Andaman and Nicobar Islands: India's Tropical Treasures

Located southwest of the mainland in the Indian Ocean, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the tropical treasures of India. The cluster of 527 rustic islands is largely unexplored by tourists and can serve as your ticket to adventure or a relaxing sun drenched beach getaway. The best way to get there is to take a domestic airliner to Port Blair, which serves as base camp for most travelers to the islands. With lots of boating, water sports, snorkeling, and even walking tours on tap there’s always something new to encounter on your trip.

Other attractions include coral reefs around Jolly Buoy Island, a visit to the Sippighat spice farm, Viper Island, wildlife tours of the Nicobar Islands, and landing on Barren Island which is India's only active volcanic island.

The Bottom Line
A cluster of 570 tropical islands off the East coast of India, most first-time tourists use Port Blair in the Andaman Islands as their base of operations. Family travel activities include any of the multitude of cruises and speedboats available between islands, enjoying the beaches around Corbyn’s Cave, a glass bottom boat tour of the coral reefs around Jolly Buoy Island, a visit to the Sippighat spice farm, Viper Island, wildlife tours of the Nicobar Islands, and landing on Barren Island which is India’s only active volcanic island.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Plenty of undisturbed beaches
• Terrific snorkeling and water sports
• Relaxed island atmosphere with a wide variety of food options

Cons

• Guided tours are slightly more expensive than the mainland
• Island hopping takes time as there are limited scheduled ferries between islands

Description

Cost: Hotel packages average $95 per night while guided tours run an average of $35 per tour per person.

Directions: Main airport is in Port Blair. Taxis are available outside bur it’s best to arrange transport with your hotel beforehand. Ferries from mainland Chennai and Kolkata take around 4 days so unless you’re a wanting to be a sailor, that time may be better spent in the islands.

Guide Review - Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Landscape

Only 38 of the 500+ lush islands are inhabited but even those offer exciting natural beauty in the form of tropical flora, evergreen and bamboo forests, and the 150 km wide Ten Degree Channel separating the Andaman from the Nicobar Islands. Topography varies among the atolls from flat sand patches floating in the ocean to densely forested hills with jagged rocks and steep cliffs.

Activities

Some of the best cruises and speedboats between islands are those to Ross Island, Viper Island, and Wandoor and can be set up via TSG Travels or Aloka World Travels, both located in Phoenix Bay in Port Blair. The beaches around Corbyn’s Cave are pristine (no rocks at your feet while you swim) and usually not as crowded as some other public beaches. The stunning coral reefs around Jolly Buoy Island can be seen via glass bottom boats which also allow snorkeling from a distance.

A visit by tour bus to the Sippighat Spice Farm brings interactive demonstrations of local farming techniques as well as an insight into the indigent spices and crops which call the islands home. Wildlife tours to Wandoor national Park, 12 islands rich with forests, flowers, and wildlife in the form of eagles, sea turtles, crocodiles, and the rare coconut crab. The park also houses the Gandhi Marine Park great for seeing the local sea life up close.

Local boat charters are available to land on Barren Island, a large, rocky mountain jutting up from the sea which is India’s only active volcanic island.