A&N Islands

Mangroove, Infront of Hotel, Neil Island

Andaman is famous for the underwater coral bed, water colour and the cellular Jail that carries the history of struggle of Indian Freedom Movement. There are 500+ small islands in Andaman and Nicobar, out of which around 28 are permissible for tourists. Nicobar is inhabited by Nicobarese Tribe. Nicobar is not permitted to civilians except with special permissions. Jarwas one of the local tribes are nowadays coming close to human civilization but Sentinels-another local tribe, even today don’t prefer any interactions.

The beautiful coral that lies underwater can be best seen here, if you do Scuba Diving, Snorkeling or glass boating (Boat with a magnified glass at the bottom).

Andaman also holds the history of severe torture of Indian Freedom Fighters in the cellular Jail. This is the place, where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hosted the flag of Independent India for the first time.

The trip can be organised without the help of agencies and within budgets. Here I am sharing the details from my experience. You can try more budget hotels or more costly hotels based on your budget.

Day 1: Reach Port Blair and sightseeing.

Night Halt: Port Blair

Flight from Kolkata- 7:30 AM and expected to reach Port Blair around 9:30 AM

Reach Hotel and post lunch proceed to Corbyn Cove Beach, Chiriya Tabu, Jogger’s Park, and Andaman Cellular Jail Light and Sound Show at 7PM. (Charges is Rs. 100 for 7PM show)

Day 2: To Havelock and sightseeing

Night Halt: Havelock

Havelock currently, Swaraj Dweep is one of the popular attraction in Andaman.

Mangroove, Infront of Hotel, Havelock

Reach Jetty 30mins prior to the departure time. Please note, if you have booked Jetty in Makruzz, Makruzz officials will allot seat at the time of on-boarding based on availability. If you need seats of your choice, please reach early at the onboarding desk. In case of Green Ocean seats can be chosen at the time of booking.

Reach Havelock by 10am. Journey Time is around 2 hours. Have your lunch. You can also have quick bath in the greenish blue water pre-lunch. Post Lunch; complete the sightseeing-Kalapathar Beach, Radhanagar Beach. Enjoy Sunset at Radhanagar Beach. Back to Hotel by 6:30pm Max.

Best mode of Transport will be scooty (on hire), if you are comfortable.

Radhanagar Beach, Havelock

Day 3: Water Sports in Havelock and Elephant Beach

Night Halt: Havelock

If you want to do Scuba Diving, best time is to try 6AM slot. I bet, if you miss this, you are going to miss a life time opportunity. Please note, you can do scuba if and only if you are eligible and medically fit. Scuba Diving is done with experienced and trained Guide in one to one ratio. Scuba charge for 6am and 7am slot is Rs. 4000/- per head. Next slots charge Rs. 3500/-. Underwater photography and video is complementary.

Elephant Beach, Havelock

After Scuba Proceed to Elephant Island. Try to Reach Jetty by 8AM. Charge is Rs. 950/- per head which includes transfers between Havelock Jetty and Elephant Island and back. Along with this there is a complementary Snorkeling for around 5mins. You can pay additional Rs. 1000/- for 15mins more. If you are paying Rs. 1000/- more, you will get complementary under water photo and video. Snorkeling is safe for all and is accompanied by trained guides. Everyone irrespective of age and medical fitness can try snorkeling.

Return from Elephant Beach, have Lunch and take rest. You can revisit Radhanagar beach.

Day 4: To Neil and sightseeing

Night Halt: Neil

Neil, currently named as Swadesh Dweep, is popular for the water colour and clarity.

Have Breakfast and leave early for Neil. Try to board by 8:30am and reach Neil within 9:30am-9:45am. Post Lunch, proceed for sightseeing.

Ramnagar Beach, Neil Island

Neil is having 5-6 beaches of different flavors. Start with LaxmanPur Beach II having natural Bridge made of Mountain coral. Take a guide (charge is nominal). Here you will get varieties of living and dead corals and sea animals (sea cucumber, star fish etc) which you will definitely like. Next Proceed to Sitapur Beach and Ramanagar Beach. Both are having very less tourist, so spend your loneliness with the sounds of waves hitting hard on the coral bed. At around 4:30pm start for Laxmanpur I beach, which is a sunset beach. Enjoy Sunset and return to Hotel.

Natural Bridge, Mountain Coral, Neil Island

Day 5: To Port Blair and sightseeing

Night Halt: Port Blair

Leave hotel after breakfast at around 8am and visit Bharatpur Beach which is famous for water sports activity. You can take part in water activity, if you want. Glass Boat is a common activity which can be enjoyed by tourists of all ages. Charge is Rs. 600/- per head. Leave Neil by 11am and try to reach Port Blair by Noon. Post Lunch, visit Chartham Saw Mill, Cellular Jail and Gallery, Anthropological museum and back to Hotel.

Cellular Jail

Day 6: To Baratang, Lime Cave, Mud Volcano, Wandoor Beach

Night Halt: Port Blair

Need to start journey positively by 2:30 am in the night. After reaching Jirkatang Check Post, wait in convoy queue. Convoy will start at 6AM. On the way to Baratang from Jirkatang, you might be lucky enough to meet Jarwas. Distance is around 60km and vehicles will be moving in convoy and will not stop at any point in the middle.

In this journey, Photography is strictly prohibited. No food or drinks can be provided to Jarwas. All these are punishable offence.

On reaching Baratang, big ferry will take tourists to the Jetty on the other side (Charges: Rs.10/- per head), from where speed boats to Lime Cave starts.

Wandoor Beach

Ask your driver to help you in speed boat ticket booking as there is lot of rush. Charge is Rs. 800/- Per head. You will be heading towards lime cave hitting the blue salty water, with mangroves covering both the sides. After getting down from the speed boat, walk for 1.5-2km to reach the natural lime cave having structures resembling many Gods, Goddesses and animals. Visit is worthy! You can try mud volcano if time permits, else you can get similar small mud eruptions on the way to mud volcano. 10 seat vehicle charge is Rs. 1000/-.

While returning enjoy sunset at Wandoor beach.

Day 7: To Ross and North Bay

Night Halt: Port Blair

Reach Jetty by 10am. Total transport cost is Rs. 750/- per head. Ross, currently known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, is carrying the ruins of the British establishments in the island. Guide is not required. Start from Printing Press, and end in the Officers quarter, covering church, light house, barrack, cemetery, commissioner’s bungalow, Japanese Banker etc. Entry charge is around Rs. 30/-.

Light House, Neil Island

North Bay is popular for water sports. If you have something left out, you can try. Else have your lunch and wait till the time provided by your boat driver. You have to wait till all your co passengers are done with their sports. You cannot hurry. Take a sleep in the beach. Back to Port Blair by 4pm and rest in hotel.

Day 8: Flight from Port Blair

Take flight from Port Blair after breakfast.

Booking Information and contacts:

Cruise online Booking:

Makruzz: http://uat.makruzz.com/online_user_booking

Grean Ocean: http://greenoceanseaways.com/tickets/portal

Hotels: (Directly deal with hotel for discounts)

Port Blair- Hotel Sea View, Dignabad, Sea Shore Area, Port Blair Contact: Salim Khan  +919474244451

Havelock- Moonlit Sands Contact: Saroj +919531970786

Neil- Coconhut Beach Resort Contact: Mr. Nair +919474285000

For Port Blair Vehicles, you can contact Salim Khan if you are staying in Hotel Sea View.

Else, Contact Jaswins Tours & Travels +919434261760/ +919933213001

Bike Rent (Charges: Rs. 500/- per bike Caution Deposit: Rs. 2000/- per bike, Caution Deposit will be returned while returning the bike in good condition):

Havelock- Disha 2 Wheelers +919933204015/ +919476023441

Neil- Contact Kalpana Tour and Travels +919476071282/ +919933221064

For Scuba Diving in Havelock Contact- Nemo Divers +9531965655/ +919531965646

Foods can be availed from Hotels, but it will be bit costly. There are nearby local shops selling good quality foods.

Some Popular Fishes available: Surmai, Vetki, Cookery

Bengali Restaurants: 

Neil-Halder Restaurant +919679565258

Port Blair: Adi Bengali Hotel +919933250583/ +919933236472
Havelock: Boudir Hotel, Near Jetty

Cellular Jails are closed on Holidays and weekends. So check before finalizing your plan. 

Aniket Chakraborty

*acaniketh@gmail.com

Finger Coral