ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS
Official Website : www.andamans.gov.in
Best Tourist Season : Oct. to May
Monsoon Season : June to Sept.
LOCATION : The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of more than 572 islands out of which 38 are inhabited .The Andaman Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal. The Nicobar Islands are situated to the South of Andamans, 121 km. from Little Andaman.
AREA : 8.249 Sq. Km.Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Distance :
Distance by Sea (in kms.) |
1. |
Between Port Blair & Chennai |
1190 Km. |
2. |
Between Port Blair & Kolkata |
1255 Km. |
3. |
Between Port Blair & Vishakapatnam |
1200 Km. |
Distance by Air (in kms.) |
1. |
Between Kolkata & Port Blair |
1303 Km. |
2. |
Between Chennai & Port Blair |
1330 Km. |
HOW TO REACH:
BY AIR :
Air India : |
Chennai – Port Blair – Chennai
Kolkata – Port Blair – Kolkata
Delhi – Bhubaneswar – Port Blair
Bhubaneswar - Delhi |
Spice Jet : |
Chennai – Port Blair – Chennai (Daily)
Delhi – Kolkata – Port Blair – Kolkata – Delhi |
Go – Air : |
Mumbai – Chennai – Port Blair – Chennai – Mumbai
Delhi – Kolkata – Port Blair – Kolkata – Delhi |
Vistara : |
Chennai – Port Blair – Chennai (Daily)
Delhi – Kolkata – Port Blair – Kolkata – Delhi |
Indigo : |
Chennai – Port Blair – Chennai (Daily)
Delhi – Kolkata – Port Blair – Kolkata – Delhi |
BY SEA : Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. There are three to four sailings every month from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair. There is one sailing for Visakhapatnam in a month. The voyage takes about 50 to 60 hours and the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about two to four days. For information on ship tickets, tariff and sailing schedule please visit www.and.nic.in
Permits: All foreign nationals require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit the Andaman& Nicobar Islands which is easily available on arrival at Port Blair by flight or ship from the Immigration Authorities for 30 days. This is extendable for another 15 days with permission and the delegated authority to extend permission is the Superintendent of Police, Andaman District, Port Blair. The Restricted Area Permit can also be obtained from Indian Missions overseas and also from Foreigners Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and from the Immigration Authorities at the Airports in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
CAPITAL : Port Blair.
POPULATION : 6,00,000(APPROX).
CLIMATE :
Summer: 22° to 33°C. Winter: 20° C to 31°C.
AVERAGE RAINFALL : 250 to 300 cm.
PRINCIPAL LANGUAGES : Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Andamanese.
PRINCIPAL RELIGIONS : Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism , Jainism.
FESTIVALS : Onam , Pongal ,Durga Puja, Diwali, Id.
An Archipelago of about 572 odd Islands scattered in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands appear like sparkling diamonds under the glittering Sun. These Islands are about 1 200 Kms away from the main land. They are actually the peaks of a submerged mountain range which extends from Manama to Indonesia. The three main ecosystems are - the Coral Reef, the Evergreen Forests & the Mangroves. All the three support a wide variety of flora & fauna. ln the 19th Century the British Government established their penal colony in these Islands & had constructed a prison for the convicts. During those days these Islands were referred to as Kala Pani.
Port Blair is the capital of these Islands. Today there are 3 Districts — N & M Andaman which start from Middle Strait (Baratang Island) to Diglipur; South Andaman from Ferrergunj to Port Blair upto Little Andaman in the South; and Nicobar District starts from Carnicobar to Campbell Bay.
The southern most tip of India is located at Campbell Bay.
These Islands are famous for their exotic beauty, culture & historic past. Away from the concrete forests, these islands seem like heaven on earth where people from all over the country irrespective of caste, creed or religion live in peace & harmony. All festivals are celebrated with the same enthusiasm by everyone. That's why sometimes these Islands are referred to as mini India.
PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST
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Chatham :
Close to Port Blair, this island has great historical significance as it was here that the settlement in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands began. The island also has one of the oldest saw mills in Asia, set up in 1883. Destroyed in World War – II, the saw mill was revived in the 1950s. The museum offers insight into the forest activities through scale models and display of decorative pieces made of Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, Satin Wood etc. Closed on Sundays & Industrial Holidays. Timing : 10:00 AM to 02:00 PM. |
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Cellular Jail :
Once the prison where countless martyrs of India’s Independence struggle laid down their lives it is now a National Memorial. One can see a poignant Sound & Light Show which has been refurbished recently. |
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SOUND & LIGHT SHOW :
Once the prison where countless martyrs of India’s Independence struggle laid down their lives it is now a National Memorial. One can see a poignant Sound & Light Show which has been refurbished recently. |
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Ross Island :
Once an exclusive British preserve, this island, across the Andaman Water Sport Complex in Port Blair, is all set to relive its glorious past through a captivating multimedia Sound and Light Show. |
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Viper Island :
The Island derives its name from the vessel ‘Viper’ in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to the islands in 1768 with the purpose of establishing a Penal Settlement. Daily boat trips from Port Blair are available to explore the Viper Island, its old gallows and remains of the era gone by. |
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North Bay Beach :
It is just north of Port Blair. The beach and the snorkelling opportunities in its fringing coral reefs are the closest ones you will FIND IN Port Blair. Also has under sea walk/helmet diving facilities. |
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Corbyn’s Cove :
Port Blair’s only beach has been refurbished with beach amenities and with a bear bar cum restaurant “Waves”. |
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Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex :
For Adventure & Safe Water Sports : Jet Skiing, Water Skiing, Speed Boating, Water Scooter Rides & Paddle Boating and Bumper Boats for kids. The complex also has open – air eateries. Illuminated in the evening; the spectacle of Marina Park that surrounds the complex is truly enchanting. |
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Marina Park :
The Marina park right on the sea shore near Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, is ideal for evening trips. It also houses a memorial to the Battle of Aberdeen fought between the Britishers and Andamanese aboriginals in 1859. |
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Gandhi Park :
This beautiful park at Port Blair has facilities of amusement rides, safe water sports and nature – trial around the lake. It also contains a garden, restaurant and the historic remains of a Japanese Temple as well as a bunker. |
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Jogger’s Park :
Jogger’s Park is situated at one of the highest point in Port Blair and offers a panoramic view of the Port Blair Airport. Against the backdrop of a fully – lit landscape, the place provides excellent overview of the entire area. |
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Sippighat Farm :
14 km from Port Blair, this sprawling, 80 acre Government farm has Research & Development programmes for the cultivation of spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut and pepper. The Research & Development farm of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is also nearby. |
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Chidiyatapu :
28 km from Port Blair, Chidiyatapu has pristine beach (at Mundapahad) and coral gardens. This southernmost tip of South Andaman Island provides a perfect view during sunset. A biological park has also been set up to add to the attractions. |
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Mount Harriet :
The highest peak in South Andaman. Ideal for trekking, picnic and bird watching. |
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Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park :
27 km from Port Blair at Wandoor, this Marine National Park comprises 15 islands including the famous Red Skin and Jolly Buoy Islands. The Park showcases the tropical natural wealth of the Islands and the rich marine life of the surrounding waters. |
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North Wandoor Beach :
Lying close to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, 28 km from Port Blair, is the beautiful beach of North Wandoor that’s ideal for swimming and sunbathing. |
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MINI ZOO :
Come and get the first hand feel of the rare species of endemic flora and fauna of these islands. Situated at a place Haddo (a short distance from Central Bus Station) it has a very informative library of the life spectrum of lively species. Soon this zoo will be shifted to the Biological part at Chidiya Tapu. |
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Cinque Island :
26 km by ferry from Port Blair, this sanctuary has rich marine life and pristine coral gardens. There are no scheduled ferry service to the place and one needs to take permission for visiting. |
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RED SKIN :
The Park provides a rich and varied habitat for marine animals which range from the smallest zoo plankton to the large sea mammals like Dolphins. The islands inside the park are also the best nesting grounds for four species of Marine turtles including the Green Sea, Leather Back, Hawk Bill and Olive Ridley. The Red Skin Island in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has a nice beach, and offers a spectacular view of corals and marine life. Yet another island in this Park is the Jolly Buoy which offers breath-taking underwater view of corals. The glass-bottom boats help the tourists to take a closer look at the coral colonies. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and sea-bathing. |
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Jolly Buoy Island:
Jolly Buoy Island is in Andaman and Nicobar and is a part of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. It is very famous for under water corals and the pristine clear beach.
To reach Jolly buoy island people have to come to Wandoor beach. This is located in Mahatma Gandhi National Park. Wandoor beach is 30 Kms from Port Blair by road. This route is same for visiting Red Skin island also. Both Jolly buoy and Red skin are located at Mahatma Gandhi National park. The boats to Jolly buoy island leaves by 9.00am. Make sure to reach Wandoor beach before 9.00am. All the boats leave at the same time and come back together. Prior permit and entry tickets are required to avail this trip. You can submit your permit and trip request at [1] and they get the tickets and permits booked on your behalf. You might have to send your photo if proof to avail the permit. The other way is to stand in a long queue in front of the Tourism office to get permits. However, it gets extremely difficult to purchase the tickets because of long queues by local islanders.
Visitors can enjoy the underwater coral view through snorkeling, Scuba diving or from the glass bottom boat. As a standard trip, while getting down from the ship and transferring to the island through small boats, visitors will be taken through a ride and will be shown these under water corals through glass bottom. This is for only a very short duration (5 to 10 minutes). People willing to see more of these can hire a boat independently and enjoy. Additional amount has to be paid (INR 50 to 100) for each ride for 30 to 45 minutes. Additional amount has to be paid also for snorkeling and scuba diving.
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RUTLAND ISLAND (25 KMS. BY ROAD FROM PORT BLAIR) :
The shallow waters near the island have a good representation of fishes and coral. It is a good place for training open - water divers. There is a ship wreck site also. During your visit in this island stay at Rutland Tatinee Resort, situated on a hill top amidst green coconut plantations and the call of birds |
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BARREN ISLAND (139 KMS. BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR) :
The only active volcano in India is located in Barren Island. The volcano erupted twice in recent past, once in 1991 and again in 1994 - 95, after remaining dormant for about 177 years. This island is about 3 kms. in diameter, and has a big crater of the volcano, about half kilometer away from the shore. The island can be visited by chartered boats only with the permission of Forest Department. Foreigners are restricted to on-board vessels only and landing ashore is not allowed. |
MUSEUMS/OTHER ATTRACTIONS AT PORT BLAIR
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Anthropological Museum :
Provides insight into the world of pre – historic inhabitants of the islands. Timings are 09.00 AM to 01.00 PM and 01.30 PM to 04.30 PM. It is closed on Mondays and on Government holidays. |
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Fisheries Museum :
Displays over 350 species of marine life. Timings are 09.00 AM to 01.00 PM and 02.00 PM to 04.45 PM. Closed on Mondays, Public holidays & Second Saturdays. |
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Samudrika Museum :
Collection of shells and marine creatures. Timings 09.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 02.00 PM to 05.00 PM. Closed on Mondays & holidays. |
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Sagarika – Government Cottage Industries Emporium :
It exhibits a spectrum of artifacts made of mother of pearl, sea shells and local wood products along with miniatures of Nicobari canoes, palm mats for floors, tables, furniture etc. Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays. Timing : 08.45 AM to 06.45 PM. |
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Science Centre :
Situated 3 km. From Port Blair town, the Science Centre has an ‘Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gallery’ with interactive exhibits offering a kaleidoscope of science spectrum including genesis of these islands, volcanic activities, science of oceans, fun science gallery, a modern technology gallery, Taramandal (portable planetarium), open 10.00 AM to 05.30 PM except Mondays & Public Holidays. |
ISLAND DESTINATIONS
In South Andaman District
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Neil Island (36 km by sea from Port Blair) :
This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the vegetable bowl of Andamans. Neil, with its very relaxed vibes and long, deserted beaches is a place to chill out. Private and government ferry services are available daily from the Phoenix Bay Jetty. |
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Havelock Island ( 39 kms by sea from Port Blair) :
This Island with beautiful sandy beaches fringed by a green canopy of the rainforest beckons everyone to enjoy the fun of the azure blue sea . Vijaynagar Beach , Radhanagar Beach and Elephant Beach are breathtakingly beautiful beaches . Perfect for those who enjoy snorkelling , scubadiving and game fishing . Private and government ferry services are available daily from the Phoenix Bay Jetty . |
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Little Andaman Island (120 km by sea from Port Blair) :
Located south of South Andaman, this island has many natural attractions for tourists including White Surf Waterfall, Krishna Nallah Waterfall, Hut Bay beach (the longest beach in A & N Islands) Kalapathar Beach, red oil palm plantations, agriculture farm and the best surfing location in India – the Butler Bay Beach. The island is all set to emerge as a major destination for tourists. |
In North and Middle Andaman District
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North Passage Island (70 km. by sea from Port Blair):
This uninhabited island is famous for Merk Bay – a coral, white sandy, shallow beach suitable for snorkelling, swimming and sun-basking. |
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Long Island (82 km. by sea from Port Blair):
Connected to Port Blair by boat four times a week, this island offers an exquisite sandy beach at Lalaji Bay, an un-polluted environment and evergreen forests. |
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Baratang Island (100 km. by road from Port Blair) :
This island between South and Middle Andaman has beaches, mangrove creeks, mud –volcanoes, limestone – caves, Parrot Island and many more attractions. |
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Rangat (170 km. by road or 90 km by sea from Port Blair) :
One can enjoy the quiet village life and solitude in this part of Middle Andaman island. Amkunj beach and Cutbert Bay beach are the beaches near Rangat. Cutbert Bay is a turtle-nesting ground and one can see turtle nest during the December-February period. The Dhaninallah mangrove board walk has projected Rangat as the eco-tourism hub of Andamans. The Sabari Gram Panchayat also joined in with their eco-tourism projects at Yerrata jetty. |
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Mayabunder (242 km. by road from Port Blair) :
Situated in the northern part of Middle Andaman Island, Mayabunder offers excellent scenic beauty, mangrove creeks and beautiful beaches. Karmatang beach is 10 km from Mayabunder and Avis and Interview Islands are nearby. |
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Diglipur (325 km. by road from Port Blair) :
Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides a rare experience to eco-friendly tourists. It is famous for oranges, rice, forest wealth and marine-life. Saddle peak (732 meters), the highest point in the Andamans is nearby. Also has the famous twin Ross and Smith Islands, craggy island, mud volcanoes of Shyam Nagar besides Kalipur, Lamiya Bay & Ram Nagar beaches – all unique in their own way. |
In Nicobar District
Though connectivity is very limited Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island is open to Indian tourists. Tourism department has limited accommodation facility there. The Great Nicobar bio-sphere reserve and Indira Point – the southernmost tip of India are distinctive to Campbell Bay.
The Hotel shall arrange the following :
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WATER SPORT ACTIVITIES :
Water Sport activities such as scooba driving, snorkeling, sea walking, glass bottom boat rides etc. As desired by the guests. |
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LUXURY DINNER CRUISE:
TSG Bella Bay departs every evening from Junglighat Jetty showing breath – taking views of the islands and various places of interest serving excellent dinner and drinks. |
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FLOATING RESTAURANT “AFLOAT” :
Ideally suited for entertainment and relaxation featuring spectacular evening views of the islands. |
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CORAL SAFARI :
First and only semi submarine in India showing the world’s most colourful under water corals and rarest species of fish in crystal clear shallow water – a heavenly place to see and enjoy. |
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ANDAMAN DOLPHIN:
Arranges Grand Cruise, sunset cruise and special cruise. |