Andaman Pearls of Azure

Things to Buy in Andamans

 If you are wondering what to do in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, you will be amazed at the wide variety of things to do, that this place has to offer. The enigmatic beauty of the Andaman Islands stretches to the lovely beaches, parks, jails, and museums, apart from the islands. Local curio shops and emporiums are stocked handicrafts that make wonderful souvenirs. Shopping in Andaman includes buying intrigue coconut shell lamp shades, ashtrays, Nicobari mats, apart from wood crafted items like chairs, tables, bowls, trays and shell.

Barren Island

Barren Island, a possession of India in the Andaman Sea, is the only historically active volcano along the N-S-trending volcanic arc extending between Sumatra and Burma. The 354-m-high island is the emergent summit of a volcano that rises from a depth of about 2250 m.

Coral Reefs - Andaman

Andaman and Nicobar Islands also boast of beautiful corals all in and around the group of islands.Of all the islands and beaches that offer you spectacular views of the corals. It is said to have the loveliest corals in whole of Andamans.In various islands, you can go for Scuba Diving, Snorkeling or have a ride on a glass bottom boat.Glass bottom boats give you an opportunity to view the corals while sitting on the boat itself. The boat takes you over the corals and you can view them from the magnifying glass that is fitted at the bottom of the boat.

Cinque Island

 

Cinque Island consists of a pair of islands named as North Cinque Island and South Cinque Island connected with a sandbar and is a part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is a famous destination for Eco-tourism because of having large a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is a part of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, which is also known as Wandoor Marine National Park, along with 15 other islands.
The island is famous for underwater diving and other activities like camping, game fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling. It is well surrounded with emerald water, which is the visible up to 80 feet. This stunning island is situated 26 km away from Port Blair and can be reached from any of the island through boats. Chartered boats can also be used to reach the island but one needs to avail permission from Forest department to visit the islands.

Anthropological Museum- Andaman

The capital city of Andaman and Nicobar islands has numerous tourist attractions, most of which are quite different from what the other islands have to offer.

 One such unique tourist destination is Anthropological Museum portblair. This museum is an epitome of the Andaman and Nicobar islands culture as it showcase several important things and documents dating back to the time of the original  inhabitants of the islands, prior to the British evasion. It has several things preserved within it that are the proof of the existence and life of the different tribes who inhabited the different islands largely.

This museum provides a thorough and sympathetic portrait of the islands’ indigenous tribal communities. The glass display cases may be old school, but they don’t feel anywhere near as ancient as the simple geometric patterns etched into a Jarawa chest guard, a skull left in a Sentinelese lean-to, or the totemic spirits represented by Nicobarese shamanic sculptures.

Andaman- Samudrika Marine Museum 

 The Samudrika museum presents a perfect blend of the old and the new, the present and the past. The museum has been thoughtfully divided into five different rooms, each of them showcasing a different facet of the Andaman Islands. A massive blue whale, in its skeletal form of course, greets you as you enter the museum
The first room of museum deals with the geographical history of the islands.The second and third rooms will be quite a delight for the young and the old alike. An aquarium in the second room is teeming with fishes of all shapes and sizes, from a parrot fish to the rare and venomous species of stone fish. The third room on the other hand exhibits corals, which the islands are quite famous for. A fourth room houses an extensive display of shells. Thus giving one a complete sense of the marine life of the Andamans.
As important as the marine life is to the Andamans, one can’t leave the museum without visiting the fifth room. Here one will find information about the tribal life in the islands along with a display of interesting specimens of snakes and butterflies. You should visit the curio shop in case you want to take back a few souvenirs of your trip here.

Sunset Point at Chidiya Tapu- Andaman

Place which gives the best sunset view in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Chidiya tapu in Port blair. It is located at one corner of Port Blair and gives a stunning sunset view. Andamans is abundant with places that give you awesome views of the sunrise and the sunset, But Chidiya tapu is still different.

While Chidiya Tapu is probably the best sunset spot accessible from Port Blair, the horizon is obstructed by the hills of Rutland Island across the bay.  As a result, the best colors come out about 30 to 45 minutes after the sun dips below the hilly horizon

While in many islands, you can view sunsets across the vast ocean, in Chidiya tapu, the sun actually sinks inside the sea but behind a small hill, and that is what makes the view unique .

There is also a biological park near the sunset point and a beach called Munda Pahad beach.

 

Andaman- Chidiya Tapu

 Chidiya Tapu, also known as the bird island, is located 25kms from Port Blair in the southernmost tip of South Andaman. Chidiya Tapu is a small village with lush green mangroves, tranquil islands, and forest best owed with numerous chirping birds, making it an ideal picnic spot.
Chidiya Tapu, well known for its rich collection of birds, white spotted deer and orchids, draws many visitors, and is a perfect place for nature lovers. The sky of Chidiya Tapu is filled with around 46 species of birds namely, drones, hanging parrot, scarlet mini vet, emerald dove, long-tailed and red-breasted parakeets, white-bellied sea eagles and grey-fronted and imperial green pigeons to name a few.
Chidiya Tapu is well known for its green landscape, enthralling beaches, variety of corals, vivid butterflies and most significantly, the exquisite view of the setting sun in the horizon. The main attractions here include the Chidiya Tapu Biological Park, Chidiya Tapu Beach, the Sylvan Sands and the Munda Pahar beaches. There is a forest guest house located atop the hillock that offers a panoramic view of the entire village as well as islands beyond.

Andaman- Elephant Beach

 Elephant Beach, located at a distance of around 10 km from the market, is one of the most popular beaches in Havelock Island for day trips.
Known for its beautiful corals and exotic marine life, this beach is ideal for snorkelling. The shoreline of the Elephant Beach was largely swept by the Tsunami that occurred in 2004. At present, the existing beach is a fraction of what it used to be.
Considered as one of the unique beaches located in Havelock Island, Elephant Beach is untouched by commercialism and boasts of an environment that exudes a peaceful ambience. Popular for snorkelling, Elephant Beach boasts of some of the vibrant coral reefs on the island and is easily accessible from Radhanagar Beach.
Elephant Beach that is renowned not only for its pristine beauty but also for its serene environs. Enjoy the sapphire coloured waters, the gentle waves, bare trees and the vast horizon along with the sense of being one with the nature on this spectacular beach of Havelock Island.

The best time to visit Elephant Beach is between October and May when the spring is in full bloom and you can explore and enjoy the natural flora of the island.

Andaman:Jolly Buoy Island 

 One among the most popular excursion from Port Blair is to Jolly Bouy Island from WANDOOR, 30km southwest to Port Blair. The long white sand beach here is littered with the dry, twisted trunks of trees torn up and flung down by annual cyclones. It is fringed not with palms but by dense forest. You should only snorkel here at high tide, as the corals are easily damaged when the water is shallow.
Visitors can enjoy the under water coral view through snorkelling, Scuba diving or glass bottom boat. As a standard trip, while getting down from the ship and transferring to the island through small boats, visitors will be taken through a ride and will be shown these under water corals through glass bottom, snorkelling is usually included in this trip. Though this is only for a very short duration . People willing to see more of these can hire a boat independently and enjoy.
The shades of the sea makes you fall in love with it. The place is immensely rich in fauna and corals. The underwater beauty of this place is divine. You will get to see many colorful fishes and corals. 

North Bay Island

 North Bay Island is about an hour ferry ride away from Port Blair jetty  and is a lovely place to go for a day’s trip. What makes it even more tempting to visit is the wide array of water activities that one can enjoy.
this beach is also very famous for under water corals. Snorkeling and scuba diving is available.
People who are interested in Snorkeling and coral view through boat bottoms can book their choices during the journey itself. 
 There is also a secret about this place, if you see a 20 rupees note, there is a visual of famous light house of north bay island.

 

Ross Island

Ross Island, the most high profile address in the indian seas during British raj. 

This Island is one of the smallest populate island in all of the Andaman from 1858 till 1942 was the center of British power right here in the Port Blair.

Ross Island is everything the British could ever want, officers mess, club, a chief commissioner bungalow, a bakery, a printing press. 

British rule from here for 84 long years, it was so beautiful that it became known as the paris of east and then in 1942 world war 2 was carrying out, Japanese arrived here and they took over from the British and today they Indian navy with great love and devotion looks after Ross Island .

Viper Island Andaman

 

Viper Island is a serene beautiful tourist destination 
This place is visited by number of tourists as it has multiple attractions with historical importance and also has mesmerizing picnic spots with natural picturesque environments.This small island derives its name from the vessel `Viper' in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1789. The vessel, it is believed, met with an accident and its wreckage was found near the island.

Andamans: Baratang Island

The Baratang island trip brings forward the tropical side of the Andaman islands. Dense Forest, Tribes, Mangroves, Dongi rides, beaches, birds , caves and trekking. Well, Baratang has all of these to offer.
Limestone caves in Nayadera of Baratang Island are one of the major attractions of the region. A great natural wonder that draws of many visitors to Baratang.

Forest which are the home of Jarwa Tribes, these tribes live in reserved dense forest areas and occasionally come out on roads.Interaction with the tourists is totally prohibited and filming them in any manner is punishable under the law. Police escorts tourists while crossing the forest. All the vehicles travel together with a speed limit of 40 and regular police patrolling happens to ensure the safety of tourist from the jarwa tribes.

The stalactites and stalagmites which have withstood the natural process of erosion over time form different interesting shapes and figures like face of lion,huge hanging ceilings and we also spotted a ganesh idol formation.

Mud Volcano is another over hyped attraction of Baratang Island.The only active mud volcano in India.

The trek to reach the caves is adventurous. The limestone caves remain largely unexplored and it is a unique experience. The boat journey through the heart of dense mangrove forest is simply breathtaking. The boat ride here is a lifetime experience for some.

 Scuba Diving at Havelock

 

 Scuba diving is the main activity on Havelock island other than chilling out, lying on the beaches or hammocks and eating seafood. Andaman Bubbles, Barefoot Scuba, DiveIndia and Doongi Dives are the top certified dive centers, providing good equipment and offering dive training. You don’t need to be a swimmer to do the discover scuba diving. The diving possibilities around the Andamans are vast and it feels that what has been discovered is only the beginning...and even that is pretty great. As of now Havelock is the center of diving on the Andamans.

I headed straight to the boat of one of the diving center at havelock,were i suited up with the diving gear and were taught various underwater signs & gestures before the dive. I was completely petrified, thankfully I had a very composed trainer, who was really patient with me. My trainer was constantly telling me not to worry and that he would be with me throughout the dive, guiding me. And somehow after 15 mins of dilly-dallying, and putting my head underwater numerous times practicing to breathe through my mouth, i gathered some courage and signalled my trainer to take me underwater, and after that there was no turning back, and I finally overcame my fear.
There is nothing like breathing underwater. You feel your throat dry up, and try blowing air from your nose but you can’t. In the struggle of breathing from your mouth. And then you make a conscious effort to try and convince yourself to breath from the mouth. What fascinated me thoroughly was the sound of my own breath underwater, it was hypnotising. We kept swimming, deeper and deeper and my trainer kept on communicating through hand gestures to make sure I was all right with the water pressure. We took pictures, saw so many coral reefs and exotic colourful fishes. After about 25mins of exploring the deep waters, my trainer brought me up slowly towards the boat. The whole experience left me serene and mellow.I was in awe of the sheer magnificence of it all and just wanted time to stand still. Exploring nature is a meditation in itself. The feeling of power that you experience rejuvenates your inner self again

Andamans - Neil Island

Neil Island is still the place for that added bit of relaxation. Its beaches may not be as luxurious as Havelock’s, but they have ample character and are a perfect distance apart to explore by bicycle. There’s a lovely unhurried pace of life here; cycling through picturesque villages you’ll get many friendly hellos. The main bazaar has a mellow vibe and is a popular gathering spot in the early evening.In Neil Island you’re about 40km from Port Blair, a short ferry ride from Havelock and several  universes away from life at home.

Neil Island is a beautiful island in south Andaman district of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. The name “Neil” is taken from a British officer “James George Smith Neill” who ruled this island during British encroachment of Andaman Islands.

In Neil Island consists of small villages Sitapur, Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Rampur (all inspired by Ramayana). Neil Island has a number of beautiful beaches, corals, flora & fauna as well as underwater life. This island is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Andaman Islands. It is more popular among the foreign tourist as they like to spend more time in less crowded places. In recent years Neil Island is gaining popularity among Indian tourist as well. Usually foreign who visit Andaman Islands for months love to stay for weeks at this island.