Andaman Islands - a Cocktail for Travelers

Mostly when you hear "Andaman Islands" foremost thinks comes to your mind is Cellular jail or Kalapani. But what else makes this destination more unique and attracts various tastes of Travelers?

A Short Introduction

No doubt Andaman is a hot trending tourist destination in India, but it also attracts International Tourists especially from Israel. Andaman & Nicobar islands is a union territory of India, it consists of 572 islands rich in flora & fauna in which only 38 islands are habited, almost islands are under forest reserved. Widely spoken language is ‘Bengali’ and common language is ‘Hindi’. It can be also called as Mini India- since you can find peoples belongs to different regions (states) settled or living here from many decades and celebrates all kinds of festivals together.                                 

NATURE & THRILL 

 ROSS & SMITH ISLAND- It is located at Diglipur around 320 kms away from Port Blair by

road. Morning after reaching the Ariel Bay jetty (harbor), you have to travel by a 25 minutes boat ride to reach these islands. Both the islands are connected through sandbars naturally during low tide, a permit ticket can be obtained easily on spot to  go other island. The water is so crystal clear   due to its isolation, you can enjoy swimming or take sun kissed bath. And during high tide the islands seems to be separate.

        

BARATANG’s LIMESTONE CAVE- Baratang is located around 110 km away from Port Blair passing through tribal reserved forest. After reaching Middle Straight by road, you have to transfer to Baratang Island by a vehicle ferry which takes around 20 minutes.

After getting the forest permit, you will be assisted by a guide (for a group) and we will start boat ride which takes 30 minutes to reach passing through mangrove creeks, really it will be a adventurous moment. The trek starts from here around 1.5 km (one way) to reach the cave. Now the guide will explain you about the basic scientific fact of Caves about its Glitter, formation. Then he will show its parts which resembles the icons, gods, idols based on our imagination using Flash lights since it will be dark in some parts. Then return back, on the way you may encounter with small snakes, lizards etc.

      BARATANG MUD VOLCANO- It can be reached by 20 minutes jeep ride from Baratang Jetty.

These volcano are naturally erupted after an Earthquake of 2004, though it is considered as non-active volcano you can reach this spot by a  10 minutes walk through beautiful forest reserved place and view the Hot mud bubbles (mud lava) erupting from the ground. These types of small muds can be seen some other parts of Baratang and at place called Shyamnagar 20 km before reaching to Diglipur.

    

 ALFRED CAVE- Its is located at Ramnagar which is 35 km away from Diglipur main

bazar, early morning reach to the Ramnagar, hire a guide and start the trek through forest to explore the cave with ample time and hand and return back before sunset. Best season to visit is October to March and you can witness a cluster of amazing 41 caves with narrow entrance and have chain of small and wide cave inside. It’s also a home of fruit eating bats and Swiftlets so you must follow guide’s and forest departments rules and instructions. 

      BARREN ISLAND- It is only active volcano of India, located 135 km NE of Port Blair,

though it doesn’t erupt hot lava always, but  adventurer reaches near the island through chartered boat away from permitted distance to witness it live emitting smokes, they can also enjoy Game Fishing   in these spot. Whenever it gets active and starts to erupt the lava, Andaman Tourism department makes an arrangement of Ship schedule for tourists to view it.

  

TURTLE NESTING GROUND- Among many nesting grounds of Andaman Islands, Kalipur beach & Ram nagar beach is quite popular. December to March is best season to visit here in which 1000’s of turtles belongs to 4 major species visit these spots all away from various parts of the world to lay eggs, you can witness this if you are lucky enough.

Experts says the Turtle visits their birth place for laying eggs, it’s a natural phenomenon. How wonder is that? Right. These eggs are transferred to the safe shelters by Forest department staffs in order to protect them from predators like birds and lizards you can do volunteer work with them. You can stay at the resorts near the Kalipur beach- Pristine beach resort is  recommended. You must refer to Do’s & Do not from a local Guide and Forest Departments notice board. Similarly, Great Nicobar’s Galathea National park is a nesting ground of Great Leatherback turtles. For further queries, tour packages you may contact at +919933296965 or visit www.ultimateandaman.com.

     

BIRD WATCHING- Chidiyatapu & Havelock Island offers you a lot of option for Bird

watching. Hire a Guide who will take you to the popular spots where the birds can be seen based on their experience.    You can see various species of Butterfly also  since Andaman      is the only place which consist of most  variety of species.

      

WAVE SURFING & WATERFALL- Butler bay beach is a only tourist destination which is

located in Little Andaman (Hutbay) having high waves and makes ideal for surfing. Mostly Foreigners gets attracted to visit this beach for this surfing activities. Apart from that there is a beautiful waterfall presence in the island, you can chill out there. There are limited hotels available here and only Government ferry operates to this island.

LEISURE & HONEYMOONERS

Havelock and Neil island is a perfect spot for the honeymooners as well as who for a leisure traveler. You can chill out at any beach resorts based on your budget right from 2k per night.

   

CANDLE LIGHT DINNER-  The table setup of Candle light by the Professional management

team will make you the moment more Romantic,  yes and the background melodious music and the cool breeze  of the sea will make you’re the moment Amazing. Its starts from the package cost of  Rs.3500  per couple without wine, you can book an advance    Reserved Table for this. 

      

 

VITAMIN SEA- ·Honeymooners & Leisure seekers who really needs a break from their

hurry-burry busy life. Havelock and Neil island is the exact places which offers you fabulous  beaches- Blue flagged Radhanagar beach, Kalapathar beach, Bharatpur beach, Elephant beach, laxmanpur beach etc. You can go for swimming, snorkeling, admire the sunset and sunrise, have Pro photography session etc.     

ADVENTUROUS WATER SPORTS

      

SEAKART- You can experience this self driven premium class ride at Corbyn’scove beach

which is around 7kms away from Aberdeen   bazar, Port Blair. Squashing through the blue water waves you can feel the mists in your face, accompanied by an instructor maximum 02 persons can be seated at one go. End of the  session they will provide you cool stills of your ride. These activities are only available at 03     part of the world Dubai, Mauritius and            India (Andaman).

     

 UNDERWATER SEAWALK- wearing a spaceship type weight helmet (though it will be weightless under water). Once after completion of basic training session including hand gestures to communicate underwater, you will be getting down by a ladder to the sea bed from a floating platform called as 'Pantoon' accompanied by professional dive master.  

You will feel yourself walking in a large Aquarium full of small exotic reef fishes, clown fishes, Corals and other marine lives. Some fishes might be look like animated, You can explore by walk at the bed, maximum 06 person taken at a slot. Some complimentary underwater still photos will be provided to you or you can upgrade to Video session at additional payment. These activities are available at North Bay (Coral Island) as well as at Elephant beach. You won’t find this activities anywhere in India. You can enjoy the session wearing power glass also.

      

 SCUBA DIVING- This activity might be a wish list for most of us may be have inspired by Discovery Channels almost 80s, 90s born. There are many types of Diving courses are available from beginners, Intermediate and to Pro level, certified 

by PADI & SSI. I would be happy to post a 

separate blog on Scuba Diving at Andaman Islands, since it’s a vast things to explain the untouched dive spots probably most of the tourists have no idea about the spots but will love to try it. The common dive is Shore diving which is purely for beginners- accompanied by  a certified dive master after completion of basic training session including hand gestures to communicate underwater. Though swimming skills are not required, dive master will take you to the reefs slowly, you just have to admire the beauty of the ornamental fishes and coral reefs. A session of complimentary videography will be provided to after the dive. These activities are available at North Bay (Coral Island) and beach Nos.02 (Havelock). To be frank you can view good rich of reefs and other marine lives only through boat diving which are also available at Havelock Island, Neil Island, near Chidiyatapu etc.

      

NIGHT KAYAKING (BIOLUMINESCENCE LIGHT)- You can witness Bioluminescence light while

kayaking  at night through mangrove creeks accompanied by certified guide, as it is completely depends of moons factor so always check the schedule and plan accordingly. It will be a lifetime memorable experience available at Havelock as well as at Chouldhari nearby Port Blair.

        

GAME FISHING-

The crew will take you to the destination where there is much possibility of fishing based on their experience, 

assist you with bait and rod.

HIKING AND TREKKING

  

SADDLE PEAK- It is located around 320 km away from Port Blair, it can be reached by boat or else by road passing through tribal reserved forest, villages. Early morning you can start the trekking trip, it is advised to book a guide in advance for better assistance. The peak is around 2398 feet from the sea level.

             

            

MUNDAPAHAD- It is Ideal for the trek lovers who cannot go for a long trek.

These can be easily completed by even senior citizens. One the way you will be able to see some Famous trees of Andaman islands in these reserved forest, scientific names will be mentioned in a small board. After reaching to the cliff you can see an Emerald view in a Panoramic scape. Locals call this as suicide point, the entry to this trek gets closed by 3:00 pm.

            

ELEPHANT BEACH- Elephant beach attracts the tourist by its coral reefs and beautiful fishes

at very low shallow depth. These can be accessed by two ways either boat or by trek. If you are an Explorer as well as an adventurer then I will recommend you to go for Trekking. You have to travel certain distance by road to reach a Trekking point. Guides can be availed from the counter at Rs.500 (for an individual or a group), it is advised to wear shoes and sunglass, carry water, refreshments with you. It is a 8 km trek and will take around 40minutes to reach there passing through a small village, Reserved Forest and passing by mangrove creeks.

      NATIONAL MONUMENT & HISTORICAL PLACES

           CELLULAR JAIL- It is one of our National monument of India, it was built during british

rule from 1896 – 1906  at a cost of Rs. 5,17,352   It is constructed based on  a England jail mode, The   cells were built in a way so that the prisoners  cannot communicate with each other. Freedom fighters and Rebels from various parts  of the India were brought to this Jail and sentenced imprisonment & hard punishments and tortures. Now it’s a must visit spot of Andaman Island for tourists, there is an Art Gallery at the entrance, then Gallows and Central watch tower. This is the only place in  the island to witness the brutality of Britishers over prisoners.

       

NSC BOSE ISLAND (ROSS ISLAND)- It was the capital of Andaman during British regime till

1941 earthquake, it was also headquarters of Indian Penal Settlement. They had transformed this island with all basic facilities like Bazaar, Bakery, Hospital, Stores, Church, Water treatment plant, printing press, Secretariat, Swimming Pool, Natural Cooled Auditorium, Cemetery etc. This island has also has a natural pond and sweet water well just near to the sea. In wildlife you can see deer, peacock and few rabbits freely roam around in these islands. You can get a detailed brief from a lonely guide of this island Smti. Anuradha who is having a relation with this island since decades as well as  deer, peacocks, even squirrels founds do respond her many times witnessed by the tourists. There are frequent boat trips available to visit these island from watersports complex.

             VIPER ISLAND- Viper island is located just few km away from Port Blair, it is believed

that its named after an accident of British vessel VIPER which sank just near that island and some believes it is named from the presence of Viper snakes on the island. The “Viper Chain Ganj” was the first jail constructed in these islands before cellular jail, prisoners including women were chained and hanged to death who had challenged the might of the British authority.  The jail was abandoned after the construction of Cellular Jail.

       

ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM- It is a museum based on tribes of Andaman & Nicobar

islands. There are 06 major tribes of Andaman island- Jarawa, Sentinelese, Onges, Nicobarese, Great Andamanese, Shompens. There are few art galleries which is quite interesting along with some tribal artifacts.

            

    

CHATTAM SAW MILL-  It is located at a island called as Chattam. Its an oldest and largest

mills of Asia established   in 1883. You can visit this mill and explore how these logs cutting process are carried out, there is a souvenir shop available in this mill. There is a museum too which is very interesting to view. If you walk a little to forwards you can find   a bombed pit which was dropped by the Japanese  during 2^nd world war in 1942.

       

    Thank you for reading, kindly do share your feedbacks, queries in the comment section. If you find this blog useful kindly do share with your friends. For further enquiries, tour packages, ferry bookings you may contact at +919933296965 or mail us - ultimateislandgetaways@gmail.com or www.ultimateandaman.com