The Andaman and Nicobar Island is a popular tourist destination in India. Both, foreign as well as Indian tourists visit this place to enjoy the wonderful site and indulge in a number of adventure activities in the islands. From beautiful beaches with blue waters, lagoons, various museums to other exciting as well as historically significant sites, there are a number of unique places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for a spectacular vacation.
Here is a guide with the top 20 places to visit in the Andaman and Nicobar islands that we have put together for your travel itinerary.
Andaman and Nicobar Island Trip
Why Should You Visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
If you love to pack in adventure sports, sightseeing and spending time relaxing by the beaches in your travel itinerary, this holiday destination is perfect for you. The place is a haven for activity and fun, there is plenty to do and see on the island and you will enjoy every bit of it..
Best Time to Visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are blessed with beautiful weather through most of the year. But, if you want to make the most of your vacation and enjoy everything the islands have to offer, the best time to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands is between October and May.
The monsoon season here (from July to September) witnesses strong winds and high tides which make it impossible to enjoy and explore the outdoors in these islands during this period.
How to Reach Andaman
- Flight
Getting to the Andaman Islands by flight is the quickest way of reaching. Flights take off and land at the local Veer Savarkar International Airport. At the moment, only domestic flights from Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata fly to Andaman. There are no international flights that go to the islands.
- Ship
Another way of getting to the Andaman Islands is by ship. Ships ply from Vizag, Chennai and Kolkata to the Andaman islands. There are three operators that run ships from these cities to the islands. Unlike with a flight, it takes a long time to reach Andaman by ship, especially if you are boarding from Kolkata.
Travelling Within Andaman
Travelling in Andaman is fairly comfortable. You have auto-rickshaws and taxis that commonly ply in Port Blair and the Havelock Islands. Drivers double up as guides and take you to the best places.
Bike rentals are possible from Port Blair but it can sometimes be difficult to get a bike. Rentals start from Rs. 200 a day and you will have to pay a security deposit, depending on which bike you hire.
Best Places to Visit in Andaman: Must-Visit Tourist Sites
1. Cellular Jail National Memorial
The Cellular Jail National Memorial is an iconic tourist attraction in Andaman. Rooted in history, this is the place where martyrs were once held captive. It was destroyed in the war by Japanese forces, but a few parts of the jail are still standing tall. A special light and sound show is held in the jail every evening where the plight of the various captives, especially Veer Savarkar, is vividly described to the audience. The show is completely worth waiting for while visiting Cellular Jail in Andaman.
- Location: Port Blair
- Distance from Port Blair: 9.1kms
- Timings: 9 AM to 1 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM all days; Closed on Mondays;
- Entry Fee: Rs 30; Camera – Rs 200; Video – Rs 1000;
2. Mount Harriet National Park
The Mount Harriet National Park is a must-visit place for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Mount Harriet is the third highest peak in Andaman and Nicobar and the national park covers an area of 4.62kms. One of the best places to visit in the Andaman tour, Mount Harriet park has excellent hiking trails and is home to exotic birds and plants. There are many nature trails that you can embark on in the park.
- Location: Hope Town
- Distance from Port Blair: 55kms by road and 15kms by ferry;
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Indians – Rs30; Foreigners – Rs250;
- Best time to visit Mount Harriet National Park: November to March
- Things to do: Trekking, hiking, photography, picnic;
3. Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex
The Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex is your best bet for water sports in Andaman and Nicobar. Scenic and adventurous, the sports complex offers activities like jet-ski, boat rides, sea walks, scuba diving and many other water sports. Besides water sports, the complex is a great place to chill out in the evenings.
- Location: Port Blair
- Distance from city centre: 8.2kms
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 Pm; Mondays closed
- Prices: Prices for water sports begin from Rs.500 onwards
- Entry Fee: Free
- Things to do: Boat riding, sea walking, snorkelling, scuba diving;
4. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a hub of marine life. The park is spread over 280 square kilometres with mangroves creeks and tropical rainforests. The park is spread over 17 islands. You can see a variety of marine life and even indulge in underwater excursions. The coral reef is the major ecosystem here and one can see plenty of them.
- Location: Near Wandoor
- Distance from the city centre: 18.1kms
- Timings: 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM;
- Entry Fee: Rs 50;
5. Chidiya Tapu
A perfect place for bird watching and enjoying a scintillating sunset, Chidiya Tapu is one of the best places to visit in Andaman. Chidiya Tapu is defined as Sparrow Island in English and this tiny island is also located close to a mini-zoo where one can spot various exotic animals and birds. The Sunset Point here offers you the best view of the setting sun, with the sun rays falling on the rugged rocks of the Kalapathar found near the beach creating a view akin to a spectacular shot from a movie.
- Location: Near Port Blair
- Distance from the city centre: 17kms
- Timings: From 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: None
- Things to do at Chidiya Tapu: Visit the zoo, enjoy the sunset, birdwatching, water sports;
It is the Indian Navy’s priced project that displays the comprehensive marine life existing in the waters of the island. It is one of the best places to visit in Andaman to learn and understand the rich and exotic marine life found here. The museum houses close to 350 types of marine species ranging from fishes, beautiful coral, wide range seashells and tortoise shells among others. You can also witness a huge skeleton of a blue whale at the entrance.
- Location: Haddo Road
- Distance from the city centre: 8.7kms
- Timings: 9:00 Am to 5:00 PM; Monday closed;
- Entry Fee: Adults – Rs50; Kids – Rs25; Free for senior citizens;
- Things to do at Samudrika Naval Marine Museum: Shop for antiquities made from seashells; watch the aquariums with rare fish and huge glass shelves preserving corals;
7. Forest Museum
Forest Museum is an incredible tourist attraction in Andaman and famous for housing a wide variety of artefacts made from wood such as timber, satinwood, gurjan, padauk and oak. The museum is maintained by the Forest Department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is a must-visit place in Andaman for tourists. The complex also has a mini-zoo and a zoological garden for tourists.
- Location: Chatham
- Distance from the Port Blair: 11.7kms
- Timings: 8:00 to 12:00 Pm; 2:30 to 5:00 PM;
- Entry Fee: Rs2;
Unique Places to Visit in Andaman
1. Baratang Island
Located in the North and Middle Andaman Administrative district, Baratang Island is one of the less explored and unique places to visit in Andaman. To visit this offbeat location you require permission from the Forest Department. You can explore the naturally formed limestone caves and take a look at India’s only mud volcano present here. To reach Baratang Islands, you can take a ferry ride from Port Blair to Phoenix Bay Jetty. Baratang Island is also home to the indigenous Jarawa tribe whom you might spot while you travel through the lush green rainforests via road.
- Location: Rangat
- Distance from Port Blair: 101kms
- Timings: Morning to Evening
- Entry Fee: None
- Tips: You must not wave at or take pictures of the Jarawa tribal people in case you spot them while going to Baratang by cab or taxi.
2. Limestone Caves
There is nothing as spectacular as these limestone caves in the Baratang Islands in the entire Andaman and it is not an exaggeration. These caves are believed to have formed millions of years ago and the formations that look like conical rock-like structures are termed as Stalagmites. These Stalagmites are created by single-cell bacteria called the cyanobacteria. These awe-inspiring limestone caves are a must-visit for everyone visiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Location: Baratang Islands
- Distance from Port Blair: 101kms
- Timings:7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Entry Fee: None
- Best time to visit Limestone caves in Baratang Island: November to March
3. Chatham Saw Mill
It is a nineteenth-century tourist attraction in Port Blair and is also the largest and oldest sawmill in India. Chatham Saw Mill is worth visiting for its mere existence for over a century and to watch and learn how the sawmill functions when in full operation. Chatham Saw Mill is the only mill that provides timber for construction work on the island and also exports timber to other countries.
- Location: Haddo Port Blair
- Distance from Port Blair: 12kms
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM; Sundays closed.
- Entry Fee: Rs10
Best Tourist Places to Visit in Andaman and Nicobar Island: Islands and Beaches
1. Neil Island
Located close to three incredibly beautiful beaches – Sitapur, Bharatpur and Lakshmanpur beaches – Neil Island is one of the best tourist places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar islands and is a perfect choice to spend some time with your family or loved ones. Besides sightseeing and chilling by the beach, the island offers you the chance to indulge in water sports. At the island, you can go swimming, on boat rides and even parasail.
- Location: Neil Island
- Distance from Port Blair: 42.4kms – covered by ferry
- Timings of Ferry: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Entry Fee: None
- Best time to visit Neil Island: October to February
2. Havelock Island
Havelock Island in Andaman is one of the most sought-after tourist spots and famous places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Blessed with great beaches, tourists love visiting the island for a summer vacation. The island has great eateries, shopping spots and numerous beach cottages that you can book and stay. There are great adventure sports to enjoy at the Havelock Islands and it is also a great place for a honeymoon or a family getaway.
- Location: Havelock Island
- Distance from Port Blair: 70kms, covered by ferry ride
- Timings: Morning to evening
- Things to do in Havelock Island: Deep-sea diving, scuba diving, snorkelling, enjoy the sunset;
3. Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach was once called the best beach to visit in Asia. The beach is famous for its white pristine sands and stunning surroundings. A haven of beauty, the beach is an ideal spot for relaxing and unwinding. Don’t forget to click a couple of selfies at the beach, they’ll brighten up your Instagram feed.
- Location: Havelock Islands
- Distance from Port Blair: 72kms, covered via ferry
- Timings: Morning to evening
4. Long Island
A secluded island, the Long Island is about a six-hour boat ride away from Port Blair. Surrounded by green foliage and with white and crystal clear waters, the place is an absolute delight for beach lovers. You can enjoy the view of spectacular sunrise and sunset on this island and admire the untouched and pristine beauty of the place.
- Location: Andaman Archipelago
- Distance from Port Blair: 80kms via ferry
- Timings: Morning to evening
- Best time to visit Long Island: October to March
5. Wandoor Beach
This mesmerizing beach in Andaman is famous for its rich marine biodiversity along with the dazzling white sand and turquoise-blue waters. Visiting this beach in itself is relaxing and rejuvenating as you can enjoy calm and peace like never before. It is a major tourist attraction and also a favourite among couples who love to take a walk by the beach.
- Location: Near Wandoor village at the southern tip of Andaman
- Distance from Port Blair: 19.3kms
- Timings: Morning to evening
6. Kala Pathar Beach
Along with Radhanagar beach, you can also visit the Kalapathar Beach in Havelock Island. Although not a very famous place, the beauty and serenity of Kalapathar Beach is something you must not miss. The white sand and green waters of this beach are sure to captivate you. Swimming in these waters is not recommended but you can surely take a walk on the shore or just sit and relax on the shore.
- Location: Havelock Island
- Distance from Port Blair: 70kms via ferry
- Timings: Morning to evening
7. North Bay Island
Another popular place to visit in Andaman, North Bay Island located close to Port Blair attracts tourists from across the country. The island is also famously known as Coral Island owing to the vast variety of corals found here. It is the best place for scuba diving, snorkelling, and glass-bottom boat ride, as you get to see the beautiful and colourful corals underwater.
- Location: North of Port Blair
- Distance from Port Blair: 42kms, covered via ferry
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
8. Vijaynagar Beach
There is no dearth to beautiful and scenic beaches in the Andaman and Nicobar islands and here’s another to be included in your Andaman sightseeing list – the Vijaynagar Beach. The beach is also a hub for all fun activities such as snorkelling, surfing, swimming, kayaking and bird watching.
- Location: Havelock Islands
- Distance from Port Blair: 66.8kms via ferry
- Timings: All day long
- Entry Fee: None
9. Lalaji Bay
If you love hiking, you will thoroughly enjoy the trail from Long Island to Lalaji Bay. The end of the trail results in stunning views of the sea and its shores. Just like Long Island, this place is less crowded, so you’ll have enough space to enjoy the beach. Those who prefer comfortable excursions can rent a boat from Long Island. Rides cost Rs. 2,500 per trip.
- Location: Near Long Island
- Distance from Port Blair: 90kms; connected via ferry.
- Timings: All day long
- Entry Fee: None
10. Corbyn’s Cove
Located very close to Port Blair, Corby’s Cove is a secluded and pristine beach that is also one of the most important places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Lush green coconut trees dot the area and the blue and calm beach waters relax you instantaneously. There are a number of beach chairs present on the shore where you can sit and watch the waves crashing on the shore. Apart from the serenity during the day, you’ll also enjoy a bit of nightlife and delicious seafood here.
- Location: Port Blair
- Distance from Port Blair: 8kms
- Timings: All day long
- Entry Fee: None
This concludes our guide to travel in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. We have listed the top 20 best places to visit in Andaman, how to get to the islands and we have even told you about the best time to visit the island. So share your experience in the comments section if you’ve already visited this place!
So, what are you waiting for, pack your bags, book your tickets and head out to the islands as soon as possible for that much-needed break?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best places to visit in Andaman in January or February?
Since October to March is the best time to visit Andaman, you can cover a number of famous places in Andaman in January, February. These include Corbyn’s Cove, Havelock Island, Chidiya Tapu, Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, North Bay Island, Central Jail Memorial, Ross Island, Baratang Island and Wandoor Beach.
2. What is the ideal duration to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Since there are a number of places to visit in Andaman, you must plan a trip for three or four days.
Places to visit in Andaman in 3 days – Day 1
- Corbyn’s Cove
- Central Jail Memorial
- Mount Harriet National Park
- Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex
- Forest Museum
- Chatham Saw Mill
- Chidiya Tapu
Day 2:
- Havelock Island
- Radhanagar Beach
- Vijaynagar Beach
- Kalapathar Beach
- North Bay Island
Day 3
- Baratang Islands
- Limestone Caves
- Mud volcano
- Mangrove forest
3. What are the best places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar in 2020?
Some of the best places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar in 2020 include Ross Island, Baratang Island, Lalaji Bay, Chidiya Tapu, Cellular Jail, Mount Harriet National Park, Havelock Island, North Bay Island, Limestone Caves, Mud Volcano, Radhanagar Beach and Corbyn’s Cove.
