How far would you travel to find the perfect beaches for holidays? Your search ends right here, at Andaman and Nicobar Islands! Just the name of the Andaman Islands resonates a feeling of ecstasy, exuberance and enthusiasm. It in many ways is the’ romantic, unassuming hotspot of Asia. Right at the southeastern edge of the Bay of Bengal, floats a cluster of more than 500 islands. Out of all these numbers, only 36 are open to tourists. Sparkling blue waters, white sands, sunshiny skies, excellent beaches, appealing cottages and huts that encircles the islands make it an ideal gateway for all travel bugs.
From being the dreaded colonies of Britishers, to what it is today, the story of the islands can be pretty intriguing for history buffs. Ross Island, Neil Island and Havelock Island don’t carry the former British officers’ name anymore; they have been renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, Shaheed Island and as Swaraj Island not long ago. Apart from these Islands Jolly Buoy Island, North Bay Island, Cinque Island Baratang Island, Red Skin Island and Barren Island are some of the amazing islets to savor, for its distinct features and offerings. The pristine shores’ beauty is only matched by the bright blue waters. Captivating is its ecosystem, with the mighty coral reefs, huge marine sea turtles, the most vibrant fish and the most beautiful butterflies. The wealth of wild animals like wild boar, spotted deer, crab-eating macaque, make it the richest ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots. The coral reef stretches of Andaman and Nicobar Island are one of the four major coral reefs regions of India, and many islands are designated wildlife sanctuaries.
The sea grass in the warm coastal waters of the Andaman and Nicobar Island and the turquoise waters of the emerald islands teem with an abundance of marine life. With large number of dolphins, whales, dugongs, sea turtles, sailfish, sea anemones, and other marine life, the marine life exploration rules the roost here in Andaman. The atolls are interesting in more than one way, prompting to ask you, do such places really exist in India?? Mud volcanoes, wonder islands with bioluminescence, and islands with native aboriginals like the Negrito and Mongoloid tribes, this is some exciting place.
If adventure is your call, then this is the place to be in. Give you the best bang for your buck. The islands bleeds with so much energy and water sports are the perfect way quench the thirst for adventure. Adrenaline junkies have the best time here. There is so much to do in Andaman; from scuba diving to snorkeling, river rafting, and to sea walks, you would be spoilt with choices.
Port Blair is one stop for all killer water sports act. The Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex has incredible rides like speed boats, Jet Ski, bumper rides and banana rides. Snorkeling expeditions are embarked on Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and the North Bay beach, at the northern part of Port Blair. No ifs or buts – just get on and enjoy the time in Andaman.
Nothing explains the pleasure of doing a scuba in the turquoise waters of these islands, swimming with sea turtles, seeing jellyfishes, dugongs and also the colorful fishes right infront of your eyes. Explore the might of sea is made easy with these options, and it’s the best way to explore the marine world of Andaman Islands. Sees how the marine universe unraveling before your eyes, and find the astonishingly colourful and diverse inhabitants coexist in the water world.
The exciting adventure sport is made with state-of-the-art equipment, and always safe for any age groups. The much sought-after diving destinations for scuba diving in these islands are The Elephant Beach and the Swaraj Dweep. Suited for all Scuba diving action, the Lighthouse is where you can night dive, to find amazing corals, along with sealife and rare Humphead Parrotfish, Octopus, Fusiliers, Lobsters, and Lionfish species. The soft and easy currents of Swaraj Islands’ Aquarium, in the southwest of the Island, provide unparalleled opportunity to find fringing reef spots and colorful schools of fish.
Where: Swaraj Dweep, Lighthouse, Mac Point (Swaraj Island), Shaheed Dweep
How about some trekking expedition to the wild? Getting close to nature is something interesting, and there is no better way to do it in Andamans, taking the Mount Harriet-Madhuban trail. From Hope Town, Port Blair, where the trek commences promises the adventure seekers a thrill from head to toe; it comprises of both adventure and views together. Expanse of green treats you in each turn. The beauty and diversity of landscapes plus its impressive views, with wild animals and rare species of plants can make the trek exciting!
The trek is not a cake walk by any standards, but few days of practice before it can make the trek pretty easy to conquer. The hassle-free black mountain trek also called Munda Pahad trek is where the Chidiya Tapu is; famed for its sunset and bird-watching. The views of the green forest and clear coastline make this trek a cut above the rest.
Where: Port Blair, Swaraj Dweep, Elephant Beach (Swaraj Dweep), Baratang, Alfred Caves (Diglipur Island), Saddle Peak (Diglipur Island)
Andaman Islands are nothing short of a paradise with amazing, romantic beaches. The beach exudes a raw charm, completed with powdery white sands. The beaches are inviting; under the open sky, surrounded by myriad colours all over and watching the slow inert tides kissing our legs and watching the iridescent fish that dart in sudden movements across the corals…its bliss. Island hopping tour can begin from isolated lazy enticing beach Port Blair’s Corbyn’s cove beach.
Expect pristine water and untouched white sand at Elephant Beach. Long Island beach is less touristy with good restaurants with good fish curries. Hardly 30 minutes boat ride off Diglipur takes you to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, Shaheed Dweep. It has a serene feel to it, with nicely arranged panoramas and calm shores. There are various restaurants and bars including a night club boasting of beautiful sunset views in the evenings. The fading colours of sunset are best watched from Radhanagar beach.
Where: Corbyn’s cove Beach (Port Blair), Elephant Beach, Radhanagar Beach (Swaraj Dweep), Long Island
Andaman and Nicobar islets have umpteen numbers of snorkeling sites. Enjoy the spots, like barrier reefs, islands or cays snorkeling with ease. Swimming along the surface of the water, with a mask, using a snorkel and swim fins is anyone’s piece of cake, no special training is needed; however, a boat can be needed to reach these spots located at a distance from the shore.
Snorkeling in the warm and temperate seas, with shining water, almost with flat waves or currents, and with a vivacious marine life, is a pleasure unfathomable!
Where: Elephant Beach (Swaraj Dweep), South Button (Swaraj Dweep), Tamarind Camp (Henry Lawrence), Kalipur (North Andaman), North Bay Island (Port Blair)
Andaman is the quintessential island destination for all the holiday escapades; there are no two ways about it. It is impossible to escape the sheer joy to immerse in the magic and mystery of the sea, walking through it. Undersea walk or helmet walking can be as much as fun as any other sport. North Bay Beach near Port Blair and at Elephant Beach in Swaraj Dweep is the hotspot for all seawalk actions. One can walk for a maximum depth of seven meters in average; with encased head and shoulders helmet, with an air hose. The hose provides oxygen to the wearer of the helmet. Make the most of the time catching the mysteries of the ocean; fenced live corals and hoards of fish varieties.
Where: Elephant Beach (Swaraj Dweep), North Bay Island (Port Blair)
Catching all the underwater ecstasy without getting wet can be fun, right?? Few destinations in India offer the opportunity of taking a glass bottom ride in its waters. Glass Bottom Boat Rides fits all those who are nervous about taking the scuba diving and snorkeling actions. A rather easy ride on a relatively small boat, with not more than 4 to 6 people, with glass bottoms, is all what it is about. Enjoy the ride for 60 minutes before returning back. Guides take you to spots where they know marine life can be seen in plenty. No worries just relax and enjoy the ride.
Where: Port Blair
You don’t exactly need to know how to negotiate rapids and how to surf those waves and holes, but kayaking definitely requires some basic skills and endurance. Some hours of training can do wonders. The green pastures through which kayakers proceed are simply adorable.
Shimmer through the backwaters in a single or double person kayak to the mangroves of Swaraj Dweep, taking all the charms of the island, which will make everlasting memories. Remember, the expedition hours are limited to 6 am to 2 am.
Where: Swaraj Dweep
Have the Kickass experience of exploring the caves of Andamans. It is not meant for the faint hearted. Wind through the dense jungle for about an hour trough narrow jungle paths to explore the hidden caves of Baratang and Diglipur. Get ready to be captivated by the unusual arrangements of pillars & columns inside the limestone caves.
Most of the caves are snuggled within rainforests and mangroves, giving sanctuary an eerie look, with amazing wildlife at sight. Take guides; it is better not to explore the caves alone, for safety reasons. The best time is October to April; rainy season can be unsafe for caving.
Where: Baratang Island, Diglipur islands
A combination of amazement and relaxation is what it is all about. The months of December and January is the best time to see turtle nestling. Thousands of turtles nestle these times in the warm sands. Watch the overwhelming sight; it’s both a chance to see how the eggs of turtles are collected by the official concerned for hatching and then letting all let back into the sea, a heartwarming sight.
Watching the baby turtles dashing into the ocean in haste can bring out the child in you!
Where: Kalipur Beach (Diglipur), Mayabunder Island (kalipur), Ramanagar Beach (Shaheed Dweep)
Home to nearly 270 species of resident and migratory birds, it is one charming place to watch all kinds of feathered friends at close quarters. Romantic it would be watch an array of birds like the deeply forked long tailed Andaman drongos, white buff plumaged Medium Egrets, blacked napped oriole, Andaman bulbuls, Purple Moorhen, Lesser Whistling Teal, Cotton Teal, Common Moorhen etc. it’s an eye candy! Port Blair’s Gandhi Park twilights are just as beautiful as the fluttering birds that throws riot of colours making the day beautiful.
The Chidiya tapu, situated at a distance of 25kms from Port, can be ideal for bird bugs’with wide varieties of celestial birds. Serious bird lovers can head to Ranganathittu at daybreak to avoid the madding, frenzied crowd.
Where: Chidiya tapu, Ranganathittu, Mount Harriet National Park and Saddle Peak National Park.