Andaman Islands- a natural wonder and a great holiday option

Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise of 572 islands ,  forming an archipelago at the juncture of Bay of Bengal and Andaman sea.  Currently only 37 islands are inhabited. Pristine beaches, marine life,  great underwater sports option, an intriguing ancient settlement , Andaman islands will tick all the boxes for an ideal vacation. Did you know that there is a movie called “Invisible Islands” dedicated to the Andamanese tribes? Did you know about a cute sea mammal called Dugong , which can be spotted in Andaman? There are many such intriguing facts about Andaman.

The legend behind the name Andaman and Nicobar

It is believed that the word Andamans is derived from Hanuman, the monkey god from the Ramayana.  In Malay language, Hanuman is referred to as Handuman , which ended up becoming Andamans at a later stage.  Nicobar on the other hand, appears to be a depraved version of the Tamil word ‘Nakkavaram’ (Land of the open/Naked land). This is also indicated in the great Tanjore inscription of AD 1050.

The early settlers of Andaman

The original inhabitants belong to the tribes, namely, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Andamenese and Onge. North Sentinel Island is home to one of the most isolated human populations in the world. The Sentinelese, now reduced to a couple of hundreds in numbers, has no contact with the modern world and fire their arrows at anyone who comes within range.  They are believed to be the direct descendants of the first human population that emerged from Africa. How they reached Anandam is still a mystery and they are believed to have been living in Andaman for 60,000 years. But most of the anthropologists believe that they are not Negros but Negritos.

The location of Andaman makes it the focal point for engagement with the Southeast Asian naval forces.  During the 10^th century, Rajendra Chola I of the Chola dynasty had conquered the island, to make it a strategic base for launching an attack against the then Indonesia.

By 1788, the British had started a settlement at Andaman Islands with building an infirmary and  a hospital at Ross Island. For a long time it was the British penal colony known as Kala Pani ( Black water)

Why is Andaman an ideal vacation option?

Andaman is group of islands and the ones open for public are across the south, middle and north of Andaman. Whatever is the traveller in you seeking for , there will be an option. Lets go through the top places to visit in Andaman.

South Andaman Islands  

This is where the majority of the population of Andaman resides and it has all the popular destinations starting with Port Blair

Port Blair: It is the capital city of Andaman and also the gateway to explore the islands. Cellular Jail is the most talked about experience in this city. One can also take a day trip to Ross Island and North Bay Island from Port Blair. North Bay is a good option for water sports . Don’t forget to visit the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Port Blair

Havelock Island:

Havelock island is a ferry ride ( 2.5 hours approx.) away from Port Blair. It’s known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs and water sports. Crescent-shaped Radhanagar Beach is great for vewing the sunset. For the birding enthusiasts, you can spot white-headed mynas and woodpeckers, inside the forest in the island.

Neil Island

If you are looking for a quite romantic getaway, Neil Island is a good option

Middle of Andaman Islands

For long travellers used to shy away from visiting this side of Andaman, either because of the accessibility issue or because of the stories of attacks from the tribesmen while crossing the jungles. Things have changed now and these unexplored places make for great experiences. These are some of the places in this region that you can consider

Baratang island:

After the Governments initiatives to segregate the tribal region and also efforts to gain their trust, this island inhabited by the Jarawa tribes is open for the tourist. Nobody is allowed to enter the reserved territory, but there is amazing natural beauty that awaits you here. Dense Forest, Mangroves, Dongi rides, beaches, birds , caves and trekking. This place can also be covered as a day trip from Port Blair if time is an issue.

Rangat Island

This island is not meant for day trip from Port Blair. You can drive to Rangat island , and explore the beaches, waterfalls and islands and stay overnight in Rangat island. Next day either head further up or get back to Port Blair. You can also take a ferry and head to Havelock or Neil island from here.

Long Island

A small village and several sandy beaches perfect for camping, it is a perfect destination for couples and honeymooners. It is a boat ride away from either Havelock Island or Rangat Island. For the adventure seekers, there are options for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Mayabunder:

Less touristy and hence basic accommodation options! But the virgin beaches and mangrove forests will make all comforts look secondary. Cruising through mangrove forests and spotting the exotic birds is a must here. Don’t forget to visit the Forest Museum. It houses a rare collection of coral life and fauna. You may also come across people originally from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

North Andaman Islands

This region is roughly 12 hours from Port Blair. It is a good experience for nature and wildlife lovers. The top places to visit in North Andaman are

Diglipur

It is the largest town in the North Andaman Islands.  Rich flora and fauna, natural parks, hiking options and marine life, can fill up your days easily for a week. You can climb the highest peak in the Gulf of Bengal, or explore a network of underground caves.  Observe an active mud volcano, or witness turtle nesting and hatching. And yes let’s not forget those birds. Diglipur national park is also highly recommended.  Budget at least 7 days just for Diglipur.

Ross & Smith Island

You need to have a permit in place to take the boat ride to this  pair of beautiful islands connected by a 50-metre-long sand bar. Explore the virgin beaches and if youe the adventurous kinds, diving and snorkelling awaits you… A walk on the sandbar on a Full moon night is for the die-hard romantics.

Saddle Peak:

It is the highest point of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and is   covered with evergreen rain forest up to the top. It is a great option for trekkers, though you need a permit from the forest department to climb up.

Now does that make Andaman a two to three weeks plan ?  If you want to cover everything then yes, it has to be an extensive one. Else you take pick and plan the itinerary. But do keep in mind the driving distance or cruising time between two places while making a plan .

 

How to reach Andaman Islands ?

You can fly into Port Blair airport via  Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata. Or you can board a cruise ship from Chennai, though flight is a better option

Best time to visit Andaman ?

October to Aprilis a good time to explore Andaman . The weather is also very pleasant during this time.

If you wish to visit Andaman, take a look at the Andaman itinrary and talk to us for customisation

For more such experiences on natural beauty in India, you could take a look at the article on Natural Wonders of India.

India is not just about natural beauty. There are many more facets to this ancient land – culture, mystery, history, nature, wildlife and so on. Read more about how the different facets of India travel are celebrated.