur is also the home to Saddle Peak - The Highest Peak in Andaman. This ecological paradise is famous for its turtle nesting site, crocodile sanctuaries, exotic marine life and Alfred Caves - a network of caves spread across the entire town.
Also, a home to a number of the most beautiful beaches in Andaman, Mud Volcano and Saddle Peak National Park, Diglipur is one of the best places to visit in Port Blair and also the most visited tourist places in Andaman.
Chidiya Tapu
As the name itself says, Chidiya Tapu is the island of birds and a heaven for bird and nature lovers.
It’s lush green mangroves and equatorial forest provides a perfect home to hundreds of species of exotic birds make it one of the best places to visit in Port Blair. If you are a true bird lover, you must visit this place during the summers as the sky is extremely clear and you can easily spot birds like Parakeets, Sea Eagles, Emerald Doves and many more.
Along with bird watching, you can also spend your time indulging in activities like trekking, snorkelling, scuba diving and pearl hunting.
While the bird watching and all other exciting activities keep you amazed through the day, it’s the sunset from the sunset point that will undoubtedly steal the show and leave you awestruck for a long time ahead.
Ross Island
In the early 1900s, Ross Island was the Headquarter of British Administration and was also called ‘Paris Of The East’ by them. But, this once upon a time architectural marvel was devastated by an earthquake in 1941. Everything that was left after the earthquake, got destroyed during the Japanese invasion.
If history, war and traditional architecture is something that excites you, Ross Island is undoubtedly the places to visit in Andaman.
It’s abandoned buildings, stores, water treatment plant, swimming pool, tennis court, printing press and hospital will definitely make you relive the tragic history of this once upon a time iconic place.
Neil Island
Neil Island is known for its tranquility, serenity, unexplored coral reefs, secluded beaches as compared to Ross Island and Havelock Island. Rather than a tourist destination, Neil Island is a perfect place for a romantic and an intimate holiday.
Apart from its three picturesque beaches – Bharatpur, Sitapur and Lakshmanpur, it is also known for its rice farming and food cultivation. It’s inclination towards farming had made Neil Island a major supplier of vegetables in most regions of Andaman.
So, if you are someone who loves to ditch the crowd and wishes to spend time in peace and tranquility, Neil Island will undoubtedly give you a memorable experience of a lifetime.
Baratang Island
A hidden gem in the heart of Andaman, Baratang Island is an unexplored heaven for wanderers who love to explore offbeat, unique and not so touristy places.
It’s dense mangrove forests, mud volcanoes, limestone caves, exotic birds and animals, picturesque landscapes and most importantly, it’s ethnic residents – The Jarawa Tribe make it a dream destination for every offbeat traveller.
So, if experience, knowledge and adventure is what you seek on your vacation to Andaman, have Baratang Island on top of your list of the places to visit in Andaman.
Vijaynagar Beach
Away from the hassle and commotion of the crowd, Vijaynagar Beach is for those who love spending time in total tranquillity and experience a complete peace of mind.
Having extremely calm water, pristine white sand along with Mahua and Palm trees makes this beach perfect for shallow floating, sunbathing or simply relaxing and readingunder the shade of the tree.
Vijaynagar Beach is also extremely famous amongst the professional as well as passionate photographers. The view of the perfect sunrise where the sunrays spread across the sea, create a sparkling water effect and spread infinite shades of colours in the sky with birds flying, is something that every shutterbug dreams to capture.
Offering an extremely peaceful environment without any unwanted disturbance, Vijaynagar Beach is one of the perfect places to visit in Andaman for couples and families.
Cinque Island
Cinque Island is one of the most famous and the most photographed island in Andaman. The place where the two parts of the island are connected by a sand bar is one of the most photographed points and one of the must-visit places to visit in Port Blair. This unique and beautiful natural sand bridge is undoubtedly a visual treat and will leave you awestruck for a long time ahead.
Being a part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, the island boasts of coral reef gardens that extend to hundreds of meters deep into the sea. These coral gardens contain an extremely wide variety of coral reefs, seaweeds, colourful fishes, starfish, shells, sea anemones, salt-water crocodiles, turtles and water snakes.
Having such a rich underwater life, this place is a paradise for the people who love scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing.
Along with a wonderful underwater life, Cinque Island is also a home to beautiful sandy beaches for those who love to relax on the beach and tropical rainforest with nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts
Long Island
Spread across the area of 18 sq. kms. Long Island is kind of a modern village on the island with a population of around 2000. Unlike the other islands where finding even the most basic things can be a task, Long Island has everything you need to make your stay comfortable and memorable.
Even though the island is inhabited, the beaches and forest areas are as good as untouched. It’s pristine beaches with white sand and blue water are the best spot for beach camping and sunbathing. If you love swimming and fishes, you can easily find tours that take you for snorkelling, scuba diving, dolphin watching.
So, along with the secluded and tranquil islands of Andaman, if you wish to get an experience of staying on an inhabited and lively place, Long Island is the best places to visit in Andaman and has to be one of your stops in between your trip.
Jolly Buoy Island
Also known as ‘No Man’s Land’, Jolly Buoy Island is a solitary island located off the coast of Wandoor Beach and can only be accessed via boats from Wandoor.
Being an unpopulated island and a no-plastic zone, Jolly Buoy is the cleanest and the serenest island amongst the all the islands in Andaman.
So, if you are travelling to Andaman in search of equanimity and internal solidarity, Jolly Buoy Island should be your must-visit place in Andaman.
Samudrika Marine Museum
Being an island with an exceptionally wide and unique variety of marine life, Andaman is undoubtedly the favourite destination for people who are attracted towards the underwater world.
Samudrika Marine Museum was established by the Indian Navy with an aim to spread knowledge about the marine life in and around Andaman. It’s one prime initiative is also to create awareness about the ways to protect, preserve and promote the marine life in Andaman.
This museum is also a home to 350 rare varieties and species of marine life like fishes, seashells and corals. Along with marine life, one of the sections in the museum is also dedicated to the Tribes of Andaman.
So, along with enjoying the experience of seeing the underwater world, if you are keen on knowing the underwater world in detail, Samudrika Marine Museum is one of the best places to visit in Port Blair.
Ross and Smith Island
As the name says it all, Ross and Smith Island are twin islands connected by a sandbar. The best part is that the sandbar submerges underwater during the high tide and surfaces again during the low tide.
Though the islands are inhabited by the locals, but the cleanliness and serenity is perfectly maintained.
Ross and Smith Island is the best places to visit in Andaman for those who seek virgin beaches having transparent turquoise water, exotic marine life, lush green tropical forests along with the village life.
This island is also the home to Olive Ridley turtles and if you plan to visit it during the nesting season, you can surely see the most beautiful sight of baby turtles hatching and taking their first steps towards the sea.
Located at a distance of 20 kms from Diglipur, you can visit Ross and Smith Island by chartered boats after getting the permission from the Forest Office at Diglipur.
Corbyn’s Cove Beach
Crystal-clear water, pearl white sand, endless coconut trees and clear blue sky. No, this not a description of an imaginary beach painting. This is exactly how Corbyn’s Cove Beach looks.
If you are planning to for a beach vacation where you can relax in tranquillity, sunbathe under the shade of coconut trees, take a rejuvenating dip and spend quality and intimate time with your family and friends, Corbyn’s Cove Beach is just the one of the right places to visit in Port Blair for you.
Limestone Caves
Naturally carved by the force of the water over centuries, the Limestone Caves at Baratang Island are the one-of-the best places to see in Andaman. Carved out of gigantic sedimentary rocks with countless numbers of glowing stalagmites and stalactites, these caves are undoubtedly a nature’s masterpiece that you cannot miss on your trip to Andaman.
As they say ‘It’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey’. So, it’s not only the beauty of the caves that will spellbind you, it’s even the memorable journey to the caves that will stay on your mind even after you’re back home and lost in your routine.
