The first time that we went to Andaman, we instantly knew there’s no place like it. It has all the nature colors – the blue of the scenic beaches, the greens of the long and widespread forests, the silver of the beautifully shining stars, the yellow-orange of the rising sun, it has everything in it’s purest form.
There are certan things you should definitely not miss on your trip to the beautiful islands.
1. Scuba Diving ( and snorkelling)
There’s no place for Scuba in India lke Andaman! And the fact about scuba diving here is that it doesn’t require you to know swimming. You can experience various levels from tough to easy. You could opt for a simple 40 mins – 1 hour session or you could apply for a proper instructor training course. If you want to try the tougher levels of scuba and go out into the open waters, then and only then do you require swimming skills. There are many places to try scuba diving in Andaman, one of the best being at Beach No. 2 in Havelock Islands.
2. Witness Bioluminescence
Picture what it would feel to have the galaxy at your feet? Witness it at the Havelock Islands where the sea glows ike the galaxy with the touch of electric blue while you walk across the shore. The presence of phytoplankton in the sea water paves way for this natural phenomenon. This can be witnessed only on no moon nights and you might want to seek some help to get to the right place!
3. Adventure activities at Port Blair
Port Blair offers a variety of adventure activities like banana boat, kayaking, jet skiing, and speedboat riding. Banana boat is one of the very interesting activities that we tried, where they take a group of 6 people on a banana shaped boat far from the beach and very high chances are, they throw you in the vast ocean while taking a U turn. But hey! you have a life jacket so don’t worry. It’s a lot of fun and packed with adventure.
4. Attending the Light & Sound Show at Cellular Jail
Celular Jail showcases the stories of our great freedom fighters who fought for their country till the very end. It is a must visit place to attain an even higher level of respect for our country. The cellular Jail, once known as Kaala Paani was constructed as a huge jail for imprisoning people who fought against them. The memorial is a reminiscent of India’s struggle for freedom. The Light & Sound Show is the highlight of the prison where the entire story is narrated by a Peepal tree, voiced by the veteran actor Om Puri, telling us the great stories of our brave heart fighters and the struggles they had to go through with their head held high.
5. Limestone Caves in Baratang
Baratang island between South and Middle Andaman has beautiful beaches, mangrove creeks, mud-volcanoes and limestone caves. Andaman Trunk Road to Rangat and Mayabunder goes through this island. Limestone cave can be explored with the permission of Forest Department at Baratang and proper local guidance. Exploring the intriguing caves is one of the fascinating things to do in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In addition to the cave exploration, the ride in a speed boat to the cave is thrilling with mangrove trees on both sides and the splashing water. While you set off to explore the Limestone Caves, you will have to take a bus/ drive through the deep forests where you could see ‘ Adivasis – the people who don’t belong to this generation’. Filming them is strictly prohibited.
6. Visit Long Island, a unique village nestled in nature
Long Island, just 47 nautical miles from Port Blair, having an area of about 18 sq.km., is a modern village with population of around 2000 having many facilities generally not available in other villages of Bay Islands. Long Island is a dreamland settlement without any road network.The island has vast marine wealth and exclusive beaches, cosy caves, green hills and magnificent mangroves – a perfect package for adventure tourism. The pristine beauty of Long Island and adjacent islands in the form of lush green tropical forests, untouched beaches coupled with unique Marine ecosystem attracts the tourists from different parts of India and abroad.
7. Surfing in Little Island
Little Andaman Island, located south of the South Andaman Island, is at a distance of 120 km. by sea from Port Blair. Hut Bay in Little Andaman is the entry and exit point and also the island headquarter. Little Andaman island offers a perfect mix of white sandy beaches bewitching Waterfalls, Boating through the Creeks, exciting Elephant Safari, Elephant lumbering, Elephant calves training, Surfing etc. Surfing is fast gaining in popularity in the island as an activity option with small resorts renting out surfboards and arranging for surf camps near Butler Bay beach whose waves make it the best surfing destination in India.There is a private agency which runs a Surfing School at Little Andaman.
8. NEIL ISLAND
Neil is a tiny but beautiful island located 37 Kms. to the south of the Andaman Islands. With unexplored coral reefs, brilliant bio-diversity, white sandy beaches and tropical forest and vegetation, it is one of the hot tourist spots in the Andamans. Neil Island is known as the ‘vegetable bowl’ of the Andamans. The settlers named the beaches after mythical characters of the epic Ramayana (Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Sitapur, Ramnagar etc.) The island, with its very relaxed vibes and long, deserted beaches is a place to chill out after the “bustle” of Havelock. The widest part of the island is about 5 km in length. You can walk the whole island in about two hours.
From sunrise to sunset, Andaman seems like a newly born child, very beautiful, serene and filled with purity. It won’t fail at giving you unforgettable memories and a journey filled with adventures!


