Andaman Islands: Places to visit and things to do



An Experience to experience


One of the hits when it comes to holiday destinations – Andaman islands – The feeling that you get when you see the various tiny islands through the tiny window of your flight can not be expressed. An island very safe for solo travelers (Yes, also for solo women travelers!) and filled with helpful locals would make your experience worthwhile.
Without any further ado lemme tell you the places you need to visit over there.



  1.  Ross & Smith Island (North Andaman) – 3 day tour

          A must visit if are looking for quiet unexplored place and yes – an absolutely breath taking view.



Yup that’s right this is exactly where you will be – on the land connecting the 2 islands. But -wait for it - there is a catch – the path to this heavenly place is not easy. Be ready to get up as early as 4 in the morning to begin your journey.


Approx. Price : 12000 Rs (Including A/C cab, stay)

Travel Itinerary:
Day1:  Port Blair- Diglipur (over night stay)
Day2: Ross & Smith island – Rangat or Diglipur(over night stay)
Day3:Diglipur or Rangat - Port Blair


Stay:
Diglipur: Budget hotels within 2000 Rs
Rangat: Budget hotels within 2000 Rs

Contacts:
Namai Bhaiya - 09531911762
Guru Nanak Travels - 09932080808

You only get to spend half a day at the Island, however I promise it is worth it. On your way there are many places you could visit for instance Baratang Island & Lime stone caves.

A long drive, crossing the Grand Andaman trunk road, covered with dense Forest Reserves is a restricted area and hence photography is strictly prohibited on the way to Diglipur to protect the local tribes.


    2.   Havelock Island:

       The most popular island for all the tourists, my advice would be to spend as much time possible exploring and chilling in Havelock.


Image taken at Vijay nagar beach in havelock at 5:00 A.M in the morning
(Pic: Taken at Vijay Nagar beach in front of ‘Orient Legend Resort’ at 5:00 A.M)


You need to get the Cruz tickets from Port Blair a day in prior.(The contact Details of the person who can help you with Cruz tickets are mentioned at the end)

Contacts:
Kuldeep - 09474206225

Stay:
Always prefer a beach resort as you get a private quiet beach which is not accessible to every one. I stayed at a beach resort hotel on beach no. 3 (Vijay Nagar Beach – which you wont get to see unless you are staying at any beach resort hotel on this beach - pic as below)

Sitting on the porch of 'orient legend resort' and watching the view of VijayNagar Beach


Budget hotels starting from 2500 - 3000 Rs  (booking options: OYO/agoda etc)
Recommendations: Dolphin beach resort @ 5000Rs

However, the beach in front of ‘Orient Legend beach resort’ is breath taking. The food that they provide is also of reasonable price and has home-made taste.

Commutation:
The best way to commute over there is to rent a bicycle or a scooter to get that raw experience of exploring the beauty of nature. In addition, it’s a very small town so you really don’t need a car.
I rented an activa from ‘Shangri Las’, however there are millions of options available for renting vehicles as soon as you get down at Jetty. (Price: 500 Rs /24 hrs)
Note: Do carry your driving license

Places to Visit in Havelock:

  • Radhanagar Beach:
Vast beach with sand as soft as a sponge provides you with a pristine view of sunset.

Note: Very crowded in the evening as it’s famous for its sunset view. Try to walk towards the huts that are present at the far corner or visit during any other time of the day to enjoy peaceful beauty of the beach.






  • Elephant Beach:
Clicked the Pic of Elephant Beach through a boat

PSVery few know that there is a trek route of 2km to Elephant Beach from the way to Radhanagar Beach. The Travel junkies can explore this option. For others, boats from jetty are easily available.
This place is very well known for most of the water activities except scuba diving.



  • KalaPatthar Beach:
This beach will provide you amazing sunrise view. However if you are staying at a beach resort on Vijay nagar beach (which is famous for its Sunrises- as in the 2nd pic above), you wont enjoy Kalapatthar sunrise view.



Things to do in Havelock:

  • Kayaking with Tanaz (In Havelock):
Price:3500 Rs

Ever heard of ‘Bioluminescence’? Witness magic of mother nature by doing night Kayaking with Tanaz.
Note: Pre book the dates for Kayaking especially near ‘No moon days’.
E-mail: tanaznoble@gmail.com

Read the reviews if you don’t believe me (& 
fetch her phone number):

  • Snorkeling (Elephant beach):
Snorkeling Time at Elephant beach Price: 600-800 Rs

Start with snorkeling if you haven’t experienced scuba diving. The view of beautiful fishes roaming around colorful corals is mesmerizing.







  • Sea Walk (Elephant beach):
Sea Walking at Elephant beach, havelockPrice: 3500 Rs

Ever placed your feet on the ground deep inside the sea? If not this is what you are looking for. Become the Neil Armstrong of the sea and explore the aquatic life of the species here.










  • Jet Ski (Elephant beach):
 Price: 600 Rs
If you want some action (stunts) while doing Jet ski, then I would recommend you try it at Neil Island (Bharatpur Beach)

  • Banana Boat Ride (Elephant beach):
 Price: 600 Rs
Another water sport activity proved at Elephant beach where you will be thrown into the water at the end of the ride. Sounds exciting? There are few more activities apart from those mentioned; however these are the activities in demand.

  • Scuba Diving (Havelock Island):
Scuba Diving at  HavelockPrice: 3500 Rs

How can your trip to Andaman end without trying out this “must try” activity? Advice you to get the ticket from Jetty counter for (PADI)certified center. There are many diving centers which provide you with this memorable experience of your life. It is truly an experience to experience.











 3.   Neil Island:

Yet another island to explore, a very tiny and cute Island, Andaman will not fail to amaze you with Neil which will take you 15 years back in life (due to its raw nature and no network reception for vodafone & Airtel users lol). 

Stay:
Budget hotels starting from 2500 - 3000 Rs  (booking options: OYO/agoda etc)
Recommendations: Sarthak Residency/Summer sands

Commutation:
I strongly recommend to rent a bike as there is no point of taking a car unless you don’t want to enjoy the freshness of nature. (Price: 500 Rs /24 hrs)


Places to Visit:

  • Laxmanpur Beach:

Laxmanpur beach2,Neil IslandSpend your evenings to witness aesthetic sunset view with strong winds almost making you fall off














  • Sitapur Beach:

Sitapur beach,Neil IslandFamous for sunrise but visit this place post lunch to enjoy the view with no one around to disturb plus one of my favorite in Neil Island
PS: Amazing place for snorkeling if you want to see colorful corals. However, you need to speak with the locals over there to help you with it as it is not done under the supervision of certified instructors


  • Bharatpur Beach:

Bharatpur beach,Neil Island
Jet Ski, snorkeling, banana boat rides and many other water sports activities are carried out here. However if you want to enjoy the tranquility that this beach has to offer then you need to go the other side of the jetty





  • Ramnagar Beach:

Trust me when I say you can cover every nook and corner of Neil Island in 2 days. Very near to Sitapur beach, this place offers you a perfect view of sunset. In addition, not many visit this place which makes it even more worth it



4.   Port Blair:

This is the ‘Hub’ to reach any Island in Andaman, one thing I noticed is people here are very jolly & ever ready to help.

Contact:
Namai Bhaiya - 09531911762
Wasudev Bhaiya – 09933207187
Ibrahim – 09474206225
Venkat – 09474231436

PS: They can help you with ferry/cruise bookings for Havelock, North bay, Jolly buoy, Neil etc
                               
Stay:
Budget hotels starting from 500 Rs
Recommendations: Four seasons villa in Austinabad (OYO)
Checkout oyo or airbnb

Commutation:
Rent a bike.(Price: 500 Rs /24 hrs)

                
 Places to visit:

  • Chidiyatapu Beach:
Chidiyatapu beach,Port Blair


Chidiyatapu beach trek point,Port Blair
PS: Don't miss the sunset of this place. Not many know but there is a 1.5 Km trek route that takes you to the southernmost tip of Port Blair- an out of the world experience.
Chidiyatapu beach trek end point,Port Blair

(Pic: Trek point of Chidiyatapu)

  • Wandoor Beach:
Wandoor Beach, Port BlairSerene, clean, calm are the words that come to my mind while describing this place.A little far away from the city centre, however one of the cleanest beaches of Port Blair to visit. Water over here is crystal clear, you can see whats going on the bed of the sea with your naked eyes.
Note: You can not go inside the water here 


  • Corbyn's Cove Beach:

Parasailing at Corbyns cove, Port BlairA perfect family spot for the tourists to visit during the evenings, many water activities like
Parasailing and Jet ski are conducted here. Albeit very crowded, you can not get a better beach spot in Port Blair to enjoy the waters.















  • North Bay Island:
Half an hour ferry ride from Port Blair, make sure you book you ride to this place in advance. Water activities like Scuba & snorkeling are carried out here.

There are many other Islands which you can visit during your stay at Andamans however you need to plan it in advance. Few other places you could visit are as follows:
  • Jolly buoy Island
  • Baratang Island
  • Viper Island
  • India’s only active volcano Site
  • Ross Island
  • Little Andaman
  • Guitar Island


Well that's a pretty long blog but I hope it helps the future travelers. Do comment in case of any more information I would try my best to help you out.

Note: It become pitch dark after 5:30 P.M in the evenings &only BSNL receives signal at certain places.
PS: You don’t need the assistance of any tours & travels package (if you have the right contacts). One thing you need to keep in mind is “spend as little time on Port Blair as possible”, try and explore the other island as much as possible & try to book your ferry tickets at least one day in advance to avoid last minute troubles.

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