Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Indian Union territory situated in juncture of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. Total Area of 8000 Sq KM consist of 572 Islands of which 40 are inhabited. Tourists are generally allowed only in Andaman Islands. Nicobar is restricted for naval activities and tribal protection. Port Blair is main city and port from where all other Islands can be reached.
Best time to visit - October to April generally good. If you want best of Andaman go January to March.
How to reach - 2 hours flight or 3 days ship from Chennai or Kolkata.
Day 3 - Havelock Islands
Morning left Port Blair by Govt Ferry at 630 am , the journey took 2 hours 15 mins was fantastic. The advantage of Travelling by Govt ferry over Private cruise is we can go the top of mini ship and have panoramic view of sea and islands. Take some snacks for travel as no snacks are sold in ferry. After breakfast at Havelock Jetty ( There is one Tamil restaurant is available) and checked in to the resort. Then left for Radha nagar beach , one of the best white sand beach in Asia. You can spend time up to evening in crystal clear water till sun set. For lunch local Bengali hotel served reasonably simple good food. Fruits and Tender coconut is also available plenty. Returned to resort evening.
Do not forget to take flying disc for playing in radhanagar beach.
How many days required?
Minimum 5 days to 8 days for family trips, for back packers there no limit even one month stay will be fine. I planned my visit for 6 days based on personal requirement. Since we traveled by Air India flight it left Chennai 5 am and reached 7 10 am to Port Blair.So we had whole day for local tour on first day.Suggested Itinerary for 6 days with one night stay in Havelock.
Day 1 - Port Blair City tour
After check in hotel after refreshing we can covered
Chatham Saw Mill - Samudrika Athropological Museum - Aquarium
Viper Island - Nothing great on the island. The harbor cruise to viper is little different as you view the port side and commercial activities. On island, as such nothing great to see and enjoy. You don't lose anything by not seeing, but since it is part of package we visited other wise you can skip and go to Port Blair from Ross island for other activities.
After check in hotel after refreshing we can covered
Chatham Saw Mill - Samudrika Athropological Museum - Aquarium
After Lunch proceed to Corbyn’s Cove Beach (10 km away from Port Blair)Cellular Jail and Don't miss Airport view point - it is very unique view from where complete run way can be seen.After wards complete the day with Light and sound show at Cellular Jail. ( Monday Closed).
 |
| Cellular Jail |
 |
| Airport View from Joggers park |
 |
| Corbyn Cove Beach |
Day 2 - Three Islands Tour
North Bay Island- Ross Island- Viper Island
North Bay - North bay island is half an hour by ferry from Port Blair is visited mainly for water sports activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving , glass boat coral viewing and sea walk. Little bargaining is required for getting best price. Sea walking is little expensive but will give better experience.For snorkeling the better place is Jolly Boy Island or Red skin island. Lunch is served by tour operator ( simple fried rice with water bottle) in en route to Ross Island.
Ross Island - Ross was the administrative post of the British in the late 19th century and its ruins and little museum,The island used to be the British colonial administration headquarters for the whole Andaman and Nicobar Islands.Ruins of a large church, cemetery, the Chief Commissioner’s House, a bakery and barracks can be seen. Do not miss beautiful beach at the back side.Viper Island - Nothing great on the island. The harbor cruise to viper is little different as you view the port side and commercial activities. On island, as such nothing great to see and enjoy. You don't lose anything by not seeing, but since it is part of package we visited other wise you can skip and go to Port Blair from Ross island for other activities.
 |
| Ross Island |
 |
| Scuba Diving |
 |
| Preparation For Scuba |
Day 3 - Havelock Islands
Morning left Port Blair by Govt Ferry at 630 am , the journey took 2 hours 15 mins was fantastic. The advantage of Travelling by Govt ferry over Private cruise is we can go the top of mini ship and have panoramic view of sea and islands. Take some snacks for travel as no snacks are sold in ferry. After breakfast at Havelock Jetty ( There is one Tamil restaurant is available) and checked in to the resort. Then left for Radha nagar beach , one of the best white sand beach in Asia. You can spend time up to evening in crystal clear water till sun set. For lunch local Bengali hotel served reasonably simple good food. Fruits and Tender coconut is also available plenty. Returned to resort evening.
Do not forget to take flying disc for playing in radhanagar beach.
 |
| Ship to have lock |
Day 4 - Havelock Island & retun to Port Blair
 |
| Radhanagar Beach |
If you want to see different go to Elephant Islands or go Kala panthar Beach by road or once again to Radhanagar beach. Elephant Islands is like North bay where snorkeling , sea walk and other water activities are available. After returning for lunch to Have lock prepare your self for returning to Port Blair by ferry at 415 pm. If you are lucky you can watch beautiful sunset from ferry top.
Note - Neil Island also can be covered if you leave morning from have lock and noon you can return to Port Blair. Or Neil Islands can covered in Day 3 itself while going to Havelock by having 3 hours break at Neil Island.
If You want peaceful Beach holiday stay maximum days in Havelock Islands and rent a scooter and enjoy the island bit by bit!
Day 5 - Baratang Islands and Limestone caves.
The trip starts as early as 3.30 am! Sleepy heads we wake up and get ready for all the excitement that was following.It is located between Middle and South Andaman about 100 km from Port Blair. The island has dense tropical forests ranging from tidal swamp forest to evergreen to littoral forests laced with sandy beaches along its coast.Baratang Island can be reached by road via the Jarawa Tribe Reserve and then by boat. Jarawa are one of those indigenous communities of Andaman Islands. Jarawas are believed to have inhabited the islands for at least several thousand years. Photography is strictly prohibited in this Jarawa Tribe Reserve area!
After driving the Jarawa tribe reserve for nearly 3 hours we reach the ferry place. One big ferry carries three big buses, and approximately 100 people and leaves us at the other shore, where the board says “Welcome to Baratang”. The next ferry ride is one the amazing and dangerous journeys between the creeks, with mangroves forests on both the sides. The boat is a speed boat which can accommodate approximately 15-18 people.
Then You will trek for 1.5 km to reach lime stone caves which is really worth , natural wonder.
Lunch can be at either small eat outs at at baratang island entrance or take some bread and fruits while going.
You will reach Port blair by evening with lots of green memories.
 |
| Route from Port Blair to Baratang |
 |
| Boat to Limestone caves |
 |
| Limestone caves |
 |
| En route trek |
Day 6 - Red Skin Island or Jolly Bouy Islands.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a national park of India in Wandoor on the Andaman Islands. Situated 29 km. from Port Blair, Red skin and Jolly Bouy islands are part of 15 Islands group of national park.Jolly Buoy and Red Skin remains open for tourists for 6 months alternately. The Jolly Buoy/Red skin island is heavily regulated. One cannot carry their own food and water and have to buy the same issued by the Indian Govt. at Port Blair.jolly buoy island beach is unexplored traveller destination.crystal clear water, white sand beach lots of coral ,good for snorkeling. No shops no snacks no drinking water in the island .best place for the kids to swim very safe .
boats starts around 09:30 hrs and returns around 14:30 Hrs. There are few basic hotels near the Jetty for Lunch. Most of them are bengali hotels and serves good basic food like daal, roti, chawal, sabji, papad etc. Return to Port Blair for shopping.
 |
| Red skin beach |
 |
| Snorkeling |
Check list
Andaman Trip.
1) Air Tickets
2) Train Tickets ( In main Land)
3) ID proof for all the members of family ( for both train and air)
4) Camera
5) Mobile phone
6) Phone and camera chargers
7) Regular medicines
8) Essential medicine ( for fever , cold and other problems)
9) ATM and credit cards.
10) Cap
11) Umbrella ( 1 or 2)
12) Torch ( Small)
13) Toilet kit
14) Slippers
15) Bermuda type shorts
16) T Shirts
17) More number of light towels
18) Copy of air and train tickets in different bags.
19) Reading and Cooling glass ( if required)
20) Plastic covers for wet clothes
21) Swim wear if required
22) Enough inner garments
23) Back bag for local travels
24) Binocular if required
2) Train Tickets ( In main Land)
3) ID proof for all the members of family ( for both train and air)
4) Camera
5) Mobile phone
6) Phone and camera chargers
7) Regular medicines
8) Essential medicine ( for fever , cold and other problems)
9) ATM and credit cards.
10) Cap
11) Umbrella ( 1 or 2)
12) Torch ( Small)
13) Toilet kit
14) Slippers
15) Bermuda type shorts
16) T Shirts
17) More number of light towels
18) Copy of air and train tickets in different bags.
19) Reading and Cooling glass ( if required)
20) Plastic covers for wet clothes
21) Swim wear if required
22) Enough inner garments
23) Back bag for local travels
24) Binocular if required
Food - Lots of Restaurants in Port Blair . If You are particular about Vegetarian best place is Annapurna or Kattabomman hotel situated in Port Blair.
Flight Tip - While going from Chennai take right side window seat while returning take left side to see beautiful small islands from top!
 |
| View from flight after take off |
