Turquoise sea lapping up on soft white beaches fringed with palm tree set against a backdrop of mangrove and tropical rain forests, certainly fit many people’s idea of an idyllic place for a vacation. The Andaman Islands, set in the Indian Ocean certainly have a lot to offer. These islands, together with the Nicobar Islands from part of a long archipelago at the point where Bay of Bengal meets the Andaman Sea. There are around 572 islands, 36 of which are inhabited and only about a dozen are accessible for tourists. Water sports are major attraction and the coral reefs offer some of the best opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving as well. Being in the Andaman Islands will make you feel like you’re living in a travel magazine!
As always, you can expect more than just visits to places of interests and water sports on your trip to this tropical fantasyland. It is designed to give you a heady blend of action, exploration and introspection!
PLACES YOU SHALL VISIT
Port Blair
The headquarters and gateway to the Andaman Islands, Port Blair is a town where life goes on at an unhurried pace. Port Blair showcases a fabulous blend of nature, culture and history which is certain to leave you spellbound. You shall get to have a peek into all these features of this beautiful town.
What’s in store for you here?
Visit to some interesting museums, stroll in the Marine National Park, exciting water sports at Corbyn’s Cove, visit to the Japanese bunkers which are reminiscent of the Japanese occupation of the Andaman Islands during World War II & an enchanting light & sound show at the historical Cellular Jail ( Kala Pani )!
Havelock Island
Havelock Island also known as ‘Swaraj Island’, and is the soul of Andaman. It is one of the most spectacular beaches in Andaman and in India. Of the islands of Andaman and Nicobar this is the largest and is extremely popular for its pristine beaches, coral reefs and great scuba diving experience. An amazing ferry ride of about 2 hours shall get us to this island and we shall stay here for a night.
What’s in store for you here?
An enchanting evening at the crescent shaped Radhanagar Beach which is rated as one of the top 10 spectacular beaches of the world! The island’s forested interior is home to birdlife such as white-headed mynas and woodpeckers. You shall also get time to try some scuba diving here too!!
Elephant Beach
During your stay at Havelock you shall also get to visit the beautiful Elephant Beach. A short ride of about 45 minutes by a speed boat to reach this beach from Havelock is an experience you shall cherish for a long time.
What’s in store for you here?
Of all the beaches of Andaman Islands this is perhaps the best one for swimming due to its crystal clear waters. The island offers snorkeling and scuba diving for you to see amazing marine life up-close in the coral reefs surrounding this island. You can also try some other thrilling activities such as jet-skiing, parasailing (only available here!), glass-bottom boat ride and even a sea-walk! The beach has wooden benches where you can sit back and enjoy the view with a bag full of snacks and watch the sunset after a long day of adventure.
The Baratang caves
These unique and spectacular caves located about 100 kms away from Port Blair is not in the itinerary of the regular tourists that visit Andaman and that’s the reason it is part of our itinerary! Baratang is famous for its magnificent limestone caves that have magnificent.
What’s in store for you here?
Magnificent caves covered with massive formations of stalactites and stalagmites dangling from the ceiling like chandeliers which shine and glow due to constant dripping of water from the ceiling. The drive to Baratang is through dense forests of mangrove and there are bright chances of coming face to face with the elusive Jarawa tribe people on this refreshing drive too!
TRIVIA
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The largest sea turtles in the world such as the Leatherback nest here.
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Dugong, the gentle sea cow, is the state animal of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
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Andaman Islands were originally part of Burma. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru traded with them in exchange of two districts of Manipur!
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Radhanagar beach has been voted as the 7th best beach in the world and the best beach in Asia by Trip Advisor.
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The only active volcano in India located at the Barren Island, is part of Andaman Islands.
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The older 20 Rupee note depicts a scene from North Bay island which is part of Andaman Islands.
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The dreaded Kala Pani (Cellular Jail) which was established by the British after the revolt of 1857 is located in Andaman Islands at Port Blair.
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Baratang in Andaman is the only place in India with mud volcanoes.
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The Elephant Island derives this name from 3 elephants that were here in the past, which used to take visitors for exploring the beach. The last of these elephants died in 2017.
PLEASE NOTE
Indian nationals need no permit to visit the Andamans. However, visiting tribal reserved areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is prohibited. All the foreigners arriving at Port Blair will have to show their passport at Immigration counters at the airport and seaport for verification. No photography of aboriginal tribes (Jarawas) while traveling by bus/cars through Andaman Trunk Road is allowed. It is a legal offense.