Famous for Historic Cellular Jail and Small Islands
| State | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| District | South Andaman |
| Famous for/as | Historic Cellular Jail and Small Islands |
| Languages | Hindi, English |
| Best Season | October to May |
PORT BLAIR, in the southernmost part, is the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and is one of the largest cities of the twin islands well-known for its beautiful beaches with palm-lined shores. The attractive rugged coastline with undulating tropical forests lined on both sides of the road make up for an attractive driving route. Port Blair comprises of a lively mix of Indian Ocean inhabitants – Bengalis, Tamils, Telugus, Nicobarese and Myanmarese and the common languages spoken here are Hindi, Bengali, English, Tamil and Malayalam. Port Blair’s captivating history deserves to be explored as it includes some enticing day trips.
This jail has a historical significance as it is many social activists who protested against the British rule have spent days and months in this jail during the British Raj. The building dates back to 1996 when it started its constructions and was completed in 1906.
“Kala Pani” is the alternative word used for this jail. It is said that anyone who raised their voices against the British were imprisoned and punished in the Viper Jail or the Andaman Cellular Jail and were tortured to death. Many brave men have lost their lives here due to physical persecution by the British
At a distance of 6 kms from Port Blair, the Corbyn’s Cove is a tranquil and pristine soft sandy beach in Port Blair. Located picturesquely with the backdrop of lush coconut trees and majestic sea, Corbyn’s Cove Beach is a must visit place for the ones who would like to relax and enjoy the nature and its calmness
is the saw mill situated in Chatham Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. It was set up in 1883 with the primary objective to meet the local requirements of saw and timber for the constructional works. It is owned by the state government. It is Asia’s largest and oldest saw mill. It is connected to Port Blair by a 100 meter long bridge.
Samudrika Naval Marine Museum is a museum situated near the Andaman Teal House at Port Blair, designed to create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment. The museum is run by the Indian Navy. This museum aims to generate awareness about the environment in the ocean and the marine life.
One of the best, and well-maintained museums of Andaman, Anthropological Museum sheds light on the profound and informative portrait of island's local community of tribes. These tribes are considered as one of the oldest in the world. Situated at the Middle Point in Port Blair, this best sightseeing place in Andaman is a historical delight and makes the tourists explore the life of Paleolithic Islanders. The major exhibits of this museum are Jarawa chest guard, shamanic sculptures and much more. The Anthropological Museum offers the highlights of primordial eras of Jarawas, the Onges, the Sentinelese, the Shompens and the Nicobarese. In short, a museum with blessed with a plethora of reasons making it a must-visit destination in Andaman.
Located on MG Road, Sagarika Government Emporium is a shopping complex in Port Blair famous for its range of handicraft products. With its unique heritage of aboriginal tribes, Andaman Islands are rather famous for its handcrafted items made with bamboo, seashells, coconut shells, and wood. The Sagarika Government Emporium is a dreamland for the curious shopper with its many interesting items for sale like coconut lamp shades, murals made out of sea shells and tribal artifacts. In fact, the complex has an entire section devoted exclusively to the Nicobari tribes found in the various islands of the Andaman Archipelago. This is the perfect place in Port Blair to grab some souvenirs of your sojourn in the remote islands.
Encompassing in its realm 160 years of history Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island is a tiny Island, situated at the entrance of Port Blair harbour. Lt. Archibald Blair surveyed the Island in March 1789, established a Colony and named it after the marine surveyor Sir Daniel Ross. Later the colony was abandoned. On 18th April 1979, the Island was transferred to the Defence Ministry. The Island has become a hot tourist spot today to view the ruins, and savour the glory of the bygone days. Recently, the Tourism Department has commissioned a state of the art Light and Sound show which is one of the best in the country. To keep alive the vibes of the past Navy has setup a museum 'Smritika - The Ross Memorial'.
This beautiful island is accessible by ferry ride and one can enjoy a great number of water based sports and activities here like snorkelling, scuba diving, sea walk, boat rides, etc. This island offers a beautiful coral reef that is home to many marine species that put on a colourful display. The beach has a lighthouse that one can visit. The view from the top of the lighthouse is spectacular and not worth missing.
Located 25 km from Port Blair, Chidiya Tapu is a tiny village in the southernmost tip of South Andaman Islands also known as bird island. As the name suggests, the large variety of birds are a major attraction here apart from the lush forest, green mangroves, rocky shores, sandy beaches and spectacular sunset. It requires a 25-minute trek to reach the Munda Pahad which is worth experiencing for its marvellous sunset.
Mount Harriet, 55 Kms by road/ 15 Kms by ferry and trek from Port Blair 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.
About 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. The 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 snorkeling are a life time experience. Private ferry operators operates 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
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.
From Baratang island (Nilambur Jetty) Lime Stone Caves are half and hour boat ride through a wide creek which leads to Nayadera Jetty and further one and half km. walk through tropical forest. Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed at the bottom of the sea. It is formed by the compression over millions of years of the gradual deposits of many ingredients such as marine life, shells, skeletons and corals.
The boat ride that connects the location of these caves with Baratang jetty is magnificent. It passes through a narrow mangrove creek and that is an experience in itself.
Mud Volcano is approachable by road from Nilambur jetty. One has to reach up to Jarawa creek by vehicle. From Jarawa Crek Mud volcano is at a walkable distance of 250-300 meters. A mud volcano is created by natural gases emitted by decaying organic matter underground. As the mud is pushed upwards by the gas, it deposits and hardens above the ground. As more mud oozes out and spills over the edge it grows in size, gradually forming a miniature volcano with rich, creamy mud crater at the top.
(325 Kms., approx. by road from Port Blair) Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides a rare experience for eco friendly tourists. It is famous for its oranges, rice and marine life. Saddle Peak the highest point in the islands is nearby. Kalpong, the only river of Andaman flows here. The only Hydro-electric project of the islands is on this river. One can feel the innocent beauty of village life everywhere in Diglipur.
Ross & Smith islands are actually two islands – Ross & Smith joined together by a sand bar to make a single group of islands. Ross & Smith Islands requires forest permit from the Forest Office at Diglipur. The permission costs Rs 50 for Indian tourists and Rs 500 for foreign tourists and can be obtained on all days (except Sunday) between 6am to 2pm. A fisherman's boat ('dinghi' in hindi) or a speed boat can be hired and the ride would take around 25 mins from the Ariel Bay Jetty in Diglipur. What makes these islands truly beautiful and sets them apart from the rest of the islands is that these two islands are joined by a natural, sand bar. Water is crystal clear and gem green in color. Sun bathing in Ross & Smith Islands is a wonderful experience. During high tide, the sand bar disappears leaving a trail of water between the two islands and during low tide the sand bar appears again making the islands look majestic! There is a Marine Sanctuary on the island which makes it an ideal place for spotting beautiful coral reefs and colorful species from the underwater. The beach is surrounded by tropical forests and is a preferred place for trekking and trail hiking by many tourists. One can also opt for activities like Scuba Diving & Snorkeling. The clear blue waters add a touch of cleanliness to the whole experience. Ross & Smith islands are home to the Olive Ridley turtles which means, being the right place at the right time, one can even witness the turtle nesting.
Named after the vessel by the name of Viper who carried Lieutenant Archibald Blair to this island in the year of 1789, this island, though beautiful, has a dark past. The palace was used to imprison political prisoners and torture them till they were hung at the gallows. The place was abandoned when the Cellular Jail was established. Though dilapidated, the jail still stands here to remind one of the past glory and torture faced by the Indian freedom fighters.
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.
Rangat is a 1070 sq. km. large island in Middle Andaman with pristine beaches, waterfalls, and interesting islands. This island is spread across 75 census villages and 14 gram panchayats. The population is primarily made up of people from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Fisheries and cultivation are the two primary occupations of people in this island.
Nearly three hours further to Rangat, north by road, perched on a long promontory right at the top of the island and surrounded by mangrove swamps, is Mayabunder, springboard for the remote northern Andaman Islands. The village, which is home to a large minority of former Burmese Karen tribes, who were originally brought here as cheap logging labour by the British, are more spread out and more appealing than Rangat.
36 Kms from Port Blair , This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the vegetable bowl of Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair, it provides an ideal holiday for eco-friendly tourists. Known for its magnificent biodiversity, unexplored coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and tropical woodlands, Neil Island is perfect for a peaceful time off. With its laid-back vibe, and lucid charm the island is soothingly different from its neighbouring Havelock. Spend quality time at the long deserted beaches; explore the island’s villages named after mythological characters from the Ramayana (you can walk the whole island in about two hours), or indulge in water sports in the crystal clear water – Neil Island is Andaman’s rustic masterpiece.
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