Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

 

A clear history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands can be had only from a British Survey of these islands conducted in 1777. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands remained the abode of the Negritos and the Mongoloids respectively, who occupied the Islands for centuries. These islands remained secluded from the mainland till the end of the 18th Century when people from the outside world first arrived. The history of these islands could be divided into four broad periods the period of seclusion and piratical disturbances

a) the British regime - a period of foreign intrusion and settlement
b) the Japanese regime
c) and the Post-Independence period.

In the Second Century, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were located in the maps prepared by the great Greek astronomer, mathematician and geographer, Claudius Ptolemaeus, which possibly is the earliest reference to these islands. The early history of Nicobar is not well known although these islands were familiar to traders in ancient times, the islands being situated close to the trade route to the Far East. Though little is known about Portuguese activities in these islands, it is evident that the Portuguese missionaries started preaching Christianity among the islanders. The Nicobarese language also reflects a few Portuguese words.

Standing in virgin isolation east of the Indian mainland is Port Blair. A breathtaking sea front, endless miles of soft white sand under your feet, swaying coconut palms, a beautiful blue sky smiling at you and a gentle breeze ruffling your hair a holiday in Port Blair promises you this and more. You could call this beautiful and secluded capital, one of the world's best kept secrets, after the Da Vinci Code of course!

A tropical paradise, the Island attracts many honeymooners. A turquoise blue sea, lush green spread and ethereal tranquility will all be trademarks of your stay here. You can go scuba diving or snorkelling into the deep waters of the sea, explore the infinite marine life, roam evergreen forests and deserted beaches, and see history upclose.

At a Glance

Port Blair, the capital town of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar, is situated about 1,200 km from the east coast of the mainland.

When to Visit:

Port Blair enjoys tropical climate throughout the year. It does not witness any extreme climate except rains and tropical storms in late summer (May). The maximum and minimum temperatures range between 31°C and 23°C respectively. The rainy season stretches from May and mid-December. It is pleasant enough for you to make a visit at any point in the year.

Orientation & Getting Around:

Port Blair is spread out over several hills, so it is difficult to walk around. Taxis and auto rickshaws are available at the airport, Aberdeen Bazaar and near Phoenix and Haddo Bay jetties. You can hire cycles at Aberdeen Bazaar for Rs. 40 per day. Motorcycles can be rented from TSG Travels (tel: 232894) and Singh Travels (Tel: 233757), both in Aberdeen Bazaar. For going to islands near Port Blair, you can take the ferry. There are boats to Havelock Island, Neil Island, Little Andamans, Long Island, Rangat Bay and Mayabunder. Most of these set sail from Phoenix Bay Jetty and Chatham Wharf. The Marine Department and the Phoenix Jetty Boating Office have schedules of boats and ferries. The daily newspaper also publishes ferry schedules. Another option is buses. These operate between Port Blair and Wandoor, Chiriya Tapu, Rangat and Mayabunder.

Dial in code(s):  City code: 03192

Distance(s):

• 29 km from Wandoor
• 30 km from Chidiyatapu
• 54 km from Cinque Island

How to Reach

Air:

Port Blair is connected to Chennai and Kolkata by air.

Water:

There is a regular passenger ship service from Port Blair to Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam (less frequent than to the other two cities). The journey takes about 50 to 60 hours (three days). 

ENTRY FORMALITIES FOR FOREIGNERS AND INDIANS

Foreigners

All foreign nationals can stay in the islands for 30 days. This can be extended by another 15 days with permission. They require a permit to stay from the immigration authorities. In addition, permits can also be obtained from: Indian Missions Overseas, Foreigner’s Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and the immigration authorities at the airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai.

The places covered by this permit for night halt are: South Andaman Island, Middle Andaman Island and Little Andaman Island (except tribal reserve), Neil Island, Havelock Island, Long Island, Diglipur, Baratang, North Passage and islands in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (excluding islands – Boat Hobday, Twin, Tarmugli, Malay and Pluto) Night halt in the Park is with permission only.

For Day Halt  South Cinque Island, Ross Island, Narcondum Island, Interview Island, Brother Island, Sister Island and Barren Island ( Barren Island can be visited on board vessels only).

Indians   

Indian nationals need no permit to visit Andamans. However, permits are required to visit Nicobar Islands and other tribal areas, which are given in exceptional cases. Application on a prescribed form may be addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Andaman District, Port Blair.

Must See, Must Do

• Take the Harbour Cruise from Phoenix Jetty. You'll be left speechless at the panoramic view of seven important points of the island.
• These trips are conducted daily except on Wednesdays, between 3 pm and 5 pm.
• Get your gear, hire an instructor and go scuba diving/snorkelling. It's not everywhere that you can see the marvel under the sea.
• Become Robinson Crusoe visit the uninhabited Cinque Island and find out what being solitary really means.
• Buy yourself Nicobari woodcraft makes for a nice remembrance.
• Read up on the tribals; they are people too, not exhibits in a museum to be stared at.

ACTIVITIES IN ANDAMAN NICOBAR

Historical Places

Cellular Jail Located in Port Blair, this infamous jail was built by the British to house criminals. Later Indian freedom fighters, especially the revolutionaries, were incarcerated here. The edifice is now a commemoration to the contribution made by Indian nationalists, to rid India of colonial bondage. The jail hosts a sound and light show in English on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7.15 pm. The show in Hindi is conducted daily at 6 pm. These are however discontinued during the rainy season. The show brings alive the moving saga of the heroic freedom struggle and outlines the history of the prison. There is a museum, an art gallery, and a photo gallery, which are open on all days except Mondays, from 9 am-12 noon and 2 pm-5 pm. Chatham Island The island is 5 km northwest of Aberdeen Bazaar and is connected to Port Blair through a tiny land strip, with the sea lapping on both sides. The British built the Chatham Sawmill here and it is one of the oldest and largest timber processing plants in India. Sadly, photography is prohibited here.

Museums

Samudrika Naval Maritime Museum Run by the Indian Navy it has an interesting marine life collection, including all kinds of shells and molluscs. There are separate galleries for tribal life, flora and fauna and corals. The museum is on MG Road, opposite A & N Tourism's Teal House Hotel. The doors are open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am-noon and 2 pm-5:30 pm. Anthropological Museum Also on MG Road, the museum showcases utensils, dresses and weapons of the various tribal groups living in these islands. These are creatively displayed in life-size huts once occupied by the tribals. There are also rare photographs displaying various aspects of tribal life. Above the museum is a well stocked library where you can look up books. Timings are 9 am-1 pm and 1.30 pm-4.30 pm; Thursdays are holidays.

Religious Places

There are a lot of temples dotting the city landscape. The MuruganTemple, Ganesh Temple and the Radha Govind temples are among the oldest and the most popular temples in this island city. Of the dozen mosques, the Masjid at Aberdeen and the Mazhaar near Cardyns Cove see lots of followers. The Gol Ghar, the Marthoma Church and the Christ Church are some of the popular Christian churches in Port Blair.

ISLAND TOUR

Rutland Island

Is an important diving site near Port Blair. The smaller fish that inhabit the Island live in these waters along with some beautiful corals. An ideal place for training new divers. Snake Island: The island boasts of awesome rock faces and spectacular dive landscapes. The marine life includes trigger fish, grunts, goatfish and sting rays.

Jolly Buoy Island

An island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, it offers a breath taking underwater view of coral and marine life. It is an ideal place for snorkeling , sea bathing and basking on the sun kissed beach.

Cinque Island

The lure of underwater coral gardens and unspoiled beaches specially a sand bar joining two islands are irresistible. Super place for SCUBA diving, swimming, fishing and Camping.

Red Skin Island

Another island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has a nice beach and offers spectacular view of corals and marine life.

Havelock Island

About 38 Kms. from Port Blair, this island provides idyllic resort in the lap of virgin beach and unpolluted environment. Camping facility is available near Radhanagar beach. A guesthouse of Tourism Department "Dolphin Resort" is available for the tourists.

Barren Island

At a distance of about 135 Kms. from Port Blair is the land of volcano, Barren Island, the only active volcano in India. The Island, about 3 Kms. has a big crater of the volcano, rising abruptly from the sea, about 1/2 Km. from the shore and is about 150 fathoms deep. Can be visited on board vessels.

Ross Island
Once the seat of British power and capital of these Islands, it stands now as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris. A small museum named 'Smritika' holds photographs and the other antiques of the Britishers relevant to these islands.
 

Viper Island 

The Britishers used to harbour convicts here. The first jail was constructed here which was abandoned after the construction of Cellular Jail. It has a gallows atop a hillock, where condemned prisoners were hanged. Sher Ali, who killed Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India in 1872, was also hanged here.

Chatham Island
It has a Saw Mill lying on the tiny island connected by a bridge over a stretch of sea-water. This Saw Mill is one of the biggest and oldest in Asia. The main mainland -Island harbour is also here. The other harbour is Haddo, which is nearby.

Where to Eat

Though cut off from the mainland, Port Blair's restaurants offer dishes to please palates from across the world. From north and south Indian staples to Burmese and Thai specialties, and a wide variety of seafood. Annapurna Cafeteria serves the usual range of huge crispy dosas, north Indian thalis, and Chinese. Its breakfast offering steaming pongal with chutney and piping hot coffee is ambrosia. China Room, run by a Burmese-Punjabi couple, is the place for seafood. Be warned that the restaurant is generous with chilli and ginger. Islet is a safe option for north Indian tandoori cuisine, especially chicken. Waves is a very congenial al fresco hotel under a shady palm grove, and one of the few places in town where you can order a beer with your meal.

Shopping

The Central Cottage Industries and Sagarika (MG Road, Middle Point) are good places to pick up a wide spectrum of artifacts made of pearls, sea shells, wood, coconut shells and coir. Miniatures of Nicobari canoes, palm floor-mats, and furniture are also available here. The Khadi Gramodyog Emporium next door displays Khadi textiles, woodcraft and shellcraft. The shops are open all days except Sundays and other holidays, between 9 am and 1 pm and 1.30 pm and 6 pm.

Tips for you

Tourist office(s):

Andaman & Nicobar Tourism

03192 - 232747

Travel Tips

• Foreign nationals should obtain the required permit from the immigration authorities soon after landing on the island.
• Visit only the permitted areas and make use of the services of an authorised tourist guide.
• Consult life guards before entering the sea and swim in the safe areas only.
• Keep the beaches and environment clean. Dispose off garbage in dustbins.
• Avail the services of scuba diving instructors having certification of organisations like PADI, CMAS, NAUI, BSAC or SSI for safe diving experience.
• Do not enter restricted/tribal areas and if in a Tribal Reserve Area do not shoot photographs or videos.
• Camping in beaches or forest areas during nights is not permitted.
• Do not light fire in the forest areas or enter national parks without permission.
• Do not collect, destroy or remove any living or dead animal/plant.
• Eat food that is boiled, cooked or fried; avoid anything that is cold or raw.

Language Tips 

A smattering of English, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Nicobarese, and Telugu is spoken here. People are eager to converse in English. And a smile can get you out of a tough spot.

Emergency Info

Hospital:
G B Pant Hospital Port Blair 32102 33473

Tourist Information:
Andaman & Nicobar Tourism
Ph 03192 - 232747
Timings 8.30 am to 1 pm - 2 pm to 5 pm Mon to Fri
Sat 8.30 am to noon

Police Station:
Aberdeen Police Station, MG Road, Port Blair
Ph 03192 - 33077, 32100

Check below links for booking holidays:

1. www.yatra.com
2. www.travelmasti.com
3. www.makemytrip.com

Check below links for Best Hotel in Andaman:

1. Fortune Resort Bay Island , Portblair
2. Sinclairs Bay View , Portblair 
3. The Kingdom , Govindnagar Beach 

Book your Airline here