PORT BLAIR
Famous For: Capital Of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Main Attractions: Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Viper Island, Andaman's Water Sports Complex
Best Time To Visit: October To May
SOUTH ANDAMAN: PORT BLAIR AND AROUND
South Andaman is today the most heavily populated of the Andaman Islands,
particularly around the capital, Port Blair. Foreign tourists can only
visit its southern reaches western shores at Wandoor, 35-km southwest of
Port Blair.
With one's own transport it's easy to find one's way along the narrow
bumpy roads that connect small villages, weaving through forests and
coconut fields, and skirting the swamps and rocky outcrops that form the
coastline. Port Blair, a characterless cluster of tin-roofed buildings
tumbling towards the sea in the north, east and west and petering into
fields and forests in the suit, merits only a short stay.
PRIME ATTRACTION
ISLANDS
Ross Island
Once the seat of British power and capital of Andaman Islands, it stands
now as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris.
A small museum named 'Smritika' holds photographs and the other antiques
of the Britishers relevant to these islands. more...
Viper Island
The Britishers used to harbour convicts here. The first jail was
constructed here which was abandoned after the construction of
Cellular
Jail. It has a gallows atop a hillock, where condemned prisoners
were hanged. Sher Ali, who killed Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India in 1872,
was also hanged here. more...
Andaman Water Sports Complex
This
is a unique sports complex of its kind. Facilities for safe water sports
and adventure water sports such as Water
Skiing, Water Scooters, Gemini Boats, Parasailing, Sail Boats, Wind
Surfers, Speed Boats and Glass Bottom Boats For Coral/ Ship Wreck Viewing,
etc. are available here. Saline water swimming pool, promenade for
morning/evening walk, change room & Food Plaza are available near to
the complex. There is a memorial built to commemorate the battle of
Aberdeen, fought between the British and Andamanese aborigines in May 1859
in which many Andamanese died.
BEACHES
CORBYN'S
COVE
Corbyn's Cove, the coconut palm fringed beach, ideal for sun basking, is
7-kms away from port Blair town. Facilities like hotel, restaurant and
bar, changing room etc., are available near to the beach. Historical
remains like Japanese bunkers can be seen here. Snake Island situated
nearby is famous for
Scuba
Diving . more...
CHATHAM
The Chatham Saw Mill, one of the oldest and largest mills in Asia, is
built on a tiny island connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is a
storehouse of timber like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin Wood, etc. This
island has the second largest wharf of these islands, where island
mainland ships can berth. The island is near the Haddo wharf, which is the
largest wharf in the islands.
PARKS
Marina Park
This park, right on the seashore near to the water sports complex, has
amusements rides, children's traffic park and toy train. A suitable place
for spending the evenings.
Gandhi Park
This beautiful park near to the Raj Niwas has facilities like amusement
rides, safe water sports, nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant
and historic remains like Japanese temple as well as a bunker.
MUSEUMS
Anthropological
Museum
This museum at Phoenix Bay depicts the life of the Paleolithic Islanders.
It also houses the models of the aborigines and their tools. more...
SAMUDRIKA (NAVAL
MARINE MUSEUM)
Situated opposite to Andaman teal house, Delanipur this museum is meant
to create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment. A good
collection of shells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes found
in these islands are on display. more...
Zoological Survey Of India Museum
Situated near to Andaman teal house, this museum and research library
exhibit a good variety of sponges, corals, butterflies, centipedes etc.,
Open on all working days.
Forest Museum
Situated at Haddo, this museum offers and insight into forest activities
through scale models and displays decorative pieces made of famous woods
like Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, Satin Wood, etc.
ZOO/ AQUARIUM
MINI ZOO
Situated at Haddo (Delanipur - Chatham Road), it houses some of the rare
species of endemic birds and animals found n these islands.
AQUARIUM (FISHERIES MUSEUM)
Situated near Andaman water sports complex, it exhibits species of marine
life peculiar to the islands and found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the
Bay of Bengal.
OTHERS
Cellular
Jail
Port
Blair's only firm reminder of its gloomy past, the sturdy brick
Cellular Jail,
overlooks the sea from a small rise in the northeast of town. Built
between 1896 and 1905, its tiny solitary cells were quite different and
far worse than the dormitories in other prison blocks erected earlier.
Only three of the seven wings that originally radiated from the central
tower now remain. Visitors can peer into the cells (3m by 3.5m), and
imagine the grim condition under which the prisoners existed. The Sound ad
Light show outlines the history of the prison, and a small museum by the
entrance gate exhibits lists of convicts, photographs and grim torture
devices. more...
EXCURSIONS
WILDLIFE
Mahatma
Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor (29-km. By Road From Port Blair)
This park is made up of open sea, creeks and fifteen small and large
islands covering an area of 281.5-sq-kms. One can see mangrove forests
along the creeks and magnificent tropical forests, beautiful beaches,
fascinating coral reefs and schools of ornamental fish and marine life.
Wandoor is the base to visit the islands in this park like Jolly Buoy and
redskin. Glass bottom boats help to take a closer look at the coral
colonies. A perfect place for
Scuba
Diving and Snorkeling. more...
ISLANDS
Cinque Islands (39-km. By
Sea From Port Blair)
Declared as a sanctuary, these are enchanting islands with rare corals
and under water marine life and tropical rain forest. There is a beautiful
sand bar joining the north Cinque and South Cinque Islands. Private boat
services are also available to this island and are suitable for Scuba
Diving and Snorkeling. more...
CITIES
Mount Harriet(55-km,
By Road 55-km/15-km By Ferry And Road From Port Blair)
One can take a ferry service from the Chatnam wharf to Bamboo flat. From
there one can take a vehicle to Mt Harriet, which is 365m. A natural trail
takes to the top and one can have a comfortable stay at the forest
guesthouse. Towards the north is the Mt. Harriet National Park and
Madhuban. One can watch the elephants being trained to carry logs over
here. more...
Chidiya
Tapu (25-km. By Road From Port Blair)
Chidiya Tapu is the southern most tip of South Andaman Island. The lush
green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the sylvan
sands and Munda Pahar beaches make it an ideal picnic site. One can
witness breathtaking sunsets over here. more...
Sippighat Farm (14-km. By Road From Port Blair)
This farm sprawling over an area of 80 acres, conducts research and
development programmes for cultivation of spices like Cloves, Nutmeg,
Cinnamon, Coconut and Pepper. Research and demonstration farm of the
Central Agricultural Research Institute (CAIR) is nearby.
Collinpur (36-km. By Road From Port Blair)
Situated near to Tirur, this place has a beautiful sandy beach with
shallow water. Suitable for swimming, sun basking and viewing sunset.
Madhuban (75-kms. By Road/20-kms By Ferry And Road From Port Blair)
Madhuban is a trekking area on northeastern side of
Mount Harriet in South
Andaman Island. Exotic beach, endemic birds, animals, butterflies, and
elephant lumbering are the most interesting part of the trek.
ISLAND DESTINATIONS
Neil Island (36-km. By Sea
From Port Blair)
This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the
vegetable bowl of Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair four days a
week, it provides an ideal holiday for eco friendly tourists. Hawabill
nest guesthouse of the Directorate of Tourism provides comfortable
accommodation here. One can feel the sincerity and serenity of village
life here. Beautiful beaches at Lakshmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur and the
natural bridge formations on the seashore are the attractions. more...
Havelock Island (50-kms.
By Sea From Port Blair - Via Neil Island 62-km)
This island, near to Neil Island, offers beautiful sandy beaches and lush
green forest. Radhanagar Beach, 12-km from the jetty on the western side
of the island, is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the
islands. One can enjoy quite holidays in the lap of Mother Nature over
here. more...
North Passage Island (70-km. By Sea From Port Blair)
Famous
for Merk Bay - Coral white sandy, shallow beach suitable for Snorkeling,
Swimming and Sun Basking. The sea around the island is famous for playful
Dolphins. The island is not connected by regular boat services. One has to
hire boats from Long Island or Eratta Jetty - Rangat
to reach Merk Bay. It's a suitable for a day visit to enjoy the glorious
solitude.
Long Island (82-kms. By Sea
From Port Blair)
Connected by boat four times a week from Phoenix Bay Jetty, this island
offers an excellent sandy beach at Lalaji Bay, unpolluted environment and
evergreen forests. The sea around the island is frequented by dolphin
convoys. Lalaji Bay, 6-km away from the boat jetty, is accessible by 15
minutes journey in Doonghies or trekking through the forest.
Island camping (tent accommodation) is
available seasonally over here. more...
Baratang Island (100-km. By Road From Port Blair)
This island between South and Middle Andamans has a beautiful beach.
Andaman trunk road to Rangat and
Mayabunder goes through this island. Mud
volcanoes can also be seen in this island. Mud volcano is a hole or vent
in the ground that gives off volcanic gases.
Rangat (170-km. By road And 90-km. By Sea)
One can enjoy the quiet village life and solitude of virgin nature here.
You can also breathe unpolluted air, a rare commodity for the city
dweller. Cutbert bay beach is a turtle nesting ground. One can view the
nesting of turtles during December - February season. more...
Mayabunder (242-km. By Road And 157-km.
By Sea)
Situated in the northern part of Middle Andaman Island, Mayabunder offers
excellent scenic beauty and beautiful beaches. Inhabited by the settlers
from Burma, East Pakistan and ex-convicts, Mayabunder
has a distinct culture. Beach at Avis Island, Karmatang Beach and
mangrove-lined creeks are some of the main attractions over here. more...
Diglipur (290-km By Road/185-km. By Sea)
Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur
provides a rare experience for eco friendly tourists. It is famous for its
oranges, rice and marine life. Saddle peak the highest point in the
islands is nearby. Kalpong, the only river of Andaman flows from here.
more...
Barren Island (139-km. By
Sea From Port Blair)
This is the only active volcano in India. Erupted twice in recent past,
once in 1991 and again in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177
years. This island, about 3-km in diameter, has a big crater of the
volcano, about half kilometer away from the shore. Barren Island can be
visited by special boats and the visit is restricted to on board vessels
only. Landing ashore is not allowed. more...
Little Andaman Island
(120-km. By Sea From Port Blair)
Little Andaman Island offers
a perfect mix of white sandy beaches bewitching waterfalls, boating
through the creeks, exciting elephant safari, elephant safari, elephant
lumbering, elephant calls training, surfing etc. All the places of tourist
interest are approachable by the road, leading northwards from the Hutbay
by Jetty. more...
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Port Blair, on South Andaman, is served by fights from
Calcutta
(Kolkata) (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) and
Chennai (Monday,
Wednesday and Friday). Sea: It's also possible to get to Port Blair by
ship. The principle sailings leave
Calcutta
(Kolkata) and Chennai
every one of two weeks, and Vishakapatnam once every month or so.
Tourists arriving by plane can pick up the permit necessary to visit the
islands on arrival at Port Blair airport; passengers travelling on a ship
should obtain on at a Foreigners' Registration Office before leaving
India.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Walking is tiring and time-consuming in hilly Port Blair, even taking
into account the minimal amount of sightseeing the place offers, making
transport essential. Yellow-top taxis gather opposite the bus stand and
they all have meters. They are the best option one can have for a trip
from the center of town to
Corbyn's Cove.
No rickshaws, auto-or otherwise, operates on the island.
Local buses run in frequently from the bus stand in central Port Blair to
Wandoor and Chirya
Tapu, and can be used for day-trips, though it's best to rely on
one's own transport to get around South Andaman. Bicycles can be rented
from Aberdeen Bazaar, but the roads to the coasts are most easily covered
on a Vespa or Motorcycle, both available for rent. The petrol pump is on
the crossroads west of the bus stand, and there's another on the road
towards the airport. Fill up before one leaves town, as gas is hard to
come by elsewhere.
PLACES TO STAY
The options of accommodation in Port Blair vary from posh
guesthouses and tourist resorts to reasonable economy class guesthouses
and tourist lodges.
PRACTICALITIES Port Blair has two jetties: Boats from the mainland
moor at Haddo Jetty, 1-km north of Phoenix Jetty, arrival point for
inter-island ferries, but you can also check the shipping news column of
the local newspaper, for details of forthcoming departures.
The Ramshackle Airport is 4-km south of town at Lamba line. Entry permits
are issued to foreigners from the counter in the corner of the arrivals
hall while the baggage is being transferred. Taxis are on hand for the
trip into town.
Road names are not used much in Port Blair, with most establishments
addressing themselves simply by their local area. The name of the busiest
and most central area is Aberdeen Bazaar, where one will find the
Superintendent of Police (for permit extensions), the SCI office for
Onward Bookings by Sea, and the State Bank of India (Monday-Friday, 9.00
am - 1.00 pm, Saturday 9.00 - 11.00 am). Some hotels also have the
facility to change Travellers' Cheques.
NEARBY CITIES
Mayabunder
Kalighat
Chennai - 1190 Km
Calcutta - 1255
Km
Vishakapatnam
- 1200 Km
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