Explore Andamans

RAJIV GANDHI WATER SPORTS COMPLEXThis water sports complex is the first of its kind in India that offers all possible aqua-sports facilities including safe water sports and Adventure water sports within one water sports complex. In the safe water sports complex paddle-boats, row-boats, glass-bottom and bumper boats are available. In the adventure sport front, Jet Ski, parasailing, banana boats, speed boats are offered. The Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex houses a memorial of the 'Battle of Aberdeen' fought between the Britishers and the Andamanese aboriginals in 1859.

CHATHAM SAW MILLThe Chatham saw mill is one of the oldest saw mills in Asia. It is built on a tiny island and connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is a store house of timber varieties like, Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin wood etc. The Chatham Island has the second largest wharf of these islands where island-mainland ships can berth. Within the saw mill compound is a museum showcasing the various timber wealth of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The museum offers an insight in to forest activities through scale models and display decorative pieces made of Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, Satin wood etc. Closed on Sundays and Industrial Holidays.

MINI ZOOThe Mini Zoo is situated at Haddo (Delanipur – Chatham road) which houses some of the endemic birds and animals of these islands. Closed on Mondays.

SAGARIKA – COTTAGE INDUSTRIES EMPORIUMThis Emporium exhibits a spectrum of artefacts made of mother pearl, sea shells, coconut shells and local wood products. Miniatures of Nicobari canoes, palm mats for floors, tables, furniture etc. are exhibited which are also for sale. It is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

SCIENCE CENTREThe Science Centre, situated five kms from Port Blair town, has an 'Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gallery' with interactive exhibits depicting genesis of the islands, volcanic activities, science of oceans, Fun Science gallery, modern technology gallery, Taramandal (Portable planetarium), and an in-house butterfly pen. It is closed on all Mondays and Public Holidays.

GANDHI PARKThis beautiful park at Port Blair has facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports and nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese temple as well as a bunker. The erstwhile Diltaman tank, which was the only source of drinking water for Port Blair and the area around has been developed as Gandhi Park in an unbelievably short time of 13 days. It is open on all days.

MOUNT HARRIETMount Harriet, 55 Kms by road/ 15 Kms by ferry and trek was the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj. This place is ideal for fascinating overview of the nearby islands and the sea. It is the highest peak in the South Andamans (365 mts. high). At Mount Harriet, there is a Forest Guest House where tourists can take rest and refresh themselves.

MADHUBANOne can visit Madhuban from Mount Harriet by trekking through the jungle approximately covering 16 Kms. Exotic endemic birds, butterflies are interesting sights of this wilderness trek.Incidentally, the three points i.e. Mount Harriet and North Bay on thenorth of Port Blair and Ross Island on the east of Port Blair is the natural gateway for ships entering to berth at the Haddo and Chatham Wharf and Phoenix Bay Jetty.

SIPPIGHAT AGRICULTURAL FARMThis Govt. agricultural farm is located 14 kms west of Port Blair covering over an area of 80 acres, cultivate spices like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, coconut etc.

MAHATMA GANDHI MARINE NATIONAL PARKThe Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor is at a distance of 29 Kms from Port Blair and covers an area of 281.5 Sqr. Kms. This Marine Park comprises of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, which is one of the best found anywhere in the world. Viewing of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, scuba diving and snorkelling are a life time experience.

Private ferry operators arrange conducted tour to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park from Wandoor. One needs to take permit, issued by the Forest Department and the boat ticket from the boat operators which are available at the Reception Counter of Directorate of Tourism from a Single Window before proceeding to Wandoor. Tourists are allowed to spend two and half hours in Jolly Buoy Island or Red Skin Island as a part of conducted tours.

Generally, from December to May tourists are taken to Jolly Buoy Island and from May to November to Red Skin Island. It is advised to take packed lunch and water fillings before proceeding to the Marine National Park. Regular bus services are also available from Bus Terminus to Wandoor. It remains closed on Mondays.

CARBYN'S COVE BEACHCorbyn's Cove beach- the coconut-palm fringed beach, six kilometers away from Port Blair town is ideal for swimming and sun-basking. Facilities like hotel, restaurant, bar, changing room, adventure water-sports are available here. Historical remains like Japanese Bunkers can be seen on the way to this beach. The Snake Island situated just across the beach is popular for scuba diving. The Waves Restaurant & Beer Bar run by Tourism department provides delightful cuisine at reasonable rates in a soothing ambience on the beach.

NORTH BAY BEACHNorth Bay beach which is north of Port Blair provides snorkelling opportunities around its fringing coral reefs. Private ferry service takes one from Aberdeen Jetty across North Bay and brings back after a three hour stay. The corals at North Bay are spread over a large area. During snorkeling one can spot many species of fish, often lobsters and even clams on the coral reef. Sea walk is the latest addition of facilities there to watch under water life.

MUNDAPAHAR BEACH, CHIDIYATAPPUMundaPahar beach is 2.75 Kms from Chidiyatappu bus stop and is preferred for swimming. Frequent bus services are available from Port Blair bus terminus to Chidiyatappu- the southernmost tip of South Andaman Island. It is situated at a distance of 28 Kms from Port Blair Bus stand. It is famous for bird watching, sunset view, panoramic scenic beauties, and many colours of oceanic view. The biological park at Chidiyatappu is the added attraction.

WANDOOR BEACHAbout 29 Kms. west of Port Blair is the famous Wandoor beach known for scenic beauty and is very popular amongst tourists. The range of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is just across Wandoor Beach. To visit the Marine National Park, boats are available from Wandoor Jetty.

COLLINPUR BEACHThis beach situated near Tirur, 36 Kms away from Port Blair has a beautiful sandy beach with shallow water which is ideally suitable for swimming, sun-basking and sunset viewing.

CELLULAR JAIL – NATIONAL MEMORIALThe Cellular jail, declared a National Memorial, is located at Port Blair which had stood as a mute witness to the most brutal and barbaric atrocities meted out to national freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this jail. The jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name 'Cellular' because it was entirely made up of individual cells for solitary confinement. It originally was a seven-block structure with three stories and a central tower acting as its fulcrum comprising of honeycomb like corridors. This jail, now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom-loving people draws everyone down memory lane to the years of freedom struggle. Jail Museum open from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 1:30 pm to 4:45 pm. Sunday closed.

SON-ET-LUMIERE (SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW)The Sound and Light show in the Cellular Jail narrates the saga of the Indian freedom struggle, brought alive through sound and light effect of the brutal and barbaric atrocities piled on the freedom fighters deported to these islands and incarcerated in the small cells of this jail. This show is very popular among the tourists visiting these islands. Timing: Hindi show all days from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm except Monday, Wednesday & Friday. English show starts at 7:15 pm.

ROSS ISLANDThis small island, less than a square kilometer stands right across Port Blair. This island served as the capital to the Britishers from 1858 to 1941 when the Japanese occupied it and converted it to a 'POW site'. This island homes the ruins of the church, Chief Commissioner's house, the Cathedral and graveyard of the Britishers and few other important landmarks which today is hugged by wild wines and huge roots and trunks of century old trees which are very evocative of the ruins and remains. To reach Ross Island, private ferries are available from Aberdeen Jetty except on Wednesday.

VIPER ISLANDThis island derives its name from the vessel 'Viper' in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to these islands in 1768 with the purpose of establishing a penal settlement. The vessel, it is believed, met with an accident and its wreckage was abandoned near the island. Gallows built on the top of the hillock, visible to all prisoners in the island, signified death. The jail at Viper, where prisoners deported from the mainland and confined, was built by the Britishers under the supervision of Major Fort. Private ferries operate to Viper Island during Harbour cruise from Aberdeen Jetty every day at 3.00 PM.

ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUMThe Anthropological museum in Port Blair started in the year 1975-76, is an ethnographic museum. It showcases the four Negrito Tribes of the Andaman viz. the Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese and the Onges and two Mongoloid Tribes of the Nicobar viz. the Nicobarese and the Shompens. This museum is closed on Thursdays and Govt. Holidays.

FISHERIES MUSEUMThis museum is situated adjacent to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sport Complex, Port Blair, which exhibits species of marine life endemic to the islands and found in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal. It is closed on Mondays/Public Holidays/Second Saturdays.

SAMUDRIKA (NAVAL MARINE MUSEUM)Situated opposite Andaman Teal House, Delanipur, Port Blair, this museum create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment and houses a vast collection of cells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes of the sea around the islands. Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.

ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA MUSEUMSituated near Andaman Teal House, this museum exhibits several varieties of sponges, corals, butterflies, centipedes etc. It is open on all working days except Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

NEIL ISLAND (36 KMS BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR)This beautiful island with lush green forests and silver sandy beaches is connected by boat daily from Port Blair, which provides an ideal holiday for eco-friendly tourists. One can feel the serenity of village life here. The beaches at Laxmanpur, Bharatpur and Sitapur and Natural Bridge formation on the sea-shore are fascinating. It offers snorkelling and scuba diving as aqua activities. Hawa Bill Nest Guest House of the Directorate of Tourism provides comfortable accommodation. Booking of accommodation can be made from the Reception Desk of Directorate of Tourism, Port Blair. Boat tickets are available at the Ticket Counters of the Directorate of Shipping Services on working days from 09.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 02.00 PM to 04.00 PM.

HAVELOCK ISLAND (50 KMS BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR VIA NEIL ISLAND 62 KMS)This island, with beautiful sandy beaches fringed with green canopy of the rain-fed forests beckons everyone to enjoy the frolic and fun at the azure sea. Vijay Nagar beach, 5 Kms away from the Jetty on the eastern side and elephant beach, 10 Kms from the Jetty, including trekking through the forest on the north western part of the island are other breathtaking beaches. The Tourism Department organises Island Camping, with tented accommodation, during the tourist season at Radha Nagar beach. One can enjoy the stay right on the seashore by listening to lulls of the solacing sea in this camp.

Havelock is connected by daily speed boat services from Port Blair. Dolphin Resort, run by the Directorate of Tourism, provides comfortable accommodation at Havelock. Private Hotels also offer excellent accommodation facilities there. Snorkeling and scuba diving facilities are offered by Scuba Dive Centre Operators seasonally. Accommodation at Dolphin Resort and Island Camping can be made from the Reception Counter of Directorate of Tourism on all working days during office hours.

RADHANAGAR BEACHRadha Nagar Beach lies on the south coast of Havelock Island. It is about 12 kilometers from the Islands ferry pier. Radha Nagar is a Grade A beach of outstanding quality. This beach is also rated as the best beach. in Asia by TIME Magazine. It has an overall length of two kilometers and an average width of 30 to 40 meters. The sand is white and very fine in grain. The beach has a gentle gradient of around 1:20 and continues out into the sea as a sandy bottom for over 100 meters.

VIJAYNAGAR BEACHVijaynagar Beach, Havelock, is a long stretch of sand on the east coast of the Island, punctuated occasionally by rock section. Most of the beach is lined by mahua trees, whose trunks grow along the ground for many feet before they begin to climb vertically. These trees have lent a distinct character to the sea front and provide shade, close to the water. Vijaynagar Beach is perfect for long walks along the sea. Dolphin Resort is run by the Tourism Department and many other hotels are also located on this beach.

ELEPHANT BEACHThis beach is another ideal site for snorkeling. It has a rich coral reef formation and amazing underwater marine life. One can reach Elephant beach by small cruise boat from Havelock Jetty in about 40 minutes. By road one can go up to the Forest Camp which is 8 Kms from the Jetty towards Radhanagar side and from there by walk to the Elephant beach which will take another 40 minutes. Private ferry operators organize tours to Elephant beach from Havelock.

LONG ISLAND (102 KMS. BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR)Connected with Port Blair by boat four times a week, this island offers an exquisite sandy beach at Lalaji Bay with unpolluted environment and evergreen forests. The sea around the island is frequented by Dolphins. Lalaji Bay beach six kilometers away from the Jetty is accessible by 15 minutes journey by engine dinghies. One can also trek through the dense forests. To reach Long Island by boat one has options from Rangat / Yeratta Jetty / Uttara Jetty near Baratang Island.

BARATANG ISLAND (100 KMS. BY ROAD FROM PORT BLAIR)This island between South and Middle Andaman has beautiful beaches, mangrove creeks, mud-volcanoes and limestone caves. Andaman Trunk Road to Rangat and Mayabunder goes through this island. Limestone cave can be explored with the permission of Forest Department at Baratang and proper local guidance. Limited Govt. accommodation is available at Baratang. Also visit the Parrot Island nearby during sunset times to sea hoards of parrots flocking which gives picturesque memory to take back.

RANGAT (170 KMS. BY ROAD AND 90 KMS BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR)One is exposed to the quiet village life at Rangat, Middle Andaman Island. You can also breathe unpolluted air, a rare availability for the city dweller. Amkunj Beach, 15 Kms. away from Rangat Bazar/ jetty towards Mayabunder and Curtbert Bay beach, 20 Kms. away from the Rangat Bazar jetty towards Mayabunder are the beaches near Rangat. Curtbert Bay is a Turtle- Nesting ground. One can view the nesting of turtle during December-February period. Hawks Bill Nest a Guest House, managed by the Directorate of Tourism is near Curtbert Bay beach. From here one can visit Mayabunder and Diglipur also.

MAYABUNDER (240 KMS BY ROAD FROM PORT BLAIR)Situated in the Northern part of Middle Andaman Islands, Mayabunder offers excellent scenic beauty, mangrove creeks and beautiful beaches. Beaches at Avis Island (30 minutes boat journey from Mayabunder), and Karmatang (13 Kms) are fascinating.

KARMATANG BEACH AND RAMPUR BEACHRampur beach is on the outskirts of Mayabunder town. Karmatang beach is before reaching Mayabunder and is hidden from the road going past it by a rock outcrop and coconut plantations. The place is quite enchanting. The water is clean. The waves are not too rough and sand soft under the feet. Rampur Beach is smaller of the two and with less shade. It is right next to the road. Close to the beach, you can also see a portion of mangrove forest.

DIGLIPUR (325 KMS. BY ROAD FROM PORT BLAIR)Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides rare experience for eco-friendly tourists. The place is famous for its oranges, rice, forest wealth and marine life. Saddle Peak (732 Mtrs) is the highest point in the Andaman Islands. Kalpong the only river in Andamans flows from here. The only Hydro-electric project of the islands is on this river. Trekking to Saddle Peak through the evergreen forest, Kalipur, Lamiya Bay and Ram Nagar beaches and the sandbar joining Ross and Smith islands are a fascinating experience.

Ram Nagar Beach, Kalipur and the Sandbar joining Ross and Smith islands are famous for Turtle Nesting during December-February season. One can enjoy unhurried holidays here. Turtle Resort run by the Directorate of Tourism at Kalipur provides comfortable accommodation. There are few private resorts as well.

The Craggy Island across Kalipur beach is a little island known for fishes and corals. Ross & Smith Islands are twin islands bridged by pristine white sandy beach that has a swimming pool lagoon on one side and a snorkeling paradise on the other. A chain of mud volcanoes could be witnessed in the green jungle of Shyamnagar at Diglipur. A trek through the primary jungle leads to Alfred caves-a cluster of amazing 41 caves. It is a den for swiftlets and fruit eating bats.

BARREN ISLAND (139 KMS BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR)The only active volcano in India is located in Barren Island. The volcano erupted once in 1991 and again in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177 years. This island is about three kilometers in diameter and has a big crater of the volcano, about half a kilometer away from the shore. The island can be visited by chartering boats/seaplane and with the permission of Forest Department. Foreign nationals are restricted to be onboard the vessel only and landing ashore is not allowed.

CINQUE ISLAND (26 KMS BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR)A sanctuary with rare corals and under-water marine life, Cinque Island has fine sandy-beach and sand–bar connecting North and South Cinque Islands and tropical rain-forest. There is no scheduled ferry service to Cinque Island. Chartered boats of permitted category are allowed from Port Blair and Wandoor. To visit, one may contact private boat operators in Port Blair to hire a boat with due permission from the Forest Department.

LITTLE ANDAMAN ISLAND (125 KMS BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR)Little Andaman island located south to south Andaman, has varied attractions in store for the tourists. There are two water falls in the islands, both in the midst of the ever green rain forest. White Surf Water Falls is 6.5 kms from Hutbay Jetty. One can enjoy Elephant Safari through the forests. The other water fall – Whisper Wave is 20 kms away from the Jetty. Journey to Whisper Wave includes four kilometers of trekking through the forest. Butler Bay, a beautiful beach is 14 Kms. from Hutbay Jetty and the beach is ideal for basking, snorkeling and surfing. Tourist huts are available on the sea-front for stay. Boating through creek near the beach is exciting. Netaji Nagar beach 11 Kms from Hutbay Jetty and Harminder Bay beach are other beautiful beaches in the island. One can witness elephant lumbering operation and elephant calves training inside the forest.

Little Andaman is also famous for its Red-oil palm plantation, which spreads over an area of sixteen hundred hectares. There is a palm oil extraction factory inside the plantation which can be visited while travelling between the White Surf Waterfall and Butler Bay beach. The Onges and Nicobarese-two of the aboriginal tribes of the islands and settlers from other places reside in this island. Entry to tribal area is restricted. Hut bay is the entry and exit point for the tourists. Ferry services are available every day from Port Blair and the journey takes seven to nine hours. Regular seaplane services are also available from Port Blair.

NICOBARThis District territory of the UT Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprises of 28 Islands with an area of 1841 Sqr. Kms. The Nicobar groups of islands are separated from Andamans by the Ten Degree Channel. The Nicobars are abounding in coconut palms, casuarinas and pandanus. Great and Little Nicobar have Crab eating macaques with long tail. Nicobar pigeons are in plenty. Nicobar group is out of bounds for foreigners at present. Indians are given permission in exceptional case on application for Tribal Pass.

GREAT NICOBARThis place is 540 kms by sea from Port Blair. The Great Nicobar Island has an area of 400 Sqr. miles. This southern-most island is only 90 miles away from Sumatra. The southernmost tip of India, ‘Indira Point' is in Great Nicobar Island. Megapode, a rare bird, is found in Great Nicobar. Great and Little Nicobar have the Giant Robber Crab. Campbell bay is the head quarter of Great Nicobar Island. The only Bio-sphere Reserve in A&N Islands –the Great Nicobar Bio-sphere Reserve is close to Campbell Bay.

CAMPBELL BAYCampbell bay is open for Indian tourists. Campbell Bay can be reached by Helicopter from Port Blair (3 hours) or by sea. Sailing from Port Blair to Campbell Bay would be available on an average once in ten days. Tourism Department & APWD have guest houses here.

WATER SPORTSThe Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex at Port Blair offers adventure and safe water sports activities. Adventure water sports include water skiing, water scooter, speed boat rides, wind-surfing, etc. The safe water sports component has paddle boats, rowing boats, water cycles, banana rides and many more. Water sport facilities are also available at Carbyn's cove beach, Port Blair and Radha Nagar beach at Havelock.

GAME FISHINGThere are organizations that offer all kinds of fishing equipments and boats. For fishing enthusiasts, the sea of the coasts of Havelock Island, Neil Island, Long Island and Ritchie's archipelago offer some of the best catches.

FOREST AND BEACH CAMPINGAdventure lovers can pack their tents and camp on some of the best beaches in the world or in the forests. The Directorate of Tourism rents Swiss Dome and tent accommodation at Radhanagar beach in Havelock Island. For this, booking can be done at the Reception Counter of the Directorate of Tourism at Port Blair.

SNORKELLINGOne can enjoy the underwater marine life and view the rarest of corals by snorkelling at North bay, Carbyn's Cove, Chidiyatapu, Havelock, Jolly Buoy, Redskin Island and Ross and Smith Island.

SEA WALKNorth Bay beach near Port Blair has this facility offered by a private entrepreneur to watch the underwater marine life by walking on the seabed.

Scuba Diving

Jet Ski

Banana Ride

TREKKINGTourists can go trekking through the evergreen forest from Bambooflat to Mount Harriet, Mount Harriet to Madhuban in South Andaman, Kalipur in Diglipur to Saddle Peak in North Andaman and in Little Andaman to experience the life within the lovely, dark and deep forests.

BIRD WATCHINGThe Parrot Island near Baratang is famous for endemic birds especially Parrot of various kinds. Some thirty species of endemic birds are recorded. It is ideal to visit Parrot Island in the evening from Baratang Island to watch innumerable birds flocking in.

MANGROVE CREEK SAFARIThe lush green mangroves abundantly seen on either side of meandering creeks in the North and Middle Andamans offer excellent scope for creek safari. One can experience this unique eco-friendly activity at Yerrata creek, Dhaninalla Mangrove creek, Sabari Village –Rangat Middle Andaman. The mangrove bench walk introduced recently here is a fascinating experience for nature lovers. The Sabari village Panchayat organises eco-tourism activities including creek safari, accommodation, etc at reasonable rates.

SHOPPINGHang out in Aberdeen Bazar, Junglighat & Bathubasti to get a feel of the place and interact with islanders. Purchase shell crafts and other curios from government emporium named Sagarika at Port Blair.