Top 5 Must See Tourist Places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are even today a veritable Garden of Eden and a nature-lover’s heaven. The absolutely clean environment, well-laid roads, vast greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air attract a host of tourists and all nature lovers.

Located off the Bay of Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar comprises of 572 islands. The two notable groups of islets are Ritchie's Archipelago and Labyrinth Islands. The Nicobar Islands are located to the south of the Andamans, 121 km from the Little Andaman Island. Strangely, of the total 572 islands, only 36 islands are inhabited.

Due to persistent attitude of the successive governments on developing the islands and its encouragement to the mainlanders to settle there has resulted in the local tribes becoming a minority group in their own land. The steadily dwindling local tribes live in isolation and people attempting to contact them are driven away with bows and arrows. They continue to maintain a unique lifestyle living in harmony with nature just as they have done for centuries.

Neil Island (36 kms. from Port Blair) is an enchanting island with lush green forest and sandy beaches and provides an ideal holiday spot for eco-friendly tourists.

Long Island (82 kms. from Port Blair) offers an excellent sandy beach at Lalaji Bay, unspoilt environment and evergreen forests. The added attraction is the sea around this island is frequented by dolphin convoys.

Rangat Islands is the right place to become one with virgin nature here. Mayabunder, situated in the northern part of Middle Andaman, offers mesmerizing scenic beauty and romantic beaches.

Ross and Smith, acclaimed as the twin islands, are joined by a bewitching sand bar. One who truly prefers to be away from the hustle and humdrum of urban life and wishing to enjoy the bliss of solitude must come here to relax.

Little Andaman Island is home to a beautiful beach at Butler Bay, a waterfall and plantation of oil palms. There are also several sandy beaches all along the coastline of the island.

Corbyn's Cove is arguably one of the most picturesque sea-beaches and it is ideally suited for sea bathing and sun-basking. Go to the Waves Restaurant or the Peerless Resort or the Hornbill Nest Guest House to have a kaleidoscopic view of the blue water front.

Radhanagar Beach and Vijayanagar Beach in Havelock provide real exposures to unpolluted nature for any environment-friendly visitor. The sandy Karmatang beach is being developed by the tourism department as a turtle nesting ground.

Most beaches here are flat stretches of crescent shaped beaches. Adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, snorkeling, SCUBA diving and other water sports are the real attractions.

Cellular Jail, the three-storied prison, has withstood the ravages of time and stands today as a silent reminder to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters who were subjected to inhumane atrocities and incarcerated in this jail. This colossal edifice was specially designed to comprise of several individual cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners. The original structure was subsequently damaged and presently only three out of the seven prongs are intact. The jail, has today become a symbol of India’s freedom struggle and even a pilgrim center for all patriotic Indians. The Cellular Jail has been declared a National Monument and dedicated to the nation. The jail also has a Museum, an Art gallery, and a Photo gallery, which are open to visitors.

Chidiya Tapu in the southern-most tip of South Andaman is home to lush green mangroves, forest cover with countless chirping birds and sylvan sands and sandy beaches make it delightful picnic site. Go to the forest guesthouse situated on top of a hillock to gain a fabulous view of isolated islands, submerged corals and the glorious crimson sunset.

The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj, Mount Harriet place is an ideal location for obtaining a fascinating over view of the outer islands and the sea.

You must also visit Car Nicobar, the headquarters of Nicobar District. It is fertile plains crowded with cluster of coconut palms and alluring beaches with a roaring sea all around.

The tropical rain forests and swirling waters of Bay of Bengal enrich a vast collection of plant, animal and marine life in the islands. Topographically the islands are hilly in nature, fringed with coconut palm and covered with tropical jungle.

Acclaimed as one of the finest tourist destinations in India, the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar is an archipelago of 572 islands situated in the Indian Ocean, in the southern part of the Bay of Bengal. A host of dream tourist destinations in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will charm you no end.