What we love about Andaman is that there are hundreds of smaller Islands scattered about making up a really welcoming tropical archipelago. Many of them are uninhabited and some are strictly no-go areas for tourists, but our guide will disclose the top 10 must see Islands surrounding Andaman.
It could very well be that some of your best holiday experiences ever could come from the adventures awaiting you on Andaman Island. You'll begin your beach hunt from the capital, which happens to be Port Blair and from there discover:
There are many other beaches, too many to list in this guide, but for now we have shown you the best of the bunch. All the beaches come with delicious views over a backdrop of lush tropical green. We recommend you don't spend all your day on the beach and the water but go off and trek through the jungle trails to experience the best of everything. The jungle is also a welcoming source of shade.
Each beach you can sunbathe and go swimming and activities vary depending on each beach but there is usually something going on to please you, including elephant rides and glass bottom boating.
Golden bronzed sands of the beaches lead to crystal clear blue waters surrounded by the lush green of tropical coconut plantations creating incredible scenery all over the archipelago. Truly stunning.
Much of the natural world on this archipelago can be found on some of the more remote and uninhabited Islands and are not accessible to tourists for the need to protect the many rare native bird species. Species that are unique to these Islands, such as:
Despite those Islands and Islets being off limits to you we are positive you will come across more of the common species that are flourishing on the Islands found in this guide.
With so much marine life around the shores of these Islands the obvious conclusion you can draw is the cuisine is heavily based around fresh fish and seafood. Not your cup of tea? There are dishes suitable for vegetarians. Rice and coconut are an Island staple for the locals along with fruits of mango, sapodilla, banana, pineapple and others.
Fortunately, there is an international airport on the Andaman Island found near Port Blair with flights to and from the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere. It takes several days to reach Andaman Island by sea with departures from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam regularly.
The attractions we concluded are the Islands on the archipelago themselves and not say, for example, a specific cultural landmark or enterprise. Each Island takes on a life of its own and you will feel that too when visiting as many as you can, with each one having something for everyone.
Said to have some of Asia's best beaches, as we had mentioned earlier, there are quite a few for you to seek out. On this Island you can enjoy watching swimming elephants and the peacefulness cannot be bought. Once you tire of the beach front you can go snorkeling on the reef or how about a stroll to soak up one of the occasional festivals?
Quiet and maybe even a little romance can be felt on this tiny Island of green with its magnificent beaches and unspoilt aquamarine corals and reefs. A lot less trodden on by tourists even through the high season, for some reason the Island is missed but it's still incredibly beautiful. And romantic love-struck couples hungry for a weekend escape.
You can't wait for more from a tropical holiday Island. Enjoy pristine clear turquoise water and sandy beaches with few to intrude upon your happiness. Among a gorgeous tropic rain forest just begging to be explored to your surprise you find Island villages with friendly locals.
Visit the marine sanctuary for Andaman's rare coral and fish species and there are nesting turtles. If you holiday at the right time, nature gives you a once in a lifetime experience not to be repeated.
Scattered around haphazardly it feels, you come across tell-tale signs of British colonialism in the form of ruins of a time long past. Browse through the ruins to uncover:
Don't be startled by the deer, nor the peacocks roaming nearby.
Just a short distance from Port Blair you will happen across this Island on the route to Ross Island for one of your day trips. To be honest there isn't all that much in the way of sightseeing other than enjoying the beach and water sports. The shallow waterline gives you a beautiful view under the turquoise clear waves but you must be with a guide.
Note: You can't go into the water on your own without a guide with you, for as much your safety as to protect the coral and marine life found in the bay
The Island is Andaman's eco-friendly tourist center with all its bounty in green forestry and wild aquamarine life and a backpackers delight surely. The highest peak in the whole archipelago put together the sights are incredible for those keen enough to reach the top.
Exotic wildlife seen to justify the trouble trekking the jungle trails and afterwards relax on those beaches you spotted from above.
This is an Island for true thrill seekers and adventures. There is a mud volcano on this Island and it's active. That's not to say it's dangerous but it makes for a more interesting visit on your part. The mud is pushed up to the surface from deep down by seeping gases.
The expelled mud hardens to form a cone shape not too dissimilar to that of a much larger lava volcano. There are waterfalls and secret tropical oasis tucked away in the rain forest jungles. There are caves with very strange rock formations to see and there's Parrot Island nearby with many species of wild parrots.
Bird lovers will squeal with delight watching them buzz around the treetops as the sunset touches the horizon.
First of all, a permit is required (from Wandoor village) to visit the Island and for one day only with no overnight accommodation. Apparently, the water activities are to scream for but the fuss over the permit may put you off. Anyway, let's see what you can get up to:
It's but a short 20km bus journey from Port Blair which is sufferable if you can get your hands on that all important permits. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.
Aptly named due to the active volcano on the Island. The real deal, being one that erupts lava and not mud. In fact, the Island formed only because of constant eruptions over several million years.
The last big seismic event was in 2018 and you can still see the red flow of lava from the top and this is the crowd pleaser attracting people from all over the world. Other than that, there is very little reason to be here ― a few wild goats perhaps, are the only features on this lifeless rock.
Much of the Island consists of mangrove swamp with rather little else going for it. There are beaches but they're nothing near the quality found in the archipelago's other Islands. And unless a little of what British colonial remains, interests you we've no reason to recommend a visit. Best to spend your time elsewhere.
Crystal clear waters wash over the white sand shoreline that stretches as far as the eye can see. Rooted in the sand are trunks from trees long dead but they spoil nothing for you if anything they add substance to the experience.
This Island draws in the tourists with its submerged corals, you can snorkel and scuba dive for a better view. A short journey from Andaman Island you have the corals and rain forest and mangrove swamps to contend with. Lots to keep you busy we reckon and well worth a visit. Only don't take anything with you that's made from or contains plastic. It's forbidden.
The Islands are in the path of the India's monsoon season: both the southwest and the northeast monsoon visit the Andaman Islands. The southwest monsoon arrives early May or June and lasts the months through to September whereas the northeast monsoon can be expected from September and lasting until December.
The southwest monsoon is the worst of the two and we recommend you travel in late summer. The northeast monsoon is tame in comparison to the preceding southwest weather:
If you are unable to travel in late summer then alternatively you could travel in late spring or early summer, say in April or May.
Quite a dolly mixture we have here. Difficult to decide on which Island is the best and biggest for a holiday experience you'd want to take home with you. They're all equally awesome, apart from Mayabunder, maybe. Our sentiment is that you must really love beach life and relish being in the water. And the seafood of course.
Because the Andaman archipelago lacks those "big ticket" attractions found on other well-known Island getaways. But maybe you just don't care about those, though?
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.