PORT BLAIR
SOUTH ANDAMAN: PORT BLAIR AND AROUND
South Andaman is today the most heavily populated of the Andaman
Islands, particularly around the capital, Port Blair. Foreign tourists can
only visit its southern reaches western shores at Wandoor, 35-km southwest
of Port Blair.
With one's own transport it's easy to find one's way along the narrow bumpy
roads that connect small villages, weaving through forests and coconut
fields, and skirting the swamps and rocky outcrops that form the coastline.
Port Blair, a characterless cluster of tin-roofed buildings tumbling towards
the sea in the north, east and west and petering into fields and forests in
the suit, merits only a short stay.
PRIME ATTRACTION
ISLANDS
Ross Island
Once the seat of British power and capital of Andaman Islands, it stands now
as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris. A
small museum named 'Smritika' holds photographs and the other antiques of
the Britishers relevant to these islands.
Viper Island
The Britishers used to harbour convicts here. The first jail was constructed
here which was abandoned after the construction of Cellular Jail. It has a
gallows atop a hillock, where condemned prisoners were hanged. Sher Ali, who
killed Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India in 1872, was also hanged here.
{ Book Island Tours }
Andaman Water Sports Complex
This is a unique sports complex of its kind. Facilities for safe water
sports and adventure water sports such as Water Skiing, Water Scooters,
Gemini Boats, Parasailing, Sail Boats, Wind Surfers, Speed Boats and Glass
Bottom Boats For Coral/ Ship Wreck Viewing, etc. are available here. Saline
water swimming pool, promenade for morning/evening walk, change room & Food
Plaza are available near to the complex. There is a memorial built to
commemorate the battle of Aberdeen, fought between the British and
Andamanese aborigines in May 1859 in which many Andamanese died. { Book
Temple Tours }
BEACHES
CORBYN'S COVE
Corbyn's Cove, the coconut palm fringed beach, ideal for sun basking, is
7-kms away from port Blair town. Facilities like hotel, restaurant and bar,
changing room etc., are available near to the beach. Historical remains like
Japanese bunkers can be seen here. Snake Island situated nearby is famous
for Scuba Diving .
CHATHAM
The Chatham Saw Mill, one of the oldest and largest mills in Asia, is built
on a tiny island connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is a storehouse of
timber like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin Wood, etc. This island has the
second largest wharf of these islands, where island mainland ships can
berth. The island is near the Haddo wharf, which is the largest wharf in the
islands. { Book Beach Tours }
PARKS
Marina Park
This park, right on the seashore near to the water sports complex, has
amusements rides, children's traffic park and toy train. A suitable place
for spending the evenings.
Gandhi Park
This beautiful park near to the Raj Niwas has facilities like amusement
rides, safe water sports, nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant
and historic remains like Japanese temple as well as a bunker.
MUSEUMS
Anthropological Museum
This museum at Phoenix Bay depicts the life of the Paleolithic Islanders. It
also houses the models of the aborigines and their tools.SAMUDRIKA
(NAVAL MARINE MUSEUM)
Situated opposite to Andaman teal house, Delanipur this museum is meant to
create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment. A good
collection of shells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes found in
these islands are on display.
Zoological Survey Of India Museum
Situated near to Andaman teal house, this museum and research library
exhibit a good variety of sponges, corals, butterflies, centipedes etc.,
Forest Museum
Situated at Haddo, this museum offers and insight into forest activities
through scale models and displays decorative pieces made of famous woods
like Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, Satin Wood, etc.
ZOO/ AQUARIUM
MINI ZOO
Situated at Haddo (Delanipur - Chatham Road), it houses some of the rare
species of endemic birds and animals found n these islands.
AQUARIUM (FISHERIES MUSEUM)
Situated near Andaman water sports complex, it exhibits species of marine
life peculiar to the islands and found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Bay
of Bengal.
OTHERS
Cellular Jail
Port Blair's only firm reminder of its gloomy past, the sturdy brick
Cellular Jail, overlooks the sea from a small rise in the northeast of town.
Built between 1896 and 1905, its tiny solitary cells were quite different
and far worse than the dormitories in other prison blocks erected earlier.
Only three of the seven wings that originally radiated from the central
tower now remain. Visitors can peer into the cells (3m by 3.5m), and imagine
the grim condition under which the prisoners existed. The Sound ad Light
show outlines the history of the prison, and a small museum by the entrance
gate exhibits lists of convicts, photographs and grim torture devices.
INDIA TRAVEL PACKAGE
» God's Own Country Tour
Duration : 5 days
» South India Tropical Beaches
Duration : 15 days
» South India with Goa
Duration : 15 days
» North India Heritage Tour
Duration : 9 days
Beach Vacation Package | Honeymoon Travel Package | Water Sports in India |
EXCURSIONS
WILDLIFE
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor (29-km. By Road From Port
Blair)
This park is made up of open sea, creeks and fifteen small and large islands
covering an area of 281.5-sq-kms. One can see mangrove forests along the
creeks and magnificent tropical forests, beautiful beaches, fascinating
coral reefs and schools of ornamental fish and marine life. Wandoor is the
base to visit the islands in this park like Jolly Buoy and redskin. Glass
bottom boats help to take a closer look at the coral colonies. A perfect
place for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling.
{ Book Wildlife Tours }
ISLANDS
Cinque Islands (39-km. By Sea From Port Blair)
Declared as a sanctuary, these are enchanting islands with rare corals and
under water marine life and tropical rain forest. There is a beautiful sand
bar joining the north Cinque and South Cinque Islands. Private boat services
are also available to this island and are suitable for Scuba Diving and
Snorkeling.
CITIES
Mount Harriet(55-km, By Road 55-km/15-km By Ferry And Road From Port Blair)
One can take a ferry service from the Chatnam wharf to Bamboo flat. From
there one can take a vehicle to Mt Harriet, which is 365m. A natural trail
takes to the top and one can have a comfortable stay at the forest
guesthouse. Towards the north is the Mt. Harriet National Park and Madhuban.
One can watch the elephants being trained to carry logs over here.
Chidiya Tapu (25-km. By Road From Port Blair)
Chidiya Tapu is the southern most tip of South Andaman Island. The lush
green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the sylvan
sands and Munda Pahar beaches make it an ideal picnic site. One can witness
breathtaking sunsets over here.
Sippighat Farm (14-km. By Road From Port Blair)
This farm sprawling over an area of 80 acres, conducts research and
development programmes for cultivation of spices like Cloves, Nutmeg,
Cinnamon, Coconut and Pepper. Research and demonstration farm of the Central
Agricultural Research Institute (CAIR) is nearby.
Collinpur (36-km. By Road From Port Blair)
Situated near to Tirur, this place has a beautiful sandy beach with shallow
water. Suitable for swimming, sun basking and viewing sunset.
Madhuban (75-kms. By Road/20-kms By Ferry And Road From Port Blair)
Madhuban is a trekking area on northeastern side of Mount Harriet in South
Andaman Island. Exotic beach, endemic birds, animals, butterflies, and
elephant lumbering are the most interesting part of the trek. { Book City
Tours }
ISLAND DESTINATIONS
Neil Island (36-km. By Sea From Port Blair)
This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the
vegetable bowl of Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair four days a
week, it provides an ideal holiday for eco friendly tourists. Hawabill nest
guesthouse of the Directorate of Tourism provides comfortable accommodation
here. One can feel the sincerity and serenity of village life here.
Beautiful beaches at Lakshmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur and the natural bridge
formations on the seashore are the attractions.
Havelock Island (50-kms. By Sea From Port Blair - Via Neil Island 62-km)
This island, near to Neil Island, offers beautiful sandy beaches and lush
green forest. Radhanagar Beach, 12-km from the jetty on the western side of
the island, is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the
islands. One can enjoy quite holidays in the lap of Mother Nature over here.
North Passage Island (70-km. By Sea From Port Blair)
Famous for Merk Bay - Coral white sandy, shallow beach suitable for
Snorkeling, Swimming and Sun Basking. The sea around the island is famous
for playful Dolphins. The island is not connected by regular boat services.
One has to hire boats from Long Island or Eratta Jetty - Rangat to reach
Merk Bay. It's a suitable for a day visit to enjoy the glorious solitude.
Long Island (82-kms. By Sea From Port Blair)
Connected by boat four times a week from Phoenix Bay Jetty, this island
offers an excellent sandy beach at Lalaji Bay, unpolluted environment and
evergreen forests. The sea around the island is frequented by dolphin
convoys. Lalaji Bay, 6-km away from the boat jetty, is accessible by 15
minutes journey in Doonghies or trekking through the forest. Island camping
(tent accommodation) is available seasonally over here.
Baratang Island (100-km. By Road From Port Blair)
This island between South and Middle Andamans has a beautiful beach. Andaman
trunk road to Rangat and Mayabunder goes through this island. Mud volcanoes
can also be seen in this island. Mud volcano is a hole or vent in the ground
that gives off volcanic gases.
Rangat (170-km. By road And 90-km. By Sea)
One can enjoy the quiet village life and solitude of virgin nature here. You
can also breathe unpolluted air, a rare commodity for the city dweller.
Cutbert bay beach is a turtle nesting ground. One can view the nesting of
turtles during December - February season.
Mayabunder (242-km. By Road And 157-km. By Sea)
Situated in the northern part of Middle Andaman Island, Mayabunder offers
excellent scenic beauty and beautiful beaches. Inhabited by the settlers
from Burma, East Pakistan and ex-convicts, Mayabunder has a distinct
culture. Beach at Avis Island, Karmatang Beach and mangrove-lined creeks are
some of the main attractions over here.
Diglipur (290-km By Road/185-km. By Sea)
Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides a rare experience for
eco friendly tourists. It is famous for its oranges, rice and marine life.
Saddle peak the highest point in the islands is nearby. Kalpong, the only
river of Andaman flows from here.
Barren Island (139-km. By Sea From Port Blair)
This is the only active volcano in India. Erupted twice in recent past, once
in 1991 and again in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177 years.
This island, about 3-km in diameter, has a big crater of the volcano, about
half kilometer away from the shore. Barren Island can be visited by special
boats and the visit is restricted to on board vessels only. Landing ashore
is not allowed.
Little Andaman Island (120-km. By Sea From Port Blair)
Little Andaman Island offers a perfect mix of white sandy beaches bewitching
waterfalls, boating through the creeks, exciting elephant safari, elephant
safari, elephant lumbering, elephant calls training, surfing etc. All the
places of tourist interest are approachable by the road, leading northwards
from the Hutbay by Jetty.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Port Blair, on South Andaman, is served by fights from Calcutta (Kolkata)
(Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) and Chennai (Monday, Wednesday and
Friday). Sea: It's also possible to get to Port Blair by ship. The principle
sailings leave Calcutta (Kolkata) and Chennai every one of two weeks, and
Vishakapatnam once every month or so.
Tourists arriving by plane can pick up the permit necessary to visit the
islands on arrival at Port Blair airport; passengers travelling on a ship
should obtain on at a Foreigners' Registration Office before leaving India.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Walking is tiring and time-consuming in hilly Port Blair, even taking into
account the minimal amount of sightseeing the place offers, making transport
essential. Yellow-top taxis gather opposite the bus stand and they all have
meters. They are the best option one can have for a trip from the center of
town to Corbyn's Cove. No rickshaws, auto-or otherwise, operates on the
island.
Local buses run in frequently from the bus stand in central Port Blair to
Wandoor and Chirya Tapu, and can be used for day-trips, though it's best to
rely on one's own transport to get around South Andaman. Bicycles can be
rented from Aberdeen Bazaar, but the roads to the coasts are most easily
covered on a Vespa or Motorcycle, both available for rent. The petrol pump
is on the crossroads west of the bus stand, and there's another on the road
towards the airport. Fill up before one leaves town, as gas is hard to come
by elsewhere.
PLACES TO STAY
The options of accommodation in Port Blair vary from posh guesthouses and
tourist resorts to reasonable economy class guesthouses and tourist lodges.
PRACTICALITIES Port Blair has two jetties: Boats from the mainland
moor at Haddo Jetty, 1-km north of Phoenix Jetty, arrival point for
inter-island ferries, but you can also check the shipping news column of the
local newspaper, for details of forthcoming departures.
The Ramshackle Airport is 4-km south of town at Lamba line. Entry permits
are issued to foreigners from the counter in the corner of the arrivals hall
while the baggage is being transferred. Taxis are on hand for the trip into
town.
Road names are not used much in Port Blair, with most establishments
addressing themselves simply by their local area. The name of the busiest
and most central area is Aberdeen Bazaar, where one will find the
Superintendent of Police (for permit extensions), the SCI office for Onward
Bookings by Sea, and the State Bank of India (Monday-Friday, 9.00 am - 1.00
pm, Saturday 9.00 - 11.00 am). Some hotels also have the facility to change
Travellers' Cheques.
NEARBY CITIES
Mayabunder
Kalighat
Chennai - 1190 Km
Calcutta - 1255 Km
Vishakapatnam - 1200 Km
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