A tour among the best places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands should actually start from its capital : Port Blair offers several interesting venues and attractions.
| Cellular Jail |
|
Built over twelve years from 1896 to 1908 and home to hundreds of freedom fighters whose names are now engraved on the walls of its watch tower, the Cellular Jail stands as a symbol of colonial oppression, cruelty and untold suffering. Situated in the north-east corner of Port Blair, it is a national memorial now. The prison fanned out in seven wings, stands three stories high and contained a total of 698 cells. Three wings have been now destroyed to make way for a hospital, but a visit to the remaining can only give an indication of the horrors of incarceration. Daily work routines for the prisoners included the crushing of thirty pounds of coconut and mustard oil; being unable to meet the quota would result in severe punishment shackling and flogging. There are no records of how many died or were executed.
|
|
| Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park |
|
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor is at a distance of 29 Kms. from Port Blair covering an area of 281.5 Sq.Kms. This Marine Park made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is one of the best found in the world. Viewing of rare corals and underwìde. Every afternoon, between 2 and 5pm, the Water Sports Complex, in north-west Port Blair, close to the Cellular Jail, comes alive with the purr of outboard motors.
The is where you can rent a water scooter or speedboat, and ride the waves towards Ross Island, or even be launched into the air on a parasail for a fantastic view of the harbour. Children can be left in the safer haven of a calm seawater swimming pool. Fisheries Museum.The Fisheries Museum near the Water Sports Complex houses nearly 350 species of marine life, including live coral, sharks, polyps and starfish.
|
|
| Chatham Saw Mill |
|
Chatham Island, at the north tip of Port Blair, houses Asias largest saw mill. Dating back to 1836, the enormous workshops are built in the durable (and expensive) padauk wood. Since the 1970s, logging on the islands has been banned and most of the wood now comes by ship from Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.
A guide will take you through the entire process of the logs being unloaded, sorted, cut, planed and finally stored in vast godowns to be shipped off to the mainland. Huge saws, with 200 to 300 teeth, grind their way for two to three hours before their teeth need to be sharpened again.
|
|
| Samudrika Museum |
|
The Samudrika is a museum run by the navy. It is divided into five sections: history of the islands, their geography, people, marine life and archaeology. It houses an impressive display of coral and shells, and a large relief map of the islands topography |
|
| Anthropological Museum |
|
The Anthropological Museum, at Haddo in north Port Blair, was set up in 1975. It displays tribal essentials and artifacts such as boats, weapons, baskets, clothing, photographs, models and records of exploratory expeditions undertaken over the years. A well-stocked library provides the scholar with invaluable references to tribal culture.
|
|
| Marina Park |
|
Just adjacent to the Water Sports Complex is the new amusement park offering rides for children and adults alike: giant wheels, paratrooper and dragon coaster. There is also a miniature botanical garden and a statue of Netaji Subhas Bose here
|
|
| Gandhi Park |
|
This beautiful park at Port Blair has facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports, nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese Temple as well as a bunker. The erstwhile Dilthaman tank, which was the only source of drinking water to Port Blair, and the area around it has been developed into Gandhi Park in an unbelievably short time of 13 days.
|
|
| Mount Harriet |
|
The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during the British Raj, this highest point near Port Blair is an ideal place for a picnic or a trek. About 55 km from Port Blair by road (15 km by ferry and road), Mount Harriet has a Forest Guest House with lovely huts at a height of 365 m. Nice for sunrises and sunsets. |
|
| Chidiya Tapu |
|
Chidiya Tapu is the southern most tip of South Andaman. The lush green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the Sylvan Sands and Munda pahar beaches make it an ideal picnic site. The forest guesthouse situated on top of a hillock provides a fabulous view of isolated islands, submerged corals and the breath-taking sunset.
|
|
| Ross Island |
The Ross Island is about 2 km east of Port Blair and can be reached by a short boat ride from Phoenix Bay Jetty. The island is controlled by the Indian navy, which requires every visitor to sign in on entering.The small island with its treasure of ruins in it became the hot tourists spot in the territory. People desire to know more and more about Ross Island.
This Island the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime, is a tiny island situated few Kilometers away from Port Blair city. The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings like Ballroom, Chief Commissioner’s House, Govt. House, Church, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop Barracks, all in dilapidated condition, reminiscent of the old British regime
|
|
| North Bay (Coral Island) |
|
The beach around the island is very famous for under water corals. It is ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling. Coral island with white sand beaches and surrounded by the pristine beauty of Nature. sea has gifted this island with all the splendor to attract any sea loving human. The Coral reefs are gorgeously decorated by nature to stun the visitor.
|
|
| Viper Island |
|
Viper Island, named after the ship wreck event of a British trading ship named "Viper" in 19th century, is located near Port Blair. The ruins of an olden discarded jail, built by British in 1867, with yellow colored bricks and the gallows are seen in this Island. The Island was considered as the place of penal settlement for the freedom fighters of India. This Island was part of the great Indian independence history and had witnessed the sufferings and sacrifices of Indian national involved in freedom struggle.
|
|
| Carbyn’s Cove |
|
Carbyn’s Cove is a serene and unspoiled soft sandy beach in Andaman near to Port Blair. This beach is set in picturesque backgrounds of lush green coconut palms and pleasant sea. Ideal for swimming & sun basking |
|
| Andaman Water Sports Complex |
|
Situated in Port Blair, Andaman Water Sports Complex has become one of the major attractions of the town. It offers safe water sports such as Rowing Boats, Paddleboat, Kayaks and bumper boats. Besides this, the complex also facilitates adventure through Water-skiing, Water scooters, Gemini boats, Para-sailing, Sailboats, Wind-surfers, Speedboats, Glass-bottom boats, etc.
|
