The Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the east of the Indian
mainland geographically, float in splendid isolation in the Bay of Bengal.
Once

hill

range

extending

from

Myanmar

to

Indonesia,

these

picturesque undulating islands, islets numbering around 556, are covered

with dense damp and evergreen forests and endless varieties of exotic
flora and fauna. Most of these islands are in the Andaman Group, 24 of
which are inhabited. In the Nicobar group 13 islands are inhabited. The
Andaman and Nicobars are separated by the Ten Degree Channel which is
150 Kms. wide.
These islands also boast of freedom fighting days, historically
significant landmarks viz. Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Viper Island, Hopetown
and Mount Harriet. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been declared
as two of the 218 endemic bird area of the world. As many as 270 species
and sub-species of birds have been reported existing in these islands, 106
of them being endemic. The Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Padauk and
Dugong are declared as State Bird, State Tree and State Animal
respectively. There are about 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries, nine National Parks
and one Biosphere Reserve in the islands. Mahatma Gandhi Marine
National Park is the best known sanctuary. These islands are blessed with
the bounties of both south-west and north-east monsoons.
Administratively, the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands has three revenue Districts. Port Blair- the capital and gateway to
the islands lies in South Andaman island and falls under South Andaman
District. The latest North & Middle Andaman District with Mayabunder as
headquarters lies separated from South Andaman District by a creek. Car
Nicobar is the District Head quarter of Nicobar District. As per 2011
Census, the total population of Andaman & Nicobar stands 3,79,944 and
the literacy rate is 86.27%.

1.

History & Culture

(i)

Cellular Jail : Andaman had been the location, where the

convicts charged against the British regime were kept behind
the bars. Therefore, Cellular Jail enfolds a great past under its
realms. As a result, tourists, as well as enthusiasts, come to
the Cellular Jail to witness the suffering that the freedom

(ii)

fighters had gone through.

Anthropological Museum :

The

Anthropological

Museum

houses the traces of the ethnicity of Andaman. Therefore, here

we come across many artifacts, utensils, clothes, sculptures,
etc. belonging to the different tribes of Andaman.
2.

Nature
(i)

Long Island : Long Island is one of the favorite spots of

sightseeing of Andaman. Tourists gather at this site to see the
convoy of dolphins found in this area. The sandy beach at

(ii)

Lalaji bay also seems to be a major site at the Long Islands.

Mangrove creek safari : The lush green mangroves abundantly
seen on either side of meandering creeks in the North and
Middle Andamans offer excellent scope for creek safari. One
can experience this unique eco-friendly activity at Yerrata
creek, Dhaninalla Mangrove creek, Sabari Village Rangat
Middle Andaman. The mangrove bench walk introduced
recently here is a fascinating experience for nature lovers. The
Sabari village Panchayat organises eco-tourism activities
including creek safari, accommodation, etc at reasonable
rates.

3.

Wild Life
(i)

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park : Andaman sightseeing

also include the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. The

National Park, stationed at Wandoor, is made up of the open

sea and creeks, as well as 15 islands. Tourists come to this site
to see the beauty of the rare corals and the exotic life of the
marine animals in Andaman. With the provision for scuba
diving and snorkeling, the national park seems to the indelible
(ii)

part of sightseeing in Andaman.

Bird watching : The Parrot Island near Baratang is famous for
endemic birds especially Parrot of various kinds. Some thirty
species of endemic birds are recorded. It is ideal to visit Parrot
Island

in

the

evening

from

Baratang

Island

to

watch

innumerable birds flocking in.

4.

Adventure : There is no better aqua adventure than diving. Whether

you are a novice or having been diving for many years, there is
always something new, fascinating or challenging about venturing
into the underwater world. Your mind may be mesmerized by clouds
of colourful fish, your curiosity raised by the mysterious remains of
sunken ships or your creativity awakened by the art of underwater
photography. Your diving interests may range from a casual pastime
pursued on vacation to constant passion, or even a career. Diving
offers something new for everyone.
Diving in Andamans is an unique lifetime experience. The coastal
water surrounding these islands is the abode of one of the richest
coral reef ecosystem in the world. The specialty is that, here the
coral reefs and underwater formation are undamaged by human
activity. The best season for diving is from December to April.
Adventure - lovers can pack their tents and camp on some of the
best beaches in the world or in the forests. The Directorate of
Tourism rents Swiss Dome and tent accommodation at Radhanagar
beach in Havelock Island. For this, booking can be done at the
Reception Counter of the Directorate of Tourism at Port Blair.

(i)

Snorkelling : One can enjoy the underwater marine life and

view the rarest of corals by snorkelling at North bay, Carbyn's
Cove, Chidiyatapu, Havelock, Jolly Buoy, Redskin Island and

(ii)

Ross and Smith Island.

Sea walk : North Bay beach near Port Blair has this facility
offered by a private entrepreneur to watch the underwater

(iii)

marine life by walking on the seabed.

Trekking : Tourists can go trekking through the evergreen
forest from Bambooflat to Mount Harriet, Mount Harriet to
Madhuban in South Andaman, Kalipur in Diglipur to Saddle
Peak in North Andaman and in Little Andaman to experience
the life within the lovely, dark and deep forests

5.

Fun activities : Water Sports

: The Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports

Complex at Port Blair offers adventure and safe water sports

activities. Adventure water sports include water skiing, water
scooter, speed boat rides, wind-surfing, etc. The safe water sports
component has paddle boats, rowing boats, water cycles, banana
rides and many more. Water sport facilities are also available at
Carbyn's cove beach, Port Blair and Radha Nagr beach at
Havelock
6.

Shopping : Hang out in Aberdeen Bazar, Junglighat & Bathubasti to

get a feel of the place and interact with islanders. Purchase shell
crafts and other curios from government emporium named Sagarika
at Port Blair.