Union Territory – Andaman and Nicobar Island

Location: Andaman and Nicobar island are located in the bay of Bengal. The capital city Port Blair is located in Andaman island around 1190 km from Chennai, 1255 km from Kolkata and 1200 km from Vishakapatnam. For more on geography and location, click here.

Capital: Port Blair

Distance: Around 1190 km from Chennai, 1255 km from Kolkata and 1200 km from Vishakapatnam.

Journey time: Around 50 – 60 hours by ship from Chennai or Kolkata. 1 and 1/2 hrs by flight.

How to reach there: By ship from Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakapatnam. By air from Chennai and Kolkata. Read more ….

Best time to visit: Apart from monsoon, all other time should be good. During monsoon sea voyage may be little tricky, the sea will be rough.

Where to stay: To check various kind of accommodations, click here. You do online booking by visiting the link.

Where to eat: You can try local eatery or eat at the hotel you are staying.

Language spoken: Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam. Indigenous tribal language spoken by the tribes there.

Andaman and Nicobar islands were isolated and this is clear written history about them. However, it is believed that the islands were inhabited for thousands of years. The islands came in contact of mainland India during the expeditions of southern Chola kings, Maratha rulers etc. However, the actual settlement took place after British expeditions in late 18th century. The first settled people are the deported freedom fighters from the mainland India. The indigenous people here are mainly Negroids and Mongoloid in race. They are the Jarawa, the Jangil (or Rutland Jarawa), the Onge and the Sentinelese. Read more about the tribes there.

What to see:

Andaman Island

1. Beaches: The serene white sand beaches kissing the clean blue water of the sea is a sight to see.

Corbyn’s Cove Tourism Complex: This beach is popular for sun bathing and one can venture into the sea. Waves Restaurant, The Peerless Resort nearby and the Hornbill Nest Guest House are located nearby and gives good view from the room.

Radhnagar Beach: Radhanagar and Vijaynagar Beach are located in Havelock island. Dolphin Yatri Niwas is located near Vijaynagar beach and Radhanagar beach is located around 7 km away from Dolphin Yatri Niwas.

Harminder Bay Beach: Harminder Bay Beach is located in Bay island around 100 km from Port Blair. Inter island ship services are available. The specialty of this beach is solitude.

Karmatang Beach: Located in middle Andaman at Mayabunder. It is around 240 km by road and 136 km by boat from Port Blair.

Ramnagar Beach: This is a sandy beach with green cover in Diglipur Island. Inter island boat services are available from Mayabunder and Port Blair.

2. Cellular Jail: Freedom fighters from India and other dreaded criminals were used to be sent to this jail by the British during their occupation of India. The jail was completed in 1906. The Andaman and Nicobar islands were captured by the Japanese during world war II. Netaji Subhas Chandra bose who was fighting alongside the Japanese for Indian indpendence, hosted the national flag to proclaim Independence on 30th December 1943 at a place near this Jail. The jail has been declared a national monument. There is a art gallery, photo gallery and a museum.

You can watch daily shows – 6.00 PM (Hindi) and 7.15 PM (English) depicting freedom struggle of India.

Timmings: 9.00 AM to 12 Noon and 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM, except Monday

Entry fees: Rs. 5/-, Camera – photo – Rs. 10/-, video – Rs. 50/-

Light & Sound Show – Entry fee: adult Rs. 20/-, child Rs. 10/- (Above 5 & below 12yrs)

3. Ross Island: Ross Island was the seat of British power here and was setup as a guard for Port Blair. Here Chief Commissioner’s House, Govt. House, Church, troops barrack etc are located in ruins. The island was under Japanese occupation from 1942 – 1945 and reoccupation the British abandoned it. One can visit here using the boat service from Phoenix Bay jetty at 8.30 AM, 10.30 am and 12.30 pm. There is also a museum “Smritika” depicting the history of this island.

4. Viper Island: Here the viper jail is located. Freedom fighters those days from deported from Indian mainland and were tortured here. The prison construction was started in 1867. The island got is its name Viper from the vessel “Viper” on which Lt. Archibald Blair come to this island. You can visit here from Phoenix Bay Jetty at 3 PM daily.

5. Picnic sports: There are various spots and most sea beaches here can act as one.

Corbyn’s Cove Tourism Complex, Chidiya Tapu located around 25 km from Port Blair, Mount Harriet around 55 km by road/15 km by ferry from Port Blair – it is the highest peak in south Andaman – entry fee: Rs 10.

6. Museums:

Anthropological Museum: This museum features the life of aborigines here. Located on Phoenix Bay (Bus stand – Delanipur road). Open on all days except on Mondays and holidays.

Fisheries Museum: The fisheries museum features fishes found around this islands. It is located near Andaman Water Sports Complex. Open on all days except on Mondays and holidays. Entry fee: Rs 2. children below 12 yrs Re 1 and video camera Rs 25.

Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum): This museum features a few collection of shells, corals and fishes. Located near Andaman Teal House, Delanipur. Entry fee: Rs 10.

Timmings: 8.30 AM – 12.00 Noon, 2.00 PM – 5.00 PM, Monday & holiday closed

Zoological Survey of India Museum: This museum located besides Andaman Teal House features sponges, butterflies, corals and other species found in sea here. The museum is open on all weekdays.

Forest Museum: This museum located at Haddo near the zoo features the forrest pattern of Andaman islands.

7. Islands: There are various islands in the Andaman group of islands.

Jolly Buoy: Located in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, at this island you can take diving to see underwater marine life. One can get awesome view here. Good for water sports.

Cinque Island: Good for water sports like scuba diving, swimming, fishing and camping. A white sand bar joining to small islands with sea beaches on both sides is an sight to see.

Red Skin Island: Red Skin Island located in Mahatma Gandhi marine national park has 9 beaches and gives breathtaking views.

Havelock Island: Havelock island is located 38 km away from Port Blair. It has pristine beaches and green cover. One can stay at Dolphin yatri nivas here.

Barren Island: Located around 135 km from port Blair, is the only active volcano in India.

Ross Island: Refer above

Viper Island: Refer above

Chatham Island: It has an old saw mill and nothing much.

Neil Island: Located around 36 km from port Blair. Serene beaches and lush green forest are attraction here. One can stay here at Hawabill Nest guesthouse run the tourism department. Beautiful beaches at Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur and the bridge formation on the sea-shore are to be seen.

Long Island: Located around 82 km from Port Blair, Long Island is popular for white sandy beaches and for dolphin sightings. The Lalaji Bay is popular destination here.

Rangat: Located around 170 km by road and 90 km by sea from Port Blair, it is a virgin village surrounded by green forrest. Cutbert Bay beach (20 kms. away from Rangat bazar/jetty) is a turtle nesting ground. One can view the nesting of turtles during December – February season.

Mayabunder: Mayabunder is around 242 km by road and 136 km by sea from Port Blair. One can see beach at Avis Island (30 minutes boat journey from Mayabunder), Karmatang beach (13 kms.) and mangrove lined creeks are the attractions. Karmatang beach is also a turtle nesting ground. One can view nesting of turtles during December-February season. Also, one can go to Kalighat (for Diglipur) by boat from here.

Little Andaman Island: Little Andaman Island is located around 120 km from Port Blair by sea. You can see the beautiful beach at Butler Bay, a waterfall and plantation of oil palms.

Nicobar Island

Nicobar is another group of island in this archipelago. The Nicobar group of islands consist of 28 Islands, with an area of 1,841 sq. km. Here, the indigenous people are different from Andaman islands. They are –

1. the Nicobarese, or Nicobari, living throughout many of the islands
2. the Shompen, restricted to the interior of Great Nicobar.

1. Car Nicobar: Car Nicobar is around 270 km from Port Blair and takes around 16 hrs by sea.

2. Katchal: Katchal is a small island and around 450 km from Port Blair. You can see beautiful beaches at East bay, Jhula and West bay. Here, the first sunrise of this millennium took place on 01/01/2000.

3. Great Nicobar: Located around 540 km from Port Blair. At the southern is Indira Point, a small island and it is the southernmost tip of India. During the tsunami of 2004, this island was submerged under water.

Places to see from port Blair:

1. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor is at a distance of 29 Km from Port Blair covering an area of 281.5 Sq.Kms. This Marine Park made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is one of the best found anywhere in the world.

2. Gandhi Park: It is a nice park with facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports, nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese Temple as well as a bunker.

3. Sippighat Farm: Located around 14 km from Port Blair, this park is spread over 80 acres. Research and cultivation work are done here.

4. Collinpur: Located around 36 km from Port Blair near Tirur. This place is good for swimming, sun bathing and watching sunset.

5. Madhuban: Located around 75 km by road and 20 km by ferry from Port Blair. This place is good for trekking and animal watching.

6. Mount Harriet: Refer above

7. Mini Zoo: The zoo features typical animals found in these islands. Located at Haddo (Delanipur – Chatham road). Entry fee – adult –Rs. 2/-, child – Re.1/-

Time: 8.00 AM – 5.00 PM Monday closed

Useful websites:

1. http://www.andaman.org.in/
2. http://www.and.nic.in/