Andaman Blues

My holiday to Andaman and Nicobar Islands was a once in a lifetime experience. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are full of amazing natural beauty. I am sharing my experience and thoughts about this lovely place. This may help others plan for Andaman Islands.

History:

The Andaman Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal and a Union Territory of India. There are total 572 islands, but Inhabited Islands are 38. The name of the island has always been 'Andaman' and might represent Handuman, the Malay form of Hanuman. The capital of Andaman Island is Port Blair.

The history of the British in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands began in 1788. British Government thought of establishing a penal settlement here. In March 1858, the first penal settlement was established, with 200 prisoners, mostly rebels from the Indian Army. Initially, the convicts were kept in a jail at Viper Island. The foundation of the infamous Cellular Jail was laid in 1896. The building was completed in 1906. Place soon known as Kaala Pani because of Cellular Jail. This place becomes a favorite tourist place after 2000. Veer Savarkar International Airport is the only airport in Andaman.

How can we go to Andaman?

There are only two ways to reach Port Blair, capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: - either by Air or by Sea.

Flight: You have direct daily flights to Port Blair from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore. And some flights from Visakhapatnam on certain days.

Best Time to Visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

Seasons	Months	Temperature
Summers	April to June	24°c - 37°c
Monsoon	July to September	22°c - 35°c
Winter	October to March	20°c - 30°c

Is visa required for Andaman from India?

Indian passport holders do not require a permit to visit and stay in the populated areas of Andaman Islands, including Havelock Island. Non-Indian Passport Holders however require an Indian visa to visit the Andaman Islands (as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are part of the Indian State)

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https://youtu.be/oHeXUPlJj7A

Our journey begins on 19th March 2018. 

Day 1: Bangalore – Chennai – Port Blair

We started from Bangalore to Chennai by Indigo Airways at 6:30 AM. After 1 hour journey to Chennai, we stayed at the airport about 1 hour and then boarded an Indigo flight to Port Blair at 8:30 AM. Flight duration was 2 hrs, we witnessed some beautiful scattered islands with blue waters and white sand. This view should not to be missed.

On reaching Veer Savarkar International Airport, we were welcomed by our travel agent (Orient Andaman Holidays) from Andaman. He dropped us to our hotel, "S R Castle". After having breakfast (Sandwich) and taking rest for a while, we planned to visit "Corbyn’s Cove Beach". There is nothing special on this beach, but the calm water and lovely view of the beach made us spend some time on the beach.  You can see lot of Tender coconuts been sold near the beach. The road to this beach is very beautiful. You can see Ross Island on the way.

Corbyn’s Cove Beach

After this we reached the Cellular Jail. This was the best way to see the past of our Indian history. We took 2-3 hours to see the entire jail, proud movement for us to enter in Veer Savarkar's cell. Light and Sound show in the evening showcases "History of Jail". That’s when I got to know why people call this jail as "Kaala-Pani"

Here you can check the timings and ticket Prices:

http://www.andamans.gov.in/html/cellular.html

Outside the cellular jail we had coffee and some chats, and we returned to our hotel for dinner.  

 

Cellular Jail Cells

Cellular Jail Entrance

Hanging Room

Day 2: Havelock Island

We woke up early as we had a ferry to board to our next destination – "Havelock Island". Hotel provided breakfast takeaway (again sandwich!!!) as the break fast timing in the hotel is after 7:30 AM. Agent took us to the "Phoenix Bay Jetty". On the entry gate the security checked our Tickets and ID cards (mandatory to carry for the ferry). We boarded the "Green Ocean - 2" ferry. It was 2 hours ride from the jetty to the Havelock Island. On reaching the Havelock Island Jetty another agent took us to the "Havelock Island Beach Resort" which is 1-2 kms from the Jetty. They served us some refreshing mango juice (complimentary), checked in at 11 AM. The Resort was completely build from wood, got a beach side cottage, the view from the cottage was mesmerizing. Had our breakfast/lunch in the resort which was very costly. 

Havelock Island Beach Resort Cottages

After some rest we reached "Radhanagar Beach" also known as Beach number 7 was bestowed with the title of  'Asia's Best Beach' in 2004 by the TIME magazine. Known for its picturesque sunset, white sand and turquoise blue waters, the beach is a very popular hub lying on the western coast of Havelock Island. The beach was very clean with crystal clear water. You can swim here very good, there are some nice waves too. Just the restaurants in front of the beach side are not clean and the stuff is very impolite. We had a swimming session for 2 hours. They have change rooms which will cost you 10 INR per person. 

Radhanagar Beach view

Radhanagar Beach during sunset

After coming back, we were exhausted and took a short nap for 2 hours. Finished our dinner at the restaurant in the resort and went for a beach side walk near the cottage and finished the day.

During high tides roots of the tree are not visible

Havelock Island Beach Resort

Day 3: Elephant beach and Neil Island

Checked out from the resort, agent took us to the Havelock Jetty. He made us to keep our luggage in a small shop nearby and took us by a speed boat to the "Elephant Beach" for snorkeling, It a 45 min ride from the jetty to the beach. The Elephant Beach on Havelock island although not as beautiful and big as Radhanagar Beach is very popular for those interested in water sports.

They offer you snorkeling, speed boats, jet skiing, banana boat rides, etc. We did free snorkeling which was just a trailer of marine life. We liked it so much, that we paid extra INR for the free video capture and full mask and took a 20-25 min ride. This experience was simply amazing. I could see the underwater coral, fishes moving around my legs, different types of fishes. By the way, for snorkeling, swimming is not a pre-requisite. But if you can swim, snorkeling guide takes you for a long ride. We enjoyed our long and deep snorkeling rides.

Food stalls are available on this island Tender coconut, Bhel, Fruit salad, etc. It is plastic free zone. Do not miss this island. You have change rooms after the snorkeling session. From there we came back to Havelock jetty in the same speed boat. We waited for 1 hour for our ferry Green Ocean 2 to Neil Island. It took 1 hour to reach the "Neil Island" Jetty. 

Directions from Neil Island

On reaching jetty agent dropped us to "Pearl Park Beach Resort" which is located near "Laxmanpur Beach I". We occupied a nice beach side cottage. We checked in the restaurant for lunch, but the answer was they have only chats. In the evening we went for beach side by walk as the resort had direct access to the sun set point. We had Maggi and Pakoras in the small shop near the beach. 

View from Pearl Park Beach Resort

Relaxing looking at the Beach

Way to the sunset point from the resort

The sun set was amazing, we could spot a foreign couple doing yoga. We took some good pictures. Did some window shopping hand bands, neckless, show pieces (sea shell items). 

Yoga during sunset

Yoga during sunset

Sunset at Laxmanpur Beach I

Sunset at Laxmanpur Beach I

Sunset at Laxmanpur Beach I

After spending a long time here, we went back to the resort and had dinner. 

Day 4: Neil Island and Port Blair

Woke up early finished our breakfast. Went to the "Laxmanpur Beach II" for seeing the "Natural Bridge". Hired a local guide for taking us there he showed us the bridge, corals, jelly fish, etc. The natural bridge e is a walk over protruding rocks through dead Coral beach and shallow pools of crystal clear water in which we could view corals and fishes. We spotted sea cucumber, brain corals, jack fruit corals and abundance of colorful fishes. Star of the fishes I did hold on to.

The place gives a great view at the sunrise time. The approach to the natural bridge is through a small hamlet, lined by tall mahua trees. The best time to visit the place is at the low tides otherwise one may get stuck if the time is not noted on. Gets slippery in the rains. There after one has to walk for about 100 meters on sand/rocks on the beach to reach the bridge. Hence it is advisable to wear comfortable footwear, preferably flat. It is difficult to access for the elderly. We paid 250 INR for the guide for this 1.5 hours detour. 

Way to Natural Bridge

Laxmanpur Beach II

Natural Bridge

On reaching the starting point we went to "Bharatpur Beach", we paid for the glass bottom boat ride (INR 500 per person) to see the live corals, marine life etc. for 30 minutes. The waves here are also not as high as in Radhanagar Beach and hence quite safe for children. There are also small eateries on the beach catering for snacks and refreshments. Had our lunch in a small restaurant beach side. We spent more than 3 hours in water only. Swimming and splashing all the way. Water Activities closes after 2 PM make sure you reach here before and do all the water activities. We were back to Port Blair by Makruzz. After 1.5 hours of ferry ride by evening we reached Port Blair and we were dropped to "S R Castle Hotel" for the last day stay in Andaman. Had our dinner in a small Bengali restaurant near the hotel. Our last night at Andaman came to an end. 

Day 5 (Port Blair and Bangalore):

This was our final day in Andaman. Had a heavy breakfast. Even though our trip was literally over. Our agent gave option to visit some places before our flight (Flight was at 2:30 PM). We choose "Chatham Saw Mill" and "Samudrika Marine Museum". 

Chatham Saw Mill

The Chatham Saw Mill was set up by the British to exploit the abundant tree wood in the islands. Now the mill has been taken over by the Govt and limited work still goes on. There is a small museum in the premises which is worth visiting. The overall duration to see this place should not take more than an hour. this place has witness bombing during world war 2 and has a bomb crater. Many of tourist don't know where it is and miss to see it. the museum in this mill is ordinary and nothing special. The Samudrika Marine Museum is a small well-maintained museum being run by the Indian Navy. I recommend everyone to visit this museum with your family before starting to explore the Andamans and it sea life. You get to know its history and how their names came into being. You can see different kinds of shells that were found on their beaches also, about the Jarawa tribes of Andaman.  The museum also hosts the skeleton of a blue whale. One of the highlights of this place is "stone fish" - A fish that resembles a stone. There is also a TV running non-stop that informs you about the other places that are there to see in the islands. There are also a couple of big machine guns which you can see and take selfies with. They have also kept a couple of slabs to stand on to take the selfies and direction boards mentioning "Selfie Point"!!

We did shopping of some pearls, purse, some show pieces, etc. Boarded our flight to Bangalore @ 2:30 PM

Things to carry to Andaman:

Sun cream, mosquito repellent, basic medical kit (there are shops in Port Blair, but you have to go to the main market)
Sunglass and Cap.
Camera and Tripod (If you want some good pictures)
Please carry cash as in most of the places debit/credit card will not work
Only BSNL/Airtel works in most of the places
ID card (required when you are traveling in a ferry)
Small bag in which you can carry 1-2 pair of clothes