The Group of islands covering a total area of 8,073 sq kilometers, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a union territory of the republic of India. Initially inhabited by multiple groups of indigenous tribes, the island was later used as a penal colony during the British occupation of India. Despite of the horrid reputation during the colonial period, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands this day are one of the most sought after tourist destination of India. The islands are famous for its serene, white sandy beaches characterized by sparkling blue waters. In this article we shall discuss the best places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
1. Port Blair
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Freedom struggle, History, Nature.
- Major Attraction: Cellular jail.
- Nearby Islands: Ross and Viper Islands.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1 day.
About Port Blair
The capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair is poignant reminder of the many sacrifices of freedom fighters. The Cellular jail here is perhaps one of the most infamous remnants of India’s struggle for independence. The main motive of the establishment of this prison was solitary confinement of the prisoners. The wings were built in a manner that the face of each cell only saw the back of the cell opposite to it. Many freedom fighters were incarcerated in this prison colony including Veer Savarkar and Batukeshwar Dutt. Port Blair is also a gateway to other tourist attractions in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, due to its accessibility from the mainland. Ferries operate mainly from Port Blair to other islands.
Places to Visit
- Cellular Jail
- Wandoor & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
- Japanese Bunkers
- Chatham Saw Mill
- Corbyn’s Cove
- Chidiya Tapu
- Samudrika Marine Museum
- North Bay Island
- Jolly Buoy Island
- Mount Harriet
- Anthropological Museum
- Sippighat Agricultural Farm
2. Havelock Islands
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Beaches.
- Major Attraction: Radhanagar beach.
- Nearby Islands: Neil and Baratang.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1 day.
About Havelock Islands
Havelock islands is home to Radhanagar beach, one of the most popular beaches in India and also awarded the best beach in Asia by TIME magazine in 2004. The beach is situated around a distance of 12 kilometers from the Havelock islands and is a must visit site. The waters are sparkling blue and devoid of any wave action. There are a huge number of activities that one can do like scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, fishing etc. The beach is especially popular for couples as it is almost vacant and the serene environment adds to the romance. One can also enjoy elephant rides here. The best way to enjoy the beauty of the beach is to take a camera and go on a long stroll and click photographs amidst the white sands and the blue waters, the sunset at this beach is a marvel to behold.
Places to Visit
- Radhanagar Beach
- Elephant Beach
- Kalapathar Beach
- Vijaynagar Beach
3. Baratang Island
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Jarawa tribe, Caves.
- Major Attractions: Limestone Caves and Mud Volcanoes.
- Nearby Places: Havelock Island, Rangat.
- Ideal Visit Time: Half day.
About Baratang Island
The Baratang Island are a must visit site for all the people who are planning their itinerary for the Andaman and nicobar islands. The boat ride is covered with a canopy of the forest which is also a home to the indigenous ‘Jarwa’ tribe. However one needs to be careful of the sea crocodiles and should not go near the water. The Limestone caves here will immediately gather your attention as the erosion have formed some unique shapes. The company of an experienced guide will make the trip more enjoyable as you might get to know some interesting facts about the local tribes and the history of these caves.
Places to Visit
- Limestone Caves
- Mud Volcano
- Parrot Island
- Baludera Beach
4. Neil Island
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Corals, Adventure Sports, Beaches.
- Major Attractions: Bharatpur Beach and Laxmanpur Beach.
- Nearby Places: South Andaman, Havelock Island.
- Ideal Visit Time: 6 hours.
About Neil Island
Neil island is famous for its coral reefs and white shores. The best time to visit its beaches is during mornings and evenings. The morning time is especially good for the people who would like to go snorkeling and enjoy the view of the coral reefs located here. Because of the beauty of the reefs located here, Neil islands are often termed as the coral capital of Andaman. Do not worry if you’re not much of a snorkeling enthusiast, you can enjoy the beach simply by carrying a hammock and a book and enjoy the calm and cool sea breeze and indulge yourself. There are a number of benches for strollers to rest their feet and local vendors who sell coconut water.
Places to Visit
- Bharatpur Beach
- Sitapur Beach
- Lakshmanpur Beach
- Natural Bridge
5. Ross Island
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Penal colony, Colonial ruins.
- Major Attraction: Indian Penal Colony.
- Nearby Places: Port Blair, Viper Island.
- Ideal Visit Time: Half day or less.
About Ross Island
Ross islands are famous for the ruins of Penal colony that precedes the cellular jail or the Kaala paani. The jail was formerly used to incarcerate political prisoners and we can still see the ruins of the gallows at this island. The jail had many notable political prisoners from India’s struggle to independence. The island also has ruins of British’s opulent colonial past in the form a bakery, bungalows etc. The place no matter how notorious it was during the colonial period is a picturesque location which is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Places to Visit
- Ross Island Penal Colony
- British Colony Ruins.
- Japanese bunkers
- Barren Island
- Forest Department Museum
6. Rangat
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Turtles, Mangroves, Beaches
- Major Attraction: Cuthbert Bay Beach.
- Nearby Places: Baratang, Havelock Island.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1 day or less.
About Rangat
The scenic beauty of Rangat is perfect for flora and fauna lovers. It is located on Middle Andaman Island and is famous for Cuthbert Bay Beach, which is the breeding ground for turtles. These include olive ridley turtles, green sea turtles, hawksbill and leatherback turtles. The Cuthbert Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on the beach provides an undisturbed view of newly born turtles scrambling towards the sea. Visitors can also help in marine conservation efforts by releasing turtle hatchlings.
Places to Visit
- Cuthbert Bay Beach
- Panchvati Hills
- Amkunj Beach
- Long Island
- Dhani Nallah Mangrove Nature Walkway
7. The Great Nicobar Island
Visitor Information
- Famous for: Ecological hotspot, Wildlife, Nature.
- Major Attraction: Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, Indira Point.
- Nearby Island: Little Andaman.
- Ideal Visit Time: 1 day or less
About The Great Nicobar Island
The largest of the Nicobar Islands in India, the great nicobar island covers an area of 1,045 sq kilometers. The island is however sparsely populated with a population of around 10,000. The area was severely affected by the 2004 tsunami in the Indian ocean resulting in many deaths and was cut off from the outside world for a couple of days. Nevertheless, the great Nicobar island is known widely for its rainforest that houses a diverse wildlife, and is also a part of the World biosphere reserve.The island also contains the indigenous tribe called ‘Shompen’ which is one of the oldest tribes in the world. Wildlife photographers can also visit the Campbell bay which is home to a number of unique fauna including includes Crab-eating macaque, giant robber crab, megapode, and Nicobar pigeon.
Places to Visit
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
- Indira Point
- Campbell Bay
Tourist places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands are famous for their relaxing and quaint beaches, a rich reserve of unique flora and fauna. Although it is a tough task to contain all the places you can visit in these island paradise but we have a made a humble attempt to mention the places which we considered are of prime importance and should find a place in every tour itinerary.
Please feel free to share your tour experiences of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (in comments section below).
I will be visiting Andaman at 1.00 PM on 13 May and will leave Andaman on 18 May at 11.00 AM with family. What is the best planning for me to visit this place?
Well if I’m not wrong then you might be putting up at Port Blair, start the day by visiting the nearby places you can access by walking and try to mark the location of your hotel or resort on a map.
Try to visit the nearby eateries and locations like seaside promenade can be a great place for an evening visit. The next day try visiting the various historical monuments and places like the Cellular Jail, Viper islands, Limestone caves, Marina Park etc. Most of the tourist attractions can be covered in a day or two leaving the rest of the days in which you can go around the various beaches and enjoy the serene relaxation they have to offer.
Try visiting Havelock Islands if you want to visit the best and the most solitary beaches, the various accommodation facilities and local eateries at Havelock Islands are not to be missed. Being a traveler myself, i would advise you to focus less on the attractions and more on the beaches, relaxation and eating to get the best out of the Andamans.
I m planning to come to andaman for 1 week trip..if any one please give me some important places which I cover or plan my trip.
I am going with my family on 11th & returning on 18th September, so I have 6 nights & 7days. I have a medium budget plan with focus to nature mainly, how should I plan my visit to get the maximum?
Hhahahahaha
I want to visit andaman n nicobar in feb 2nd week with kids,
what will b approx expenses and the best places to visit in feb.
we r 4 adults n 4 kids.
Dear sir,
I would like to spend 5 days with my wife and two kids, Please propose accordingly.
Regards
Jose
I am planning a 7 day tour to Andaman & Nicobar islands. Can you please provide me a tour plan for the sightseeing?
We are group of 10 people planning for 5 Night & 6 Days at Andaman. Suggest some good deals.
m also planning to visit Andaman for a week kindly tell me about the package for 2 people and the places to visit there?
I want to visit Port Blair on 27 May with wife and two children for 3 days. Kindly advise the best tourist place in medium budget.
I am planning a visit to Andaman and Nicobar from New delhi in August. Please guide me through the complete must visit places and also whether I should sign up for a package or go on our own and explore things on our own 🙂
Thanks
My friend, his wife & myself intend to visit Andaman Island. What shall be the best time & an ideal duration of the tour? What are the best tourist attractions?
Ashit Chanda
Assam
We would like to visit Andaman in this July.we will stay there for 4 days.can u tell me the important places and also expenditure for covering all the places.
I am planning 7 days trip to Aandaman . I wish to stay in havelock , Neil island and visit other places. Can somebody suggest tour programme. Hotels/resorts and restaurants to enjoy stay and food.
Hi,
I will be visiting Andamans from 14th to 20th august, help me with your experience, and how to travel in between islands and where to stay – its a family of 8 even kids – and we look for economical budget.
And the tariff in each places, what to do and what not to do.
Regards
Raji from Bangalore India
hi we want to visit Andaman for 5-6 days please provide me details of tour packages you provide.
We are planing to visit Andaman Nicobar as tourist dated 12-19 Feb.
Hi, Planning to go Andaman in Nov for 5 days & 4 nights. Suggest me with reasonable budget and attractions to be covered.Is November is the best time to go?
Thanks.
planning to visit andaman nicobar islands in the month of november for 4-5 days,
Please guide.
I want to visit andaman for my honeymoon in the first week of march. Please suggest me whether it will be a wise decision to spend honeymoon in the month of march in Andaman. And how much will be the budget if the stay is for a week.
i am planning to visit andaman and nicobar island in second week of november along with family and 2 yr child
please kindly provide me the tour plan for seven days including accn and tourist places.
We are planning to visit Andaman for 5 days & 4 nights. Kindly tell me about the package for 2 people and the places to visit there? We have a medium budget plan with focus to nature mainly, how should we plan my visit to get the maximum? We are planning for a package trip to Andaman Nicobar Islands next month from 1st October to 5th October.
We are planning for a package trip to Andaman Nicobar Islands next month. We will definitely reach out these beautiful places to explore real Andaman Tourism.
We are reaching to port blair on 5th November morning and leave on 13th November early morning. Kindly provide the package details for a couple and 10 years old kid.
I, with my spouse, am planning for Andaman in December second week for 5 days. Please suggest me the plan and places to be covered. I would like to know which is better package tour or personal tour??
I am government employee so could you suggest how to book APWD owned govt guest house.
Thank you.
I am planning a family vacation of four to Andaman with special emphasis on beaches. In First week of January.
Is it mandatory to know swimming for scuba diving or for sea walk at Andaman Island?
I am looking for 5-6 days trip to Andman & nicober from New Delhi. Please suggest the best package. I could go with 3-4 more friends if we get a best deal.
Hi I’m planning to visit Andaman & Nicobar in Jan 2ND week. I want to cover all 7 places in 5/6 days. If anyone has good agent contact, please share. we are 2 people from Bangalore.
Praveen
Thank you.
Sir I want to visit during 12 march to 19 march. Pls suggest a proper guide plan with approx expenditures.
Hi,
I will be visiting Andamans from 11th to 16th April. Help me with your experience, and how to travel in between islands and where to stay – its a family of 8 even kids – and we look for economical budget.
And the tariff in each places, what to do and what not to do.
Regards.
Kumuda from Bangalore India
We are just planning our trip to Andaman and Nicobar Island so I need a guide programme and list of best places to visit.
This is actually more informative and nice article. The destinations are very interesting.
I am planning a visit to Andaman and Nicobar from Cooch Behar, West Bengal in December . Please guide me through the complete must visit places and also whether I should sign up for a package or go on our own and explore things on our own 🙂
Thanks
Hi, How was your travel, can you share some of you experience please? we are planning to vist coming July. Thanks, Haje
i have planned a tour to Andaman Nicobar in October 23rd to 27th in a group of about 15 perons. is there any tour operator to manage this tour and provide stay, visits to tourist places. Breakfast, Lunch, dinner etc. during our stay
i am planning for 5 day visit in the month of december. give a tour programme.
August/September may not be the best time to visit the haven of the cleanest virgin Islands of India. Best considered time is from November to mid-May.
One can easily spend a few days here and indulge in the various sports activities on exotic beaches. Top sights to visit. Cellular Jail National Memorial, Radhanagar, Little Andaman Lighthouse, Kalapathar, Havelock Island, Limestone Caves Baratang Island etc.
I would like to visit during December along with my wife for five to six days. Give tour programme package inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, lunch & dinner and also boat tickets.
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