India’s most remote state, the Andaman Islands are situated more than 1000km off the east coast in the middle of the Bay of Bengal. Thickly covered by deep green tropical forest, the archipelago supports a profusion of wildlife, including some extremely rare species of bird, but the principal attraction for tourists lies in the beaches and the pristine reefs that ring most of the islands. Filled with colourful fish and kaleidoscopic corals, the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman Sea feature some of the world’s richest and least spoilt marine reserves – perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Approximately two hundred islands make up the Andaman group and nineteen the Nicobar (for administrative purposes, the Andamans are grouped with the Nicobar Islands, 200 km further south). They are of varying size, the summits of a submarine mountain range stretching 755 km from the Arakan Yoma chain in Burma to the fringes of Sumatra in the south. All but the most remote are populated in parts by indigenous tribes whose numbers have been slashed dramatically as a result of nineteenth-century European settlement and, more recently, rampant deforestation, now banned – at least in theory. Tourism has gradually been replacing tree-felling as the main source of revenue for the Andamans. South Andaman is the most heavily populated of the Andaman Islands – particularly around the capital, Port Blair – thanks in part to the drastic thinning of tree cover to make way for settlement. The outlying islands are the richest in natural beauty, with the beaches of Smith and the coral around Cinque of particular note. However, such spots are not always easy to reach.
The smart terminal at Veer Savarkar airport is less than 4km south of town at Lamba Line. Port Blair is currently served by flights from Chennai (5–6 daily), Delhi (4 weekly), Kolkata (6 daily), Mumbai (1 daily) and Visakhapatnam (5 weekly).
The Andaman Islands are a paradise worth exploring for at least 7 days, but spending 10 days or more would allow you to fully experience its hidden gems. Start your journey in Port Blair, where you can visit the Cellular Jail National Memorial, a haunting reminder of India's struggle for independence, and witness the Sound and Light Show which gives an insight into the history of the islands. On days two and three, head to Havelock Island, where you can snorkel, dive, kayak, and stroll along the shores of Radhanagar Beach and Elephant Beach. Venture to Neil for two day. This tranquil paradise has idyllic beaches and stunning coral formations. Round off your trip by visiting Baratang Island – otherwise known as Parrot Island – to explore the unique limestone caves, before seeing thousands of parrots return back home at sunset.
Andaman Islands Times Article
Andaman Islands by Taj
Taj Exotica Andaman in Telegraph
What to see in Andaman Islands