Posted by: Aniket Agarwal
Traveling is one of the best
things to do for a lot of people around the world. Not only does it give people
the chance to see the world, but also relax in new surroundings. Some even use
traveling as a way to find themselves away from their busy lives.
Indeed, many beautiful places
around the world appeal to different people. Beaches and natural landscapes are
one of the most popular options for travelers. Are you interested in that as
well? If so, the Andaman Islands,
which along with its sister islands of Nicobar, is one of the most stunning
areas.
Situated in the Bay of Bengal, the
area boasts gorgeous exotic beaches and natural flora all around. For visitors,
there are many places to see and the ocean views are incredible. If that is
something that interests you, here are the 10 best places to visit in
Andaman.
1. Havelock
Island
One of the top spots in Andaman
that many visitors enjoy is the area known as Havelock Island. Indeed, for
adventure lovers and water-sport enthusiasts, this is one of the best spots.
Overall, there are many reasons why it is popular among visitors.
Travelers who go to this area fall
in love with the views of the ocean all around. However, it is the trips into
the waters that add an extra layer of fun to the memory. Indeed, Havelock
Island is known for snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Thus, if you
wish to enjoy this experience, you can give this place a shot!
For a scuba diving experience
especially, the best place to go to is the Barefoot Scuba Resort. There are
professional instructors here who would help you train for scuba diving if you
are a novice. Also, long-time scuba divers can have a fun time at this
resort.
Overall, if that is something you
wish to try, definitely add this to your list.
How to
Reach/Location: It is
70 km away from Port Blair; you can take a ferry from there. It takes 2.5 hours
via public ferry services but 90 minutes approximately via private AC
ferries.
Things to
Do: Water sports,
Beach hopping
2. Radhanagar Beach
When talking about the best places
to visit in Andaman, it is worth mentioning Radhanagar Beach. It is one of the
best spots in Andaman, not to mention it ranks among the best beaches in Asia.
So, you can surely expect a wonderful experience when you visit the
beach.
It is not far from Havelock Island
and you can visit the spot if you are already are there. The coastline of this
beach is in a crescent-like shape, with breathtaking turquoise waters all
around. The sand is soft against the bare feet and comfortable, which many
visitors adore.
Indeed, the landscape here is
breathtaking to look at, especially if you are there with a special someone.
Plus, you can enjoy many fun activities here as well if you like different
water sports. If you planning to go to Andaman, do make sure to travel
here.
How to
Reach/Location: The distance
between Radhanagar Beach and Havelock Island is approximately 12 km. You can
take a government boat from the island to the beach or directly go from Port
Blair.
Things to Do: Snorkeling, Canoeing,
Kayaking, Scuba Diving
3. Neil Island
For a fun-filled experience, Neil
Island is one of the best places to visit in Andaman. This majestic
bay area is a common spot for water-sport lovers to flock to, and for seeing
the beautiful marine life. You can opt for fun activities like scuba diving and
snorkeling here as well.
One of the best beaches in this
area is Laxmanpur Beach, which lies just 2km north of the island. This a
secluded spot and the water here is shallow. If you enjoy snorkeling, you can
try it here to see the beautiful underwater life. From corals to ornamental
swarms of fish, the experience is a sight to behold!
Speaking of sights, a notable
mention is the attractive Howrah Bridge, a natural formation in Neil Island.
For a fun time seeing marine life in all its glory, this spot is must visit.
You can view species like octopus and crabs here as well.
How to
Reach/Location: The
best route to this island is a ferry ride from Port Blair, which is just 42 km
away.
Things to Do: Water sports, snorkelling, scuba
diving, beach hopping
4. Ross Island
Also known as Netaji Shubhash
Chandra Bose Island, the Ross Island is worth entering the list of best places
to visit in Andaman. Here, tourists can enjoy the gorgeous natural wilderness.
Full of thick palm trees and coconut trees, the area is a beachy
paradise.
Also, you can catch a glimpse of
many peacocks and deer in their natural habitat. Besides that, the island has
old-school machine-gun nests and British architecture here as well. One of the
notable spots is the circular lighthouse which is 10 meters high.
While this is a top attraction for
multiple travelers to Andaman, it is important to mention that it has zero
human habitation. Those who go to Ross Island can stay awhile for an experience
of Andaman history and natural beauty.
How to
Reach/Location: Visitors
can take governmental boats from Port Blair to this island. Central Port Blair
is just 3 km away.
Things to Do: Visiting beaches, museums,
and parks.
5. Mouth Harriet
One of the interesting activities
tourists love taking part in is trekking. For that, one of the best
places to visit in Andaman is Mount Harriet. The train stretches from
Mount Harriet 16 km away to Madhuban. For fitness enthusiasts and tourists
looking for some fun, this is an adventure worth going for.
More than the destination,
tourists enjoy the journey even more. Indeed, the trek route is surrounded all
around with beautiful natural scenery of exotic plants and flowers. Plus, the
natural animal inhabitants live comfortably in their home-place and are visible
to the trekkers.
One exciting option you can try
here is the elephant safari to see the forest around Mount Harriet. Certainly,
this is a fun way to sight-see the spot on your vacation.
How to
Reach/Location: This is
present in the Hope Town location in Port Blair.
Things to
Do: Adventure
sports, nature walks, elephant safari
6. Vijaynagar Beach
Another of the top locations in
the Islands of Andaman is Vijaynagar Beach. In fact, it is
rated as the fifth-best beach in the region. If you are looking to spend a
quiet and peaceful time during your vacation, this serene landscape is worth
visiting.
Of course, the scenic views are
another draw of this mesmerizing spot. The beach is clean and comfortable to
walk around on. Plus, the view of the beach from the coast is breathtaking, to
say the least.
A lot of the visitors to this spot
stick around for hours to see the sunset over the horizon. Also, the sun-rise
view is calming and surreal as well. It is definitely a sight worth taking many
pictures of. Not to mention, you can sit on the beach and sunbathing after a
fun swim.
Water sports are not commonly
organized at this seaside spot. But, you would still get to enjoy a lot of fun
activities to engage in.
How to
Reach/Location: Visitors
to this spot can take a ferry ride from Port Blair to Havelock Island. This
beach is present close by.
Things to
Do: Beach hiking,
bird-watching, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, wildlife photography
7. Barren Island
This site is home to one of the
active volcanoes around the world and is the only one in Southeastern Asia. The
area got its name 'barren' due to the lack of human settlements in the
spot. The volcanic eruptions here make it hard for people to inhabit the land.
However, that does not stop travelers from visiting the island for sightseeing.
While you would barely see any
humans here, the animal life on the island is comfortably settled. In fact, you
can see many varieties of animal species in the region.
For the tourists, there are
particular activities to participate in as well. So, you would surely have a
nice time when visiting this island.
How to
Reach/Location: It is
located 143 km away from Port Blair. The best way to reach the spot is via the
sea route. The government makes provisions for the journey.
Things to Do: Sightseeing
8. North Bay Island
In terms of attractions to see and
the best places to visit in Andaman, the North Bay Island deserves a mention.
There are gorgeous corals visible in the bay region and extend across the
overall coastline. Scuba divers especially would have a fun time diving into
the water to catch sight of the stunning marine creatures.
Species like clownfish, stonefish,
and lobsters are common in these waters. So, for both new divers and
professional-level ones, this is a sight to behold. You can enjoy multiple fun
activities here, like snorkeling, sea walking, and more other aquatic
sports.
For those who want to spend
leisure time, you can have a good time sunbathing at the seaside as well. Plus,
there is a fun option available here for tourists to opt for, called a glass
boat ride. Tourists enjoy the deep-sea semi-submarine ride to see the variety
of creatures living deep in the waters.
All in all, this is an interesting
experience that you must try if you go to the Andaman Islands.
How to
Reach/Location: you can
take a boat to this island from the Phoenix Jetty of the Port Blair region. Overall,
the distance is not very far. It would take around 20 minutes to reach the
island this way.
Things to
Do: Snorkeling,
scuba diving, deep-sea diving, sight-seeing, swimming
9. Jolly Buoy Island
When you planning a trip, many
people would tell you this is one of the best places to visit in Andaman.
Indeed, they are right. The sandy white beach is comfortable to walk around on
and the scenic views are stunning as well. If you are looking for a laid-back
experience for your trip, this spot is a must-visit.
Besides that, you can opt for
exciting water-related activities as well. For example, the underwater corals
are breathtaking to look at. So, you can try out snorkeling in the waters.
Here, it is important to mention that Jolly Buoy Island is essentially a
no-plastic zone. So, if have any such items with you would have to leave them
all at Wandoor Beach.
How to
Reach/Location: you can
take a boat ride from Port Blair to this island. It is only 30 km away.
Things to
Do: Sunbathing,
Snorkeling, glass-bottom boat ride
10. Baratang Island
Last but not the least, one of the
best places to visit in Andaman as per many travel enthusiasts is Baratang
Island. You can go to the secluded beach that is available at this spot and see
other unique and attractive sights. For example, there are many limestone
caves, mud volcanoes, and mangrove creeks present here as well.
However, before you can go to the
caves, you have to get express permission from the Andaman Forest Department.
If you are interested in seeing
and learning about the tribal communities in Andaman, this is a good spot for
that. This would add a sense of thrill to the trip since the tribal inhabitants
still live there. Plus, you can go to the archipelago area of Baratang Island
to see the natural exotic lifestyle of a different culture.
How to
Reach/Location: It is just
150 km to the north of Port Blair and is accessible via ferry services.
Things to
Do: Sightseeing,
cave exploration, nature walls
Conclusion
All in all, visitors planning a
trip to the islands of this infamous part of southeast Asia can enjoy a lot.
You would get to see many stunning views of the land and take part in multiple
fun activities. Many of these places are fun to visit throughout the year,
although some areas are best for particular months.
However, whichever dates you
choose for the visit, make sure that you follow the governmental rules well.
The regulations are in place for tourist safety; so, research on what to expect
beforehand. Overall, you would have a fun experience in Andaman, which location
you choose.
