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| What to See |
Andaman and Nicobar |
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 Port Blair:
The capital city, this is where you set your foot first. Located amidst
the green hillocks, it is a somewhat modern city. The attraction for
tourists here is definitely the Aberdeen Market, which has everything -
shops for souvenirs, major hotels, bus stand and the dock for arranging
your tours of the other islands.
Cellular Jail: A three-storeyed prison,
the British used it to house the Indian freedom fighters. It derives its
name from the fact that individual cells were constructed for solitary
confinement. This landmark structure has been witness to the numerous
atrocities meted out to the freedom fighters. Today a declared National
Memorial, it organizes a spectacular sound and light show of the times
gone by and houses within it a museum and art gallery.
Open from: 9.00 am-12.00 noon and 2.00 pm-5.00 pm
Sound & Light show on all days (subject to weather conditions)
Corbyn's Cove Complex: A picturesque beach
located near Port Blair, it sees a number of tourists flocking here for
sun-bathing. It also has a tourist complex which offers a range of
water sports facilities.
Ross Island: Located at the mouth of Port
Blair this island is covered by small creeks. One the administrative
headquarters of Port Blair, today it is an uninhabited island and only
has a light house, church, cemetery and tennis court as memories of the
past. The forests have a natural zoo, which houses spotted deer and
peacocks. This island is open to Indians and non-Indian alike and you
can take the 25-minute ferry from the Phoenix Bay Jetty.
Open from: 8.00 am-2.00 pm (closed on Wednesday)
Viper Island: At 3 km from the Fisheries
Jetty near Port Blair, this island housed the political prisoners before
Cellular Jail was built.
Jolly Buoy & Red Skin Island: This is
one of the best places to catch a breathtaking view of the underwater
coral and marine life. Get astride on the glass bottom boats to get a
closer look at the coral colonies. Red Skin Island is also ideal for
coral viewing and for catching an occasional glimpse of dolphins. Both
these islands are ideal for sea bathing and basking.
 Chidiya Tapu:
Literally meaning Bird Rock, it is an enchanting beach complete with
green hills and a narrow creek shaded by mangrove trees. The coral
studded waters have several varieties of exotic fishes and bright birds
and butterflies perch on the trees around. Visit it during sunset, when
the setting sun creates a spectacle. 17 km away is Burmah Wala, where
elephants are employed to carry heavy weights and tourists can watch the
animals at work.
Andaman Water Sports Complex: This unique
complex, the first of its kind in India, has every kind of aqua sports
facilities including paddle boats, row boats and water cycle, and
adventure water sports including wind surfing, wind skiing, Gemini
boats, Para-sailing, Sail boats, Wind-surfers, Speed boats, Glass-bottom
boats and water scooter. Also constructed here is a memorial for the
Battle of Aberdeen waged between the Britishers and the Andamanese
natives in 1859.
Open from: 12.30 pm-5.00 pm (Monday-Saturday)
8:30 am-5.00 pm (Sunday & Holidays)
Sippighat: This is the site for the Sai
Water Sports Complex that offers options of paddling, rowing and motor
boats. It also houses the Sippighat Farm where research is carried on
spices and various kinds of plants and trees, coconuts, cloves,
cardamoms, pepper and jai fruit.
Open from: 8.00 am-5.30 pm (closed on Sunday)
Gandhi Park: Believed to have been
created within 13 days, this park has within it a children's park,
amusement park, deer park, water sports facilities, Japanese temple,
nature walk and a restaurant. The Dilthaman tank, which was once the
only source of drinking water in Port Blair is also present here.
Open from: 4.00 pm-8.00 pm
Chatham Saw Mill: Located at the north tip
of Port Blair, Chatham Island houses Asia's largest saw mill. Created
way back in 1836, the enormous workshops are built in padauk wood.
Open from: 6.30 am-10.30 am (except Sunday & holidays)
11.00 am-3.00 pm (with special permission)
Anthropological Museum: Created in 1975,
this small museum showcases the life and belongings of the four Negroid
tribes of the Andamans, who were the Jarawas, Sentinelese, Andamanese
and the Onges, and two Mongoloid tribes of the Nicobars, the Nicobarese
and the Shompens.
Open from: 1.00 pm-4.30 pm (except Sunday & holidays)
Samudrika Marine Museum: This has on
display over 350 species of sea-life, several rare varieties of corals
and the vast riches of the enormous marine life.
Open from: 9.00 am-12.00 noon; 2.00 pm-5.30 pm (Tuesday-Thursday)
M.G. Marine National Park: Named after
Mahatma Gandhi, this Marine National Park at Wandoor (29 km) from Port
Blair is made up of open sea, creeks and 15 islands. It also has on
display several kinds of coral reefs, a range of exotic coral fish and
other marine life.
Barren Island: Located about 135 kms from
Port Blair, Barren Island is the only active volcano in India. The
island has a huge crater of the volcano, which rises abruptly from the
sea. No special permit is required to visit it. However, you can only
view it from the boat.
Cinque Island: Known for its coral-rich
beach, this island is also a popular spot for swimming, scuba diving,
snorkelling, fishing and camping.
Havelock Island: About 38 kms from Port
Blair, this is claimed to be one of the most virgin of beaches, complete
with white sand and crystal waters. There are also a couple of hotels
offering cottage-like accommodations to let you enjoy the beach up
close! Also enjoy sessions of swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving,
fishing and jungle trekking.
Rangat: This village-like retreat is known
for its peace and solitude. Cutbert Bay beach (20 kms away from Rangat
bazaar/jetty) is a turtle nesting ground. Between December to February
you can view the nesting of turtles.
Diglipur: Situated in North Andaman,
Diglipur provides is famous for its oranges, rice and marine life.
Saddle Peak (732 meters), the highest point in the islands is closeby.
Kalpong, the only river of Andaman flows from here. Enjoy a session of
trekking to Saddle Peak or watch turtle nesting at the Ram Nagar Beach
nearby.
Neil Island: Located 36 kms from Port
Blair, this island with its lush green forest and sandy beaches is ideal
for a quiet retreat. The beautiful beaches at Laxmanpur, Bharatpur,
Sitapur and the bridge formation on the sea-shore known as Howra Bridge
are the main attractions.
Long Island: An excellent sandy beach, this is one of the few places where you can view groups of dolphins.
Little Andaman Islands: Another beach
site, this offers the beautiful beach at Butler Bay, a waterfall and
plantations of oil palms. Catch excellent views of the area from the
break water at Hut Bay This is also the residence of the Onge Tribes.
However entry to tribal areas is restricted. |
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