Andaman

ANDAMAN

Andaman Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal. The area encompassed by these islands is 8249 square kilometers in which, 8211 square kilometers is rural. The Union Territory is home to tribes like Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompen. The major Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ religion is termed as animism. As per this religion of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the sole deity responsible for everything that happens in the world is Paluga.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a group of 3000 islands, which includes chain of mountains and ridges with moderate heights and gradients that are indeed the major tourist attractions here. The geography at Andaman and Nicobar Islands states that the archipelago comprises of North Andaman, South Andaman, Middle Andaman, and Little Andaman in the Andaman group of islands, as well as Great Nicobar, Nancowry, Car Nicobar, Chowra and Katchal in the Nicobar group of islands. Amongst all the islands, Great Andaman and Ritchie Archipelago are the top tourist destinations with some surreal beaches for the holiday. Andaman features thrilling watersports like snorkeling, sea walks and scuba diving amongst several others in many of islands’ beaches, hence calling adventure junkies from far and wide. Visitors would also enjoy their time basking in the sun on the white sandy beaches overlooking the azure blue waters while sipping on a refreshing drink. Witnessing the sunrise and sunset is certainly an unbeatable experience, which indeed adds to a memorable beach holiday here.

The tourism of Andaman is not only confined to a memorable beach holiday as the archipelago is also blessed with lush flora including evergreen tropical rainforest canopy making a holiday for nature lovers quite a memorable one too. These forests engross an assorted a jumble of Indian, Malaysian and indigenous floral stretches that attract a lot of wildlife lovers. There are more than 2000 varieties of plants found here. These islands are extremely profuse with fauna and around 50 species of forest mammals are found here among which 26 rat species and 14 bat species are primarily notable.

Other than these, the prominent mammal species that can be spotted here are Sus Scorfa (wild pig), spotted deer, barking deer feral elephant, etc. Butterfly, moths and shells also increase the charm of nature’s exquisiteness in Andaman and Nicobar. Coral reefs and marine life of this archipelago is a prominent factor attracting the tourists from all around the blue planet.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are ideal for family tours, honeymoon couples as well as solo travellers as well . The contiguous areas of the seashores are marvelous that allure beach lovers a lot. Moreover, many exemplifications of architectural brilliance are also found here. Therefore, history buffs also has ample to explore here as well. Some of the best places to see in Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Neil Island, Havelock Island, Long Island, Cellular Jail, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Anthropological Museum, Indira Point, Car Nicobar, Katchal, etc.

There is indeed no scarcity of adventure activities to do in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. There is a plethora of things to do here thus making the trip congenial and gratifying. Multitude of adventure activities are offered here. The top attractions for adventure here are Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Camping, Surfing, and Trekking. Being blessed with sublime landscapes and equipped with beautiful markets, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are perfect destinations for sightseeing and shopping. In addition to this, Island Tourism Festival is celebrated in Port Blair for 15 days between December and February attracts the tourists to witness exuberance.

We, at Tour My India would be happy to help you enjoy your Andaman tour, and therefore, offer to you best holiday packages and a detailed travel guide. With our best travel packages, you can rest assured for a hassle free and memorable holiday in Andaman, while our holiday guide can offer you a virtual glimpse and useful information of this stunning destination.

Overall, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands experience a tropical climate. The weather is pleasant and enjoyable all around the year. This is what makes these islands a year-round destination. From April to June, the temperature stays between 24 to 37 degree celcius, and the humidity stays around 80%. This creates the perfect environment to hit the beach and go skinny dipping into the sea.

From July to September, the islands witness a handsome shower of monsoon. While not many travelers prefer to visit during this period, the cloudy skeis and greenery create some unique sightseeing destinations.

However, the best time to visit Andaman and Nicobar islands is during their winter, which is from October to March. The temperatures stays between 20 to 30 Degree Celcius and makes for the perfect time to see some magnificent views and explore nature. It is also the ideal weather for trekkin and beach excursions

Andaman being an island enjoys a tropical climate. Best thing about Andaman is that it is a year-round destination, where fluctuations in temperatures are minimal and stay pleasant throughout. The best time to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands is considered between October and May as the weather is pleasant, just perfect for sightseeing, water sports, and beach excursion. Monsoons (July to September) are not always recommended because of the high tidal waves, incessant rains and strong winds. During July to September, that there are high tidal waves.

Travel Months	Min/Max Temperature	Season
April to June	24°c – 37°c	Summer
July to September	22°c – 35°c	Monsoon
October to March	20°c – 30°c	Winter

You can divide the seasons in Andaman into two;Summer and Monsoon. Being a tropical island, Andaman doesn’t witness the winter season. If you’ve been to Vishakhapatnam or Bengaluru, you can identify with the kind of climate prevalent in the islands. It’s pleasant, mildly humid and offers good sea-breeze for tourists to just chill out, sinking into the vast expanse of the ocean. During summers, the clear blue sky and the turquoise water reflect hues of blue, contrasted by the white sands. This makes for a picturesque destination not just for couples on their honeymoon but for families who have elderly people in their groups as well. The place is not too sweaty or sultry and is perfect to grab a beverage and layback on the shacks.

How To Reach Andaman And Nicobar By Air

There are daily flights from various cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai to Andaman’s capital Port Blair. The Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair has daily flights from these cities and airlines such as Air India, GoAir, IndiGo, Spicejet and Vistara serve the

airport. As of now, there are no international flights operating from this airport yet but are expected to begin in 2020.

The airport which used to be known as Port Blair Airport is just 2 kilometres, south of the city. As it is the only primary airport here, it connects Andaman and Nicobar with the rest of the country.

How To Reach Andaman And Nicobar By Sea

The other way to reach Andaman and Nicobar islands is by ship. There are cargo ships to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakapatnam which reach Port Blair’s Haddo Jetty. While boats might be a fun way to reach the islands, they are not very convenient or even comfortable as they can be quite time consuming. Also, weather and sea conditions are important factors in travel and they can add to the time taken to reach Port Blair. At Port Blair’s Phoenix Bay Jetty, you can buy your return ticket at the ferry booking office.

An important thing to remember is that these ships will not offer the luxuries that you might find at in a cruise ship. These government operated cargo ships are meant for commercial use and are not ideally suited for passengers expecting a certain level of comfort or luxury. There are different levels of rooms available and even then, they might not match those you see on typical cruises. The ships are not known for their privacy and the rooms may not be up to the standards of those who expect even basic clean rooms. The only reason many opt for this way to reach Andaman is because it’s less expensive than flights but if you consider comfort as a priority, then it’s best if you avoid this.

Commutation Within Andaman And Nicobar

By Air
Travelling between the islands by sea planes is not possible at the moment. However, there is an interisland helicopter service which is reserved for VIPs. You can apply at the Directorate of Civil Aviation office at the helipad one day in advance to use this service. However, this is not a much used service since there is a 5kg baggage limit and the ticket can be quite steep.

By Ferry
Travelling between islands by ferry is the most popular way to travel. However, this can be quite chaotic as the service is slow and there are long queues for buying tickets. Government ferry tickets can be bought a couple of days before your actual journey, so this is recommended. If this is too troublesome for you, then you can ask your hotel or travel agent to book the ferry tickets also.
There are regular boat services from Port Blair to the other islands such as Swaraj, Neil Islands, Long Island, Mayabunder and Diglipur. There are also private ferry companies which are more expensive but their tickets are available a month in advance. The popular companies that run private ferry services are Makruzz and Green Ocean.

By Bus
South, Middle and North Andaman group are connected by road and there are ferry crossings and bridges as well, which makes it possible travel by bus. Swaraj island (formerly known as Havelock) has a bus service and buses also run from Port Blair to various places such as Wandoor, Baratang, Chidiya Tapu, Mayabunder and Diglipur.

By Car
It is possible to hire a car with driver to take you from Port Blair to Diglipur but a round trip can be quite expensive, going easily above INR 10000. However, the drivers are knowledgeable about the best places to visit in Andaman Nicobar and will take you there without any hassle. The cars are also neat and clean and the entire experience is quite satisfactory.
There are also self-drive car rentals which will help you experience the Andamans in a rather unique way. However, do note that mobile coverage in several key attractions in Port Blair tends to be quite spotty and you may get lost and not know how to reach out for help. Typical self-drive car rentals come with additional tax and fuel expenses.

By Auto/TukTuk
There are autos or tuk tuks in but they are not very comfortable as the roads can be bumpy. They are a cheaper way of getting around instead of hiring cabs though.

By Cabs/Taxis
Although there’s no Uber or Ola in Andaman, you can get taxis or cabs to take you from place to place. These are slightly more expensive than the autos.

By Motorcycle or Bicycles

You can hire motorcycles or bicycles from Port Blair to go around the island. These can be hired for a whole day and are quite economical. Motorcycles are around INR 500 per day while bicycles can be around INR 200 at the most. Do be careful on the roads though as they may not be the smooth roads you’re accustomed to, back in your own city

Unspoilt Nature’s Bounty

The remote location of Andaman and Nicobar Islands almost in the middle of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea helps preserve its natural beauty. Andamans is a glamorous tourist destination with pristine powdery white sandy beaches, azure bright blue seas, rich coral reefs with an amazing variety of underwater flora and fauna and remarkable unique tourist attractions. Andaman is an all-time favourite honeymoon destination of India on account of its beauty and seclusion. The archipelago of Andaman is a group of 572 islands that looks and feels extremely green with dense tropical rainforests and is the home to variegated fora and fauna. Some of the striking and famous tourist attractions of Andamans are fascinating Cellular Jail, mesmerizing Havelock Island, astounding Neil Island, colonial Ross Island, snake-infested Viper Island, Barren Island containing the active volcano, Corbyn’s Cove Beach and reserve forest of Mount Harriot.

You can check our customized Andaman Tour Packages

Rich, Luscious Forest Cover and Wildlife

Out of the 572 islands of Andaman archipelago, a total of 37 islands are inhabited. To name a few of the beguiling beauties of uninhabited islands of Andamans, we have the Viper Island, Ross Island, Barren Island, North Bay Island, Jolly Buoy Island and Parrot Island. These islands of Andaman and Nicobar are blessed with a rich cover of lush green tropical forests comprising giant trees, bamboo thickets and shady and serene mangrove swamps.

Enjoy the scenic beauty and peace of rain forest cover of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Feel enchanted at the diversity of wildlife to be found here. Some fascinating creatures that will definitely put you in awe are wild boars, saltwater crocodiles, bats, various kinds of reptiles, eagles, white-bellied sea eagle and a plethora of colourful birds and butterflies. The turtle nesting coastlines are of perpetual interest and fascination to the outside world. Even though such shores are protected to conserve the endangered species of turtles, yet you can enjoy spotting the unique phenomenon of turtle nesting along the sandy shores of several beaches. Andaman wild pigs and robber crabs are some other exotic animal species to be seen in these parts. The coral reefs are home to spectacularly colourful fishes.

Pristine and Exotic Beaches

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are widely known for a number of very peaceful, exotic and very beautiful sea beaches. The beaches are mostly isolated with not too much crowd that adds to its enchantment. Lined with soft white sands and sparkling blue seas, the beaches are great places to unwind or enjoy a tranquil vacation. Some of the most beautiful beaches of Andamans that deserve mention are Radha Nagar Beach and Elephant Beach of Havelock Island; Kalapathar Beach, Bharatpur and Laxmanpur Beaches of Neil island; Aam Kunj Beach of Rangat; and Lalaji Bay Beach of long Island. Radhanagar Beach of Havelock Island is a spectacular beach that has been rated as Asia’s best beach.

Radhanagar Beach has silvery sands flanked by gentle sea waves on one side and ancient woods on the other. The greenery, soft chirping of birds, warm sunshine and dark deep shadows of the forest trees make this beach enchanting. The warm waters of the sea are very clear and you can see a million colourful creature such as snails, mussels, star fish and tiny fishes in the waters lapping your feet. Radhanagar Beach is a favourite among the honeymooners.

Thrilling Adventure Activities

Andaman and Nicobar islands has a wide variety of adventure sports and water activities for the travellers to indulge upon. It has some of the best diving spots. The shores of Havelock island form an enchanting scuba diving destination of India. Among the other adventure and water sports activities there is snorkelling, parasailing, swimming with the waves, sea walking, game fishing, dolphin watching, glass bottom boat rides, submarine rides, banana boat rides and a lot more. Havelock Island and North Bay Island are especially famous for scuba diving and snorkelling. Jet skiing and speedboat rides are also very popular among adventure lovers.

Attractive Beach Activities

The beaches of Andaman are tranquil and secluded. They have ample scope of enjoying the sea in seclusion. The gentle waves allow for bathing, elephant rides on the beach, joyful picnics, snorkelling, bird watching, dolphin spotting, sunbathing, boating and spending some comfortable time bird watching, turtle spotting and lazing around on the white sands and turquoise waters. Watch the enchanting sunrise and sunset moments at various beaches.

Mysterious Aboriginals or the Fearful Tribes

Andaman is also famous all across the world for being the home to some of the most primitive and enigmatic tribes. The five major tribal communities found in this region are the Jarawas, North Sentinelese, Great Andamanese, Onge and Shompen. The growing modernization is a threat to the existence of these fearful tribes. These tribal communities furiously guard their culture and traditions from being influenced by the outer world and does not allow the civilized society to intrude. They are fearless and fiercely protective and does not hesitate to kill anybody approaching them for friendship. These tribes follow the primitive ways of livelihood such as hunting, fishing and food gathering for survival.

Enigmatic Limestone Caves

The gorgeous limestone caves are a primary attraction of Andaman tourism. A boat ride through naturally made mangrove tunnels lead you on to the limestones cave region. The waters of the mangrove creek are crocodile infested that add to the thrill of the limestone cave excursion. The crocodiles can be spotted on the sea shores peacefully sunbathing. The caves can be reached after another 1.5 kilometre trek through a dense, beautiful tropical rainforests. The forest roads are very scenic and finally the caves are a visual delight. The atmosphere remains charged as you watch the curious formations of the stalactites and stalagmites.

Lively Parrot Island

The Parrot Island of Andaman is a sight to watch at sunset hours with hundreds of parrots crowding from nowhere amidst wild cacophony as they come back to their nests on the island. The island is mangrove forest covered that is kept in shape and is neatly trimmed by the parrots. The island is the home to thousands of parrots and at sunset, when they gather from all corners hovering over the mangrove cover of the island, it is a delightful sight to watch from the boat. The boat ride to the Parrot Island is very picturesque and thrilling on account of the presence of the salt water crocodiles.

Fascinating Historical Saga

Cellular jail of Port Blair and Ross Island are veritable mute witnesses of British rule in India and are replete with the saga of the valiant sacrifices of the freedom fighters. Cellular Jail is a must visit and the light and sound show that is conducted in the evenings bring to life the insurmountable pain and suffering of the India patriots trying to free India from the British clutches. Ross Island has the ruins of the colonial British heritage as it was the erstwhile British capital of the Andaman Islands till 1858.

Ebullient Mud Volcanoes

The natural miracle of mud volcanos are a supreme alluring factor of Andaman islands. The mud volcanos gently oozing mud is rather fascinating to watch. This mud volcanoes are located at Baratang in Middle Andamans. The excursion to the mud volcanos from Port Blair forms an adventurous day trip through the Jarawa tribal reserve forest region. Reach the site to observe the unique phenomenon exhibiting some mud pits spitting out mud bubbles. These are miniature volcano like formations that draw hundreds of tourists from all across the world.

Frequent Questions Asked by Travellers.

Do Indians need a passport to visit the Andamans?

Indian citizens don’t need a passport to visit the Andamans, international travelers do. However, a permit is mandatory for Indian citizens without a passport to visit some of the destinations.

What is the best month to visit the Andamans?

The best month to visit the Andamans would be anyone between November and May. The monsoons can be erratic with high tidal waves and strong winds. The greatest time to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is during its annual tourism festival, which takes place in January.

How long is the cruise to the Andamans?

You set sail from Chennai, Kolkata, or Visakhapatnam for Port Blair. The voyage ideally takes 3-4 days.

Is it safe to visit the Andamans?

Yes, Andaman is plenty safe. However, gaining some practical knowledge about the place is essential to be meticulous about the worst-case scenarios.

Which is the main airport in the Andamans?

Veer Savarkar International Airport, situated near Port Blair is the main airport of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

How many islands make up the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Andaman and Nicobar comprise 572 islands in total, out of which 38 are inhabited. North, Middle, and South Andaman, known collectively as Great Andaman, are the main islands.

Which languages are spoken in the Andamans?

Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and English are the main languages spoken in the Andamans

Do I need special permission to visit the Andamans?

There is no need for a passport or permit for Indian citizens to visit the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Specific permission with details about the visit is however required to visit notified Tribal areas (e.g. research, educational, etc.).

Do I need a diving license to dive in the Andamans?

No, you don’t need a diving license but shall be offered pre-training.

How many days does one need for a vacation to the Andamans?

To cover all of the major sightseeing activities, a 5-night/6-day trip is recommended. You can take 9 nights and 10 days 8 nights and 9 days Andaman tour package to visit all of the islands and activities at your leisure.

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