Beaches - Andaman Nicobar Island

Services


		Introduction

		Sightseeing at Andaman

		Advancture Sports at Andaman

		Nicobar Sightseeing

		Islnads of Andaman

		Entry Formalities

		Travel Essential

		Accommodation

		Port Blair Airport

Andaman Sightseeing

Cellular Jail:Built over twelve years from 1896 to 1908 and home to hundreds of freedom fighters whose names are now engraved on the walls of its watch tower, the Cellular Jail stands as a symbol of colonial oppression, cruelty and untold suffering. Situated in the north-east corner of Port Blair, it is a national memorial now. The prison fanned out in seven wings, stands three stories high and contained a total of 698 cells. Three wings have been now destroyed to make way for a hospital, but a visit to the remaining can only give an indication of the horrors of incarceration. Daily work routines for the prisoners included the crushing of thirty pounds of coconut and mustard oil; being unable to meet the quota would result in severe punishment shackling and flogging. There are no records of how many died or were executed.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park: The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor is at a distance of 29 Kms. from Port Blair covering an area of 281.5 Sq.Kms. This Marine Park made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is one of the best found anywhere in the world. Viewing of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling are a lifetime experience for anyone here.

Water Sports Complex:Every afternoon, between 2 and 5pm, the Water Sports Complex, in north-west Port Blair, close to the Cellular Jail, comes alive with the purr of outboard motors. The is where you can rent a water scooter or speedboat, and ride the waves towards Ross Island, or even be launched into the air on a parasail for a fantastic view of the harbour. Children can be left in the safer haven of a calm seawater swimming pool.

Fisheries Museum:The Fisheries Museum near the Water Sports Complex houses nearly 350 species of marine life, including live coral, sharks, polyps and starfish.

Chatham Saw Mill:Chatham Island, at the north tip of Port Blair, houses Asias largest saw mill. Dating back to 1836, the enormous workshops are built in the durable (and expensive) padauk wood. Since the 1970s, logging on the islands has been banned and most of the wood now comes by ship from Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. A guide will take you through the entire process of the logs being unloaded, sorted, cut, planed and finally stored in vast godowns to be shipped off to the mainland. Huge saws, with 200 to 300 teeth, grind their way for two to three hours before their teeth need to be sharpened again.

Samudrika Museum:The Samudrika is a museum run by the navy. It is divided into five sections: history of the islands, their geography, people, marine life and archaeology. It houses an impressive display of coral and shells, and a large relief map of the islands topography.

Anthropological Museum:The Anthropological Museum, at Haddo in north Port Blair, was set up in 1975. It displays tribal essentials and artifacts such as boats, weapons, baskets, clothing, photographs, models and records of exploratory expeditions undertaken over the years. A well-stocked library provides the scholar with invaluable references to tribal culture.

Forest Museum:Situated at Haddo (near to the Zoo), this museum offers an insight into forest activities through scale models and displays decorative pieces made of famous woods like Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, Satin Wood, etc., Open on all working days.

Park:Just adjacent to the Water Sports Complex is the new amusement park offering rides for children and adults alike: giant wheels, paratrooper and dragon coaster. There is also a miniature botanical garden and a statue of Netaji Subhas Bose here.

Gandhi Park:This beautiful park at Port Blair has facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports, nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese Temple as well as a bunker. The erstwhile Dilthaman tank, which was the only source of drinking water to Port Blair, and the area around it has been developed into Gandhi Park in an unbelievably short time of 13 days.

Sippighat Farm: Sprawling over an area of 80 acres is a Government farm. Research & Development programmes for cultivation of spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut and pepper are conducted here. Research and Demonstration farm of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is nearby.

Mount Harriet:The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during the British Raj, this highest point near Port Blair is an ideal place for a picnic or a trek. About 55 km from Port Blair by road (15 km by ferry and road), Mount Harriet has a Forest Guest House with lovely huts at a height of 365 m. Nice for sunrises and sunsets.

Chidiya Tapu :Chidiya Tapu is the southern most tip of South Andaman. The lush green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the Sylvan Sands and Munda pahar beaches make it an ideal picnic site. The forest guesthouse situated on top of a hillock provides a fabulous view of isolated islands, submerged corals and the breath-taking sunset.

Mini Zoo:Situated at Haddo (Delanipur - Chatham road), it houses some of the rare species of endemic birds and animals found in these islands.