Andaman – An unforgettable vacation

When I announced that I am going to Andman for vacation, the first response was …hey where ….Kala Pani. “Kala pani” is USP for Andman & Nikobar as we have been read it as in History in school books , but I went there for few more contemporary reasons like clear water , scuba diving , water sports , snorkeling & viewing beautiful corals under the water & to visit one of the most beautiful beaches of Asia . Andman & Nikobar is series of more than 500 islands & islets in the bay of bangal , in which only 37 islands are inhabited, You need 5 hours for air journey plus halt at Chennai or Kolkata from delhi, water journey cost around 40 hours from Chennai / Kolkata to port blair , the capital of Andaman Nikobar.

Tourists are allowed to go only Andman. No permission for Nikobar, even Andmanees need special permit to go there. If you take your holiday as a adventure, love to explore destination & want to relax at clear & beautiful sea beaches , Port blair is eagerly awaiting you. We boarded on night of 4th Jan 2012 from Delhi, reached Chennai in midnight, next flight was early morning so we reached port Blair 6.30 Am of 5th of jan. I booked my room at Megapode nest resort online which is owned by government, situated just 3 km from airport, auto would charge 50 Rs & taxi 400/- for it. When I landed here, in a mountain lodge overlooking the sea, I was in pleasant shock, a beautiful location, aesthetically designed still unbelievably affordable.

It is my advice, don’t book any package from any travel agent they never give you such accommodation, & still charge heftily. Transport here is not a problem, Auto at quite affordable & ubiquitously available.
Many things here are waiting to explore like tribal’s areas, uninhabited beauty of sand & sea , history related to our freedom fighters , Japanese cruelty, & last but most important adventurous water sports & beautiful corals under the sea.

In Andman now I am ready for many adventures in store for me. As port blair is only connected to main land so you need to check in port blair minimum for last night of tour otherwise in case of bad weather you might miss your flight or cruise, though port blair deserve minimum 3 night stay .

After check in, we took taxi to wandoor (28 km from port Blair) here we got jetty for Joly Buoy Island, a wonder island. It opens for 6 months in a year, red skin island opens for another 6 months. The Islands full of beautiful corals, ideal for snorkeling. A/c taxi charged 1200/- plus jetty charges 540/- per head including one time snorkeling. But you should pay 300 bucks more to trainer if you want good & fruitful snorkeling. You can go chidiya tapu while coming back, taxi would charge 1000/- more, here you can enjoy beautiful beach & awesome sunset, though a national park of animals is also here but it opens only up to 4 o’clock.

Awesome view of sunset chidiya tapu port blair

Awesome view of sunset chidiya tapu port blair

2nd day we had city tour, taxi charge it 800/- but if you can manage it in auto it would cost you just 300/- rupees, auto charges 30 to 50 rupees from one place to another , following spots should be cover .

a.Chatham Ara meal
b.Anthropological museum
c.Mini zoo
d.Sagarika
e.Cellular jail ( you should visit here 2 time once in a day to see the jail other in evening for light & music show)
f.Aquarium & then just near to it
h. Rajeev Gandhi sports complex here you can enjoy jets king & other water sports, cellular jail is just a quick walk from here so you can go in evening to enjoy unforgettable sound & music show

Replica of cellular jail

Replica of cellular jail

Lime stone cave

Lime stone cave

Third day we went for Baratang tour, it is time consuming & costly your personal a/c car require minimum 4000/- for tour further you need to spent around 500/ more per person for speed boat & other. In this tour .Most exciting things are viewing of Jarwas ( tribals of this area ) they are hunter gather tribe & don’t like to wear cloths, eats uncooked food). In Baratang 2 things are to visit one is lime stone cave, these are natural cave made by some natural chemical reactions . Other spot is mud volcano which is also some natural charisma. but in my opinion both things are not very exciting for common man , if someone has knowledge of science behind theses natural change he might enjoy . if you start journey early in morning around 4 am then you could come back 3 oclock in evening . after 3 oclock there is no permission to come back through Jarwa reserve area.

Way to bara tang

Way to bara tang

Mud volcano

Mud volcano

santineles hut & Artifacts

santineles hut & Artifacts

“Onges” making their canoe “ dongi”

“Onges” making their canoe “ dongi”

Jarwa reserve forest

Jarwa reserve forest

In evening we went to carbain beach at port blair , enjoyed drinks & sea food .

If you have one more day go to Rajeev Gandhi national park in morning , buy tickets for 3 islands tour…north buoy, rose & viper island , in north buoy you can do snorkeling etc , rose & Viper island have historical importance .

Fifth day we board in Makruzz speed cruise for Havlok , most beautiful & exciting island you should not miss here Elephent beach for water sports & a most beautifull beach of India & one of the best beach of Asia Radhanagar beach. I stayed here for 2 nights . you can go the island by Govt ferry also, it is cheaper but time consuming & uncomfortable. So in my opinion avoid it

Radhanagar beach

Radhanagar beach

Our daily wine & dine ,Havlok

Our daily wine & dine ,Havlok

Havlok guide map

Havlok guide map

Havlok is most beautiful island of Andaman, just 12-to 13 km from one side to other. It is advisable take a bike on rent & more better take a bicycle to explore beautiful world of the island . There are several options to stay here but it is good to opt cottage at beach no 5,Beach no 5 is the most beautiful & uninhabited beach of eastern side, otherwise you can go for accommodation at beach no 3 it is close to the market. at Radhanagar beach only limited & costly accommodation available & it is far from all other places..

Countryside walk at havlok

Countryside walk at havlok

For Radhanagar beach auto charges 400 to & fro plus waiting. Take dinner at welcome restaurant in the market , nice sizzling food . Drinks you should purchase from near jetty in morning, this is the only wine shop here. 2nd day morning you go for scuba diving & enjoy a experience of life time , in evening you may go back port blair by Makruzz . Never miss scuba diving at Havlok it is safe & adventurous they charge 4000/- for one dive including pics & video.

Ready for deep dip

Ready for deep dip

Alas our last trip in havlok we went to Kala pathar beach ,A secluded ,safe & beautiful beach . You can visit Neel island , & cinque island , both are very good , though I didnt visit them.

10 Comments

  • Mukesh Bhalse says:

    Welcome aboard Dr. Naresh More. Your debut at ghumakkar is really full of excitement and information. The narration as well as pictures are commendable.

  • Ashok Sharma says:

    very good and informative post, inspiring to make a trip to Andman.thanx for the invaluable tips.good pics.

  • Nandan Jha says:

    Welcome aboard Dr. More.

    I liked the fact that you have provided a lot of little details around pricing/charges/distances(time-taken) which are extremely useful for anyone to plan a tour. A very genuine travel experience log. Thank you.

    Not too far back, Shishir did a fantastic series on Anadamans. I am leaving a link here, since you have been to Andamans , probably you would relish it more

    https://www.ghumakkar.com/the-emerald-islands-of-andaman-and-nicobar/

    Wishes and hope to read more from you.

  • Virag Sharma says:

    Yes Andman is unforgettable ….. you love visit again and again , Sply Havelock :)
    Lovely travel log

  • Ram Dhall says:

    Welcome aboard Dr. More.

    Thanks for sharing your experiences in this detailed and beautifully descriptive post. Some of the pictures are simply scintillating. It has created an urge to visit Andman.

    Would look forward to your next post.

  • venkatt says:

    Welcome to Ghumakkar Dr.More. Pretty comprehensive coverage of one of India’s most beautiful locales. Nice post and pictures.

  • Nirdesh Singh says:

    Hi Dr More,

    Welcome Aboard!

    Wow – another post on Andaman! Seems like the perfect destination this Christmas.

    All visitors fall in love with the islands and of course they come highly recommended. Nice post and photos.

    Please try changing the spelling in the subject to Andaman so that it gets picked during google searches.

  • AJAY SHARMA says:

    Dr. More,
    A warm welcome to our family! Nice log with supportive pics. If time permits, one way by ship is a better idea. Don’t wind up in haste next time, please arrange the valuable information in a much scheduled manner and elaborate the important destinations a little more to know better those places. All in all a very impressive log.

    Keep traveling
    Ajay

  • naturalmore says:

    thanx Mukesh Bhalse I had lot of more beautiful pics of tour , it was quite a exciting tour .

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