Port Blair is the capital of the Union Territory Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is a small but picturesque place spread over a number of hills from Haddo across Secretariat Hill to Aberdeen Bazaar and South point. There are neat villages like pahargaon, Shadipur and Garacharme.
The territory have a natural heritage, with evergreen moist deciduous and swamp forests. Today, Port Blair have grown and tourism is being developed to entice more people to enjoy the clean beaches and unpolluted waters that are already attracting divers and snorkellers.
Mineral water and other essentials are available here, only marginally more expensive than the mainland. Power, water and sewerage systems are beginning to show signs of being over-stretched and there are frequent breakdowns. Port Blair offers a variety of sea food delicacies, besides Indian, Chinese, Continental, and Burmese cuisine.
Long Island
The several sandy beaches on this island, which is off the south east coast of Middle Andaman are an idyllic camping site. It has a forest rest house and a PWD rest house. On Wednesdays and Saturdays ferries from Port Blair and Havelock stop here on their way to Rangat.
Neil Island
Predominantly inhabited by post-partition Bengali settlers, the Neil Islands offer good beaches for snorkelling. Some of the corals here have been damaged due to extensive fishing. The numbered beaches are popular for their hammocks under shady trees. The largest of Neil's wide and deserted beaches is at Sitapur, on the east coast.
Cinque Island
South of Chirya Tapu, the uninhabited Cinque Island are surrounded by some of the finest coral reefs which can be seen a few hundred metres into the sea. Permission from the Forest Department is required to visit these islands and a night visit is rarely granted. It takes two and a half hours to get here by boat from Chiriya Tapu and three and a half hours from Wandoor. Ferries between Phoenix Bay and the island run only once a week (3hr).
Diglipur
It is the northernmost point of the Andaman chain. 9 km inland from its harbour at Arial Bay is a bazaar. One can swim at a small beach beside the mangrove swamps near a sawmill. A sandy beach, 11 km further on at Kalipur is connected by bus. Permission to make the three- to four-hour climb up the thickly forested Saddle Peak must be obtained from the Range Officer at Arial Bay. The nearby Austin Islands are also worth a visit.
Ross Island
Ross Island was the administrative headquarters of the British during World War II. Formerly known as Paris of the East, this place now lies in ruins. Its manicured lawns adorned with umbrellas and shades and the majestic ballrooms were destroyed in an earthquake in 1941. Daily services were held at the Church but now forest and under growth has over-run the place which is in ruins and has a somewhat haunting air of poignancy. The small museum near the jetty presents a picture of the bygone era. The island is under Naval control and it is mandatory to sign the visitor's guest book on arrival. Ferries from Phoenix Bay take 20 minutes for the ride to Ross Island.
Chatham
5 km North-west of Aberdeen Bazaar, on the peninsula that marks the northernmost edge of Port Blair, is the British built Chatham sawmill one of the oldest and largest timber processing plants on Indian territory. The seasoning of beautiful and rare woods taken from various islands is a sad testimony to continuing felling; photography is prohibited. Most of the timber goes from here to the mainland.
Little Andamans
Home to the Onge tribals, who are confined to the south of the island, these reserves are out of bound areas. The waves make this place good for swimming. There is police station where one has to register his arrival. The main beach of Little Andamans is at Butler Bay, which is also a camping ground.
Havelock
Havelock, 55km northeast of Port Blair, is a 100 sq km island that has great white-sand beaches and clear water, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are interesting coral formations and large fish—dolphins and turtle, which make snorkeling very interesting. This is one of the few islands at which foreigners are permitted to stay overnight.
Rangat
Rangat provides a real attraction for an ecologically conscious tourist, who can enjoy the virgin nature and breathe unpolluted air, a rare commodity for the city dweller. Cutbert Bay beach is15 kms away is also a turtle nesting ground.
Baratang
Baratang holds the natures best treasures gifted to the Islands. Limestone caves, Active Mud Volcano, Tothatekri, Baludera Beach & Roglachang Beach are just a few of them. The Road journey from Port Blair to Baratang is through a dense jungle. Daily speed boats are also awailable from Port Blair to Baratang.
Mayabunder
71 km north of Rangat, in Middle Andaman, Mayabunder has some very beautiful beaches. The population includes settlers from Burma, East Pakistan and ex-convicts.
Barren islands
About a 135 km by sea from Port Blair, the Barren Island holds the only active volcano in India. The volcano erupted twice in the recent years - 1991 and again in 1994 after remaining dormant for more than 177 years. One can visit the island on special boats but disembarking from the vessel is not allowed.
Port Blair is the capital of the Union Territory Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is a small but picturesque place spread over a number of hills from Haddo across Secretariat Hill to Aberdeen Bazaar and South point. There are neat villages like pahargaon, Shadipur and Garacharme.
The several sandy beaches on this island, which is off the south east coast of Middle Andaman are an idyllic camping site. It has a forest rest house and a PWD rest house. On Wednesdays and Saturdays ferries from Port Blair and Havelock stop here on their way to Rangat.
Predominantly inhabited by post-partition Bengali settlers, the Neil Islands offer good beaches for snorkelling. Some of the corals here have been damaged due to extensive fishing. The numbered beaches are popular for their hammocks under shady trees. The largest of Neil's wide and deserted beaches is at Sitapur, on the east coast.
South of Chirya Tapu, the uninhabited Cinque Island are surrounded by some of the finest coral reefs which can be seen a few hundred metres into the sea. Permission from the Forest Department is required to visit these islands and a night visit is rarely granted. It takes two and a half hours to get here by boat from Chiriya Tapu and three and a half hours from Wandoor. Ferries between Phoenix Bay and the island run only once a week (3hr).
It is the northernmost point of the Andaman chain. 9 km inland from its harbour at Arial Bay is a bazaar. One can swim at a small beach beside the mangrove swamps near a sawmill. A sandy beach, 11 km further on at Kalipur is connected by bus. Permission to make the three- to four-hour climb up the thickly forested Saddle Peak must be obtained from the Range Officer at Arial Bay. The nearby Austin Islands are also worth a visit.
Ross Island was the administrative headquarters of the British during World War II. Formerly known as Paris of the East, this place now lies in ruins. Its manicured lawns adorned with umbrellas and shades and the majestic ballrooms were destroyed in an earthquake in 1941. Daily services were held at the Church but now forest and under growth has over-run the place which is in ruins and has a somewhat haunting air of poignancy. The small museum near the jetty presents a picture of the bygone era. The island is under Naval control and it is mandatory to sign the visitor's guest book on arrival. Ferries from Phoenix Bay take 20 minutes for the ride to Ross Island.
Home to the Onge tribals, who are confined to the south of the island, these reserves are out of bound areas. The waves make this place good for swimming. There is police station where one has to register his arrival. The main beach of Little Andamans is at Butler Bay, which is also a camping ground.
Havelock, 55km northeast of Port Blair, is a 100 sq km island that has great white-sand beaches and clear water, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are interesting coral formations and large fish—dolphins and turtle, which make snorkeling very interesting. This is one of the few islands at which foreigners are permitted to stay overnight.
Rangat provides a real attraction for an ecologically conscious tourist, who can enjoy the virgin nature and breathe unpolluted air, a rare commodity for the city dweller. Cutbert Bay beach is15 kms away is also a turtle nesting ground.
Baratang holds the natures best treasures gifted to the Islands. Limestone caves, Active Mud Volcano, Tothatekri, Baludera Beach & Roglachang Beach are just a few of them. The Road journey from Port Blair to Baratang is through a dense jungle. Daily speed boats are also awailable from Port Blair to Baratang.
71 km north of Rangat, in Middle Andaman, Mayabunder has some very beautiful beaches. The population includes settlers from Burma, East Pakistan and ex-convicts.
About a 135 km by sea from Port Blair, the Barren Island holds the only active volcano in India. The volcano erupted twice in the recent years - 1991 and again in 1994 after remaining dormant for more than 177 years. One can visit the island on special boats but disembarking from the vessel is not allowed.
