Islands and Beaches – Andaman Padmini Travels

Port Blair

Corbyn’s Cove: Corbyn’s Cove beach, the coconut palm fringed beach, ideal for sun basking is 6 km away from Port Blair town. Facilities like hotel, restaurant and bar, changing room etc is available near the beach. Historical remains like Japanese bunkers can be seen on the way. Snake Island nearby is famous for Scuba Diving.
North point: North Bay is a beach on an island, which as the name indicates, is just north of Port Blair. The beach and the snorkeling opportunities in its fringing coral reefs are the closest ones you will find to Port Blair, and therefore it gets quite crowded. The corals at North Bay are rather good and spread over a large area. You are very likely to spot many fish, a lobster or two, or even clams on the coral reef.
Wandoor Beach: Wandoor is at a distance of 29 kms from Port Blair covering an area of 281.5 sq. kms. Here is Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. 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 lifetime experience for anyone.
Chidiya Tapu: It is the southernmost tip of South Andaman. The lust green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the sylvan sands and Munda Pahar beaches makes it an ideal picnic site. The forest guest houses situated on top of a hillock provides a fabulous view of isolated islands, submerged corals and the breath taking sunset.
Jolly buoy and Red Skin Island (Mahatama Gandhi marine National park ,Wandoor : Hundred of colour ful varieties of coral reef fishes can be seen the park.some of these are clown fish ,surgeon fish,butterfly fish,angel fish,parrot fish,bat fish groupers.and more than 50 types of corals are found in the fringing coral reefs in the the park ,Best point for snorkling and watch coral by glass boat. Ferry Time :10am
Madhuban: Mandhuban (75 kms by road/ 20 kms, by ferry and trek road from Port Blair). This place is a trekking area, north east of south Andaman, exotic endemic birds, animals, butterflies, and elephant lulumbering are the most interesting part of the trek.
Cinque Island: 26 kms from Port Blair. Declared as Sanctuary, this is an enchanting islands with rare corals and under-water marine life, a fine sandy beach and tropical rain forest. Chartered boats of permitted category as allowed from Port Blair and Wandoor.

Havelock Island: (50 kms by sea from Port Blair via Neil Island – 62 kms)

Port Blair is the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is located on the east coast of the Island in the South Andaman Group. For most people Port Blair is primarily an erstwhile penal colony, while for some it’s the gateway to the “Pristine” islands and beaches of Andaman and Nicobar. Most restaurants and hotels are around this area. This island, near Neil Island offers beautiful sandy beach fringed with green canopy of the rain forest beckons every one to enjoy the fun at the azure sea. Island camping is organized during the tourist season at Radha Nagar beach. One can enjoy the stay right on the sea shore by hearing the lulls of the solacing sea in this camp. Havelock is connected by daily speed boat services from Port Blair. Snorkeling and scuba diving facilities are provided by scuba dive centre operations seasonally.

Radhanagar beach: Radha Nagar Beach lies on the south coat of Havelock some 12 km from the islands ferry pier. Radhanagar is a Grade A beach of outstanding quality. It has an overall length of approaching two kilometers and an average width of 30 to 40 meters. The sand is white coral, very fine in grain. South facing, the beach has excellent exposure and is not subject to shading which would reduce its attraction for sunbathing. The end of the beach is contained by rocky outcrops which provide some variety to the littoral. The quality of water at Radha Nagar beach is exceptionally calm and clear. There is very little wave action and consequently almost no turbity in the water even along the surf line.
Elephant Beach (Hathi Tapu): Elephant beach (Hathi Tapu at Havelock is offer wonderful beach for snorkeling with rich coral reef and amazing marine life. One can visit Elephant Beach via a small boat by cruising through the dark blue sea. Elephant’s Beach was a pristine and untouched, it was like landing on such an island which is not inhabited by anyone. The under water sea life and corals were seen as clear as you see in pictures and portable aquarium. The snorkeling in this beach is the most memorable moments and life time experience for incoming tourist.
Vijayanagar Beach: Vijayanagar is a long stretch of sand on the east coast of the island, punctuated occasionally by rock section. Most of the beach is lined by sea mahua trees, large trees whose trunks grow along to climb vertically. These trees have lent a distinct charter to the sea front, and provide shade close to the water. Vijayanagar Beach is perfect for long walks along the sea.

Neil Island (36 Kms by sea from Port Blair)

This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the vegetable bowl of Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair daily, it provides an ideal holiday Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair four days a week, it provides an ideal holiday for ecofriendly tourists. One can feel the sincerity and serenity of village life here. Beautiful beaches at Lakshmanpur, Bharatpur & Sitapur, and natural bridge formations on the sea shore, norkeling and scuba diving are the attractions.

Little Andaman Island (120 kms by sea from Port Blair)

Little Andaman Island, located south to the south Andaman Island, has various attractions in store for the tourists. There are two water falls in the island, both in the midst of the evergreen rain forests. White surf waterfall is 6.5 kms from the Hut bay jetty. One can enjoy Elephant safari through the forest here. The other water fall whisper wave is 20 kms away from here. Journey to the whisper wave includes 4 kms trekking through the forest. Butler Bay a beautiful beach, is 14 kms from the Hut Bay jetty. The beach is suitable basking, snorkeling and surfing. Boating through the creek near the beach is very fascinating. Netaji Nagar beach (11 kms from Hutbay Jetty) is another beautiful beach in the islands. Little Andaman is also famous for its red oil palm plantation, which spread over an area of 1600 hectares. There is a palm oil extraction factory inside the plantation. This can be visited the White Surf waterfall and Butler Bay beach.

Long Island (82 kms, by sea from Port Blair)

Connected with Port Blair by boat four times a week, this island offers an exquisite sandy beach at Lalaji Bay, un polluted environment and evergreen forest. The sea around the island is frequented by dolphins. Lalaji Bay, 6 kms away from the bet jetty, is accessible by 15 minutes journey in doonghies or trekking through the forest. One can reach Long Island by boat from Rangat / Yeretta jetty also.

Barren Island (139 kms by sea from Port Blair)

The only active volcano in India is located in Barren Island. The Volcano erupted twice in recent past, once in 1991 and again in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177 year. This island, about 3 kms in diameter, has a big crater of the volcano, about half km away from the shore. This island can be visited can be visited by charter boats only with the permission of Forest Department.

Smith Island

One of the twin islands in Andaman, is connected to Ross Islands by an imposing sand bar. The Island is a perfect location for Island Camping and is a best suit to enjoy the village life in seclusion. The Island is attracted due to its clean and unspoiled seashore and the marvelous sight seeing facilities. The lusting green coconut palms grow meticulously in rows on the sea shore adds the beauty of this Island. This camping location is an ideal place to spend vacations away from the hustle and bustle of madding city life. Good accommodation facilities with delicious cuisine make the holidays in Smith Islands a remarkable experience.

North Passage Island (70 kms by sea from Port Blair)

This uninhabited island is famous for Merk bay a coral white sandy, shallow beach suitable for snorkeling, swimming and sun basking. The sea around t he island is famous for playful dolphins. The island is not connected by regular boat services. One has to hire boats from long Island or Yeratta jetty Rangat to reach Merk Bay. Suitable for day visit to enjoy the glorious solitude. Accommodation facilities are not available. One has to get food packed and drinking water while visiting this island.

Baratang Island (100 kms by road from Port Blair)

The journey is through the high dense forest. This Island between South and Middle Andaman has beautiful beaches, mangroves creeks, mud volcanoes and limestone caves. The journey for exploring limestone caves through creeks is highly admired. Keep packed food and drinking water while visiting the limestone caves.

Rangat Island (170 kms by Road and 90 Kms by sea from port Blair)

One can enjoy the quiet village life and solitude of virgin nature at this part of Middle Andaman Island. You can also breathe unpolluted air, a rare commodity for the city dweller. Amkunj beach (15 kms away from Rangat bazaar/ jetty towards Mayabunder) are the beaches near Rangat. Cuthbert bay Beach (20 kms away from Rangat are the beaches near Rangat. Cuthbert bay ia a turtle nesting ground. One can view the nesting of turtle during December – February season. Hawksbill Nest is a near the Cuthbert bay beach and turtle sanctuary are on the way to Cuthbert bay.

Mayabunder (242 Kms by Road from Port Blair)

Situated in the northern part of Middle Andaman Island, Mayabunder offers excellent scenic beauty, mangrove creeks and beautiful beaches. Beach at Avis Island (30 minutes journey from Mayabunder), Karmatang beach (13 kms) and mangrove lined nesting of turtles during December- February season.

Diglipur (325 kms by Road from Port Blair)

Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides a rare experience for eco friendly tourists. It is famous for its oranges, rice, forest wealth and marine life. Saddle peak (732 metres) the highest point in the Andaman is nearby. Kalpong the only river of Andaman flows from here. Trekking to saddle peak through the evergreen forest, Kalipur, Lamiya Bay and Ram Nagar Beaches and sand bar joining Ross and Smith Islands are the attractions here. Ramnagar each and sand bar joining Ross and Smith Islands famous for Turtle nesting.