Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands, known as the Blue Water Islands, are like the land of green mountains floating like cotton on the horizon. These islands of silver sand and blue water were once known to the British as Kalapani. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are made up of 572 small and large islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Andaman is made up of some islands in the north and the capital of this part is called Port Blair. Nicobar is the southernmost island, and the capital of Nicobar is Car Nicobar. The only international airport between Andaman and Nicobar Islands is located in Port Blair, the capital of Andaman. The name of this small, neat and beautiful airport is Bir Savarkar Airport.
What to see in the Andaman Islands
Apart from colorful fish and coral water sports in the open sea, the Andaman Islands have the only living volcanic island in India, Baron Island, and Cellular Jail and Viper Island, reminiscent of the independence movement. There is a 14-story lighthouse on Viper Island. The view from the top of the lighthouse is breathtaking. You can also visit Port Blair, the capital city of the archipelago. This beautiful and tidy city is built around the sea and mountains.
You can also visit the beautiful Ross Island of the Andamans, which was once known as the Paris of the East for its natural beauty and rich living conditions.
Radhanagar Beach, located on Havelock Island, has been ranked as the best beach in Asia by Time Magazine. There are blue waters, white sand, dense forests and dreamy sea beaches with blue skies. From the Phoenix-Bay jetty in Port Blair, 3 ships leave for Havelock every day. If necessary you can contact: 03192-231794.
The Andaman Blue Island is famous for its living corals. The population of this small island is very small so tourists can enjoy the beauty of coral and colorful fish at ease. Ships leave Havelock for the Blue Island at 3pm every day.
Long Island is a very popular place for tourists to visit dolphins. And North Bay Island offers scuba diving and a variety of water sports. Also, if you have time, you can visit Kachal Island, which is famous for its biodiversity and bathing.
Time and permission to travel to Andaman Islands
November to March is the ideal time to visit the Andaman Islands. All foreign tourists have to take special permission to enter Andaman. It is very easy to get this permission at Andaman Airport or Seaport. However, there are government restrictions on travel to Nicobar for general tourists.
How to get there
It takes two hours to reach Andaman Island by plane from Kolkata. It takes 4 days to reach Andaman by sea. Apart from Kolkata, there are also arrangements to reach Andaman by ship from Visakhapatnam and Chennai. Ships ply from Chennai and Kolkata to Port Blair 3 to 4 times per month. And one ship sails a month from Visakhapatnam. So if you want to go from here, you have to collect the ticket one month in advance.
Shipping Corporation of India Limited Office Address and Phone Number:
Kolkata Office: Shipping House, 13 Strand Road, Kolkata-800001, Phone: 033-22472354, 2246013.
Chennai-Office: Jawahar Building, Rajaji Sandai, Chennai-800001, Phone: 044-25231401.
Mumbai Office: APK House, 5th Floor, Dinsa Wacha Road, Mumbai-400020, Phone: 022-22622101, 22623317.
Port Blair Office: Aberdin Bazar, Port Blair-744101, Phone: 03192-233590 / 233918.
Where to stay
There are numerous hotels, guest houses and cottages of different standards for overnight stays in the Andaman Islands. However, many budget hotels do not want to keep tourists. If you want to stay in a budget hotel here, you have to spend 500 to 600 rupees.
Some other essential information for a trip to the Andaman Islands
- Keep the necessary paperwork and medicines with you.
- Arrange ferry tickets to the islands in advance.
- If the weather is bad, shipping may be stopped without prior notice.
- Contact the agency for a ship ticket.
- Photographs of Jaroya are strictly forbidden. If caught, there is a system of legal punishment.
- There are ATMs in Port Blair, Havelock and Nile Island.
- If you buy a souvenir of Andaman, keep it with you.
- Don’t bring anything natural.
