Andaman and Nicobar Island is one of the most sought destinations in India. Located in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman comprises 570 islands in which only 38 are inhabited.
Andaman is all about sea, sand and sun. Its pristine beaches with white sand, amazing coral life, long shoreline and clear crystal water attract tourists from all over the world. It boasts some of the world-famous beaches including Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and Kalapathar Beach.
Andaman is rated as heaven for those who love marine life and water sports. From Neil to Ross Island, Andaman has the best infrastructure for water sports such as snorkeling, skiing, surfing, sea walking, parasailing, kayaking, boat riding and scuba diving.
Whether you’re planning for a family trip, holidays, solo trip, honeymoon vacation or trip with friends, Andaman will fit in all of these bucket lists. Adventurous water sports to romantic beaches, historical monuments to delicious food, Andaman has everything which makes your trip memorable. So if you don’t want to miss any attraction, check out the list of best places to visit in Andaman.
Best Places to Visit in Andaman and Nicobar Island
1. Neil Island – Vegetable Bowl of Andaman
Spread over 13.7 Square KM, Neil is a small island located just 37 KM from Port Blair. It is known for its biodiversity, white sandy beaches, lush green rainforest, hidden coral reefs and tropical woodlands.
Neil island is also known as the Vegetable Bowl of Andaman due to its climate which is perfect for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables.
It is an ideal place for those who seek some me time on long white sandy beaches. You can either spend time with the mythological characters of Ramayana or indulge in water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving.
You can easily reach here from Port Blair in 1.5 hours and hire a private ferry from Havelock (1 hour) or Port Blair (2 hour).
Things to do in Neil Island:
1. Explore Neil Island on 2 wheeler or bicycle because the island is navigation friendly and riding or cycling can be adventurous.
2. Go for trekking
3. Glass bottom boat ride
4. Snorkeling and scuba diving on Bharatpur beach
5. Spend time with mythological characters of Ramayana at Bharatpur beach, Laxmanpur Beach, Sitapur Beach and Ramanagar Beach
6. Visit Natural Bridge
Note: Internet connectivity is very low or you can say no internet is there.
2. Havelock Island
Havelock Island or Swaraj Dweep is the most visited island in Andaman. Located 70KM away from Port Blair, Havelock is known for its white sandy beaches, virgin forest, unexplored natural beauty, blue vast ocean body and best diving location not only in Andaman but in India. Due to its popularity among travelers, Havelock has been developed as a tourism hub with best resorts and hotels in Andaman.
Havelock has the best infrastructure for scuba diving in the entire India.
A visit to Andaman can’t be complete without visiting the Elephant and Radhanagar beach of Havelock Island. Radhanagar beach has been listed in Aisa’s Best Beach by Time Magazine. But be aware of crocodiles.
How to reach:
The easiest way to getting Havelock would be by hiring private or government ferries which run from Port Blair and Neil Island. If you don’t want to stand in the waiting line then hire private ferries.
Things to do in Havelock Island:
1. Visit Elephant beach, Radhanagar Beach, Govindnagar beach, Vijaynagar and Kalapathar beach
2. Do Candlelight dinner at Havelock beach resort or other nearby resort
3. Thrill yourself with scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and jungle trekking
4. Take bird watching tour
5. Do some shopping
Where to Stay in Havelock:
Havelock has the best infrastructure for tourist among all island in Andaman. From budget beach resort to luxurious cottage here you’ll get lots of option to stay. Price may ranges from 700 to 1000 per night for budget stay and 2500 to 3000 for luxurious stay. However, fares can vary depends on the peak season or low season.
3. Elephant Beach, Havelock Island
Located at a distance of 9 KM from Havelock Jetty, Elephant beach is one of the most popular destinations on Havelock Island. It is considered as heaven for water sports due to clear crystal water and medium-length waves. The beach is covered by the greenery of tall trees and tropical jungles from all sides.
Elephant beach has wooden benches where you can sit after an eventful day and enjoy a picturesque sunset. The white sand and ideal current of water make it a great place to enjoy with kids.
The shallow water free from rock and hard coral makes it a perfect place for swimming but don’t go too far and swim in only a 10-meter radius.
The underwater diversity of this beach is unmatched by any other spot in Andaman. The clear crystal water allows you to see marine life.
Here you will get several water sports booths on the beach itself where you can buy tickets and accessories for water sports and negotiate the price.
Things to do:
Sea Walking, Snorkeling, Glass bottom boats, Skiing, Kayaking, Speed Boats, Banana and Sofa Boats ride.
How to reach:
There are two ways to reach the beach one is by ferry or boat and another is trekking through the forest. One can take a ferry or boat from the havelock jetty which takes 20 to 30 minutes to reach Elephant reach.
The trekking path to the beach is located 9 KM away from Havelock Jetty which can be covered by bus or cab. After reaching there you’ll see a large sign near to the right side of the road “Way to Elephant Beach”. The trekking path is too muddy and narrow and takes you from between the dense forest. It is very easy to lost in the jungle so hire a guide to reach elephant beach.
4. Radhanagar Beach – Best Beach in India
Located in Havelock Island, Radhanagar beach is rated as the best beach in India and the 7th best beach in the world by Time Magazine. It is commonly known as beach no. 7. It is the prime attraction not only in Havelock but also in Andaman Island. Covered by coconut trees and tropical jungle from all sides, the beach offers a perfect ambiance to relax and enjoy nature at best.
This beach is famous for its crystal clear water, pure white sand and breathtaking sunrise & sunset. The long stretch of the beach makes it perfect for nature lovers, peace seekers and photographers. You can spot some elephant on the beach so be ready to capture it on your camera.
Things to see and Do:
1. Swimming but not after 5 PM due to high tides
2. Watch peace sunrise and sunset
3. Stay in luxury hotels and resorts
5. Chidiya Tapu
Located 22.5 KM away from Port Blair, Chidiya Tapu is famous for bird watching, peaceful & scenic environment and epic sunrise & sunset. This whole area is covered by deep dense forest from one side and the beauty of stunted hill from another side.
At Chidiya Tapu Biological park you can watch 46 different varieties of birds, trees and animals. Also, you can stay in the forest guesthouse.
This place is known for its epic sunset point which provides panoramic views of sun, dipping into the vast sea leaves a stunning orange color in water and sky.
Places to Visit at Chidiya Tapu:
1. Chidiya Tapu Biological Park
2. Sunset Point
3. The Mundapahad beach
4. The Mundapahad (black mountain)
5. Things to do at Chidiya Tapu:
6. Do trekking to Mundapahad
7. Boating, snorkeling and swimming
8. Bird Watching
6. Ross and Smith Island
Actually, Ross and Smith are two islands which is connected by a sand bar that makes it unique and extremely beautiful. The surface of the sand bar merge inside the sea when the water level is high and during low tide it sees up again.
The beaches are surrounded by the tropical rain forest which makes it a good place for hiking and trekking.
This island is home to Marine Sanctuary which makes it a perfect place for enjoying marine life. The clear blue water makes it an ideal place for scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling.
Things to do at Ross and Smith Island:
1. Snorkeling
2. Scuba Diving
3. Trekking
4. Swimming
5. Sun Bathing
7. Cinque Island
Located 26 KM from Port Blair, Cinque is one of the most beautiful, fascinating, and underrated islands in the South Andaman region. Surrounded by the turquoise blue water and white sand it is a natural paradise.
Cinque island is home to a variety of coral reefs, different species of birds, turtles, colored fishes, seaweeds and untouched trees. It is an eco-friendly island so you need a special permit to visit.
Things to do:
1. Snorkeling
2. Scuba diving
3. Sea Walking
8. Diglipur
The largest town of North Andaman Island, Diglipur is one of the best offbeat destinations in Andaman island. It is a great place for those who seek some peace in the lap of nature. This place is famous for its rich flora and fauna, natural parks, breathtaking marine life and sandy beaches.
Diglipur is home to the highest point of Andaman Archipelago, Saddle peak which is surrounded by Saddle National Park. And also Kalpong river is the only one that flows in Andaman.
How to get there:
Diglipur is located 298 KM away by road (12 hours) and 180 KM by sea (10 hour) from Port Blair. The most affordable and fast way to reach here is the direct government ship service available from Port Blair.
You can travel to Diglipur by road as well which can take up to 12-hour long journey. There are number of daily buses run from Port Blair to Diglipur which can cost you around 5000 INR.
Things to do:
1. Climb Saddle Peak
2. Visit Ross and Smith Island
3. Witness Turtle Nesting at Kalipur Beach
4. Trek to active mud volcanoes
5. Spend some time at Ramanagar beach, Pathi Level beach and Alfred Caves.
9. Panchavati Waterfalls
Located in the Panchavati hills of Rangat Island, Panchavati waterfalls is the showcase natural beauty. The waterfall tumbles down from a great height which makes it more beautiful. The mesmerizing beauty of Panchavati hill along with the breath-taking waterfall attracts tourists from all over India.
It is a perfect place for trekking and photography lovers. The water of the waterfall is suitable for swimming, so if you want to take a dip then don’t forget to bring extra pair of clothes. It is a public spot so you can visit it anytime between sunrise and sunset.
10. Cellular Jail National Memorial or Kala Pani
Apart from clear crystal water, white sandy beaches, marine life and mangroves forest, Andaman is also famous for its Cellular Jail commonly known as Kala Pani. Located in the north-east corner of Port Blair, Cellular Jail was built by the British during their colonial rule in India. It was used to exile the people who raised their voices against the British government.
Many notable freedom fighters like Yogendra Shukla, Batukeshwar Dutt and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were kept in this jail.
A visit to jail will give you the mixed feeling of pride, fear and respect towards our freedom fighters.
11. North Bay Island
Famous for lively marine Life and underwater corals, North Bay island is situated at a distance of 42 KM on the North of Port Blair. The beautiful corals at North Bay Island attract visitors to catch a glimpse of lobsters, stonefish, clownfish behind the corals. This place is heaven for divers.
If you’re not a diver and still want to enjoy marine life then you can opt for a semi-submarine that takes you down the ocean belly without even touching water and allows you to enjoy the variety of marine life.
The island is home to a lighthouse that gives you a stunning view of the Port Blair skyline, and ross island. The natural beauty of this island is amazing with peaceful sandy beaches, a blue wide ocean body and surrounding greenery.
How to reach:
You can easily reach here by boat from Phoenix jetty at Port Blair in just 20 to 30 minutes.
Things to do:
1. Snorkeling, scuba diving, Jett skiing, sea walking, glass boat ride and Parasailing.
2. Visit Mount Harriet National Park.
12. Mount Harriet National Park:
The third highest peak in the Andaman archipelago, Mount Harriet National Park is located just 42 KM from Port Blair by road and 15 KM by water. The main attraction of this park is beautiful flora and fauna including birds like Andaman treepie, Nicobar parakeet, wood pigeon, Sundar teal etc. It can be the perfect getaway for family and friends.
Mount Harriet National Park is featured on the 20 rupee note of Indian Currency.
Mount Harriet is not just a national park but a reserved area with dense evergreen forest which makes it beautiful picturesque. If you’re a nature lover then you should head up to Mount Harriet, being the third highest peak in Andaman it allows you to get a stunning view of the jaw-dropping landscape of neighbor’s island.
Apart from the dense forest, if you trek to another side of the park then you’ll get to see the beautiful coastline.
Top Attractions:
1. Don’t miss the marvelous view from the peak of Mount Harriet.
2. Trek to another side of the park to see the amazing beaches.
3. Watch beautiful flora and fauna.
4. The natural beauty of the dense evergreen forest.
13. Guitar Island:
Guitar island is one of the most beautiful uninhabited places to visit in Andaman. The name is derived from its shape which look-like a guitar when you see it from atop. It will be a great place who wants to spend some time alone with nature. Apart from its shape, this island is famous for its long stretch sandy beach which can be enjoyed with your favorite book & music without any interruption from the crowd.
Guitar Island beach is home to many unique and interesting plants and animals. Here you can easily spend your full day roaming around the guitar-shaped beach away from the crowded world in the lap of nature.
There is a nearby island that is also shaped like Guitar but small in size so it is called Small Guitar Island.
You can easily get here by ferry or boat from Long island in just 15 to 20 minutes. It is an uninhabited place so there is no accommodation option on this island so before the night you need to get back to Long island or Rangat for a stay.
14. Baratang Island:
Spread over an area of 243 sq KM, Baratang island is located between Middle and South Andaman at a distance of around 100 KM from Port Blair. Baratang is famous for its natural attraction such as limestone caves, dense mangrove creeks, mud volcanoes, massive islands and virgin beaches. The thrilling experience of mud volcanoes and limestone caves makes this place is popular among travelers and adventure seekers.
To explore the limestone cave one needs to secure the permission from Andaman forest Department. This place is not developed as a tourist hub like havelock and Neil island. So don’t expect fancy restaurants, luxury accommodation and tourist facilities here. But still, this place is a natural delight.
Those who decide to stay here will get a chance to explore the archaic form of life with bird-watching opportunities, cheap delicious Indian food and adventurous mangrove boat rides.
How to reach:
You can reach Baratang from Port Blair via Grand Andaman Trunk Road. The journey from Port Blair to Baratang is divided into two part – Port Blair to Jirkatang and Jirkatang to Baratang Island.
The convenient way to reach this place is by hiring a private bus or you can also choose a government bus. Two-wheelers are not allowed to go all the way to Baratang island so you can’t travel by bike. If you want to reach here by water then you choose the ferry from Port Blair.
Places to see: Parrot island, Limestone caves, Mud Volcanoes, mangrove creek and Baludera beach.
15. Jolly Buoy Island
Jolly Buoy is a small island located 30KM from the Wandoor beach in South Andaman. It comes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Park Marine Sanctuary along with Red Skin Island. It is the reserved area by Andaman Administration. To protect the biodiversity of the Island plastic is ban here. Due to that this island has a unique and densest coral population in Andaman with a wide variety of coral species including vibrant and beautiful fishes.
The water at this island extremely clear that you can even watch the bottom of the sea and all the dwellers.
Most of the island is covered by the greenest tropical forest along with white sandy beaches and coral reefs.
Tips:
1. Before visiting the Jolly Buoy one needs information regarding the opening of the island because it is only open for 6 months from June to September.
2. If you’re planning to do snorkeling on your own then you need to take permission from the Forest Department.
3. It is a plastic-free zone so you can’t throw plastic or polythene there.
4. It is advisable to take packed food, water and clothes because there is not food stall or water available at the beach.
How to reach:
The island is not connected by any road so it can be reached by only water. First, you need to take a bus or cab from Port Blair to wandoor beach which takes around 1 hour. After that, you can take a speed boat or ferry to reach Jolly Buoy Island.
16. Wandoor Beach, Port Blair
Located 25 KM away from Airport, Wandoor beach is one of the best places to see in Andaman. It comes under the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Wandoor beach is famous among tourists due to its pristine water, colorful corals life and scenic beauty. It is an ideal place for swimming and sunbathing.
The shoreline of Wandoor beach stretching up to 15 KMs which is filled with white sand, tropical trees and clear blue water which invite you to take a dip. Along with the shoreline, you will find a lot of small shops and benches where you can sit with your favorite snacks and enjoy the amazing view of the beach.
17. Aamkunj Beach
Located 8 KM away from Rangat Island, Aamkunj is one of the best eco-tourism destinations in India. It is the best place for picnics, relaxation, sunbathing and swimming. If you’re looking for a picturesque nature-oriented destination in Andaman then you should add this place to your bucket list. One can enjoy the long walk along the vastly spread shoreline.
You will amaze to see the many eco-friendly huts, wooden sofa and bench everywhere. Also, you’ll find there is natural fresh water and that is the reason behind choosing this place as a park. The best thing that makes this beach unique that everything is made up of wooden logs once lying around the beach.
18. Rangat Island
Located in Middle Andaman Island, Rangat is the second largest town in Andaman that is surrounded by dense green forest and picturesque beaches. Rangat is home to many breathtaking waterfalls and beaches which is ideal for water sports and relaxation.
It is a great place for nature lovers and people who are obsessed with exploring the less-explored places on earth. It is primarily inhabited by people from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. And the main business for them is cultivation and fishing.
Rangat Island is blessed with natural beauty in form of deep green forest, clear blue water, white sandy beaches, adventurous waterfalls and mangrove parks.
How to Reach:
You can easily reach here by ferry or road. Either you can take the ferries from Port Blair, Havelock, Neil and Long island or you can take buses from Port Blair.
Top Attractions:
Long Island, Panchavati Hills, Amkunj Bay Beach, Cutbert bay beach, Yerrata Mangrove Park, Moricedera and Dhaninallah Mangrove.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands FAQ
No, if you’re a Indian citizen no passport or visa is required. You can stay in permitted areas as long as you want.
Apart from its beautiful islands and coral life, Andaman is also famous for its exquisite pearl jewelry and seashell products.
Andaman is blessed with 570 islands including Havelock, Neil, Ross & Smith, Cnique, Guitar Island, North Bay, Parrot Island, Rangat and Jolly Buoy Island.
Andaman has some of the world-famous beaches such as Radhanagar Beach, Elephant beach, Kalapathar beach, Ram Nagar beach, Aamkunj beach, Bharatpur beach, Lamiya bay beach and North Bay Beach.
Andaman Islands have lots to explore such as virgin beaches, lively marine life, adventurous sports, beautiful islands, mangrove forests and historical monuments. So try to give at least 7 days if you really want to explore it.
There are many places to shop in Andaman such as Aberdeen Bazaar, Andmana Handicraft Emporium, MG road, Electrical Plaza and beach market. Aberdeen Bazaar is the most famous market in Port Blair where you can buy seashell products, pear jewelry, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables. From specific-unique Andaman items to daily life products, everything is available here.