Port Blair and Around
Port Blair is where the adventure begins
The capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, PORT BLAIR is the gateway to the Andamans, receiving adventure enthusiasts from all around the world. Port Blair is a melting pot of people from all parts of India who have come to adopt these Islands as their home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Andaman Adventure recommends spending at least two days at Port Blair, as there is so much to see in and around the city. If time permits extend your stay for a day or two at Port Blair.
Port Blair is the gateway to the Andaman Islands. One can learn the Islands history through its infamous Cellular Jail and Museums along with spotting diverse flora and fauna and rich marine life. Soak in the exciting adventure water sports, explore the island’s high peaks, and know about its rich cultural diversity.
By air and by sea. We recommend taking a flight to Port Blair, as it is faster and more comfortable. Veer Savarkar International Airport, the only commercial airport of the Andaman Islands, is well connected with mainland. There are ships operated by Government which takes 2 nights and more to reach Port Blair.
The best time to visit Port Blair is between November and March.
Local transportation in Port Blair is quite convenient. One can use, Tourist taxis, Bike rentals, Auto rickshaws, Public transport and of course let us arrange transportation for you.
There are three options to commute to other islands:
Private Ferries- These ferries connect Port Blair, Havelock, Baratang, and Neil Island. Some of the cruises available are Makruzz, Coastal Cruise, Green Ocean, etc.
Government Ferries- These ferries connect Port Blair to Havelock, Neil Island, Little Andaman, Diglipur, and Nicobar.
By Road- North Andaman comprising Baratang, Rangat, Mayabundar, and Diglipur are connected via road. Cabs and buses are available here.
Port Blair has diversified religions, cultures, and linguistic groups. English is less preferred. Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil are the most commonly spoken languages here.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are warm tropical islands with mean temperature ranges from 25-27°C. The island are humid and do not have a winter season. Rainfall varies from medium to heavy with monsoon setting in towards the end of May.
Cellular Jail
The Cellular Jail, located at Port Blair, is a mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this jail. The jail, now has been declared a National Memorial. The saga of the heroic freedom struggle is brought alive in a moving Sound & Light show in the evening. The show gives us a brief idea about the happenings in the jail prior to the independence.
Chatham Island
Chatham Island houses one of Asia’s largest saw mill. Dating back to 1836, these enormous workshops were built to manage the durable padauk wood. The Chatham Saw Mill is a store-house of timber like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin Wood, etc and built on a tiny island, connected to Port Blair by a bridge. The island has the second largest wharf in the area, and is where island-mainland ships berth.
Viper Island
The Viper Island is situated inside the Port Blair Harbour. The jail at Viper, where prisoners deported from the mainland were confined, was built by the British during 1864-1867.
Harbour cruises ply from Water Sports Complex, Port Blair, that provides a panoramic view of different points around the harbour and includes a trip to Viper Island.
Mount Harriet
Located at a short distance by ferry or about 55 km from Port Blair via road, Mount Harriet is the Second Highest Peak in the Andamans which is about 365 m from the sea level . It was once the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during the bygones of the British era, this mount is the highest point in Port Blair. Mount Harriet is popular amongst trekking enthusiast. Mount Harriet has a Forest Guest House with lovely eco-friendly huts presenting panoromic views of the seao
North Bay Coral Island
Famous for Adventure Water Sports activities, North Bay (Coral Island) is one of the most visited places in Andaman Islands. An Ideal destination for day trip, this uninhabited island offers wide array of Adventure Water Activities like jet-ski, speed boat ride, snorkeling and underwater sea walk. One can also trek to till the Lighthouse in the North Bay Island. North Bay Island can be reached in 30 – 40 minutes via ferry ride from Port Blair Jetty or Marina Park. Most of the boats leave by 9 AM in the morning and they only come back by 3 PM.
Carbyn's Cove Beach
Situated about 7 kms from city centre, Corbyns cove beach is the only beach in the vicinity of Port Blair. This coconut- palm fringed beach, is ideal for swimming, surfing and sun- bathing. You can enjoy the distant Ross Island, the cool sea breeze and kaleidoscopic view of the blue waters.
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sport Complex
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sport Complex has a small harbour from where tourist boats depart for nearby islands, namely Netaji Subhas Chandra Boss Island, Viper Island, and North Bay (Coral Island). The complex also offers Adventure Water Sports such as Water-skiing and Speed Boats rides etc. At the entrance there is a Memorial reminding the Battle of Aberdeen fought between Britishers and Andamanee aboriginals in 1859.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Is.(Ross Island)
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Is.(Ross Island) was once the administrative headquarters of the British Administration. The island, with historical background and preservable ruins, is spread along an area of 0.6 sq. kms. The British had a fine settlement here and despite its rather small size, many visitors came here to enjoy the tropical atmosphere and luxurious facilities Ross offered. It was due to these luxuries that Ross was titled “The Paris of the East”.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is located in Wandoor Village 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. The viewing of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling are the activities you can enjoy in the park. Within the park area, there are three beautiful small islands which are open for tourists, namely Jolly Buoy, Cinque and Red Skin Island.
Jolly Buoy Island -An island inside Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.
If you are looking for a mellow spot for exploring the enigmatic and intriguing underwater life, Jolly Buoy is the island for you. Ideal for day trip, Jolly Buoy is cradled in the heart of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. An array of diverse corals and marine life thrive in the emerald blue waters of the surrounding seas. Adventure Activities that are available at the Jolly Buoy are snorkeling and sea-bathing.
Cinque Island - An island inside Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.
Cinque Island is certainly one of the most gorgeous islands inside Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. It takes approximately 3 ½ hours to reach the island from Wandoor by boat. Exquisite corals and baffling marine life dwells at the abstruse depths of the opulent seas. Cinque Island has a sandbar which acts as a rendezvous point for the twin islands of South and North Cinque. Adventure Activities that are available are snorkeling and sea-bathing.
Red Skin Island - An island inside Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.
Red Skin Island lies inside Marine National Park. The islands inside the park are the best nesting grounds of marine turtles. Diverse species of corals can be observed in their natural ambiance. Adventure Activities that are available are snorkeling and sea-bathing.
Chidiya Tapu
ChidiyaTapu is the southern most tip of South Andaman Island. The lush green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the Sylvan Sand Beach and MundaPahar beaches make it an ideal picnic site. The forest guesthouse situated on top of a hillock provides a fabulous view of some isolated islands, submerged corals and the breath-taking sunset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Andaman Adventure recommends spending at least two days at Port Blair, as there is so much to see in and around the city. If time permits extend your stay for a day or two at Port Blair.
Port Blair is the gateway to the Andaman Islands. One can learn the Islands history through its infamous Cellular Jail and Museums along with spotting diverse flora and fauna and rich marine life. Soak in the exciting adventure water sports, explore the island’s high peaks, and know about its rich cultural diversity.
By air and by sea. We recommend taking a flight to Port Blair, as it is faster and more comfortable. Veer Savarkar International Airport, the only commercial airport of the Andaman Islands, is well connected with mainland. There are ships operated by Government which takes 2 nights and more to reach Port Blair.
The best time to visit Port Blair is between November and March.
Local transportation in Port Blair is quite convenient. One can use, Tourist taxis, Bike rentals, Auto rickshaws, Public transport and of course let us arrange transportation for you.
There are three options to commute to other islands:
Private Ferries- These ferries connect Port Blair, Havelock, Baratang, and Neil Island. Some of the cruises available are Makruzz, Coastal Cruise, Green Ocean, etc.
Government Ferries- These ferries connect Port Blair to Havelock, Neil Island, Little Andaman, Diglipur, and Nicobar.
By Road- North Andaman comprising Baratang, Rangat, Mayabundar, and Diglipur are connected via road. Cabs and buses are available here.
Port Blair has diversified religions, cultures, and linguistic groups. English is less preferred. Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil are the most commonly spoken languages here.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are warm tropical islands with mean temperature ranges from 25-27°C. The island are humid and do not have a winter season. Rainfall varies from medium to heavy with monsoon setting in towards the end of May.
Museums at Port Blair
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Smritika (at Ross Island)
Ross Island was once the administrative headquarters of the British Administration. The island with historical background and preservable ruins is spread along an area of 0.6 sq. kms. The island has a museum ‘Smritika’ depicting its history.
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Cellular Jail Museum
The Cellular Jail located in Port Blair, is a mute witness to the tortures metered out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated here. The Cellular jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name “CELLULAR” because it is entirely made up on individual cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners.
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Anthropological Museum
It is one of its kind Museum and gives glimpses of the tribal native peoples of the islands. It illustrates the four Negrito Tribes of the Andamans Viz., the Jarawas, the Sentinelese, the Great Andamanese, and finally the Onges. It also illustrates two Mongoloid tribes of the Nicobar viz. the Nicobarese and the Shompens tribes.
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Fisheries Marine Museum
The Fisheries Museum at Port Blair is near the Water Sports Complex and houses around 350 species of marine life, including live coral, sharks, polyps and starfish.
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Samudrika Marine Museum
This Naval Marine Museum is run by the Indian Navy houses a vast collection of cells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes of the sea around the islands.