Travel Guide for Port Blair

Know More About Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a beach destination, which is on the bucket list of almost all types of travel enthusiasts from family vacationers to solo travellers. Port Blair is the capital city of this amazingly beautiful group of islands, which consists of some of the most clearest beaches in the world with an untouched marine life that has a plethora of never seen before underwater creatures, flora and fauna. As per the Government of India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory that comprises multiple groups of islands situated at the southeastern end of the Bay of Bengal. 

Andaman Islands was an integral part of the primeval trade route from Myanmar to India, as it was a pitstop for most of the traders and navy personnels and was administered by the britishers. And these islands became a union territory of India in 1956 under the independent Republic of India. In addition to that, these wonderfully sumptuous islands are home to some of the most ancient tribal communities that have avoided interaction with outsiders for centuries now. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands catched the eye of the world in the year 2004 because of a devastating tsunami that took place due to a disastrous earthquake. When we talk about the gross area of these mesmerizing group islands known as Great Andaman Islands it is close to 90 Miles (146 Km) wide in total, which includes over 300 islands. Furthermore, Nicobars include in total 19 islands that lie pretty close to Sumatra, Indonesia.

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Andaman and Nicobar Islands Climate and Wildlife

There are sea breezes throughout the year on these gorgeous islands and port blair weather mainly stays tropical.  The weather is rainy from the month of may till september and there are usually some tropical cyclones in the month of october and november. These climatic conditions are one of the key reasons why these islands are covered with a densely green tropical forest, which consist of a wide spectrum of wildlife that includes a variety of species of trees. All these never seen before kinds of trees are fairly unique and can’t be seen in any of the metropolitan cities or their surrounding areas.      

Inhabitants

Most of the islands on this union territory are not inhabited, both Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 12 islands each that support human settlements and are populated. The majority of people residing in Andaman and Nicobar Islands are immigrants from the southern part of Asia. In addition to that, some of the most commonly spoken languages on these islands are Hindi, which is also the national language of India and Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu that are mainly spoken in the eastern and southern parts of republic of India, respectively.  Furthermore, there are also a plethora of indigenous communities and inhabitants that stay mainly on the nicobar islands like Shompen, Sentinelese, Nicobarese, Onge, Jarawa and Great Andamanese, to name a few. People following Hindu and Christian religion are in majority and the muslim community is also a prominent minority on Andaman and Nicobar Islands.              

Economic Developments and Main Source of Earning

Farming is what most of the locals do on the Andaman Islands and they are one of the key cultivators of crops such as, high quality rice, tender coconuts, betel nuts, palm oil, cashews, rubber, tropical fruits and a diversity of spices like turmeric and cinnamon. And the fisheries are mainly focused towards domestic consumption and at times exporting a bit to Indian mainland. 

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Travel Industry

The hospitality business in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is growing at a substantial rate at present, with an extensive number of hotels in Andaman Islands, guesthouses and Andaman resorts scattered all across these wonderfully beautiful islands. Most of the tourists that visit this gorgeous vacation destination are from India and southeast asia. Some of the most visited travel attractions of Anadaman and Nicobar Islands are as following,

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·   Andaman Cellular Jail, which was completed in 1906 and is situated in Port Blair Andaman Nicobar.

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Corbyn's Cove Beach

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Light and Sound Show at Cellular Jail as well as Ross Island

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Ross Island

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->       North Bay Island

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Anthropological Museum

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Samudrika Naval Marine Museum

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Marina Park & Fisheries Museum

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Chatham Saw Mill

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Japanese Bunkers

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Chidiyatapu Beach

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Sagarika Museum

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Zoological Survey of India Museum

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Forest Museum

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Wandoor Beach & Mahatma Gandhi National Park

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Viper Island (Presently closed by govt.)

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Jolly Buoy

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->       Red Skin Island

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Mount Harriet

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Collenpur Beach

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         BadaBalu Beach at Collenpur

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Cinque Island

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Flat Bay

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Sippighat Agricultural Farm

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Campbell Bay National Park

<!-- [if !supportLists]-->?      <!--[endif]-->·         Murugan Temple

Modes of Transportation

Most of the good quality roads are in the Southern part of Andaman Islands. Port Blair the capital city and Diglipur Island are two of the busiest water harbours of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, respectively. A ferry and inter island boat facility connects Port Blair with all the other islands. If you are a tourist then you can also opt for private boat service or take a taxi if you are travelling by road. These islands can be reached by flight from almost any part of the world, as there are both direct and connection flights to the Port Blair Airport.    

Health Facilities at Andaman and Nicobar Islands

All the basic health care facilities are offered completely free of charge to all the residents of these Islands. Being away from the Indian mainland, the administrative authorities on Andaman and Nicobar Islands focus on offering healthcare services in almost all the populated areas as well as rural areas with the help of numerous community health-care centers and sub centers, which are spread vastly all across these gorgeous islands. 

We hope that all this information has helped you get a better idea on what exactly Andaman and Nicobar Island has on offer for you, irrespective of the reason for your travel to this ever so gorgeous group of islands. Without a doubt, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have something for everyone from kids to old age people. So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands today and spend quality time with your near and dear ones on the crystal clear blue water beaches of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This website is a complete travel guide to Andaman islands, do go through it and get a better idea about the gorgeous Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

Azure skies, cerulean waters and scattered sea-shells give way to a panorama illuminated by the glimmering sun. Palm trees are everywhere, and white sand dots the landscape – that’s when you know you have arrived in one of the most spectacular places on Earth. Andaman and Nicobar islands is a vacationer’s dream come true- There are 572 islands in the archipelago of which only 38 are permanently inhabited. Blessed with tropical jungles and picturesque white-sand beaches, each of these has a glorious coastline that allows you to enjoy picture-perfect sunsets, away from the crowd.

The beaches in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have garnered worldwide fame for their picturesque surroundings, turquoise waters, soft sands and lush greenery. A perfect setting to satisfy your beach craving, boasting of some of the most magnificent beaches like Radhanagar Beach and Elephant Beach that put this little island territory global map with their Shimmering blue waters and smooth sands.

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While on your beach holiday, these locations can also help you ease your stress. And for the times when adventure kicks in- do take up water sports ranging from banana boat rides, snorkelling, scuba diving, parasailing, undersea walking to partaking in adrenaline water activities like jet skiing, speed boating and even riding on a seaplane. Collect sea-shells, and you might even get lucky and encounter the prettiest ones there are. You can go cruising, island hopping or even camping at the beach under a blanket of stars. 

Often topping the charts of best places to visit in the world, this is a perfect place for honeymooners, families, Bachelors and ( Solo travellers- No, we are not kidding! ) If you are on a hunt for beaches that are pristine, serene and are also maintained well- A beach tour in Andaman Island will truly build memories filled with lifelong images of fun times and unsurpassed experiences. 

The shimmering blue waters, velvety white sand, lovely cottages, huts and shacks, and exciting water sports activities together make these beaches in Andaman an experience worth cherishing in itself. There are several beaches on the various islands that are worth visiting. Some of them are popular amongst tourists and are always jam-packed while some are serene and secluded beaches, ideal for a private holiday with family and couples. We have also compiled a hand-picked list of the best beaches, to help you get the maximum out of your much-deserved vacation:

• Beaches In Port Blair
• Beaches In Havelock Island
• Beaches In Neil Island
• Beaches In Baratang
• Beaches In Diglipur
• Beaches In Long Island
• Beaches In Rangat Island
• Beaches In Mayabunder
• Beaches In Little Andaman
• Beaches In Ross Island

The city lights long endured can become monotonous and needless to say boring. In those times, a silent and peaceful day all to yourself can be a blessing in disguise. Once you pave your way to this magical destination, beautiful stories are waiting to sweep you off your feet. Share this with someone who is dreaming of vacation and give them new grounds to explore.

Is Port Blair worth visiting? If yes, then how many days should you spend there?

Travellers often think about these questions when they decide to travel to the Andaman Islands. We know that the best beaches are in Havelock Island, but Port Blair is known for its rich history. So, most of the people think should they skip it and head directly towards Havelock Island or spend some time there as well. We would recommend you to make up your mind to stay in the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for two days at least. Ultimately, apart from knowing about the historical events that this place has witnessed, you will also see a fair share of nature and beauty in Port Blair. Most importantly, you can witness an interesting phenomenon that occurs in an unusual place. You should definitely add it to your itinerary, but let us tell you in advance that it requires more time and money. But you should not miss it at any cost. It definitely deserves a place in your travel bucket list. So, what it is? Find out yourself…   

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Where to stay?

When in Port Blair, you would want to stay near a beach far away from the hustle-bustle of the city. Is that correct? The best part of staying in beachfront accommodations is that they are just a few minutes’ walk away from the beach that is surrounded by coconut trees. But let us tell you that such hotels are located in seclusion and also there is no market nearby in some cases.  

What to see?

Cellular Jail

Port Blair is famous for the historic Cellular Jail that was built by the Britishers in ten years. It was constructed as solitary confinement for Indian political prisoners. This was the most dreaded and grueling colonial jail, which was also referred to as Kala Pani. It has witnessed the most atrocious punishments imposed on innumerable freedom fighters of India. Open to the public as a national memorial, you can see the whole place soaking in the misery and pain of the revolutionaries. You can climb the stairs, walk through the corridors, get inside the cells, and see the gallows where execution was done by hanging. You will get a glimpse of India’s struggle for freedom.

Timings and fees for Cellular Jail and Jail Museum (Open all days except national holidays)

09:00 am to 12:30 pm

01:30 pm to 04:45 pm 

Entry Fee: Rs. 30, Camera: Rs. 200, Video Camera: Rs. 1000, Film shooting per day with prior permission: Rs. 10000

Son-et-Lumiere (Sound and Light Show) at Cellular Jail

The show presents the saga of the heroic freedom struggle. The entry fee for kids is Rs. 25 and for adults, it is Rs. 50. You can choose any of the following timings to watch the one-hour show:

05:30 pm to 06:30 pm

06:45 pm to 07:45 pm

08:00 pm to 09:00 pm 

09:15 pm to 10:15 pm 

Corbyn’s Cove Beach

You can go there on the first evening of your trip. After a long day, all everyonewants is to take a leisurely stroll surrounded by peaceful beach vibes. One of the most famous beaches in Port Blair, people come here for boating, water scooters, and jet skiing as well. It is easily accessible, and you can spend hours here while relaxing, shopping and eating.  

But let us tell you that this beach is nowhere near the pristine beaches of Havelock Island. 

YOU CAN’T MISS THIS WHEN IN PORT BLAIR!!!

If you want to see something extraordinary, then don’t forget to include Barren Island in your travel itinerary. Located in the Andaman Sea, the Barren Volcano is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia. Also, along a chain of volcanoes from Sumatra to Myanmar, this is the only active volcano. It is located nearly 138 kilometers from Port Blair. If it’s a lucky day and if you are also fortunate enough, then you can see the volcano erupting lava and ash. Its first eruption was recorded in 1787.

Getting there

If you are willing to have a sightseeing tour around the Island, then you can do so by renting boats/ferries. However, visitors are restricted to land ashore. A seaplane tour from Port Blair can also be opted to look around the island. Getting approval of the forest department and necessary permits is mandatory as this island comes under the restricted zone.

Best time to visit

Usually, November to February is considered the best time to visit this island. The weather is clear during these months giving a good possibility to see the island and the volcano. 

Other places to see when in Port Blair

If you have more time, then you can visit these places as well: 

• Ross Island
• Viper Island
• North Bay Island
• Chidiya Tapu
• Baratang Island
• Jolly Buoy Island
• Anthropological Museum
• Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex
• Wandoor & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
• Samudrika Naval Marine Museum 
• Marina Park & Fisheries Museum
• Chatham Saw Mill

If you are in the planning stage of your vacation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, then contact Andaman Island Travels to make all your bookings. A well-known and trusted tour agency, it is located in Port Blair and is committed to help you in planning the holiday of your dreams as per your budget and requirements. Whether it is your accommodation, any adventure activity that you want to do, or hire a car, it will take care of all your needs in the best way possible.