17 Places To Visit In Andaman Island For An Unforgettable Experience

Move over Goa, the Andaman Islands is the new go-to holiday destination offering a unique kind of serenity with jaw-dropping views. It is a place where clear waters in all shades of blues, greens and turquoise are touch the long stretches of white sand. Home to an exotic marine life and colourful corals, Andaman offers multifarious water activities which will leave you thrilled and spell-bound, simultaneously. The Andaman Islands also promises some of the most spectacular sunsets you will ever witness in your life!

Let us take a look at some of the places that make Andamans worthy of inclusion in your future travelling plans:

1. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island

Also known as Beach No 5, this was declared Asia’s Best Beach and the 7th Best Beach in the World by Time Magazine in 2004 for its breathtaking views. Now imagine the view – vast expanse of white sands, surrounded by lush greens, being splashed by crystal clear bluest-of-the-blue water, and add on the most colourful, mesmerising and beautiful sunsets! Sounds fascinating? And just imagine taking a stroll with your loved one on the beach, soaking up the atmosphere and relishing one of the most beautiful views that can be seen on earth!

2. Elephant Beach, Havelock Island

For the adventure seekers, this is the beach you need to visit. It is a remote beach and is a favourite spot for scuba divers who are only beginning. The beach boasts of varied water activities such as kayaking, swimming, snorkelling, diving, glass-bottom boating, jet ski, banana ride and sea walking. In case you are not much of a water-baby, you can indulge in trekking or bird watching.

3. North Bay Islands

Situated close to Port Blair, this is one of the best sites for underwater activities such as snorkelling, glass bottom boat rides, sea walking and scuba diving along with trekking. This island, too, boasts of breathtaking landscapes and vibrant coral reefs making it one of the must-visit beaches if you wish to indulge in water sports. The North Bay Island is located around 42 kms from Port Blair and provides a scenic view of the Port Blair skyline from its lighthouse.

4. Baratang Island and Limestone Caves

Traverse though boundless stretches of huge primordial tropical forests surrounded by unique mangrove vegetation to reach the Baratang Island. This island is home to limestone caves which consist of humungous limestone formations protruding from all directions. It is a sight to behold. Further ahead, you see some volcanoes which are muddy craters formed by the emission of natural gases by the decaying organic matter lying underground, thereby, pushing the mud upwards.

5. Cellular Jail, Port Blair

If you are intrigued by the history of this place, then you can visit the Cellular Jail which was used as a prison during the days of the British rule. We have all read about it but very few actually get a chance to explore the historical monument of such significance. It currently serves as a national memorial and hosts a Sound and Light Show every evening. The show portrays the journey of countless martyrs who sacrificed their lives for India’s Independence.

6. Neil Island

Slow down and relax a bit while here as this island with its laid-back vibes will make you want to go down memory lane to when the world was not this crowded and busy. The beaches here are perfect for picnics or even for a quiet time. The island has narrow winding roads all through which will tempt you ride a bicycle reliving your childhood.

7. Laxmanpur Beach/Coral Point, Neil Island

Now, this beach is a photographer’s delight! Come here to witness the most breathtaking sunsets you will ever get to see. Laxmanpur Beach is also an ideal spot for water activities like snorkelling and sea walking, as it is known for its shallow waters and dead corals.

8. Barren Islands

As the name suggests, the Barren island is totally uninhabited as it is home to the only active volcano in India. This off-beat trip to the Barren Islands could make you witness the most different sights in the Andamans, comprising of rats, bats and flying foxes but promises to be a thrilling trip for sure! These Islands are located around 138 kms from Port Blair in the middle of the Andaman Sea.

9. Bioluminescence at Havelock

Witness the bioluminescence at the Havelock Beach at moonless nights and be spellbound by the beauty of nature. This phenomenon is caused by the phytoplankton which is a microalga floating on the surface of the ocean, which emits a bright blue light after being agitated by motion of the waves. It is a beautiful sight where all you can see are the little bright blue lights amidst all the darkness around that makes for an unforgettable experience.

10. Kalapathar Beach

This beach is located on one corner of the Havelock Island and has water that is ideal for swimming as it not much affected by tides. However, one has to be careful not to step on the rocks and coral under the water. Kalapathar Beach is situated next to the Kalapathar village and just a little bit ahead of Radhanagar Beach. The beach promises some of the most breathtaking sights of golden sands lined by coconut groves and overlooking pristine blue waters.

11. Govind Nagar Beach

Relatively quieter than the rest, the Govind Nagar Beach is located next to the Govind Nagar village and houses most of the ATMs as is it the main hub of Havelock Islands. In case you wish to learn scuba diving, you can get yourself enrolled at the Ocean Tribe Diving School that is located here. The beach comprises of both a rocky and a smooth terrain.

12. Ross Island

An island with a significant history attached to it, Ross Island is a perfect spot for nature walks amidst sylvan surrounding with peacocks and many other exotic birds along with animals like deers. This island is the place from where the Britishers governed the entire Andaman and Nicobar Island before India’s Independence.

13. Mt. Harriet

Take the thrilling trekking route that originates from Mt. Harriet and winds up at Madhuban taking you through Kala Pathar Beach. Mt. Harriet is one place that every trekker should visit. A vast variety of flora and fauna marks the entire route that comprises of a rugged stretch of forests.

14. Chidiya Tapu

If you are a keen birdwatcher then this should be included in your itinerary. Located just 25-30 kms from Port Blair, this tiny island is home to many exotic species of birds such as parakeets, sea eagles and emerald doves. The island is also a perfect place to relax; listen to nothing but the birds chirping around, the waves splashing on the white sands and enjoy some of the most spell-binding sunsets!

15. Bharatpur Beach, Neil Island

Also known as the ‘Coral Kingdom of Andamans’, Bharatpur beach is considered the best beach of Neil Islands. The beach boasts of its vibrant coral and marine life. This, coupled with crystal clear blue waters, make it a perfect spot for photography.

16. Forest Museum

Located around 10 kms from central Port Blair, the Forest Museum is managed by the Forest Department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and displays various artefacts made from all sorts of wood found here like padauk, satin wood, oak, timber and gurjan. It is a perfect place to go to with children as it also houses a mini-zoo inside the premises.

17. Beach Huts at Log Islands

For the romantics-at-heart and nature lovers, this is a perfect place to spend a night at. The beach huts at Long Island are right next to the beach and offer superb proximity to nature! Sleep to the sound of waves and wake up to the same, enjoying every minute of being amidst mesmerising views and unique kind of serenity.

This Indian Archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, known for its breathtaking coastline, mangrove forests, vibrant marine life and unlimited water activities, is going higher on the popularity chart by the day. Spending evenings with your friends or loved ones overlooking the vast ocean and colourful sunsets will leave you with beautiful memories of a lifetime! And for the adventure junkies, there is no place better than this, for its untouched and unspoilt waters, unlike the other commercial beaches found on Indian mainland. So, have you already started planning? Wink!