Let Us Plan Your Travel to Andaman

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the east of the Indian mainland geographically, is a splendid island in the Bay of Bengal. Once a hill range extending from Myanmar to Indonesia, these picturesque undulating islands, islets numbering around 572, are covered with dense rain-fed, damp and evergreen forests and endless varieties of exotic flora and fauna.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been declared as two of the 218 endemic bird area of the world. As many as 270 species and sub-species of birds have been reported existing in these islands, 106 of them being endemic. The Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Padauk and Dugong are declared as State Bird, State Tree and State Animal respectively. There are about 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries, nine National Parks and one Biosphere Reserve in the islands. These islands are blessed with the bounties of both south-west and north-east monsoons.

Most of these islands (about 550) are in the Andaman Group, 28 of which are inhabited. The smaller Nicobars, comprise some 22 main islands (10 inhabited). The Andaman and Nicobars are separated by the Ten Degree Channel which is 150 Kms. wide.  These islands also boast of freedom fighting days’ historically significant landmarks viz. Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Viper Island, Hopetown and Mount Harriet.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been recognised as an eco-friendly tourist’s destination. As a tourist paradise, these islands have something very special to offer like Cellular Jail, Ross Island and Havelock Island. The Andaman tropical evergreen rain forests, beautiful silver sandy beaches, serpentine mangrove-lines creeks, marine life abounding in rare species of plants, animals, corals, etc., provide a memorable experience to the tourists. There is tremendous scope for enjoying nature in the beach resorts, water sports and adventure water sports, adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, Nature trail, Scuba Diving, etc.

Our Luxury Tours of Andaman

Tours of Andaman are full of surprises.

Travelling can teach you more than anything, you get to learn about the culture of the place you visit. If you will talk to local people, you will likely learn about their thinking, habits, traditions, and history as well. Also, you will notice the cultural differences, then you will find out what makes your culture unique. After returning from a trip, you will see your place in a different way.

If you will travel Andaman, you can experience things that you could never experience at any place… It is situated in the Eastern part of India in the Bay of Bengal. The capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the Port Blair City where the “Vir Savarkar International Airport” is situated. You may see beautiful Adventure places and Beaches that do not exist where you live. You may meet new people who have a different culture that will change your life and your thinking.

Andaman Island is one of the best holiday destinations in India. Many people choose Andaman for its Nature and Beaches

Our specialists have put together a selection of sample tours, picking out the most efficient routes and highlighting some of our favourite hotels and experiences. This is the just the tip of the iceberg: whatever style of traveller you are, however long you’re planning to travel for, and whoever you’re planning to travelling with, we’ll come up with an epic Andaman tour to suit.

Our guide on the best places to visit in Andaman

Andaman is India’s leading destination for island hopping and sees the vast majority of its international arrivals. Beautiful and clear sand beaches is the big draw 

Best places to go in Andaman

Our guide to Andaman’s principal destinations is below. You’ll find there’s a lot to see and a great deal of variety on offer! Please speak to our specialists if you’d like more information on any of these locations.

Andaman

Baratang Island

Baratang Island is in the middle of North and Middle Andaman. At a distance of 92km from Port Blair, it is known as a getaway to Middle and North Andaman. Baratang Island is also known as Ranchiwalas Island once after the Ranchi settlers that moved here close to early 19th Century. In Baratang one can see Andaman’s dense tropical forest, Limestone Caves, experience Mangrove ride, Mud volcano and Parrot Island. Each of these places is filled with unique experience which you cannot witness anywhere else in Andaman.

How to reach ?

Baratang is 92 km from Port Blair and it can be reached by ATR(Andaman trunk road) connecting Rangat and Mayabunder. Government Bus services from Aberdeen Bazaar operate on daily basis and the journey take a minimum of 4 hrs. Ticket booking has to be done before as availability can be an issue. There is a major issue with transport is that one has to follow time restraint trip because if you miss out on bus back to Port Blair there is no other way one can return to Port Blair. The most reliable way is hiring a private vehicle. Let me explain why.

The trip to Baratang is not a straight road. It normally starts early morning at 3:00 am or 6:00 am depending on which convey get you prefer taking. From the hotel and the vehicle drives straight to Jirkatang. In Jirkatang there is a gate which stops the traffic to flow any further. All the vehicle, buses and coaches stop here and are not allowed to go any further. There travellers are to fill a mandatory convoy form for entering the Buffer Zone. Convey Form requires particulars of all the traveling visitors along with cab and driver details. The convoy gate opens only quadruple time a day. The gate opens at 0600hrs, 0900hrs, 1200hrs and 1500 hrs only from Jirkatang for onwards journey towards Baratang and 0630hrs, 0930hrs, 1230hrs and 1530hrs only for return journey back to Port Blair.

Havelock Island

Havelock Island is named after a British general, Sir Henry Havelock, who served in India. Once home to the aboriginal tribes who spoke Aka-Bale language and who are extinct now, Havelock today is inhabited mostly Bengali immigrant. Havelock is the crown of Andaman Tourism. It is not only famous for its beaches but also for its rich sea food. There are local restaurants offering sea foods from tiger prawn to lobster and from Exquisite crab to Mouthwatering Fishes. After Dusk the activities are very limited in Havelock, one can enjoy a sip of beer with this delicacies and say life is indeed beautiful.

Places In Havelock Island

The six villages are:

• Govinda Nagar
• Vijay Nagar 
• Shyam Nagar
• Krishna Nagar
• Radha Nagar
• Road between Shyam Nagar and Krishna Nagar

Neil Island

Neil Island is named after a British Brigadier, James Neil who had fought on the side of British East India Company in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. It is 32km northeast from Port Blair. It is located between Havelock and Ross Island. Neil Island was uninhabited until 1960 till the arrival of settlers in late 1960s.

Port Blair

Port Blair is the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is in the South Andaman district. Veer Savarkar international airport is located here making Port Blair the entry point to all the beautiful islands of Andaman and Nicobar. The main passenger jetty and harbor are located in Phoenix bay and Haddo. Aberdeen Bazaar is main shopping main in the city and Government State Transport terminal is in this place. All major hotels and Government offices are located in and around Aberdeen Bazaar. It comprises of people from different states and Hindi is most spoken language. There are quite a few places in Port Blair offering everything from Aqua thrill activities, trekking, to Cultural and Historical places. All the major places and tourist center are closed on Monday except Ross and North bay which is closed on Wednesday.

Ross Island

Ross island is one of the group of island in Andaman Islands and it just 3 km or 10min speed boat ride from Rajiv Gandhi water Sport complex, Port Blair. This island was erstwhile capital of Andaman Island from 1858 until 1941. The island is named after the Marine Surveyor Captain Daniel Ross. Ross Island saw 24 chief commissioners. Sir Donald Martin Stewart was made the First Commissioner from July 1872 to June 1875 but it was during the tenure of Sir Charles Francis Waterfall that the islands power collapsed when he was captured by Japanese in 1942. He was held as prisoner of war and his deputy was beheaded by the Japanese at the Clock tower in Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair.

History:

Port Blair is name after two British officers Naval Surveyor Archibald Blair and Admiral William Cornwallis. On results of Archibald Blair’s surveys, then Governor General decided to colonize these islands. The revolt of 1857 forced the British Government to make Andaman a penal settlement center. Archibald Blair established a hospital at Ross Island due to high mortality rate in the settlement.

Ross Island in its time was one of the most beautiful places second to none. The church at Ross Island was a protestant Church built of stone and windows were made out of Burma teak. The beautiful glass panel of the altar was brought from Italy. The quality of wood was good it can still be seen after 100 years. Ross Island had a country one the best bakery which offered confectioneries from around the world of those times. Apart from this water treatment plant, Tennis Court, printing press, swimming pool, hospital, cemetery. A state of the art Grand ballroom and Chief Commissioner’s residence with Garden was one of gem of the island during British regime.

June 26, 1941 a massive earthquake of magnitude 8.1 struck Andaman Island. As many as 8000 people lost their lives. These caused many people to leave the island and Japanese occupied the abandoned Ross Island during World War II.

How to Reach ?

There is only one way to reach Ross Island that is through speedboats. It takes 10-15mins to reach Ross Island from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sport Complex, Port Blair. The Ticket cost is INR 580.00 per person and this package ticket takes you to Ross Island and North Bay. The timing is from morning 8:45am to 4:30 pm. Guides can be hired at INR 200.00 on the island. Charter boat to these islands is also available for your privacy and comfort.

Ross Island Light and Sound Show:

In April 1979, Ross Island was handed over to Indian Navy. A small post INR Jarawa, named after one of tribes of Andaman. The light and show under the guidance of Indian Navy is show every day from 5:30 to 6:30pm on this island. The show is voice over with Legendary Gulzar and Singer Chitra. It is one of best light and show experience showing the documentary of India’s independence and completely different from one in Cellular Jail. Tickets costs INR 280.00 per person and children below

North Bay Island:

Like the name suggest, North Bay is an uninhabited island north of Port Blair located at a distance of 26 km from Rajiv Gandhi water sport Complex. It takes 25-30 min from Ross Island to reach North Bay by speedboat and 20-25 min from Port Blair. North Bay is famous for its extensive aqua thrill activities thereby making it one of most visited place of Port Blair. Depending on weather condition the ferry may sail from either Rajiv Gandhi water sport complex or Junglighat Jetty.

North Bay Island comes in with a package. The ferry starts from Rajiv Gandhi water Sport at around 9:00 am heading first to Ross Island in 10-15min. Travellers get 11/2hrs to 2hrs in Ross Island to look around the place. The same then heads to North Bay where travellers gets 2-3hrs to indulge in all kind of aqua thrill activities before returning to Port Blair at around 2:30pm. One can also return to Port Blair before the prior mentioned time if not interested in any activities. It is advice to carry a carry food package from our hotel. As it is a day trip Juice, fruits, Sandwich and Water to keep you hydrated in day after you aqua thrill activities. However there are shacks offering everything from breakfast to lunch.

Why Visit North Bay?

The activity in North Bay Island is designed for all age groups. The island provides activities for all family members, children and elderly. The Coral reef of North Bay is spread over large area providing exciting snorkeling and scuba opportunity to spot various kinds of fishes. North Bay Island is marked with a landmark structure, the famous Light House. This is same light house which is seen in INR 20.00 note. However the trekking to this light house is closed for outside travellers. There is a list of list of activities one can do here.

1. Scuba Diving (Shore Dive and Boat Dive)
2. Snorkeling
3. Glass bottom Ride
4. Andaman Dolphin
5. Coral Submarine
6. Jet ski
7. Sofa Ride
8. Banana Ride

Long Island

Imagine an island beautiful, exotic and waiting to be explored by someone. Place very far from modern crowds, a place where you can hear every wave break, hear every bird sing and the only foot prints on the its beach will be yours. Place so calm that your voice echoes. No mobile networks, blue sea and lush green, you, your loved one, your hammock and this island; perfect getaway will get redefined. I have been to almost all the places in Andaman but these groups of island will forever remain by number 1.

Long Island is said to be a modern village that has its own power-house. Long Island boasts the most beautiful beaches of Andaman with cosy caves, green rolling hills and stunning mangroves. The top place to visit in Long Island is the silvery beach of Lalaji Bay. It is a gorgeous sandy beach on the west coast of Long Island and a boat cruise through the Mangrove creek here offers one of its kind experiences. Apart from Lalaji Bay Beach, Merk Bay Beach is another beautiful place to see in Long Island. In fact, Merk is considered to one of the best beaches in Andaman. It is adorned with white sand in contrast with the blue water; the beach is safe for bathing and snorkeling as well as bird watching and sighting dolphins. Another worth seeing place in Long Island is Guitar Island. As the name suggests, the island is in the shape of a guitar. This lovely isle is ideal for relaxation and sunbathing.

Rangat

Rangat is an island spread over 1070 km in Middle Andaman with beautiful beaches and gusty sea breezes. It is about 170km from Port Blair by Road. A perfect getaway from the city crowds to a quiet country side.

How to Reach?

By Road:

It is about 170 km from Port Blair. One can reach here by State Transport operated buses or Private buses. Buses take 6-7 hrs depending on weather conditions. Private cab can also be hired from Port Blair to take a tour across this place.

By Sea:

Ferries from Havelock, Neil Island and Long Island operate on alternate day basis. By Sea it takes 4-5 hr. Ferries from Havelock leaves in morning leaves at around 10:30 am reaching Rangat via Long island at 3:00pm.

Diglipur

Diglipur is one of the Largest island town in North Andaman District. It is approximately 330 km and 12-13 hrs by road from Port Blair. It is famous for many things apart from friendly neighborhood, oranges, banana it mostly known for its beautiful sun kissed beach and marine life. Andaman being an island has only river, Kalpong which flows in here.

Our guide on the best things to do in Andaman

Things to do in Andaman comprises of lot of trekking activities, travelling in sea, and kayaking and visit some historical places.

Underwater scuba diving, swimming amongst colourful fishes while snorkeling watch limestone caves, mangrove kayaking, underwater sea walking and what not!

The clear Andaman waters send a direct invite to everyone to enjoy the coastal fun time while soaking the sun, getting a tan, dipping the feet in the turquoise water, making sand castles of the shimmery sand and get awestruck by the breathtaking views. 

Best time to visit Andaman

Andaman has a moderate temperature all through the year within the range of 23°C to 31°C. It has a tropical climate. There are no severe climate conditions except for tropical storms and rains in late summers and monsoons.

Summers (March to May) are warm but pleasant with sea breeze and have humidity level about 80%. It is suitable for all kinds of tourist activities.

Monsoon season is also recommended for visit to Andaman & Nicobar Islands as tourist can have more options both indoors and outdoors. There is no water clogging or traffic jams. The lush green vegetation and scenic beauty of the islands are more predominant in monsoon. Monsoons (May to August) and Post Monsoons (September to November) accompany medium to heavy rain falls. Hoteliers in Andamans offer attractive discounts during monsoon seasons.

Winters (December to February) are not chilly and ideal for sightseeing.