Tourist Places of Andaman and Nicobar Island

Know About The Best Tourist Places of Andaman and Nicobar Island

Introduction

The picture-perfect beaches of this island chain draw in travelers from around the world. The crystal-clear waters and squeaky white sand make the Andamans the very definition of a tropical paradise.

But there is so much more for those making it to this remote corner of the universe. The Island has remarkable religious, historical, and cultural importance. Not to mention the animal-filled lush rainforests in its interior. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have it all. 

The Islands themselves are the tops of an underwater mountain range that runs from Myanmar to Sumatra. They are very remote indeed as you have to fly from India and that’s 620 miles to the nearest Indian coast! Why not come and discover this little slice of heaven on earth for yourselves?

    How Many Island in Andaman and Nicobar?

• There are over 600 islands in this little chain and even though you will only visit a few you are safe in the knowledge there is always much more for you to explore.

  Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tourism Places

The islands are renowned for their serene, white sandy beaches characterized by sparkling blue waters and lush jungles. Let’s look at some more popular places for tourists to visit. 

        Port Blair

• For most travellers, the small capital of the Andaman Islands is just a transit point, which is a shame because the city has plenty of charm. Port Blair also provides the best insight into the Andaman’s chequered history

        Havelock Islands

• Havelock Island is a picture-perfect island and has miles of beautiful beaches to explore. The fertile forests covering the interior are stunning and packed with wildlife. Blessed with beautiful sunsets, it can feel like you have died and gone to heaven. One thing is for sure you won’t be in a rush to leave this tropical paradise in a hurry.

       Baratang Island

• Just 90 kilometers from Port Blair you will find a world of thick mangroves and mud volcanos. A boat ride here is incredibly scenic. While it lacks silky soft beaches, Baratang Island makes up for it with abundant wildlife.

       Neil Island

• Neil Island is small, but the beaches here are both picturesque and varied, making anyone’s stay here a worthwhile experience. The laidback way and incredible scenery could keep you here for weeks on end.

       Rangat

• Rangat is a vital pit stop that many travellers will have to visit. The town is of little interest but it connects to some of the most beautiful places in the archipelago such as Long Island.

        Ross Island

• The remains of a once-bustling Victorian town are now entirely abandoned. The jungle has returned and reclaimed Ross Island. The roots of giant trees almost drip from the doorways and creepers wrap their roots around its walls. It is like some abstract piece of art that would do well on the set of the next tomb raider movie.

         Jolly Buoy

• Jolly Buoy is one of the islands that make up the incredibly stunning Mahatma Gandhi National Park Marine Sanctuary. These have to be some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Also, check out Cinque or Red Skin Islands for the complete heavenly experience.

         Laxmanpur Beach

• Laxmanpur beach is beach number 5 on Neil Island. It deserves a special shout-out as its unusual rock formations make it a stand-out destination in the Andamans. It is the perfect place to come and connect with nature.

         Limestone Caves

• The massive Limestone Caves of Baratang Island are one of the Andaman’s best-kept secrets. These magnificent caves boast dramatic stalagmites and stalactites. It is undoubtedly worth the time to get here and explore this place for yourselves.

         Long Island

• Long Island has a real Robinson Cruso Vibe to it. There is a tiny isolated village near the jetty and then it is covered in thick jungle and fringed by windswept beaches such as the magnificent Lalaji Bay.

         Kalipur

• Far From the reach of mass tourism, Kalipur is laid back, and the locals seem pretty indifferent to visitors. They are more interested in tending their lush fields, and that means we can just stroll around and take it all in without the pressure of a hard sell. It is rich in biodiversity and a vital turtle breeding site.

    Best Time to Visit Andaman Nicobar

The best time to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands is between October and May as the weather is pleasant and the seas are mostly calm. The monsoon (July to September) is not recommended because of the high tidal waves, incessant rains, and strong winds. 

         The Andaman Islands in Summer

• The High summer sees zero chance of rain, calm waters and excellent visibility under them. The summer season runs from march to early may when you can absorb the Andamans in all their tropical goodness.

         The Andaman Islands in the Monsoon 

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands receive rainfall from the monsoons twice. It gets rainfall from both the northeast monsoon and the southwest monsoon. While the northeast monsoon lasts from November to January, the southwest monsoon lasts from May to September.

         The Andaman islands in the Winter

• From the end of November to early February, the Andamans enjoy a gentle breeze and a pleasant climate. The seas are not at their most calm but this is when tourism really booms. Visiting in the winter means you do not have to boil in the evenings as they are pretty cool.

         What To Wear In the Andaman Islands

The people of the Andaman Islands are off quite conservative nature so it would be exceptionally culturally insensitive to move around in your swimwear and yes that does actually happen. Save the Bikinis for the beaches guys. Wear thin layers to keep yourself cool and if you are like me, you will need to cover up to protect yourself from the brutal sunshine.

         Scuba Diving In the Andaman Islands 

The world-famous coral reefs of the  Andaman Islands have been drawing in diving enthusiasts for decades. Despite the reefs suffering extensive damage from rising sea temperatures they are still incredibly beautiful and bursting with life.

The Andaman islands may be remote but there is a well-developed diving industry. Port Blair, Neil Island and Havelock Island are the best places to book your underwater adventure where there are lots of outfits. Do check out reviews before committing to anything. Barefoot Scuba is a long-standing favourite that is worth checking out.

      How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman’s remote location means there are only two ways to reach them. No matter what route you take everyone will start and end their journeys in the tiny capital of Port Blair.

        Travel by Air

• Taking a flight is the fastest way to reach Andaman from mainland India. You can take a direct flight from Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Vizag to reach Andaman within 2.5 to 3.5 hours! There are also connecting flights from many other airports in the country.

         Travel by Sea

• While this doesn’t come recommended by us, for those who want to take up the option of reaching by sea, you can board a ship from Kolkata and Chennai 3-4 times a month and only once from Visakhapatnam. However, the travel time would be around 3-4 days (50-60 hours!)

        Andaman And Nicobar Currency

The currency of the Andaman And Nicobar Islands is the Indian rupee. Changing money is limited outside the critical tourist areas so change plenty to avoid issues later. Check out google for the latest currency exchange rates. 

The Cuisine Of Andaman And Nicobar Islands

Oddly the Andaman Islands are a culinary hotspot. Indians from across the subcontinent and Myanmar have all made their homes here. This has left an evident footprint on the island’s culinary heritage. Losen up your belts and get ready for some of the best food to be had on your travels.

        Fish curry 

• Being surrounded by the sea you can naturally expect seafood all over the menu. A typical Andamani fish curry will be made from marinaded pieces of fish, coconut, curry leaves, and South Indian spices. Definitely, one not to miss.

       Amritsari Kulcha 

• As the name suggests this dish originated in Punjab. However, Amritsari Kulcha from the Andaman islands is radically different. Tasty morsels of bread are stuffed and finished with fresh herbs and spices then baked in a tandoor oven. Oh yes!

       Chilli Curry

• The fiery Andamese chilli curry is a tomato-based fish curry that is simply to die for. Have a look around the restaurants in port Blair for the best versions. 

       Coconut Prawn Curry

• The coconut prawn curry in the Andamans is one of the best varieties to be had anywhere in India. It is a simple yet delicate coconut-based curry that is both rich and robust in flavor.

       Macher Jhol 

• Macher Johl is one of the Andaman’s most iconic dishes. Marinaded fish is cooked in a rich gravy containing Tumeric and coriander seeds. This dish can trace its roots back to the bay of Bengal but here it has a glorious twist.

       Tandoori fish

• The Andamanese tandoori fish is a deeply luxurious dish. Fish is marinated in masala and baked in a tandoor oven. There are a million different varieties of this dish but I am yet to find one I didn’t like so dive in.

       Grilled Lobsters

• Eating grilled lobsters in the Andamans has to be the epitome of decadent dining. Fresh lobsters are finished with a rich butter that’s finished with parsley.

       Barbeques 

• Fresh fisherman catches are cooked to order. You can expect all manner of things on an Andamese barbeque. Choose from red snapper to tuna. From crab to king prawns and all at bargain prices.

     Things To Do Andaman Honeymoon Places

There are not just countless islands and beaches to explore. The Andaman islands are so much more. There are mountains to climb and rainforests to explore. It is also a bird watchers’ paradise with 246 species calling this place home. Many live nowhere else in the world.

You can take up yoga in a forest retreat or dive sunken wrecks. There is something for everyone here. Here are two things to do in the Andaman Islands that deserve a separate section.

       Andaman Honeymoon Resorts

○ There are many honeymoon resorts in the Andamans and some of the best can be found in havelock. Beach number 5 featured at the top of the page is especially beautiful. However, the best known is Barefoot at Havelock. This boutique hotel is the Ultimate in honeymoon bliss. Just follow the link provided.

       Andaman Photoshoot 

○ The Andaman Islands are incredibly photogenic and you can while away the days simply taking pictures of them. Even if you are not into photography this may well be the place you actually do.

      Is it safe to travel to Andaman now? 

Well in a word…… Yes. I have never seen any sign of crime in all the months I have been there. I mean I am sure there is but nothing I personally have seen or experienced. Although I had heard of Burmese pirates coming to plunder Neil Island by the locals. Not sure how reliable that information is quite honestly.

Check out the official government website for tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar islands for all the latest COVID-19 guidelines.

       Final Thoughts on Best Places to Visit in Andaman

The Andaman Islands must surely be one of the most beautiful places on earth. There is something here for everyone with countless Islands and beaches, Beautiful reefs, and vibrant culture. I wholeheartedly recommend travelling here so start planning today.

If you have any questions you think I may be able to help you with please leave them in the comment section below and I will get back to you.

        FAQS Related To Andaman And Nicobar Islands 

Which island is most beautiful in Andaman and Nicobar Islands? 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? Par of the joys of visiting this part of the world is finding your perfect slice of heaven.

Which part of Andaman is beautiful 

Overall, many tourists consider Havelock Island the most beautiful island in the Andamans.

Are 2 days enough for Andaman?

No, and don’t be silly.

How much does it cost to travel to Andaman? 

The Andaman islands are one of the cheapest parts of India to travel in. Although it can cost a bit to visit the more far-flung parts of the archipelago. In the more touristed areas, there are accommodations to suit all budgets.

Note:

If you enjoyed this post why not check out some of my other titles for the best places to visit in India such as the fabled city of Jodhpur?