Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Cruise To Havelock

Out of the 570 odd islands that make the andaman and Nicobar, only 38 are inhabited. That explains why its beaches are still pristine. Only one of the many stunning beaches is radhanagar on Havelock Island (once rated as the best beach in asia by Time magazine in 2004) that’s well worth your time. One of the best ways to get to Havelock is by a luxury catamaran called Makruzz that allows you splendid views through its large windows from the comfort of an air-conditioned space. The trip starts at 8.30 a.m. from the Phoenix jetty at Port blair, arriving at radhanagar after 90 minutes, and returning to Port blair at 4 p.m.

Log on to for bookings

National Arts Emporium, Port Blair

Most tourists head to the government-run sagarika emporium on M.g. Road for buying souvenirs. From the sought after padauk wood (local weather-beaten wood that makes sturdy, lasting furniture), lightweight walking sticks made from cane, to caps and t-shirts, shell jewellery and wooden dancing dolls, shopping here is a fulfilling experience. But if you are looking for that little extra, I would recommend the National arts emporium, the ground floor shop at the bengali club run by Kashmiri migrant Javed ahmed bhat. He sells mother of pearl and red coral jewellery, figures of tribals and various gods and goddesses made from the padauk wood. Javed cultures the pearls himself at his oyster farm and is quick to claim that all his designs are ‘original’.

Tel: (03192) 236 051

Bridge Bar, Port Blair

Located on the third floor of the tsg Hotel in Phoenix bay, it is Port blair’s only sports bar, though, and quite intriguingly, it is made like a ship’s bridge where mariners aren’t allowed to drink alcohol. With real portholes on its walls, a few life jackets hung around, a wooden steering wheel embedded somewhere and LCD screens beaming the sporting event of the season, the place is a must visit for those who like their drinks in a relaxed ambience. Seafood here is awesome and so are the meat dishes coming hot out of the tandoor. The Chicken Tikka is very popular.

Tel: 246 499, 246488

The Golden Dragon, Port Blair

From wayside eateries to fancy restaurants for diners, Port blair boasts a mouthwatering variety. A real gem is the golden dragon, which not many people in Port blair know about. The restaurant is the living room of a friendly Indian family, one that had emigrated from China via Kolkata. One of the best combinations here is the Chicken with Fungus(a type of black mushroom) and rice, which must follow the Chicken Lily Flower Soup.

Near Goal Ghar

Volcano Watching From Seaplane

One of the most exciting and relatively new options for those visiting Port blair is a ride on a seaplane. I recommend a trip that flies over the barren Island, India’s only active volcano. It will set you back by 7,500 for a round trip (there’s a minimum of five passengers needed against its total capacity of eight). This once-in-a-lifetime trip allows you to observe an uninhabited island, in the middle of nowhere, smoking through its gargantuan crater. The aircraft is a Cessna Caravan 208 a and is operated by Pawan Hans.

Tickets can be obtained through all major tour operators in Port Blair.

Activities In Wandoor

Now, if you care about the environment and want to get a firsthand experience of what it means to do it in real life, there’s aNet (andaman and Nicobar Islands environment team) at Wandoor beach (located about 26 km from Port blair) to consider. ANET organises birdwatching, snorkelling and diving, but you must book in advance. The day tariff is 1,000, which includes food, board and all other facilities including the library, computer and internet access. The tariff is lower for researchers or volunteers and also gets substantially curtailed if one chooses to associate for longer durations.

Log on to for details

Neil Island

Neil Island’s claim to fame is not just the seafood its cluster of restaurants dish out (some of the best you may find in india), it has earned the moniker of the ‘vegetable garden’ among the islanders of the andaman & nicobar archipelago, and the recognition came after a long, tiring and enduring process. Way back in the 1960s, each family on neil island was promised five acres of agricultural land. This seemed a golden offer for the poor inhabitants of an island where agricultural land is scarce. But the dream soon turned sour with the official decision to include hilly land in the promised acres. What followed was a bitter struggle, which led to the migration of 75 neil island families to Little andaman. Those left behind—98 families—began from scratch, moulding the nearly barren, hilly land to transform it into the green belt it is. The settlers never turned towards the mainland to keep their hearth burning.

Drive past the neil’s green stretched towards an extreme corner of the island, harbouring a long and secluded strip of cream-sand sitapur beach. A stretch of impossibly clean beach, minus human footprints, it commands both attention and admiration. The waters are as blue as you can imagine and the volcanic rocks on the shore may bring alive images of Jeju island in Korea.

There is daily ferry service from Port Blair to Neil Island

Must Do

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

STAY Havelock, Barefoot

This luxury eco-retreat is located on what is rated as one of the world’s best beaches. Set in seven acres of fertiliser and pesticide-free grounds, the resort consists of lovely cottages and villas made from indigenous materials. Stay in an andaman villa fronted by a floor-toceiling picture window and rolling shutters that can either bring the outdoors in or cocoon you in your own world. Tel: (03192) 282 151;

EAT Venison

The journey to rangat from Port blair has many delicious stops. En route you will find Kadamtala, a village that feeds delicious venison to hungry travellers. The meat is served in steel bowls and eaten with rice.

SHOP Nicobari Mats

This, apart from the beaches and its marine life, is what has made andamans famous the world over. Made of natural fibres (coir, reeds and so on), these mats, interwoven with light and dark colours, are both stylish and sturdy. Buy these in the company of a local, preferably your guide, who can help you strike a good deal.

SEE Ross Island

The ruins of the raj on this island bear testimony to the atrocities committed by the british in this erstwhile penal colony. The island is in fact one extended museum, complete with weather-beaten buildings. 8 km from Port Blair