Find a relaxing sojourn
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have to spend a day in Port Blair on your way to Havelock. You can also choose to extend your stay and explore the main island a bit more. The key thing is to find a comfortable and affordable place to stay during your time there. We have a few suggestions.
Light and sound show in Ross Island
Ross Island is a short boat ride away from Port Blair and offers a taste of history. There are ruins of British Administrative buildings to be seen, while deer, peacocks and birds can be spotted in plenty. Don’t miss the light and sound show at Ross Island, which is considered superior to the one at Cellular Jail.
Cellular Jail
The Cellular Jail is a landmark of historical relevance that must be visited during your stay in Port Blair. This was a colonial prison built during the British rule of India and was used to exile many political prisoners. The site is now a memorial monument depicting the struggles of those who stayed there. A light and sound show is held every evening depicting the history of the Andamans and the prison.
A taste of adventure at North Bay
Check the back of an Indian 20 rupee note, the picture of the lighthouse printed on the back is a view of North Bay. North Bay is accessible by boat from Port Blair and is known mainly for the watersports activities conducted there. While Havelock is a more popular spot for scuba diving, other activities one can try there are a ride on a glass bottom boat, sea walk or a comfortable Coral Safari on a semi submarine preferrable for those who want to stay dry but still enjoy a view of the reef.
Wandoor Beach and Jolly Buoy Island
The main draw of a trip to Jolly Buoy is the chance to enjoy a ride over turquoise waters, snorkel over pristine coral reefs and enjoy a trip out on glass bottom boats. Jolly Buoy is open to tourists for 6 months in the year. Between May and October one can take a similar trip to Red Skin island. Wandoor beach located on the main island is the longest shoreline stretch on the main island and is a gateway to the trips to Jolly Buoy and Red Skin. Try Scuba in Havelock island.
Drive out to Chidiyatapu Beach
The name Chidiyatapu translates to ‘bird Island’ and is a dream destination for bird enthusiasts. Located at the southern most tip of the South Andaman region, Chidiyatapu hosts many migratory and native species of birds. You can take a trek out to watch a beautiful view of the sunset from Munda Pahad or visit some endangered endemic animals at the Chidiyatapu Biological Park.
Baratang Island
If you plan to add a trip to Baratang to your itinerary we recommend you set aside a full day for this. You will need to be in Port Blair a day before you plan to visit Baratang. The main draw of a visit to this part of the Andamans while going by road is a ride through the tribal reserve area where the Jarawa tribe resides. The Limestone caves are also one of the key attractions on a trip to Baratang. A trip to see the formations of limestone inside a cave, accessible through a mangrove forest. Baratang island offers the best Night Kayaking Andaman to witness countless stars in an open sky.
