Travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the beautiful archipelago in the Bay of Bengal between India and Myanmar. A large part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands belong to the Union Territory of India, while a small part in the north of the archipelago (including the Coco Islands) belongs to Myanmar.
Port Blair is the capital and tourist center of the Andaman Islands. The Andaman Islands are very popular with water sports enthusiasts, beach lovers and newlyweds.
Geographical Area (Andaman and Nicobar Islands):
The Nicobar Islands stretch for 800 km from north to south and consist of about 572 islands, of which 36 are inhabited. 9 of them are open for tourism in the Andaman Islands, while the Nicobar Islands are not yet open to visitors. Non-Indian nationalities require a special permit to visit the Andaman Islands.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been inhabited for thousands of years by various tribes such as the Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge and Sentinelese, who had no contact with the outside world for a long time.
The Marathas annexed the islands in the late 17th century. In the early 18th century, the islands were a naval base of Maratha Admiral Kanhoji Angre. The British annexed the islands in the 19th century and used them as prison islands for Indian freedom fighters.
The islands that you can visit offer you a dreamlike backdrop of wild jungle, beautiful beaches and a kaleidoscope of corals and picturesque sunsets. From backpackers to luxury tourists, everyone will get their money’s worth here. There is adventure, luxury and deserted beaches! In this guide you can find out more about this enchanting region!
The Andaman Islands are divided into South, North and Central Andaman and have an important and unique ecosystem. The Port Blair Prison, Chatham Saw Mill, Mount Harriet, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Radhanagar Beach on the Havelock Islands, Neil Island, Long Island, Baratang and North Bay Island are the main tourist attractions of the Andaman Islands. The crystal clear waters offer a whole range of water sports.
Best activities to do in Andaman and Nicobar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) :
Surfing, water skiing, scootering, snorkeling, scuba diving and much more. The Andaman Islands are also famous for adventure tourism such as trekking and camping.
Perfect time to plan your trip:
The best time to travel to the Andaman Islands is from November to March. The climate is tropical and humid all year round. In winter the temperature does not fall below 22°C. In summer it rises to a pleasant 37°C.
The Nicobar Islands are cooler and very pleasant during these months. The sea is also calm and hence best suited for activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, underwater walks, sunbathing or sailing, parasailing, scooters, rowing boats, kayaks, and water skiing etc. The winter season is also famous for the annual tourism festival in January.
The peak season in the Andaman Islands is from December to February. The New Year festival attracts a lot of visitors and thus the hotel rates are quite high. The 15-day tourism festival is very colourful and lively and should not be missed. Dussehra is the biggest festival of the Bengalis, of which there are many in Port Blair and Havelock Island.
This festival is also very popular. Summer time is great and you should visit Port Blair, Long Island, Havelock Island, Clique Islands, Smith and Ross Islands, Little Andaman, Diglipur etc. The monsoon season can bring a lot of rain and wind from late May to mid September. This time should be avoided because the sea can be very rough and some activities cannot be planned.
Accomodation facilities (Andaman and Nicobar Islands):
There are various accommodation options in the Andaman Islands, from budget to luxury hotels. Most of the islands can only be reached by ferry. The main islands (South, Central and North Andaman) are connected by the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) through ferries and bridges. In these regions you can use rickshaws, taxis, jeeps and public buses. Quite expensive plane and helicopter connections exist between Port Blair and Havelock Island. Scooters and bicycles can also be rented on the islands.
Important Travel tips :
Expect a digital detox as internet connections are not particularly stable. Credit cards are accepted in better hotels and restaurants in Port Blair. However, it is advisable to always carry cash with you and stock up on it in Port Blair as there are no ATMs available in many places. There are some on Havelock Island and Neil Island but unfortunately they don’t always work either. Book tickets for the ferries before you travel with a local travel agent to ensure you get a seat.
Port Blair, in the South Andamans, is the gateway to the islands and can only be reached via the Indian mainland. There are direct flights from Kolkata in West Bengal and via Chennai in Tamil Nadu. On certain days there are also direct flights from Delhi, Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Bhubaneshwar in Odisha, Bangalore in Karnataka and Hyderabad in Telangana.
Top Places to Visit in Andaman And Nicobar Islands:
Tourists can visit the following regions of the Andaman Islands without a special permit: East Island, North Andaman, Smith Island, Curfew Island, Stewart Island, Land Fall Island, Ayes Island, Middle Andaman, Long Island, Strait Island, North Passage, Baratang Island, South Andaman, Havelock Island (renamed Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island (renamed Shaheed Dweep), Flat Bay, North Sentinel Island, Little Andaman, Narcondam Island, Interview Island and Viper Island.
However, you are not allowed to stay overnight on all of the islands mentioned. Of course, we are happy to help you plan! Permits are also required to visit forests, national parks and marine parks. The same applies to local reserves (such as North Sentinel Island), as these are protected areas.
Some of these permits can be very expensive and you can expect to pay 1,000 rupees (about 12€ currently) to visit the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Ross and Smith Islands, for example. Tourism is mainly found in Port Blair, the islands around South Andaman and Havelock Island in the north. Besides Port Blair, only Havelock Island has a fully developed infrastructure for tourists. Neil Island is also currently developing this.
This island has not yet been commercialized but still offers a certain level of comfort. Those who like to go off-the-beaten-track should check out Baratang Island between the South and Middle Andaman islands. Here you will find mud volcanoes, sandstone caves, mangrove forests and a place where thousands of parrots meet every evening. Long Island, on the coast of Middle Andaman Island, is ideal for tourists seeking relaxation and serenity in a local community.
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Diglipur is the main town on North Andaman Island and is close to Kalipur Beach. Saddle Peak (the highest point in the Andaman Islands at 732 metres above sea level), Smith and Ross Islands Marine Reserve and the small Craggy Island are other places to visit. Little Andaman Island is the southernmost point in the archipelago and was hit hard by the 2004 tsunami but has recovered well.
There is no commercial, tourist infrastructure there and only simple guesthouses and huts on the beach. The surfing here is very good. The Andaman Islands are ideal for diving and snorkelling.
About the City Tour (Andaman and Nicobar Islands):
A city tour in Port Blair shows you buildings from the British colonial era, museums, World War II bunkers and the prison, where you can also admire a sound and light show. A harbor tour in Port Blair, North Bay Island, Ross Island and Viper Island is great. Or a day trip to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor with Jolly Buoy and Red Skin islands. Nature trails in the biological park and sunsets in Chidya Tapu. Scuba diving and snorkeling is great around Chidya Tapu, Havelock Island and Neil Island.
Conclusion (Andaman and Nicobar Islands):
There is so much to discover in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.What are you waiting for? Pack your bags, get your family and friends ready and plan your trip asap.
It’s going to be a damn good experience.Keep visiting our site for more such travel related information.Until then take care goodbye!
