Andaman Nicobar Island travel – General Information

Tucked away at India's eastern extremity, these lushly-forested, golden-beached tropical islands, over 300 of them stretch for about 725 kilometres from North to South in the Bay of Bengal. A naturalist's haven, the tropical rain forests and waters of the Bay of Bengal are home to a vast collection of plant, animal and marine life. Popularly known as the "emerald islands", the topography of these islands is hilly in places, fringed with coconut palms, covered with tropical jungle and interspersed with flat stretches of crescent shaped beaches.

CAPITAL – Port Blair
POPULATION - 356285
LANGUAGES - Hindi, Tamil, English, Bengali
LITERACY - 81.2%
AIRPORT ROADS - Surfaced -2758 Kms Total: 2886 Kms
BEST TIME TO VISIT - December to April

CLIMATE - Summer: 33°C to 22°C Winter: 31 °C to 20°C Monsoon: May to October.


Entry permits required by foreigners; Indians need them for the Nicobar Island.


Important Places and their importance Andaman and Nicobar Island

Car Nicobar: Tropical paradise, Beaches, Tribals.
Diglipur: Saddle Peak - the highest point in the islands, Kalpong - the only river in Andamans, watersports and trekking.
Great Nicobar: Indira Point - India's southernmost tip.
Galathia beach: The nesting ground for giant leatherback turtle, biosphere reserve area.
Labyrinth Islands: Beaches, Coral reefs. Little Andaman Tribals, Beach at Butler Bay, waterfall.
Long Island: Evergreen forests and sandy beaches
Mayabandar: Beach, turtle nesting during December-January.
Nancowry: Beach, Coral reefs
Neil Island: Lush forests, beautiful beaches at Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur
and Howra bridge
Port Blair: Capital of the Union Territory, historic Penal settlement town where the Cellular Jail has been made a National Shrine. Beaches, Boating excursions, Mahatma Gandhi Marine Park, Gandhi Park, Sippighat Farm, Museum, Mini Zoo, Fishing. Elephant nursery. Chidiya Tapu (25 km) : Mangroves, forest, picnic spot. Collinpur (36 km): Beach. Madhuban (75 km) .: Trekking and wildlife.
Mount Harriet: Summer headquarters of the British Raj, trekking, wildlife.
Ross Island: Ruins of British administrative mansions. Wildlife reserve (Perm to visit is necessary).
Rangat: Nature, turtle nesting site.
South Andaman: Tribals.
South Sentinel: Fauna (green turtle and giant crab).

Festivals and fairs of Andaman and Niocober:
Durga Puja (September/October), Island Tourism Festival (December-January) Subhash Mela (January), Vivekananda Mela (January), Block Rural Mela (Janauary/February)

More info about the Andaman and Nicober Island


This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel

Places to see in Andaman – Museum and Zoos

Zoological Museum:

Zoological museum is in the heart of the town. 200 species of animals are available here. One can visit cottage industries emporium very near to it. Here handicrafts of islanders made from pearls, conch shells, oysters and wood are displayed and sold. Except Sundays & holidays it is open between 9-00 to 17-00 Hrs.

Anthropological museum:

Built in 1975-76 is at Phoenix Bay on the way to Haddo from Middle Point. Except Mondays & holidays the museum is open between 9-00 to 12-30 & 13-00 to 16-30 Hrs. Lives of the islanders and natural science are displayed through approximately 30 models and photographs. Many handicraft items are also displayed. One can witness the lives of tribal, arms used and exhibited dresses.


Naval Marine Museum:

Opposite to the Teal House at Delanipur is Naval Marine Museum i.e Samudrika. Along with maritime animals, different varieties of ocean resources are displayed here. The collection of corals is really splendid. This museum also provides huge information of the island. Except Mondays & national holidays the museum is open between 8-30 to 12-00 Hrs & 14-00 to 17-00 Hrs.

Mini Zoo:

Mini Zoo is very near to Samudrika on way to Haddo. Maritime crocodile farm, over 200 species of animals available in islands and birds are available in this Zoo. Except Monday the Zoo is open everyday between 8-00 to 17-00 hrs.


Forest Museum :

A little ahead on this road at Haddo is Forest Museum. Models of birds, animals and decorative wood available in the forests of islands are displayed here. Except Sunday open between 8-00 to 12-00 Hrs & 14-30 to 17-00 Hrs. Beyond museum towards the east on top of the hill is Haddo. The view of Bay of Bengal from Haddo is wonderful.



Chatham Saw Mill:

Asia's oldest as well as largest Chatham Saw Mill is 2 km from Haddo towards north. Trunks of large trees i.e Bonga are being sawed here.

Places to see at Andaman – Cellular Jail and Water sports complex

Cellular Jail:

British General Kadal laid the foundation of this jail in 1879 towards the North Eastern fringe of the city. This notorious Cellular jail was constructed gradually between 1896 to 1906. Initially the jail started functioning with 600 political prisoners. This three storey jail had seven wings and 698 cells. Out of seven wings, four were destroyed by the earthquake of 1941 and Japanese air attack. No of cells remained today are 296. The cells are narrow and without any window! At a height of 3 meter only a small ventilator is there. The British used to keep the freedom fighters to Cellular jail between 1858-1938. Many prisoners failed to withstand the torture of the British and became martyrs. The names of 336 such martyrs are written on 13 plaques at 2nd floor.

A Video show titled “Man in search of man” of 1 hr is shown here for the tourists at Teal House (Tourist Home). The show starts at 17-00 on Monday & Thursday and this shows is about the history and events of Cellular jail and the social lives of Jaroa &Ongi.


Part of Cellular jail is now Govinda Ballav Panth Hospital. On 11 Feb 1979, a National Memorial & on 28 May a National Memorial Art Gallery have been inaugurated in Cellular jail. A museum has been developed with the souvenir of the revolutionaries. Except Monday & National holidays Cellular jail may be visited between 9-00— 12-00 & 14-00—17-00.

A Son-et-Lumiere (Light and Sound) show has started from 20 October 1990, with commentaries on Hindi & English at 18-00 & 19-00.hrs.

Water Sports Complex:

A water sports complex has been constructed at Dilthaman. The complex provides facilities of water sports on sea-water (12-30 to 17-00 Hrs), swimming-pool, pedal and rowing boat.

Marine Park:

Marine Park is on the right of an adjacent to water sports complex (12-30 to 20-00 Hrs). This park is also intended for entertainment of the children with toy-train and merry-go-round. On the right there is Children’s Traffic Park. Children learn traffic rules with fun in this park. (16-00 to 20-00). A ruined Japanese temple is also can be seen here.


Fisheries Museum:

Fisheries Museum is located very near to the Marine Park at sea-side. This museum is enriched with the collection of crocodile, shark, dolphin, lobster, crab and more than 350 species of maritime animals & corals. This unique museum is a special attraction of the city. Except Mondays & national holidays it is opened between 9-00 to 13-00 Hrs & 13-30 to17-00 Hrs.


Gymkhana Ground :

On 30 September 1943, the National flag of free India was hoisted for the 1st time by the Commander-in-Chief of Azad Hind Army Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose here in this ground.

Andaman & Nicober Island - Gerneral travel information

Basic information about Andaman and Nicober island.
STD Code of Andaman +91 3192

Andaman is the land of tropical climate. Principal languages spoken are Andamanese; Bengali, English, Hindi, Nicobarese, Telegu, Tamil and Malayalam languages are also spoken in Andaman & Nicobar.

Which is the best time to travel Andaman

Between mid October to mid May. However, best time is between November to March. The temperature varies between 75-85°F & during summer between 78-95°F. Humidity throughout the year is 80%. Monsoon here comes twice a year. May to September caused by south-west monsoon & November to March caused by north-eastern monsoon. Month of May remains extremely hot in Andaman.


The natural beauties of Andaman & Nicobar are unparallel with bright sunshine and pollution free sea-breeze. The fun game of colored fishes under shallow water, delightful corals and maritime plants beautify the entire island. Andaman has 86% of its land i.e. approximately 7144 sq km of reserved forest. The basic resources of these islands are forest resources. Out of 3000 species of plants in Andaman, 221 species are not available anywhere in the world. 100 species of orchids are grown there. 45 species of herbs are being used as medicine here.

Teak, mahogany, rose-wood are grown and recently rubber plantation has been introduced. The road has been constructed through the forest. On either side of the road are rows of coconut trees. 242 species of various birds play concert on the trees of islands. There are 58 species of mammals and 83 species of reptiles. Colorful butterflies, orchid and tropical flowers has made this island vivid and lively.

Port Blair

The HQ of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is in Port Blair rocky land of south Andaman. It is encircled by Bay of Bengal from all sides. Port Blair is also an island with hillocks and shaded by green forest. Airport is 3 km away from Haddo jetty. The width of the city is around 5 km from Airport and Jetty. Port Blair is a modern city with green hillocks here and there. Transparent water of shallow sea and the corals delight the visitors.

Abardin Bazar is an important location in Port Blair. Bus stand, shipping passenger terminal, Shipping Corporation of India Office, hotels and other important offices are located around Abardin Bazar area.

Port Blair is connected by air through all parts of the country. However, if time permits attraction of sea voyage is exiting.

Services of ships from Kolkata and Haddo Port is there 3/4 times a month. The ship normally waits for 66 hrs (4 days) in Ports. On occasions ships travel to Chennai also. Hence if one can finish tour in 4 days, it is possible to return by the same ship. However tickets are to be booked in advance in such case.

Current tariff of Voyage to Andaman

Deluxe Cabin @INR 7640
1st class Cabin (4 berth : Harshavardhan/Nicobar) @INR 6320;
1st class Cabin (2 berth; Akbar) @INR 5400,
2nd class Cabin (4/6 berth: Harshavardhan/Nicobar) @INR 3890,
A/c Dormitory (Akbar) @INR 3290,
Bunk (Harshavardhan/Nicobar) @INR 1700,

From Chennai M V Swarajdweep & T S Nancowry make voyage to Port Blair 2/3times in a month in 60 hrs. Fare is equivalent to Kolkata-Port Blair. From Visakhapatnam (Bhanojiraw & Guruda, Pattavirama & Co,PB 17,Visakhapatnam)voyage once in two months is available (56 hr).

Passage booking system is now totally computerized. 70% of accommodations are reserved for Government servants & islanders. For the remaining 30%, as per advertisement in leading news papers, one has to apply in prescribed form in duplicate for bunk/ cabin class tickets along with passport size photograph (3 copies) to the offices of The Shipping Corporation of India either at Kolkata or at Chennai. Return tickets within 30 days from date of journey are also available with them.

For further information, contact:

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, Shipping House, 13 Strand Road, Kotkata-700001, Booking Ph: 033- 22484921

Chennai:The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd,
Jawahar Building, Rajaji Salai, Chennai-600001, Ph: (044) 25231401.

While returning contact:

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd,
Aberdeen Bazar', Port Blair-744101. Ph: (03192) 233347 or, The Harbour Master, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Port Blair.

Conducted tour in Andaman and Nicober by bus:

#Jolly Buoy / Redskin Island (8-30 to 16-30 hrs)

#Wandoor Beach via Sippighat Agri Farm & Rubber Plantation (8-30 to 12-30 hrs)

#Chiriyatapu (8-30 to 16-30 hrs)

#Corbyn's Cove Beach (8-30 to 12-30 hrs)

#City Tour includes (Gandhi Park) Water Sports & L, & Sound Show (14-00 to 19-00 hrs)

#CitySightSeeing (8-30 to 12-30 hrs) & (13-30 to 17-00 hrs)

#Trips to Light & Sound and back

#Mount Harriet

Conducted Trips organized by Marine Department by boat:


#Jolly Buoy/Redskin Island From Wandoor at 10-00 hrs (Monday off)

#Ross Island from Phoenix Bay Jetty (Wednesday off) (8-30/10-30/12-30hrs)

#Harbour Cruise or Seven Points I from Phoenix Bay Jetty (Everyday) (15-00 to 17-00 hrs)

For more information: Tourist Information Centre, Secretariat, Port Blair, Ph:232642/234060/234061


Auto, taxi and bus services are available in Port Blair. Taxis are not equipped with meter. Autos & taxis prefer to travel on contract basis. Point to point transportation by autos & taxis are also available. One can get bi-cycle and moped on hire in Port Blair. Launch, steamer-ship-boat ferry from island to island. Ships make regular voyage to. Nicobar, Cholunga, Onge, Little Andamans, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Yerewa Islands on different days of the week.

You have to contact Harbour Master or The Directorate of Shipping Services, Port Blair,
Ph: 232528/234299 for water-transport/sea-voyage. Tourism Dept has also developed many packages for traveling from island to island.