Why You Should Visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands at least once in a lifetime?

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.