Category: Travel & Tourism

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are mostly associated with white sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, lagoons, coral and marine life, colonial past, and local tribes. But there are some items you can buy to take back home. For all the shopaholics out there, this article is for you. Cheers! 

Irrespective of what others think, you can find a lot of souvenirs to shop at the Andaman trip. You can find some memorabilia gifts for friends and family, as well as handmade goods for home décor. We are going to discuss some of the best things to look for on your trip at reasonable rates.  

Take a look at some of the fabulous items you can add to your shopping list that will remind you of such a memorable journey to Andaman with your family or friends –  

Fishbone Artifacts  

Sounds weird? Another surprising fact is that fishbone articles are in trend these days for gifting and home décor. Fishbone dolls make great gifting products and souvenirs. As the name suggests, these items are usually made of fish bones that have been eaten or dead. These unique items look significant to attract many visitors to your home showcase. Skilled artisans craft them. Of course, they make the best-recycled craft items to make some of the best things to buy in Andaman.  

Pearls  

A gift for someone close to you or special! Nothing can be better than shining pearls that come directly from the Bay of Bengal. They are the perfect go-to items to shop for in coastal regions. Many local artisans and jewelry shops claim to sell top quality and authentic pearl items, including the likes of home décor, ornaments, accessories, and purses. But it would be best if you did quality checks by your side because handmade items are almost always costly. You can find different types of these riches that come straight from the sea. 

Herbs and Spices  

If you are in Andaman, you can shop for top-quality herbs and spices, such as cloves, cardamom, vanilla, black pepper, and betel grown and cared for in plenty of numbers in the Andaman Islands. You can buy these authentic and aromatic spices to bring back home and to gift the close relatives. There is no lack of spice plantations and gardens in Andaman, where you can look for the authentic taste of India.  

Jute Products  

Jute handicrafts are very common in the Andaman Islands and also some of the best things to buy over there. Jute production is one of the most flourishing and vital industries in Andaman generating a lot of employment and business opportunities for the locals. It has gained a lot of importance these days as a lot of leading supermarkets, and local sellers are making their move to cotton and jute bags instead of plastic ones to save the environment. There is a vast range of jute items to choose from, such as footwear, bags, hats, clothes, jewelry pieces, home décor, etc. You can also buy jute from leading emporiums or local stores.  

Timber goods  

Wooden crafts are the beauty that always shines and grabs attention. In the Andaman Islands, the finesse of timber goods is no exception. It is so tempting that one can’t resist themselves to shop plenty of items from the local markets and stores here. You will have no lack of choices when it comes to buying timber-based products, such as toys, home décor, accessories, kitchen apparatus, or ornaments. 

Shells 

You cannot collect shells from the Andaman beaches, but it doesn’t mean you can buy them from local craft stores. A lot of handicraft stores sell them to the tourists and locals as they handle all the trouble of collecting and decorating them. You can buy ashtrays, lampshades, vases, accessories, ornaments, bags, buttons, wall hangings, key chains, etc. made of shells or even purchase some packs of raw and radiant shells that you can make something beautiful with them later. Be sure to keep the receipt handy as you would need to show the same at the airport on security checks.   

Nicobari Mats  

The tribes of the Nicobar Islands are skilled and experienced in weaving stunning wall hangings and mats made of several locally grown and natural products. You can’t personally visit the Nicobar Islands due to an existing ban from the Indian government years ago for safety reasons. However, you can at least buy some products from local emporiums and markets. Nicobar tribes personally handcraft these tapestries and mats. Hence, they would remind you of their unique culture, which is out of this world. 

Coconut crafts 

You may like the tender coconut pulp and taste some soothing and healthy coconut water. But do you know what locals do with hard shells of coconut that you throw away? They make something creative. You can find a lot of stores and shops selling stunning showpieces, bowls, vases, home décor, wind chimes, animal figurines, toys, lampshades, and bags made of these shells, which are cut into several sizes and shapes. They are very eye-catching and beautiful that one can’t resist buying them.  

Hats 

Hats and sarongs are the must-have staples in Andaman. It would be best if you had caps to protect your eyes and skin from tropical UV rays and sarongs for your beach trip. You don’t have to bring it from your home country as you can find a lot of quirky, vivid, and cheap varieties. Sarongs are made of georgette and cotton fabric here. Hats are also available in different sizes, shapes, and colors made of jute. 

Cane Products 

Be sure to shop for rich bamboo and cane items in local markets. You can choose from stylish hats, pitchers, bags, mugs, vases, wall hangings, photo frames, keyrings, flutes, and whatnot. Almost every local market and gift shop in Andaman sells these pretty items as souvenirs, gifts, and home decors.  

Bottom Line

We hope this article will help you decide what to shop in Andaman and you are ready to buy lots of chic and quirky items for your family, friends and your home before you come back. If you think we missed anything, feel free to let us know. 

Located around 620 miles away from mainland India and is stretched over the Bay of Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands are the peaks of mountain ranges from Myanmar to Indonesia. Visitors are not allowed to enter the neighboring Nicobar Islands, and foreign visitors have to apply for a permit. Most parts of the Andamans preserve their six indigenous tribes and their unexplored biodiversity, and they are off-limits. Most of the tribes are also aggressive to visitors. They wear only leaves or tree barks and are usually hunters. 

However, the touristy islands are genuinely fascinating and are far more similar to the parts of Myanmar and Indonesia. These islands are eventually opening up and offering the ultimate beach trip for your holidaymaking experience. Here are some of the best reasons you should book Andaman Nicobar packages and visit the Andaman Islands – 

To have a pleasant and memorable stay –

Taj Exotica is the first 5-star resort that recently opened on the exotic Havelock Island. You can embark on your luxe journey to explore this group of 572 islands. The resort offers 72 elegant villas dotted around coconut groves, banana plantations, jackfruit and mango trees, 50m infinity pool, a spa, and three amazing eateries. 

To relax by the beaches –

The quiet and calm islands of this archipelago are the ideal places to have a relaxing trip. The ocean blaze, exotic beaches, and sound of the waves are enough to make you relaxed in the best possible way. This place is well regarded to have picture-perfect beaches and landscapes to make memories for a lifetime. 

To have a delightful dining experience –

The islands have three very fertile ecosystems – mangroves, tropical forests, and coral reefs, which support plenty of marine and plant species. The Andaman Islands also have some of the world’s largest crabs like the Giant Robber Crab. Lobsters from Diglipur have beautiful shells, which are known as the work of art and can quickly put other lobsters to shape. You can try different dishes from different settlers here, such as the coconut, lemongrass, and fruits. 

To explore the vivid underwater species –

Coral reefs here are still prolific and vivid despite bearing some damage due to climate change, and over 89% of corals in India are found in these islands. You can spot some plate coral, Staghorn coral and sea fans here. It has a lot of fish species, i.e., from parrot bump head fish to lionfish and fusiliers, clownfish, and triggerfish. Olive Ridley, green, hawksbill, and leatherback are four types of turtles found here.

To bask under the sun –

On Havelock Island, Radhanagar Beach is well regarded as one of the best Asian beaches. You can find crescent-shaped sands that go as far as you can see, which are bordered tightly by the woods. There are also other beaches you can visit, like KalaPathar Beach or Vijaynagar Beach. Corbyn’s Cove in Port Blair is ideal for scuba diving and water sports. 

For fishing –

You can go spearfishing just like the locals if you are a brave heart. You can also go by the waters to catch grouper if you don’t want to hop one of the boats. 

To explore local culture –

You cannot visit the Nicobar Islands. There are indigenous tribes who are living in parts of the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. These tribes are strictly monitored to avoid risk from various diseases for them. However, you can travel through reserves on the South and Middle Islands near Port Blair. You can also meet Nicobarese tribe members on several islands, which includes around 30000 members. 

For gazing at the stars –

Neil Island is located around 40 km northeast of Port Blair which is very secluded to witness the waters turning into a shimmering ocean of stars when night skies are clear enough. 

For nature walk –

You can book a guided tour by the heart of one of the jungle-clad islands to explore the emerald doves and skink, Andaman nightjars and white-bellied eagles. You can also explore the kingfishers in different hues as well as Andaman’s krait snake. Stroll through the beach in the early morning and see ghost crabs and hermit crabs. Ghost crabs leave a tapestry of dots on the sand, which look like aboriginal paintings of Australia. 

To get back in rich Indian history of freedom fighters –

The Cellular Jail is a memorial to legendary freedom fighters who were incarcerated there in the capital of South Andaman Island, Port Blair. Originally, the jail was a brutal penal colony made by the British rulers. The construction of the jail started in 1896 while Indian Mutiny was failed in 1857. The Cellular Jail was designed particularly for solitary punishment. Once the icon of colonial domination, Cellular Jail now serves as a museum that defines the atrocities of life in detail. 

To visit the archeological wonders –

Accessible only by domestic flights and ships from India, Andaman Islands really presents a great opportunity to explore the archeological wonders of the state of Tamil Nadu before you take off Chennai to Port Blair with a 2-hour flight. Visit Kanchipuram, a small temple town of Mamallapuram, the rock-cut shrines of the 7th century, which is well regarded for its silk. You can easily access them on day trips from the vivid waterfront of Chennai. 

Getting There 

By Air 

Direct flights from various metro cities are one of the easiest ways to get to Andaman. Port Blair is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bangalore. Flights from Mumbai and Delhi take up to 5 hours. But flights from Kolkata and Chennai take only 2 hours. 

By Ship 

Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Chennai are the best places to travel to Andaman. The ship tours are available around 3 to 4 times a month. It takes around 60 to 70 hours to reach the archipelago. 

Diving past vivid corals, stunningly patterned finishes, and seabed greens in the calm and turquoise blue waters – that’s Andaman for you. And there is no better water sport than scuba diving in Andaman for best experiences. The cluster of islands includes silver shores coupled with tranquil ocean waves. For those brave hearts who want to go deeper, scuba diving is the best opportunity for them to explore another world in the ocean to leave them bedazzled and excited. 

On your trip to Andaman, brace yourself to unearth the mysteries of the underwater world and its incredible habitats. Here are some of the best places for scuba diving in Andaman. You can find plenty of options, whether you are an expert or a beginner. 

1. Havelock Island 

In Havelock Island, Elephant Beach is well known to provide a great experience of scuba diving in Andaman for both new and expert divers. It is well regarded to have plenty of vivid corals and rich marine life to have an experience that is second to none. The divers are usually encountered with vibrant sea dwellers and fishes in their dive. It is known to have the right blend of low water currents and clear waters to dive without any stress and with safety. 

You can easily reach the beach by boat, and you can find a considerable number of PADI certified and experienced scuba providers. You can spot plenty of scuba providers where you can have a lot of options to compare and choose the best package. Every package and every trip offers a tour to Havelock Island. So there is nothing to worry about extra travel time and expenses. 

Best Dive Sites in Havelock Island   

• Barracuda City – Barracuda City is well known for long coral belt strips, including both soft and hard corals. Its vibrant ecosystem has lots of radiant fishes of different colors and species along with sea turtles. 
• Turtle Bay – Along with a vast population of sea turtles, Turtle Bay also has a decent number of rays and coral populations. 
• Aquarium – It is located a bit offshore around 3km from Elephant Beach but has a lot of activities for first-time divers. Fingering reefs are capped with a lot of vivid fishes. Visibility underwater is ideal for exploring marine life, and it has hard corals. 
• Lighthouse – The Lighthouse is located around the shallow waters and has the right balance of hard and soft corals as well as colorful fish. It is known to have shallow water, which is bright enough for night diving as well. 
• The Wall – It is a giant underwater rock drop around 56m down and provides an in-depth insight into marine life. It is capped with marine life and soft corals.

2. North Bay Island 

Located in the proximity to Ross Island, North Bay Island is another excellent place for diving in Andaman. The shoreline of the island offers turquoise blue waters and a plentiful number of corals for a great diving experience. 

When it comes to diving, prices are also low in comparison to any other destination in Andaman, but the cost for transportation and boat even pile up. You can easily plan and pre-book. The island is tiny, and there is no other option for further exploration and sightseeing. If you are strictly on a driving tour and you can spend a whole day here for this activity, you can add this place to your bucket list. 

3. Neil Island 

This island is well regarded for beautiful resorts and hotels, along with offering one of the best places for diving. The water is not that clear here, but it provides a tremendous underwater experience with preserved marine life and lively corals across the shoreline. It receives medium currents and decent depth for a great underwater experience. The prices for diving are quite high because of less population of tourists and low competition. If you cannot visit one of the two top places, you can prefer diving here for the small crowd. 

Here are some of the best dive sites in Neil Island – 

• Rocky’s 
• Busy Burro 
• Margarita 
• Junction
• Bus Stop 
• Nursery/One Bottle 
• Manta Point 
• Aquarium 
• Lighthouse 

4. Port Blair 

The capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Port Blair, is also an excellent place for diving. Located around 12km from the airport, the Carbyn’s Cove Beach offers an excellent place for underwater adventure and fun. Near Snake Island, live corals are found in abundance and well preserved in clear water to have a great view of marine life. 

As compared to other spots listed here, the marine life is quite low here, but you cannot differentiate when you feel it. Even though it is not the cheapest, the prices are quite small, and no additional boat and transport costs are charged. So, it is ideal for budget travelers. 

Some other great places for diving are – 

• Corruption Rock
• Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
• Snake Island
• Rutland Island

5. Barren Island 

The only active volcano in Asia, Barren Island, is one of the best places for scuba diving in India. For tourists, the island is off-limits for basic reasons, and water around it is untouched and has a vast massive range of fishes and several sea creatures. By diving around the Barren Island, you can also spot silver garden eels, white-tip reef sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and even giant manta rays up to 6 meters. 

Along with it, you will be greeted by schools of dogtooth tuna, trevally, barracuda, and other fishes while swimming by living reefs. The trip usually lasts up to 12 hours, and you can get around the island through the boat. All in all, it is an excellent place for diving. If you are a crazy fan of scuba diving and if your budget allows for a great adventure, it is an excellent place in Andaman for scuba diving. 

6. Cinque Island 

With around 80 ft of crystal clear waters, Cinque Island is one of the best dive spots in Andaman. North Point is well regarded to have a vast diversity of fish and plenty of small corals and sponges. So, it is a dream spot for many divers. You can find a kaleidoscope of sea life in the vicinity, such as sharks and black corals. You can get here only through chartered boats from Port Blair. 

How Much Does Scuba Diving Costs in Andaman? 

The cost of this activity depends on the island where you would love to dive and scuba the provider you choose. If you want to dive into places that are accessible only by boat, the prices also add up because extra charges are applied.  

By considering these facts, you can prefer the Elephant Beach to save more on diving along with Nemo Reef in Havelock Island. You can choose from different vendors offering this activity at competitive prices. 

In the Bay of Bengal lies an Indian archipelago of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. These are the group of more than 300 islands having white-sand, palm-fringed beaches, tropical rainforests, and mangroves. You can find the stunning coastline helping the marine life, including rays and sharks as well as vivid coral reefs. It is recommended to visit these islands during the winter months. In this guide, we will discuss some of the best things to do to celebrate Christmas and New Year in 2020. 

One thing you can enjoy the most in these islands is the rich history and local culture making it a must-visit destination. The islands here are truly very beautiful and are enchanted for its serene ancient architecture. The stunning shorelines, as well as the magical world of underwater, can be explored at their best in December, the peak time to explore the islands. A lot of people have a great vacation for celebrating Christmas and New Year in Andaman. So, get ready to witness the charm of Christmas Eve on the islands in December. 

When to Visit?

Basically, winter months are considered to be the best seasons to visit the Andaman Islands. The peak season to visit Andaman is from early November to mid-May as the temperature hovers around 22oC. Its water is known to be ideal for diving and snorkeling with fewer downpours. December is the prime time for vacation due to all such conditions in Andaman. 

How about Weather in December?

Andaman receives favorable weather in December which is quite pleasant and nice. So, it is the best time to visit. On average, the temperature looms up to 22 degrees and a maximum of 30 degrees. The humidity is also lower during the winter months of December and January. So, it’s the best time to enjoy thrilling water sports and activities. You can also indulge in the festivities at this time in the Andaman tour. 

Activities to Enjoy in December in the Andaman Islands 

To plan a vacation in December and get indulged in the festive vibes to cheer up the arrival of New Year, Andaman & Nicobar Islands are considered to be the best places. You can enjoy different water sport activities along with other activities in December. 

• Celebrate this Christmas and New Year 2020

You can definitely celebrate the festivities of Christmas and New Year’s Eve with family and friends in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. During this month, there is a great influx of tourists who flock around the bars and night clubs to enjoy the nightlife to their heart content. It is among the most popular events and festivities in Andaman. You can chill out at some of the sightseeing places and see the beginning of New Year on the islands. 

• Enjoy the Light & Sound Show at Cellular Jail 

Listen to the storytelling in the backdrop of light and sound show and know how the brave freedom fighters suffered a lot of tortures inside the jail. Witness the spectacle and make your evening knowledgeable and fun by seeing the narration of the scenes behind India’s fight for freedom. Delve deeper into the epic history of those freedom fighters, including the legendary Vir Savarkar. The jail has now become the National Memorial and one of the best attractions in Andaman. 

• Glass Bottom Boating 

If you are not confident enough to do scuba diving and snorkeling and you are not a water baby who wants to be submerged in the turquoise blue water, hop on the glass bottom boat to see the spectacles of beautiful marine life through a clear bottom. You can see the spectacular crystal clear views of sea creatures under your feet. Don’t fret! It is absolutely safe and you can witness the serene corals with spectacular views of the ocean. It is a great activity in Havelock Island at Dolphin Beach. 

• Sea Walking 

The sea walking is truly once in a lifetime adventure and one of the beautiful things to make you feel out of this world. In Havelock Island, sea walking is definitely an exciting activity. You need to gear up with a huge glass dome on your head in which you will get oxygen supply through a tube. 

It is definitely one of the great experiences to witness the underwater world of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. You can enjoy this activity at North Bay Beach in the proximity to Port Blair and in Havelock Island at Elephant Beach. You can also walk at a max depth of up to 7 meters on the seabed and witness the marine life with uninterrupted views in the water. 

• Kayaking in the mangroves 

Kayaking in the mangroves is truly an exciting and thrilling activity where you can have a pleasant adventure to indulge in when you are in Andaman. You can definitely explore the lush green mangroves of Andaman which has up to 1/5th of total mangrove lands in India while meandering through the sea waters of Andaman. You will have the captivating sound of nature when you glide through the lush greens. The mangroves are blessed with a tranquil and serene environment that is really peaceful and makes a great chance to unwind and relax. 

• Scuba Diving 

Scuba Diving is definitely one of the most vital and popular activities in Andaman. The mesmerizing beaches of Havelock Island are definitely the must-visit attraction where one can find a lot of sites full of coral reefs and serene marine life. For diving lovers who want to experience the depths of the ocean and explore the serene aquatic creatures, it is definitely one of the amazing activities. Several sites also host night diving activities for divers of all experience levels. You can spot octopus, corals, lobsters, and lionfish in this experience. 

• Turtle Nesting

Thousands of turtles are found in Diglipur Island during the nesting period. Turtle nesting is a popular activity, especially in the months of December and January. You can spot the turtles hatching their eggs on the beach. Be calm and don’t make noise as it will distract the turtles.

There are four types of turtles that can be seen while nesting in Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Hawksbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Green Turtle. In this season, female turtles make up to the sandy beaches to dig a hole where they hatch their eggs. Each nest consists of over 100 eggs and sea turtles make up to 3 to 7 nests in the nesting season. 

Conclusion 

You can definitely plan your vacation and pack your bags to visit Andaman this December. Brace yourself to feel the miracles of the marine world and experience the charm of Christmas Eve in the islands with your family and friends.