The charm of the Andaman and Nicobar islands is 2nd to none when it pertains to beach locations in India. That it also holds an extremely considerable place in Indian history further fuels the curiosity of numerous Indians and immigrants alike who wish to see and experience the chain of islands– which in numerous methods, is much various from the India as we understand– first hand. However, that there’s not as much clarity about checking out the island chain as there is about a lot of other parts of India makes it a little harder (and confusing) for numerous. I have actually been asked lots of a times, questions about going to the Andaman Islands few which, and their answers, I share listed below.
Do I need a VISA to visit Andaman and Nicobar Island?
Believe it or not however I have actually been asked this concern by my fellow compatriots, much to my surprise. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands is an essential part of India and thus, no visa is required if you are an Indian National. Immigrants, nevertheless, need a RAP– Restricted Area Permit to check out the island(s). The RAP can be quickly acquired from the Port Blair airport or the port.
Also Visit – Short Trip to Andaman
How to reach Andaman Nicobar Islands?
Port-Blair is linked to many cities of India by air. There are flights from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, the majority of the linking flights. Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata have non-stop flights to Port-Blair, the entry-point to the Island chain. You can also take one of the five ships that operate from Chennai, Vishakapatnam and Kolkata to Port-Blair which operate on tentative schedules and get cancelled depending upon the weather. Likewise worth discussing is that these ships have standard facilities and are no high-end cruise-liners as we would have desired them to be.
When is the best time to visit Andaman Nicobar Islands?
The season, the very best time that is, is from October through May. The weather condition remains ideal throughout this time. This likewise indicates that everywhere you enter the islands, in all possibility; you will find the locations crowded. This likewise means that the accommodation (if you were lucky to handle one) would be at their greatest. My suggestion would be to go right before the season starts and you will be able to take pleasure in the location relatively devoid of the crowd.
Also Visit – Best of Andamans Tour
How many days are required for visiting the Andaman Islands?
That will very much depend on what in fact you desire to see or enjoy. However if you desire to at-least do the important things everybody does, anything less than a week on the islands will simply not even getting to see the location appropriately. My idea would be to at-least spend 10-12 days.
Where to stay in Havelock, Andaman Islands?
During the season, this can get a little challenging. Even though Port-Blair is a capital city, it is barely like any other in the nation. It has actually restricted facilities. There is just sufficient number of hotels, small and huge. So if you are planning to go to during the peak season, you better book them a month or 2 in advance. Even before if you are preparing to remain in one of the smaller sized islands (which you ought to) of Havelock and Neil. Port-Blair has accommodation for every single budget plan, nevertheless, that is not the case with the other two. Havelock has simply one budget plan lodging.
Also Visit – Port Blair Havelock Neil Island Package
How to reach Havelock Islands and Neil Islands?
Govt. ferry service exists from Port Blair to Havelock and Neil Islands Other than for days when the weather turns nasty, govt. ferryboats operate regularly. Their tickets, however, are offered only from the counter and no online reservation system exists. So, in order to schedule your tickets, you will need to take the assistance from your hotel that would gladly do that for a small charge. Throughout the season, a few personal boats also run the tickets which can be reserved online. I, however, would recommend opting for the govt. ferryboats. Basking on the deck with the cool breeze kissing your face absolutely sounds more enjoyable than being in a box and waiting to reach the other end, right?
Top 10 Must do things in the Andaman Nicobare Islands
Top 10 must do activities in Andaman and Nicobar Andaman and Nicobar Islands as exotic as they sound! With white sand virgin beaches and high adrenaline water sports, these islands are India’s finest beach location. Include a dash of history and you have a wholesome experience that only the islands can provide! Here are the top 10 things that you must do on your trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Also Visit – Andaman Honeymoon Package
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Experience ecstasy on Havelock Island
Blue waters, green sashaying coconut trees and the fluttering clouds in the sky; it’s not a picturesque setting in a novel however how the beaches at Havelock Island look! The stunning white sand looks welcoming with the ocean water breaking into waves, all ready for a swim. Havelock Island is one of the larger islands in the Andamans archipelago, measuring about 114 sq km in area. It is at a range of 57km from the capital city, Port Blair and is available by cruises and ferry. The Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach, Vijaynagar Beach and Kalapathar Beach are a few of the popular beaches on the island and need to go to stops. You can simply relax and soak in the tranquil environment on the beach or participate in activities like scuba diving, snorkeling and going on fishing trips to the close-by unoccupied islands.
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Log onto history at Chatham Saw Mill
Entering the Chatham Saw Mill is like entering a period in history, Asia’s biggest and earliest saw mill; it advises you of a bygone era. While it is a traveler destination, it remains a working mill with an average turnover of Rs. 6 crores. Today the mill produces Paduak or Andamans premier wood as well as other varieties like marble wood, chool and sagwan. Visitors can peek into history at the wood museum which houses numerous products made of the wood from the islands along with lot of information about the mill. Chatham Saw Mill can be accessed by roadway from Port Blair and is particularly not to be missed out on if you are taking a trip with family.
Also Visit – Port Blair Havelock Package
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Feel patriotic at Cellular Jail
Indian independence history has a great deal of recommendations to the feared Kala Pani, the jail off the coast of mainland India where political prisoners were gotten rid of. The jail is the Cellular Jail, developed it 1906 by the British to put behind bars Indian liberty fighters during the battle for self-reliance. Several freedom fighters like Batukeshwar Dutt, Veer Savarkar, Yogendra Shukla and a lot more were locked up here. The jail was indicated for solitary confinement and create anguish among the prisoners for lack of communication, all the cells were made in such a method that the inmates could not interact. The structure initially had seven wings nevertheless today there are 3 wings which serve as a National Memorial as well as a health center to the local homeowners. It is a poignant location and reminds the battles of the nation’s liberty fighters. The jail lies in Port Blair and there is a sound and light program which is performed in the night which tells the story of the jail.
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Reminisce at Ross Island
Ross Island is one of the popular traveler spots in the Andamans, it is a small island measuring 0.6 sq kms, 2km off the coast of Port Blair. The island studded with plants and animals is a peek into the colonial history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The British had used the island as a head office when the chastening colony was established.
Today you can go to the ruins of the island which consist of the officers club, a bakery, and barracks etc which offer a glimpse of how well developed life was set on the little island. It can be easily accessed by boat from the Phoenix Bay jetty.
Also Visit – Port Blair Havelock Honeymoon Package
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Discover your roots at the museums
Port Blair needs to more provide than just beaches, it likewise has two museums, Anthropological Museum and Samudrika Naval Museum which give you a fast lesson on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Anthropological Museum showcases the culture and history of the people of the Andaman Islands particularly of the tribes Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese and the Onges a lot of who still occupy the island. The museum hosts shamanic sculptures, clothing, weapons, crafts and boats which these people used. The other modern-day museum is the Samudrika Naval Museum which is run the Indian Navy and is gone to inform visitors about the marine life and natural environment around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
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Birding at Chidiya Tapu
If you thought that Andamans was only about the beaches, Chidiya Tapu (Bird Island) will make you believe twice! This lovely island is brimming with plants and fauna, you can sight more than 46 types of birds including parrots and macaws as well other small animals like white spotted deer. Â It is certainly the very best location in Andaman to capture the sundown as the sun sets the sky on fire with the orange and crimson radiance. It can be reached by roadway and is an hour far from Port Blair.
Also Visit – Port Blair 3 Nights Package
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Walk the bottom of the sea at North Bay
Resting on the beach you day dream of how fantastic it would be to stroll the bottom of the sea to be one with the fish! And you can live that imagine sea strolling at North Bay where Sea Link Adventures carries out a sea walk. It does not require you to understand the best ways to swim and even have prior experience; you will be geared up with a helmet which is attached to an oxygen cylinder connected to the pontoon. North Bay can be accessed by boat from the Water Sports Complex; the cost of the sea walk is approx Rs. 3,500 and deserves the experience!
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Snorkel at Jolly Buoy Island
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are associated with water sports like snorkeling and diving and the very best place to do so is at the Jolly Buoy Island and the Red Skin Island in the Mahatma Gandhi National Park. The Jolly Buoy Island is a beautiful island with a thick spot of forest, white sands and clear blue waters with an abundance of corals and marine life. Both the islands are open 6 months each to permit the corals to prosper and keep the environment.
You can indulge in snorkeling, diving or merely view the marine life through a glass bottomed boat! Jolly Buoy Island can be reached by boat from Wandoor Beach and the boats leave at 09:00 AM in the early morning and return after the day’s picnic at 02:30 PM. Do not miss this experience of incredible corals at Andamans which equals the Great BarrierReef in Australia!
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Trek as much as Mount Harriet
Have you noticed the image of palm trees with the lighthouse on a Rs. 20 Indian note? That image is none other than the visual that can be seen from Mount Harriet in Andamans! Mount Harriet is the second highest peak in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago and is available by a brief ferryboat trip, one can view the surrounding islands of Port Blair and offers a fantastic view of the islands.
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Limestone caving at Baratang Island
Baratang Island has much experience to use for a day’s worth! The Limestone caves on the island with imposing stalactites and stalagmites are a natural wonder to behold and a need to check out while on a journey to the Andamans. What makes the journey more amazing is the journey itself. Baratang has to do with 90 km far from Port Blair and you have to travel by road and reach by a ferry from the Middle Strait. Upon reaching the Baratang jetty, you need to hire a boat which traverses a mangrove creek and then stroll another 2 km to reach the caves!
For more information on Andaman tour packages contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in Connaught place Delhi India.