Travel guide to Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andaman Nicobar Islands are scintillating, beautiful and enchanting with Islands, golden beaches, mounments. The islands can also be called as the Garden of Eden in the midst of the Bay of Bengal. You can go in for adventure tourism, water sports and what not! To know more about what all Andaman Islands can offer you as a tourist read through this article.
About the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of Indonesian archipelagic islands in the Bay of Bengal between India and Burma also known as Myanmar. Most of the islands are part of the Union Territory of India while a small number at the north of the archipelago belong to Burma. The natural vegeration of the Andaman Islands is tropical forest with mangroves in the coast. Most of the areas have evergreen forests but some are found to be deciduous in the north Andaman area.
The climate of the Andaman Islands are of tropical in nature like the other islands of the similar latitude. It is always warm with cool sea breezes in the evenings. Rainfall is irregular but receives most of the raifall during the southwest monsoons.
Campbell Bay National Park is located on the island of the Great Nicobar of the Andaman Nicobar Islands . This national park which forms a part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, has been declared as the National Park of India in the year 1992.
Galathea National Park has an area of 110 square kilometers and was declared a national park of India in 1992. Galathea Nationalpark is separated from the campbell national park by a 12 kilometer forest buffer zone. How to Reach Andaman from India?
Vir Savarkar airport is the only airpport in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman is the only connection point for the flights from Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi. The city is connected through Air India, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher and Jet Lite. Foreign charter flights are also allowed to land in Port Blair if they fulfil a set of guidelines of the Director General of Civil Aviation.
Regular passenger ships are available to and from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam to Andaman and Nicobar islands. There are 3-4 sailings in a month from Chennai and Kolkata and one sailing from Visakhapatnam and back. The sailing takes about 50 - 60 hours and the ship berthes normally at Port Blair for 2-4 days and then return.
You can book the tickets at the Ship Ticketing Advance Reservation system ( STARS ) counters of the Directorate of Shipping Services, A&N Administration at Chennai, Port Blair, Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Havelock, Hutbay, Car Nicobar, Nancowry and Campbell Bay.
As Visakhapatnam is not yet in the STARS network , you can book your voyage tickets through the ticketing agent of the SCI:
M/s AV Bhanojirow garuda, Pattabhiramayya & Co,
Near Port Main Gate,
PB.No:17, Vizag .
Tel: 0891-256 5597,
Fax: 0891 -256 6507. Other popular destinations in and around Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Cellular Jail is a place in Port Blair which stood as a mute witness to the tortures meted out to the Indian Freedom fighters. The jail got the name Cellular as it consists of only individual cells which was used for the solitary confinement of the prisoners.
Now that this Jail has been declared as a National Memorial, it has also become a pilgrimage centre for all the freedom loving Indians . The freedom fighters who raised their voice against the British Raj were sent here and many of them perished in these cells.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the tri colour flag of India in the year 1943 to proclaim Independence in a place very near to this jail. The saga of the heroic freedom struggle is brought out in a movie, Son-et-Lumiere, shown daily inside the jail compound at 6.00 PM (Hindi) and 7.15 PM (English).
There is also an Art Gallery, Photo Gallery present here.
Timings : 8.45 AM to 12.30 PM and 1.30 PM to 5.00 PM.
Entry tickets will be issued only upto 4.15 PM.
Entry Fee (Except children below 10 years): Rs. 10/-.
Photo Caamera: Rs. 25/-. Video Camera: Rs. 100/-. Film shooting: Rs. 5000/- per day and you should avail prior permission to use them.
Open on all days except Mondays and public holidays.
Ross Island is a tiny Island standing as a guard to the Port Blair Harbour. Ross Island was the erstwhile capital of the Port Blair during the British Raj Days. There are ruins f old buildings like Ballroom, Chief Commissioner's House, Govt. House, Church, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop Barracks, all of which are in dilapidated condition and reminiscent of the old British Regime. Ross island was the seat of power during the days of British Raj and was a self contained township with all the facilities of a civilized colony.
Neil Island is a beautiful one with sandy beaches and lush green forests is located at about 36 kilometers from Port Blair.
Neil Island is connected by ferry service to The capital city Port blair four times a week. This is an ideal holiday vacation for the lovers of eco friendly tourism. You can feel the serene l and quiet life of a typical village life at Neil Island. Laxmanppur, Bharatpur, Sitapur are the beautiful snady beaches in the Neil Island and there is a bridge formation on the seashore named Howra Bridge as the toruist attractions of the Neil Island.
Rangat is a quiet and calm village located at about 210 kilometers by road from Port Blair. If you are travelling by sea then it will be 90 kilometers to reach the Rangat Village.
Cutbert Bay Beach is placed at about 20 kilometers from the Rangat Bazar / boat jetty. You can see Turtles nesting in the bay during December to February season. Hawksbill Guest house is located very near to the Cuthbert Bay Beach and the turtle sanctuary. You can also see Amkunj beach and the panchavati waterfall on your way to the Cuthbert Bay beach. Rangat is located at about 70 kilometers from Mayabunder. This was an interesting place before the 2004 Rsunami and now it is nothing but stones in the beach.
Long Islands is located at about 82 kilometers from Port Blair, capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Island is connected by boat service about 4 times a week from Phoenix Bar Jetty. Lalji Bay is the beautiful and excellent beach of this island with its unpolluted surroundings and the ever green forests. Lalji bay is located at about 6 kilometers from the Boat Jetty needs only 15 minutes journey in dinghies or trekking through the evergreen forests. Camping is also allowed in the tourist season by the Directorate of Tourism.
Viper Island is a tiny and beautiful Island which had witnessed the tortures undergone by the freedom fighters . Dangerous convicts used to be fettered in Chains and were made to work with those fetters. Freedom fighters who resorted to hunger strike in the Cellularjail were also brought here to the Viper Island. Most of the prisoners who were deportedfrom the main island were confined here, which was built specially for them by the British under the supervision of Major Fort in the year 1867.
Gallows are built on top of a hillock and are visible to all the prisonrs in the island. Gallows signified death to all. The pathan Sher Ali who was found guilty of murdering Lord mayo was hung to death at Viper Island.
Havelock Island is located at about 38 kilometers from Port Blair. The Havelock island provides an idyllic and perfect resort in the lap of unpolluted and clean surroundings and virgin beaches. Camping facility is available near the Radha Nagar beach. Dolphin Resort is a guest house of the Tourism Department is available for the tourists
Radha nagar beach, Vijay nagar beach, Govind nagar beach and Elephanta Beach are the beaches in Havelock Island. Other activities available in the Havelock island are fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, biking and walking around the Island, reading books or spending a lazy day on the beach.
Cinque Island is an isolated island in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Cinque Island is a well known and a popular tourist destination of the Andaman Islands. The island is known for the underwater coral gardens and the rich marine life it has. The Cinque island is located on the south western coast of the south Andaman does not have human life. The island is abundant in mangroves, tropical forests , sandy beaches as well as exotic marine life. Cinque Island is a part of Mahatma gandhi National Park more popularly known as Wandoor Marine National Park.
Corbyn's Cove Tourism Complex is one of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches, ideal for bathing as well as basking in the sun. As the sea is known for strong currents the beach is not considered safe for bathing in the sea. The sandy beach is surrounded with coconut and palm trees and is a favourite picnic spot for the locals as well as the toruists. The water from the shore has a very strong current beacuse of which you can see the scintillating scene of very large waves rising. You can also try your hand at the varipous water sports facilities available on this beach.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park comprises of 15 small and large islands plus several other islets, namely, Riflemen, Pluto, Alexandra, Tarmugli, Jolly Buoy, Hobday, Cinque, Grub, Snob, Bell, parts of Rutland Island and others. Jolly Buoy, Redskin and Cinque are the most frequented and popular islands
This park contains numerous underwater marine species and rare corals. You can see different kind of birds like Andaman teal, waders, white-bellied sea eagle and more.Accommodation facilities at Andaman and Nicobar islands
Welcomgroup Bay Island is a 5 star hotel. The hotel has 45 standard rooms which are built in a series of levels down the slope of a hill side. Some of the rooms face the sea here. The rooms are equipped with CCTV, direct dial STD telephones and attached bathrooms . All the rooms are aesthetically designed with a glorious view through the windows and the balcony.
Contact Details
Marine Hill
Port Blair
Tel : 03192 234101 / 232198 / 232065
Fax : 03192 231555
EMail : mail@welcomegroup.com
Megapode Nest is a 3 star hotel. This hotel has got 19 rooms, 4 Deluxe Rooms and 10 cottages
Air conditioned rooms/Cottages are available with Laundry Services. The cottages have refrigerator and balcony overlooking sea and the Deluxe rooms have bath chamber, STD/ISD facility, refrigerator and a balcony which overlooks the harbour.
Intercom and colour TV, A/C Restaurant and bar, A/C conference hall with a 175 persons capacity, Airport drop and pickup on request, Car on hire, Typing and Fax Services are added facilities at the hotel Megapode Nest
Travel desk is avilable for helping out with the arrangement of your travel plans.
Holiday Package Tour of the hotel is also available.
Hotel Megapode Nest accepts Master and Visa credit card as well as cash payments.
For reservation please contact
General Manager, ANIIDCO, Port Blair
Tel : 03192 232207,232380
Fax : 03192 235098/232702
E-mail - aniidco@vsnl.com
TSG Emerald View is a star category hotel which provides about 50 well appointed and air conditioned rooms which can be classified in to Emerald Standard, Emerald Superior, Emerald Deluxe and Emerald suites with all the three different mealplans.
Ruchi is a multi speciality restaurant
Blue Marlin is a seafood specialty restaurant
Rangoli is the roof top restaurant
Banquet hall, also at the roof top.
Contact Details
TSG Emerald View
#25 Maulana Azad Road,
Phoenix Bay, Port Blair,
Andaman 744102,
Tel : 03192-246499, 246488,
Fax: 03192-242799
EMail : contact@andamantsghotels.com / tsg_hotel@rediffmail.com
WEB: www.andamantsghotels.com
Palmgrove Eco Resort is te only one of its kind in the whole of Andaman. The resort is located at about 2 kilometers from the town. Here all the rooms are non airconditioned as it is not needed at all. The Eco friendly construction added with the shade giving trees all around, you will not feel the lack of air conditioning.
All the rooms are placed in the ground floor with an entry in to the luxuriously green garden and water source. hand made Khadi towels are given to the guests as a souvenir.
Contact Details
Palmgrove Eco Resort
Prothrapur, Brichgunj P O
Port Blair - 744103
Tel : 03192-260282 , 03192-260306, 9434282956, 9434262573, 9933236487
ecopalmgrove@hotmail.com / ecopalmgrove@gmail.com
Hotel Sentinel is situated in the heart of the Port Blair city surrounded by lush green gardens and provides the best of luxury and leisure to the visitors. The hotel offers 53 rooms which can be classified in to Semi deluxe rooms, Family rooms, Deluxe bedrooms and the Royal family suites. The rooms are air conditioned and are well equipped with amenities like TV plus satellite channels, telephones with Direct Diallong facility as well as 24 hour room service.
Contact Details
Hotel Sentinel
Phoenix Bay,
Port Blair
Tel : 03192-244914 / 244915 / 244916
EMail : contact@hotelsentinelandamans.com
Wild Orchid Resort is placed on the Vijaya Nagar beach about 7 kilometers from the Jetty on the eastern side of the havelock Islands. The cottages are spaciously laid out and are tastefully decorated with the produce of the land like Bamboo, cane and shells. The Resort offers double bedded and twin sharing rooms. All the rooms are bath attached with running hot and cold water throughout the day. The private balcony of the rooms overlook the tropical jungle full of sounds of the birds , butterflies as well as wild orchids. Air conditioned rooms are also available at the resort if you prefer them.
Contact Details
Wild Orchid Resort
Vijay Nagar
Havelock Islands
Andaman - 744211
Tel : 03192 28 2472, 9932175661
Email: contact@wildorchidandaman.com
Sinclairs Bay View is located right on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. The hotel gives you the spectacular and wonderful views of the ocean from most of the rooms. There are two blocks, one is a superior block which has 18 superior rooms and suites and abput 6 of them with an attic.
The second block has 29 rooms with Satellite TV channels, attached bath with hot and cold showers swimming pool and laundry facilities.
The palm is a multi cuisine restaurant
The coral is a bar perfect for before or after dinner rendezvous.
Contact Details
Sinclairs Bay View
South Point, Port Blair
Tel : 03192 227824 / 227937
EMail : portblair@sinclairshotels.com