Shores of the Andaman Islands

TRAVEL GUIDE
Making tracks

The quickest way to get to the Andamans is to fly to Port Blair from Calcutta or Chennai (2 hours). You can also sail here from Calcutta (1255 km, 4-5 days), Chenai (1190 km, 3-4 days), and Vishakapatnam (1200 km). Within Port Blair, taxis, auto-rickshaws, bicycles and boats can be hired to get around. Boats are available to take you island hopping. 
Note that Indian nationals are allowed to visit only the Andaman Islands and that the Nicobar Islands are out of bounds. Foreign tourists need a permit to visit the Andamans.

Best time to go

December and January are the ideal months to visit, especially for snorkelling, diving and relaxing on the beaches. The weather is comfortable from November to end March. The average temperatures hover between 23° C and 30° C. Carry light cotton clothes, sun hats and sun protection.

Room with a view

Accommodation is available to suit every budget, from luxury resorts, cottages, motels and hotels to tourist bungalows, guesthouses and government guesthouses.
 

Island Odyssey

From Kolkata

The Andamans are a beautiful archipelago of coral islands in the Bay of Bengal surrounded by crystal waters that are simply wonderful for snorkelling and diving. The shallow coral reefs and honeycombs of mangrove creeks entertain some fabulous marine and aquatic life. All around, you see azure skies and secluded white sand beaches, hammocks swaying between coconut palms, seashells strewn over powdery sands. The islands are carpeted with tropical forests, the domain of a handful of indigenous tribes whose numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate. 

Port Blair is the capital of the Andamans and a good place to set up base on your holiday. While you are on the Andaman Islands, you can sign up for diving and snorkelling lessons. Watch out for friendly dolphins, sea turtles and exotic fish at Havelock Island, 45 km from Port Blair. The beaches of Neil Islands are splendid for snorkelling, diving for coral and for spotting marine life. Mt. Harriet and Madhuban National Parks are the other places you can visit to look at the interesting ecology of the islands and watch elephants being trained to carry logs.

Sightseeing on the islands starts with the grim Cellular Jail where the British incarcerated Indian freedom fighters during the pre-independence era. Other places to see are the Anthropological Museum, Marine Museum, Corbyn's Cove Beach, Marine Park and the Sippighat Water Sports Complex. From Port Blair you can take a motor launch to Jolly Buoy, Chiriya Tapu bird sanctuary, Wandoor Beach, the islands of Cinque and Red Skin.

And to round off a great vacation, spend some time just lolling on the beach, lounging in a hammock, collecting seashells and building sand castles. Your Andaman holiday is one vacation you will remember for a long time.