Andaman and Nicobar Islands
-Emerald, Blue and You
Have you ever gone to the place where you wake up every morning to the glorious sun, blue sparkling water, or the golden sandy beaches? If not, then this one’s for you!
With the most beautifully created reefs, the underwater diversity of this island is beyond words.
Encompassed with turquoise beaches, sunny skies, an abundance of marine life, and culture, Andaman and Nicobar Island will be an unforgettable experience in your bucket list.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Since 800 BC, with a great past, these islands are famous throughout the world. It is believed that the people here were descendants of African slaves.
When India gained independence in 1947, Andaman and Nicobar Island were united with India. The indigenous populations here are called the Andamanese and Nicobarese inhabit these Islands.
There are five indigenous tribes still living on the Island like Jharwas (Jarawas), Onges, The Great Andamanese, Shompens, Sentinelese.
For ages, the island was nicknamed as Kala Paani because of its cellular Jail, and today, this Cellular Jail is a prime attraction for tourists.
Popular Languages of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The common languages spoken among the tribe are Onge, Andamanese, Sentinelese, Jarawa, and Nicobarese.
Other famous languages include Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Port Blair is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Head of the Andaman Union Territory
The head of this Island is the Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the President of India. The current Lieutenant Governor is Devendra Kumar Joshi and the Chief Secretary is Chetan Bhushan Sanghi, IAS.
High Court of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Calcutta High Court, the oldest High Court in India has jurisdiction over the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Map of Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tourism
Tourism is a major industry in Andaman.
The bulk revenue earned by the government is through tourism and there is potential growth in the tourist rates for water sports and adventure tourism including trekking, island camping, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
In 2004 Radhanagar beach at Havelock Island was titled “Asia’s Best Beach” and as the world’s seventh most spectacular beach by Time Magazine.
Best 50 Places To Visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
1. Cellular Jail National Memorial
“Kaala Pani”, the familiar name, refers to this place. A former British prison and now a shrine to the political dissidents it once jailed.
Location: Atlanta Point, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744102
2. Neil Island, Havelock Island
A thrilling holiday experience with fishing, snorkeling, exploring marine life, scuba diving, and many more surprises this destination awaits you.
Location: 42Kms from Port Blair
3. Havelock Island
Amongst the best tourist places in Andaman, Havelock Island is a cherry on top to make it all amazing. The Barefoot Scuba Resort is where you’d want to go if you’re a scuba enthusiast.
Places to visit: Diglipur Church, Pathi Level Beach, and Turtle Nesting Point
4. Ross Island, Port Blair
This place was fondly called the ‘Paris of the East’ by the British and there are remnants of the English architecture and machine-gun nests for you to have fun with!
Location: South Andaman
5. Alfred Caves
The Alfred Cave of Diglipur, close to Ramnagar Beach is the best place for a cave exploration trip.
6. Chidiya Tapu, Port Blair
Chidiya Tapu is a tranquil little place perfect for bird watching with hundreds of species of birds, including parakeets, sea eagles, emerald doves, and various others.
Location: 17Kms from Port Blair
7. Radhanagar Beach
Crowned as ‘Asia’s Best Beach’ by TIME magazine, it’s charm hasn’t dropped one bit even after many years.
With its white sand, breathtaking sunset and turquoise blue waters, Radhanagar beach is amongst the most beautiful places to visit in Andaman.
Location: Havelock Island, Andaman
8. Samudrika Marine Museum, Port Blair
Samudrika Marine museum which is managed by the Indian Navy showcases the heritage and the information of the abundant marine life on the Island.
Location: Haddo Road, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744102
9. North Bay Island, Port Blair
Known as Coral Island, this is a magnet for beach lovers with its crystal blue water and lush greenery along with colorful fishes. You can involve in activities like snorkeling, jet-skiing, speedboat, and scuba diving.
Location: North of Port Blair, 15-20 minutes ride
10. Elephant Beach, Havelock Island
This is a treat for the adventure lover in you as this beach is known for water sports. Enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and other water activities here.
Location: SH4, Havelock Island, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744211
11. Jolly Buoy Island, Port Blair
Famous for its crystal clear waters and the underwater corals, everyone visiting Jolly Buoy Island will love it for yet another trip.
Location: 30Kms from Port Blair
12. Barren Island, Havelock Island
This Island is the only place with an active volcano in Southeast Asia. As there are no humans inhabiting here, owing to its name.
Location: 143Kms from Port Blair
13. Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Port Blair
With the silver beaches and blue waters with palm trees lining the landscape, Corbyn’s Cove looks just like a painted picture.
Location: 7 Km from the main town of Port Blair
14. Anthropological Museum
For all those curious travelers who are keen on exploring Andaman’s tribes and their life, this museum showcases the culture and traditions of the major tribes living in Andaman.
The museum is located at the Phoenix Bay and is a drive of around 7 to 8 kilometers.
15. Vijaynagar Beach, Havelock Island
Known by the name Beach no. 5, in the northeast region of Havelock Island, you can enjoy the scenic views, sunrise, and all-round calmness.
Location: Havelock Island, Andaman
16. Limestone Caves, Port Blair
These limestone caves are huge sediment rocks that form an astounding natural marvel to witness in Andaman.
Location: Baratang Island, Andaman
17. Chatham Saw Mill, Port Blair
This place looks straight out of a movie with its perfect scenery. The mill was established by Britishers in 1883.
Distance from Port Blair: Just 25 minutes away.
18. Baratang Island, Port Blair
Grab a unique experience in this gorgeous wilderness with the local tribes here.
Location: 150Kms from Port Blair
19. Mud Volcanoes, Port Blair
Not just the beaches allure you but also this natural wonder that is surrounded by craters formed by the natural gas which is emitted by the underground decayed substances known as the mud volcano.
Location: Diglipur, Andaman
20. Cinque Island, Port Blair
This Island is divided into South Cinque Island and North Cinque Island and is popular because of the fact that it forms a part of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park of Wandoor.
Location: North Of Andaman
21. Ross and Smith Island, Port Blair
Ross and Smith’s Island are the two twin Islands, joined together to make a single group of Islands at the North Andaman and these islands are genuinely beautiful and there is a sandbar that connects both the islands.
22. Long Island, Havelock Island
Known for its picturesqueness this Island has been established as a modernized village and the beaches here are covered with lush greenery and intriguing caves.
Location: 90Kms from Port Blair
23. Red Skin Island
The Red Skin Island is famous worldwide for its extraordinary elegance that will leave you dazed and the extraordinary sights to gaze at.
Location: Red Skin Island is just 18.2 km from Port Blair
24. Forest Museum, Port Blair
Forest Museum is one of the places in Andaman to visit with family. This museum displays various artifacts made from satinwood, padauk, timber, and oak.
Location: Chatham Island, Foreshore Rd, Haddo, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744102
25. Mayabunder
located in the northern side of the Middle Andamans, Mayabunder is a perfect location for a beach holiday, amidst fascinating mangrove creeks, entrancing beaches, and isles.
26. Manglutan Rubber Plantation, Port Blair
Manglutan Rubber Plantation is in a village called Manglutan, located in the southern region of Andaman Island. This plantation established in 1960-61, covers a land of 60 acres in the village.
Location: Manglutan Village, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 744103
27. Wandoor Beach, Port Blair
Wandoor beach offers picturesque views that will leave you spellbound like never before and it is one of the famous beaches in India.
28. Bharatpur Beach, Havelock Island
Considered as one of the best beaches on Neil Island, Bharatpur Beach is like a painting made by an artist. Stretches of white sand along with the changing hues of the sky is something one cannot miss.
29. Kala Pathar Beach, Havelock Island
Although a small beach, it doesn’t fail to mesmerize the tourists with its beauty. Adorned by white sand and green waters the view is mesmerizing.
Location: Kala Patthar, Havelock islands, Andaman
30. Viper Island, Port Blair
Considered as one of the most beautiful places to visit in Andaman, the island derived its name from the various vipers found in the region and there are ruins of prison found here.
Location: 4Kms from Port Blair
31. Ramnagar Beach, Neil Island
Ramnagar Beach or Beach No. 3 stretches beside the Ramnagar Village of Neil Island. This beach is not suitable for swimming as it has sharp underwater corals but it’s so beautiful with yellow sands, lined with trees and sunset views.
32. Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple, Port Blair
If you are in for a spiritual enlightenment experience the Sri Vetrimalai Murugan Temple and show devotion to Karthikeyan or Lord Murugan, son of Lord Shiva.
Location: Shadipur, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744106
33. Madhuban, Port Blair
Trek along this 16-kilometer adventure from Mount Harriet to Madhuban while seeing exotic flora and fauna.
34. Little Andaman Island, Port Blair
Situated near Rutland Island, it offers beautiful views and is home to beaches like Kalapathar beach and Butler bay beach.
35. Lalaji Bay Beach, Havelock Island
Walk along this Island lined with copious green trees with your loved one and enjoy the marvel of nature.
36. Kalipur Beach
Kalipur Beach of Diglipur is an ultimate tourist destination where you can witness the exotic phenomenon of turtle nesting.
37. Laxmanpur Beach, Havelock Island
This beach is a full-package destination with azure waters, tropical trees and all the time in the world for you to live and enjoy life.
38. Sitapur Beach
Famously known as the Sunrise Beach, Sitapur Beach is a mix of golden sand and turquoise water set for the sunset.
Distance from Port Blair: 65 kilometers
39. Parrot Island, Port Blair
Nestled in the southern part of Andaman, Parrot Island is full of mangrove forests, hundreds of parrots and picture-perfect landscape.
40. Butler Bay Beach, Port Blair
This beach boasts of its yellow sandy beaches, rain forests, seawater sports, resort tourism, waterfall and eat tof all it’s known as a surfer’s paradise.
You can do Sea Surfing, Swimming, Snorkeling, Explore The LightHouse, Kayaking, Elephant Safari, Trekking In Butler Bay Beach Forest and a lot more.
41. Karmatang Beach, Port Blair
Popularly known to be the turtle’s paradise, this place is for the beach babies.
Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744204
42. North Passage Island
North Passage Island is chicken-neck shaped, 30 kilometers northeast of Havelock Island, and has a beautiful secluded beach on its north-eastern side, Merk Bay.
43. Guitar Island Beach, Havelock Island
One of the rarest visited island beaches, unique for its guitar shape, protected by rainforest and coral bearing it is gaining popularity among visitors.
44. Pathi Level Beach
Enjoy the raw nature, and the stillness like no other.
Distance from Diglipur: 21 kilometers
45. Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Port Blair
Never miss this place when in Andaman- Banana rides, parasailing, jet-skiing, rowboat paddling, speed boat rides, you name it and you can enjoy it here.
46. Rutland Island, Port Blair
Untouched by human hands, this is the best place for some me-time.
Location: South Andaman
47. Rangat
Enjoy in the lap of nature amidst the ocean water and waterfall in this island located in Middle Andaman.
Distance From Port Blair: 162 Km
48. Howrah Bridge
This natural bridge lies in Neil Islands, surrounded by numerous corals. A beautiful specter, it is a must-visit.
Location: Laxmanpur Bridge, Neil Islands, Andaman
49. Stewart Island Beach
Stewart Island Beach, covered with brown-black sand, a calm uninhabited beach, perfect retreat from the busy world.
Distance from Port Blair: 150 kilometers
50. Panchavati Waterfalls
Located on the Panchavati Hills, this waterfall falls from a great height and is a natural wonder and unique spot.
Important National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
1. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Port Blair
With 15 Islands of mangrove creeks, tropical rainforest, and reefs supporting 50 types of coral, this national park covers an area of 280 sq km and is one of the best tourist places in Andaman.
Location: SH8, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2. Campbell Bay National Park
For the serene nature and to view the southernmost point of India- Indira Point, spend some time in this national park.
Location: Great Nicobar, Andaman, and the Nicobar Islands
3. Saddle Peak National Park
One of the best national parks in Andaman far away from habitation is the best place for animal lovers.
Location: Saddle Peak, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744202
4. Cuthbert Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Cuthbert Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Middle Andaman Islands and is notated for Salt Water Crocodile and home for turtles- Olive Ridley turtles, Green sea turtles, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles; you can enjoy the peace and solitude of quiet and simple village life here.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Are Famous For:
Dance
As Andaman and Nicobar has a mix of the indigenous cultures there are many authentic dance and music varieties.
Food
Surrounded by water on all sides, the Island is a seafood lover’s heaven. Cuttlefish, crabs, lobsters, prawns, rice, coconut, fruits, and vegetables are mostly eaten here.
The North Indian varieties like naan, paratha, Mughlai dishes, etc. and Chinese varieties are also famous here.
Dress
The Sentinelese tribe of the Andaman Islands has no link with the outside world and they do not wear any cloth.
The Jarwas wear armbands, necklaces, waistbands, barks of trees, and other traditional clothing and jewelry.
People living on the island wore traditional and modern dresses like Kurtas, Dhoti, saree, salwar, Pajamas, t-shirts, shirts, trousers, etc.
Fairs & Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Island have a multicultural trail and all the festivals are celebrated in the mainland.
1. Kali Pooja
The reverence to the deity is celebrated with much cheer and love.
2. Island Tourism Festival
Island Tourism Festival is all about friendship, community harmony, and showcasing creativity.
Each moment you spend in the raw nature, blue water, and the sun-kissed mornings, you’ll wish you never leave this Island.
So, this is it!! Your next holiday chill-out destination- Andaman and Nicobar Islands!
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