There are so many places to see in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The water is so blue and clear and I hope it remains that way unharmed by the sudden surge of tourism.
Before we dive into what places you should cover on your Andaman trip, I would like to request you to be a responsible tourist and keep the island clean.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands consist of roughly 300 islands that are palm-lined, have white-sand beaches, mangroves, and tropical rainforests.
The islands have beautiful coral reefs supporting marine life which makes it an excellent spot for snorkeling & scuba diving.
Pack a good amount of sunscreen and a big hat to protect yourself from tanning!
I went to Andaman back in February 2021, via flight from Delhi to Port Blair.
Table Of Contents
10 Places you can’t afford to miss in Andaman
1. Cellular Jail in Port Blair
The Cellular Jail is also known as Kaala Pani (Blackwater). It was a colonial prison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands run by the British government.
If you’re someone who loves getting to know the history of the place you’re visiting, Cellular Jail should be at the top of your list of places to see in Andaman.
Numerous brave freedom fighters were imprisoned here during India’s struggle for independence. It’s best if you hire a guide who will walk you through the entire place and explain its significance.
On my trip, I had a guide who told us all of the stories of the hardships faced by our freedom fighters. It makes you feel grateful for their sacrifices.
2. Radhanagar Beach in Havelock/ Swaraj Island
Radhanagar Beach is the best beach I’ve ever visited.
It took me a whole minute to take the place in, it’s beyond beautiful and surreal.
The beach has been ranked as the 8th most beautiful beach in the world and it clearly deserves it.
Lush green tropical forest lines the white sand Radhanagar Beach.
I would suggest you visit the beach in the evening around 4 pm so that you can catch the sunset.
Radhanagar beach was my personal #1 in the places to see in Andaman on my trip itinerary.
Radhanagar Beach is on the Havelock Island. In order to reach Havelock Island, you have to take a ferry from Port Blair. The journey takes about 2 hours.
There are both government and private ferries available. Government ferries are a more affordable option.
3. Munda Pahad Beach in Chidiya Tapu
As the name itself says, Chidiya Tapu is the island of birds but you might not find birds there in the same number as they were before.
The drive to Chidiya Tapu is through thick forests and clear blue skies which are as photogenic as they can be. (Picture below)
Chidiya Tapu has mangroves and equatorial forests around the beach. This Bird Island is an eco-park situated at the southernmost tip of South Andaman Island.
It is 28km away from Port Blair. You can either take a bus or a car ride. Apart from birdwatching, it’s also a popular picnic spot.
There is a sunset point at Chidiya Tapu that you can visit to catch a glimpse of the sunset in the evening.
4. Corbyn’s Cove Beach
Corbyn’s Cove Beach is comparatively a smaller and more local beach.
It’s best to visit it during the evenings. You can ride a Jet Ski there, whose experience is amazing!
It cost Rs. 500 per person in February 2021.
You’ll feel the goosebumps as you ride at high speeds on the waves. You will have a trained instructor with you at all times during the ride for safety purposes.
Once you get the grip of it, it’s a thrill you wouldn’t want to miss.
Also Read: 7 Beach Vacation Outfits to look your best
5. Scuba Diving in Andaman
Scuba diving is one of the most adventurous activities you can do in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
As a child, I was always fascinated by the living world underwater and dreamt of getting a chance to see it up-close in real life.
And well, I will admit I’m scared of the water. I almost gave up during my training session at the Scuba in Havelock Island.
But then I did it anyway because I realized that I’m a long way from home and 12-year-old me wouldn’t be exactly happy knowing I gave up a chance to see Nemo.
When I went to Havelock Island for scuba diving in February 2021, it cost Rs. 5000 per person. I’m sure you might be able to get a better deal online.
I booked mine offline that’s why couldn’t find a better deal. I was way too excited to think about finding a more affordable option.
Under the protection of the Andaman Administration, the corals and fish are abundant and often enclose the diver from all directions, which leaves the diver in awe and wonder.
Scuba diving is available in many islands such as:
- Havelock/ Swaraj Island
- North Bay Island
- Neil Island
- Port Blair
No matter how scared you might be of the water, don’t miss a chance to go scuba diving in Andaman.
Also Read: Day 2 in Port Blair, Heading to Havelock in a ferry
6. Kala Pathar Beach
When I went on my Andaman trip, I hadn’t heard much about Kala Pathar beach before.
Because it is not that popular, Kala Pathar Beach was way quieter and I saw only a handful of people on the beach.
It’s a great beach for sunbathing and spending time in solitude listening to the calming sound of the waves.
And if you’re a photographer like me, then it’s even better as you can capture frames without needing to Photoshop people out of them. Add it to your list of places to see in Andaman that you can’t afford to miss.
Kala Pathar Beach is a great option for photographers wanting to shoot a timelapse.
The water is crystal clear and turquoise blue, and the sand is white & clean.
7. Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex in Port Blair
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex is also known as Water Sports Complex.
It is one of the most loved tourist spots of Port Blair. And by its name, you can guess that it’s for the various water sports activities that you can get to do here.
The complex is also seen as a memorial for the battle between the Andamanese and the British in 1859, popularly known as the Battle of Aberdeen.
Some of the water sports activities in the complex are banana boat rides, jet skis, speed boats, parasailing, rowboat, sea walking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
8. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
This park was constructed on 24 May 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 with the aim to protect marine life in the area.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is spread across an area of 280 sq km. It has mangrove creeks, rainforests, and more than 50 different species of rare fish.
The best time to visit this park is between November and February.
There is a Cinque Island in the National Park which is one of the most photographed islands in Andaman.
It is popular for a place where two parts of the island are connected by a unique narrow sand bar. It’s a scene that you’ll remember from your entire Andaman vacation.
This island has coral reef gardens which are hundreds of meters deep and boast a variety of seaweeds, fishes, starfish, turtles, etc.
9. Ross Island/ Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Dweep in Port Blair
Ross Island was named after Captain Daniel Ross. But recently it was renamed as Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Dweep in 2018.
It’s a small island located just 5 km away from the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex in Port Blair.
The British used the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Dweep as an Administrative Headquarters for 85 years and called it Paris Of the East. It was abandoned after an earthquake in 1941.
10. Neil/ Shaheed Island
Neil Island is known for its tranquillity and serenity. It’s a more secluded island compared to Havelock/Swaraj and Ross/Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Dweep., unexplored coral reefs, secluded beaches as compared to Ross Island and Havelock Island.
It is 40 km away from Port Blair and is known as the vegetable bowl of Andaman due to the rich produce from the vast agriculture in the area.
Its 3 most picturesque beaches are – Bharatpur, Sitapur, and Lakshmanpur, it is also known for its rice farming and food cultivation.
Neil Island is famous for its naturally shaped bridge-like rock also known as the Howrah Bridge which is two living natural corals forming a bridge.
