Cellular Jail: The Prison-Turned-Museum

Popularly known as Kalapani, the Cellular Jail has served as a testimony to the gruesome colonial era. This national memorial draws attention to the Indian freedom struggle and is amongst the most famous places to visit in Port Blair, primarily because of the history associated with this place. The overall architecture of the building stands in contrast to the solitary cells that were once used to exile and execute political prisoners.

Timings for Cellular Jail and Jail museum: 09:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:15 (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.)

Murugan Temple

Centrally located in Port Blair, Murugan Temple is the biggest pilgrim site of the Andaman islands. Dedicated to Lord Murugan – the son of Lord Shiva, the temple is known for its amazing Dravidian architecture. Plan your visit to the temple during festival time so that you can witness the grand occasion. Also, don’t forget to try the mouthwatering vegetraian or the non-vegetarian platter around the temple complex. They serve authentic food from different cultures that are definitely worth a try.

Timings5 AM – 12 PM and 4 PM – 9 PM

Corbyn’s Cove

Ideal for swimming and sun basking, the Corbyn’s Cove is a quaint expanse. It is located approximately 7 km south of town and it shouldn’t take more than half an hour to get there. Include this in your Port Blair sightseeing for the tantalizing coconut and palm trees that line up the area.

Chidiya Tapu

Famous for its sunset, the Chidiya Tapu or Bird Island is among places worth visiting in Port Blair. Not only does it offer an incredible view of the Andaman coast line, but the place also houses over 40 varieties of regional birds. The Munda Pahar Beach on Chidiya Tapu is a sought after picnic destination. Beautiful star corals and other sea shells can be collected on the beach. The 1.5 km Munda Pahar trek is a pleasure treat.

Ferar Beach

If you want to spend some time peacefully away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, Ferar Beach is the best place you can visit. The beautiful beach is located at one corner of the Ross islands and since it is not visited by many tourists, you have the whole place on your own to enjoy. You can even enjoy the stunning view of Port Blair from here. While visiting this neat and clean beach, make sure to pack some lunch and water for yourself and have a happy time at the beach.

Samudrika Marine Museum

Apt for the history buffs and nature lovers alike, Samudrika Marine Museum should be on your list of tourist places to visit in Port Blair. It is well maintained and offers an informative study into the past of the islands, their people, archaeology, and marine lifestyle. The museum is run by the Indian Navy and houses a variety of fish, crabs, corals and sculptures.

Timings9:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:00; Tuesday – Sunday.

Fisheries Museum

Among the best places to visit in Port Blair is the Fisheries Museum that showcases endemic species of marine life found in the Bay of Bengal and the Indo Pacific region. Around 350 species of marine life, which are exclusive to this union territory, are preserved in the museum. One can also visit the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex situated nearby and indulge in watersports.

Timings9:00 – 16:45; Tuesday – Sunday. Also closed on second Saturdays.

Ross Island

Ross Island is located about 3 km east of downtown Port Blair. One can hop on private ferries or take a public boat ride from Phoenix Bay Jetty to Ross Island. Boat fare starts from INR 100 per person. One way ride takes about 15 minutes. Visitors can also take ferries from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex jetty. Package tours from Rajiv Gandhi jetty cover Ross Island and North Bay Island for INR 360 per head. One can also hire the local fishing boats to explore mangrove creeks or Mount Harriet National Park. Due to lack of the roads and vehicles, walking is the only option to get around on this small island.

Neill Island

Neil Island is one of India’s Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal. Bharatpur Beach has coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. Laxmanpur Beach is known for its sunset views. Howrah Bridge is a natural rock formation accessible at low tide. Near the island’s wharf is Neil Kendra village, with a curving, sandy bay dotted with boats. Off the southeast coast, the tiny Sir Hugh Rose Island is a sanctuary for turtles.

Havelock Island

Havelock Island is part of Ritchie’s Archipelago, in India’s Andaman Islands. It’s known for its dive sites and beaches, like Elephant Beach, with its coral reefs. Crescent-shaped Radhanagar Beach is a popular spot for watching the sunset. On the island’s east side, rocky sections mark long, tree-lined Vijaynagar Beach. The island's forested interior is home to birdlife such as white-headed mynas and woodpeckers.

North Bay

Trip to the North Bay Island begins from the Andaman Water Sports Complex or Junglighat Jetty. The boats, which start from the Andaman Water Sports complex/ Junglighat Jetty, can accommodate up to 200 people and are equipped with life jackets and life rings for your safety. The group is also accompanied by a guide who briefs you about the islands history during your travel. The journey to the island is good, if not less.

Now, in 2018 a lot of different kinds of ferries with varied capacity, experience and speed have come up. In addition, new activities such has Dolphin Glass boat ride and Coral Safari Semi Submarine are also operational.

Viper Island

Viper Island is an island of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman district of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island lies 4 km (2 mi) west of Port Blair.

Viper Island derives its name from the vessel H.M.S. Viper in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1789. The vessel, it is believed, met with an accident and its wreckage was found near the island. This small island was the site of the jail where the British used to imprison convicts and political prisoners. It has the ruins of a gallows atop a hillock.

Ross & Smith Island

A must visit island, the twin islands separated by a sand bar is the Ross and Smith Island, arranging a pleasing view of it to the visitors.
There is a nine-day Andaman trip that will take you to this major attraction along with other locations such as Corbyn's Cove, Havelock Island, Elephant Beach, Baratang Island, Diglipur etc.
There would be adventure activities like scuba diving and snorkeling as well satiating the adventure junkies' love for more thrill. The palm-fringed beaches, long shores, turquoise water, bewitching sunset views etc are enough to leave you stolen throughout the tour. Trekking to the Lime stone caves and Mud Volcano in Baratang enhances the whole enthusiasm hidden in the tour.
The package includes food, accommodation in hotels and transportation during the entire sightseeing trip.

Tribals

It is safe to say that the original population of the Andaman and Nicobar islands consist of aboriginal indigenous people, i.e. tribal people. They have been dwelling in the forests and jungles of the islands for centuries, lead a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, and appear to have lived in substantial isolation for thousands of years. The so called “civilians” or city/town dwellers only came later, earliest a few hundred years ago.

The Andamanese and Nicobarese can be split into two broad tribal groups mainly based on their place of origin. The Andaman Islands are home to four ‘Negrito’ tribes where as – the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese. Where as the Nicobar Islands are home to two ‘Mongoloid’ tribes – the Shompen and Nicobarese.

Mud volcano Andaman

Mud Volcano. This mud volcano is one more main attraction for visitors travelling in Andaman islands. ... This Volcano is nearer to Baratang Jetty of Andaman islands (middle Andaman). It takes atleast a day to visit this place and return to Port Blair.

Limestone caves

Frankly speaking, this cave won't impress much. But, the journey on to these is really mesmerising which covers all the way through Tribal reserves, A bay crossing between Baratang and Uttara Jetty, one hour journey from Uttara jetty including Mangroove area . These caves are nearer to Baratang Jetty . The sea journey starts from the other side of the sea called Uttara Jetty. The Sea Journey is through boats, 45minutes to one hour journey.

During rush/peak seasons, from December to March, the crowd near the cave is usually more. As the entry and exit is same, people will be asked to stay outside the cave to clear the crowd inside the cave.