With golden beaches fringed with swaying palms and kissed by crystal waters thriving with exotic marine life, Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is a paradisiacal touristic destination. Along with sweeping natural beauty, the islands also offer tourists some of the best adventure opportunities in the country. They are also one of the world’s last outposts of virgin rainforest islands which are still inhabited by tribes are considered the oldest living communities in the world. They are the pearls of Indian Ocean pristine and idyllic for a beach holiday with white beaches, lush green forests with fantastic diving possibilities. With its far-flung location, the tour to Andaman Islands are a perfect place to ramble around or simply chill out on sun-toasted beaches. The shimmering aquamarine waters and sugar-white beaches melt under a glorious flame-and-purple sunsets. There are 572 islands, and only a dozen are open to tourists with Havelock and Neil being the most popular for splendid beaches and diving.
The waters around Port Blair are home to a rich marine archipelago where a vast range of exotic fishes flourish. Dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and a whole host of reef fishes can be seen underwater making underwater activities very popular in the area. Scuba diving in Port Blair is one of the best experiences for a diving enthusiast in India, for swimming across colorful corals, beautifully patterned fishes, and seabed gardens in silent-as-night waters. The green Sea turtle, the hawksbill turtle, the Leather Back Turtle and the Olive Ridley turtle, jellyfishes, and poisonous sea snakes like Laticauda colubrine and Sea Krait are the “Reel Life of Andaman”.
Prepare to explore and unravel the mysterious ocean world and its vivid inhabitants. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate, or an expert, there is enough option for all. But
“Love them, respect them
They are among the wonders of the deep blue sea
Feel them, fancy them
They are sprinkling hues of the crystal clear cyan sea.”
Port Blair Top Attractions
Places To Visit In Port Blair
Also known as Kala Pani, Cellular Jail is one of the unmissable tourist attractions located at Port Blair in Andaman. The three storied building has 698 cells that are connected to each other in the shape of a starfish. The place is famous for offering a fantastic sound and light show in the evening offering a delightful insight into the historical struggle for independence.It is one of the remnants of past colonial rule in India and today stands as a testimony to all those brave hearts who laid down their lives at the hands of British atrocities. Some of the famous freedom fighters who were captured here include Veer Savarkar and Bakuteshwar Dutt.The place was one of the most infamous prisons of the past as the freedom fighters were punished inhumanly by the Britishers. The place is a must visit for history lovers to have a sneak peek into the history and struggle that went down in the construction of this jail. The place is recognised as a national memorial monument and owned by the Government of India.Highlights: Tourists should try to explore the jail by visiting the picture gallery that houses a number of photos of freedom fighters. Often used as background for filming Hindi movies about the colonial past, the place has many fascinating remnants of history like the hanging cell and condemned cell. Some of the other unmissable attractions of Cellular Jail included its Exhibition Gallery, Art Gallery, Old Photographs Gallery, Gallery on First War of Independence and Netaji Gallery. There is also the Swatantrya Jyoti, an eternal flame of freedom keeps glowing in the memory of freedom fightersActivities: One of the popular activities to do here is sightseeing and revisiting the history of the grim colonial past Of India.Distance from Port Blair: It takes around 15 kilometers to go there from Port Blair.Timing: National Memorial: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)Entry Fee: INR 30
As the name suggests, Chidiya Tapu is the perfect haven for unseen migratory birds and common native birds found in the Andaman Islands and it is one of the popular places to visit in Port Blair. Recognized as the most enchanting beach in Andaman and tourists arrive here on a large scale as the beach extends the best ever sights for them including the eye catching sunrise and sunset views. This is a silent yet crowded beach encircled by evergreen forests on one side and the short hills on the other side. As it is considered to be the presenter of the most finishing touch of sunset and sunrise views, it is the main hub in Andaman Islands. The beach is filled with 46 varieties of endangered species of birds, and white spotted deer. There are a lot of seasonal orchids and other varieties of plants.Highlights: The major attractions of Chidiya Tapu are the Chidiya Tapu Biological Park, the Sylvan Sands, the Munda Pahar Beaches etc. You will be able to stay at a forest guesthouse located nearby atop a hillock and from there, the panoramic view of Chidiya Tapu in detail.Activities: Apart from sunset and sunrise views, plenty of people come for an Andaman and Nicobar trip to see this beach, to identify the rare species appear in multiple colours and size. Even though many of the birds are commonly found on the beach, you would find it as a unique and unnatural scene to find the colourful gathering of them.Boating is an attractive activity done here as well as snorkeling and swimming are also a part of the adventure activities usually experienced by those who visit here.Distance from Port Blair: It is located about 25 kms from Port Blair.
Famous for the underwater corals, North Bay Island located near the Pheonix Jetty of Port Blair is yet another favorite places to visit in Port Blair. Multiple clubs providing exhilarating scuba diving, snorkeling and sea walking at the island give it a special space in the hearts of adventure lovers. And because of this factor, North Bay Island is crowded all the time. If you wish to do a tour of North Bay Island, then you have to come at the Andaman Water Sports Complex where it starts from and the boats can accommodate up to 60 people and every boat will have a guide as well. The glass bottom boat ride to the island will give you a lot of chances to see the world of fish, typical sea flora and reefs inhabited underwater in harmony.Highlights: Scuba diving and snorkeling are the most important activities available at the island and along with those, glass bottom ride is also has significant importance. The coral reefs and the marine animals make the underwater world enthralling.Also, sea walk is considered to be a mind blowing activity and it opens up the doors to mingle with the colourful, rare species of sea. To do sea walking, you will be taken to the spot from the stationed sea walk paltoon and the experience of walking along the soft sea bed is memorable for a lifetime.Activities: Sea walking and scuba diving in Andaman are considered to be the best adventure activities that can be done, as there are umpteen number of travelers do these activities regularly.Distance from Port Blair: The island lies at a distance of about 42.4 kms from Port Blair and it would take around 1 hours and 30 minutes to reach there.
Popular Scuba Diving Destinations
