Andaman and Nicobar Islands Places to Visit; Beaches of Andaman and Nicobar; Tour Excursion of Andaman and Nocobar Beaches

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal and a main Union Territory of India. This union territory is often abbreviated to A & N Islands, or ANI.

The territory is located geographically 150 km (93 mi) north of Aceh in Indonesia and separated from Thailand and Burma by Andaman Sea. It comprises two island groups, the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands- which separate the Andaman Sea to the east from Indian Ocean. The Andaman Sea lies to the east and the Bay of Bengal to the west. The territory's capital is the Andamanese town of Port Blair.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (6º30'-9º30'N; 93-94ºE) are high islands forming the southward extension of this mountain chain. Floating in splendid isolation, east of the Indian mainland, is the archipelago of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This Union Territory is spread over a distance nearly 800 Kms. from North to South with 38 inhabited islands. A hill range extending from Burma (Myanmar) to Indonesia, these undulating islands are covered with dense forests and an endless variety of exotic flora & fauna.

These two groups are separated by the 10° N parallel, the Andaman’s lying to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobars to the south. The capital of Andaman and Nicobar islands  is the Andamanese island town of Port Blair. The Andaman and Nicobar island's population as per the most recent (2001) Census of India was 356,152. Added together, the total land area of the territory is approximately 8,249 km².

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have also recently been recognized as a world-class eco-tourist destination to discover the under-water treasures of marine life. Andaman & Nicobar Islands has many sandy crystal clear beaches and it’s an eco-friendly tourist destination with all sorts of comforts ranging from five star accommodations to cheap youth hostels.

Andaman & Nicobar Island offers beautiful island vacations and beach tours. Each island in Andaman’s has its own uniqueness and beauty. The beaches in Andaman’s are very clean &crystal clear. In no place, we can find both island vacations and beach tours in a same place.

The surrounding seas are equally rich in marine bio-diversity. They harbour more than 1,200 species of fish, 350 species of echinoderms, 1000 species of mollusks and many more other forms of life, among vertebrate’s dugong, dolphin and whale are common. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is rich in corals, verities of colourful fishes, sea turtles, etc., besides other marine life, Andaman is also a bird's paradise.

Sandy beaches of these islands are famous for turtles nesting. Important species of turtles that are present on these islands include leather back turtle, green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle and olive ridly turtle. Water monitor lizard, salt-water crocodiles, reticulate python, etc are also seen here. Corals and coral reefs are the most fascinating part of marine eco-system here.

The emerald islands-Andaman and Nicobar Islands

This union territory stretches over a length of more than 700kms from north to south with 36 inhabited islands. Once a hill range extending from burma to Indonesia, these undulating variety of exotic flora and fauna, beautiful rain forests, clean roads as well as unpolluted fresh air may attract any nature lover, who seeks absolute peace and tranquility. Busty adventure tourism like trekking, island camping, snorkeling, diving, etc are also major attractions here.

Forests are the green gold of these islands. The reserved and protected forests extend over 86% area of the territory and the forest cover is more than 92%. About 50% of the forests have been set aside as tribal reserves, Natural parks and wildlife sanctuaries, which are inviolate. The union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands consisting of about 293 islands [39 of which are inhabited] is situated in the Bay of Bengal.

History

Total area	8248 sq. kms
Andaman	6408 sq. kms
Nicobar	1841sq. kms
Altitude	varies from sea level to 732 meters (highest point saddle peak)
Temperature	minimum 23 deg, max 30 deg
Rainfall	3000mms (may to September, November to January)
Relative humidity	70% to 90%
Forest coverage	86%
Best season	October to April
Clothing	cotton throughout the year
Languages spoken	Hindi, English, Tamil, Nicobari, Telugu, Malayalam. this feauture shows the distinctive and secular aspect of andaman and nicobar islands.

First Inhabitants

The Andaman and Nicobar islands have been inhabited for several thousand years, at the very least. The earliest archaeological evidence yet documented goes back some 2,200 years; however, the indications from genetic, cultural and isolation studies point to habitation going back 30,000 to 60,000 years, well into the Middle Paleolithic.

In the Andaman Islands, the various Andamanese people maintained their separated existence through the vast majority of this time, diversifying into distinct linguistic, cultural and territorial groups. By the 1850s when they first came into sustained contact by outside groups, the indigenous people of the Andamans were:

The Great Andamanese, who collectively represented at least 10 distinct sub-groups and languages;

The Jarwa;

The Jangil (or Rutland Jarawa);

The Onge; and

The Sentinelese (most isolated of all the groups).

In total, these people numbered somewhere around 7,000 at the time of these first encounters. As the numbers of settlers from the mainland increased (at first mostly prisoners and involuntary indentured laborers, later purposely recruited farmers), these indigenous people lost territory and numbers in the face of punitive expeditions by British troops, land encroachment and the effects of various epidemic diseases. The Jangil and most of the Great Andamanese groups soon became extinct; presently there remain only approximately 400–450 indigenous Andamanese, the Jarawa and Sentinelese in particular maintaining a steadfast independence and refusing most attempts at contact.

The indigenous people of the Nicobars (unrelated to the Andamanese) have a similarly isolated and lengthy association with the islands. There are two main groups:

The Nicobarese, or Nicobari, living throughout many of the islands; and

The Shompen, restricted to the hinterland of Great Nicobar.

Pre-colonial era

Rajendra Chola I (1014 to 1042 CE), one of the Tamil Chole dynasty kings, occupied Andaman and Nicobar Islands to use it as a strategic naval base to launch a naval expedition against Sriwijaya Empire (a Hindu- Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia). The cholas called the 'Nicobar' island as 'Nakkavaram' which is inscribed on the Tanjore inscription of 1050 CE. Nakkavaram in Tamil means "naked man" or "land of the naked" which should have been evolved to the modern name "Nicobar". Marco Polo (12-13th Century CE) also referred this island as 'Necuverann'.

The name of the island has always been 'Andaman' and might represent Handuman, the Malay form of Hanuman.

The islands provided a temporary maritime base for ships of the Marathas in the 17th century. The legendary admiral Kanhoji Angre established naval supremacy with a base in the islands and is credited with attaching those islands to India.

Danish occupation of the Nicobar Islands

The history of organized European colonization on the islands began when the Danish settlers of the Danish East India Company arrived on Nicobar Islands on 12 Dec 1755. On Jan 1, 1756, the Nicobar Islands was made a Danish colony and renamed 'New Denmark'. In Dec 1756, the Nicobar Islands was renamed 'Frederiksøerne' (Frederiks Islands). During 1754–1756 they were administrated under the name of Frederiksøerne from Tranquebar (in continental Danish India); missionaries from the Moravian Church Brethren's settlement in Tranquebar attempted a settlement on Nancwry and died in great numbers from disease; the islands were repeatedly abandoned due to outbreaks of malaria between 14 Apr 1759 - 19 Aug 1768, from 1787-1807/05, 1814–1831, 1830–1834 and finally from 1848 gradually for good.

From 1 Jun 1778 to 1784, they were occupied by Austria, and renamed 'Theresia Islands', attempting to establish a colony on the islands on the mistaken assumption that Denmark had abandoned its claims to the islands. Danish involvement ended formally on 16 October 1868 when the Danish rights to the Nicobar Islands were sold to Britain, which made them part of British India by 1869 when the British took possession.

British colonial period

The first attempt to set up colony in the islands by the British proved to very short from 1789 to 1796. However, the second attempt from 1858 proved to be more permanent. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, after the first world war of independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, 'moplas' some tribes from central and united provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka as well as ex-servicemen. Generally, Andaman is used as a prison during British period. The primary purpose was to set up a penal colony for dissenters and independence fighters from the Indian subcontinent.

The British used the islands as an isolated prison for members of the Indian Independence Movement. The mode of imprisonment was campaign 1941-1942.

Indian Control

The islands were only nominally put under the authority of the Arzi Hukumate Azad Hind of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, and the Islands were practically under Japanese control, who committed tremendous atrocities. Netaji visited the islands during the war, and renamed them as "Shaheed-dweep" (Martyr Island) & "Swaraj-dweep" (Self-rule Island). General Loganathan, of the Indian National Army was made the Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On 22 February 1944 he along with four INA officers— Major Mansoor Ali Alvi, Sub. Lt. Md. Iqbal, Lt. Suba Singh, and Strenographer Srinivasan—arrived at Lambaline Airport in Port Blair. On 21 March 1944 the Headquarters of the Civil Administration was established near the Gurudwara at Aberdeen Bazaar. On 2 October 1944, Col. Loganathan handed over the charge to Maj. Alvi and left Port Blair, never to return. The islands were re-occupied by British and Indian troops of the 116th Indian Infantry Brigade on 7 October 1945, to whom the remaining Japanese garrison surrendered.

At the independence of both India (1947) and Burma (1948), the departing British announced their intention to resettle all Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmese on the islands to form their own nation, although this never materialized. It became part of the Indian union in 1956. It was declared a union territory on 1956.

The Post Independence Regime

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands together with the rest of India, became Independent on August 15th, 1947. The Bengalis are the major population group which came to the Andaman after Independence. They came as 'settlers' under the Government rehabilitation scheme, which started as early as 1949 and continued till the 1970s. All these groups migrated to the Andaman from different districts of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The Bengalis are primarily distributed in the different villages of North, Middle and South Andaman. The rehabilitated settlers of Great Nicobar are the Ex-servicemen. Ex-servicemen were rehabilated according to the rules of the District Soldier, Sailor, Airmen Board, formerly known as the Ex-servemen Association and the Indian Ex-servicemen League. The first batch of Ex-servicemen came to the island in 1969. Others, from different parts of the mainland followed in 1970,1974,1977,1979 and 1980. These settlers include among others, Punjabis, Marathis, Malyalis and Tamilians. New rules and legislation were enacted and a Chief Commissioner directly nominated by the President of India headed the islands. On November 12, 1982, the post of Chief Commissioner was elevated to the rank of Lt. Governor. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands now send one elected representative to the Lok Sabha.

Recent history

On 26 December 2004 the coasts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were devastated by a 10 m (33 ft) high tsunami following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. At least 5,930 people were believed to have been killed on the Nicobar and Andaman Islands during the disaster. The worst affected Nicobar islands were Katchal and Indira Point, the latter the southernmost point of India, which was submerged by the ocean.

While newer settlers of the islands suffered the greatest casualties from the tsunami, most of the aboriginal people survived because oral traditions passed down from generations ago warned them to evacuate from large waves that follow large earthquakes.

Places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a veritable Garden of Eden and a naturalist's heaven. The clean environment, roads, greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air attract all nature lovers. The tropical rain forests and waters of Bay of Bengal are the home of a vast collection of plant, animal and marine life. Topographically the islands are hilly in places fringed with coconut palm, covered with tropical jungle and interspersed with flat stretches of crescent shaped beaches. Adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, snorkeling, SCUBA diving etc. and other water sports are the real attractions. A marvelous mix of nature's most precious delights, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a once in a lifetime holiday experience.

Beaches

Sandy beaches of these islands are famous for turtle nesting. Important species of
turtles include: Leather Back Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle and Olive Ridley Turtle. Water Monitor Lizard, Salt Water Crocodiles, Reticulate Python

Corbyn's Cove

One of the most picturesque sea-beaches, Is a coconut-palm crescent shaped beach ideal for swimming, sun basking and surfing. The Waves Restaurant, The Peerless Resort nearby and the Hornbill Nest Guest House at a stone's throw, provide a kaleidoscopic view of the blue water front.

Radhnagar Beach

Radhanagar and Vijaynagar Beach in Havelock are real exposures of unpolluted nature for an environment lover. Vijaynagar beach is just infront of Dolphin Yatri Niwas and Radhanagar beach is 7km away from Dolphin Yatri Niwas.

Harminder Bay Beach

These beautiful beaches are situated at Hut Bay island at a distance of 100kms from Port Blair and are connected by Inter Islands shipping services.

Karmatang Beach

Karmatang beach, at turtle nesting ground is being developed as tourist complex. Situated at Mayabunder, northern part of Middle Andaman, 240 kms by road and 136 kms by boat from Port Blair.

Ramnagar Beach

A sandy beach situated at Diglipur Island. It is connected by two daily boat services from Mayabunder and from Port Blair twice a week.

Museums

Fisheries Museum

Situatednear Andaman Water Sports Complex, it exhibits species of marine life peculiarto the islands and found in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal. Closed on Mondays and holidays.

Samudrika Naval Maritime Museum

Situated opposite to Andaman Teal House, Delanipur, this museum has complete collection of different shells and corals found in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. A good collection of shells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes found in these islands are on display.

Monuments

Cellular Jail

Cellular Jail, located at Port Blair, stood mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this Jail. Tours of this historic prison where the British jailed freedom fighters, seeking to liberate India, are a journey back into colonial times. This three-storied prison, constructed by Britishers in 1906, is a pilgrimage destination for freedom fighters. This colossal edifice has mutely witnessed the most treacherous of inhumane atrocities borne by the convicts, who were mostly freedom fighters. The Jail, aquired the name ‘cellular’ because it is entirely made up of individual cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners. It originally was a seven pronged, puce-coloured building with central tower acting as its fulcrum and a massive structure comprising honeycomb like corridors. The building was subsequently damaged and presently three out of the seven prongs are intact.

The penal settlement established in Andamans by the British after the First War of Independence in 1857 was the beginning of the agonising story of freedom fighters in the massive and awful jails at Viper Island followed by the Cellular Jail. The patriots who raised their voice against the British Raj were sent to this Jail, where many perished. Netaji Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the tri-colour flag to proclaim Independence on 30th December 1943 at a place near this Jail.

The saga of the heroic freedom struggle is brought alive in a moving Son-et-Lumiere, shown daily inside the jail compound at 6.00 PM (Hindi) and 7.15 PM (English). Also there is a Museum, an Art gallery, and a Photo gallery, which are open on all days except Monday from 9.00 AM to 12 Noon and 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM.

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 British period relevant to these islands.

Ross Island, the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime, is a tiny island standing as guard to Port Blair harbour. The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings like Ballroom, Chief Commissioner’s House, Govt. House, Church, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop Barracks, all in dilapidated condition, reminiscent of the old British regime.

Ever since Dr. James Pattison Walker arrived in Port Blair aboard the East India Company’s steam frigate ‘Senuramis’ on 10th March 1858, this island remained under British occupation till 1942. From 1942 to 1945, the island was under the occupation of Japanese. However, the allies reoccupied the island in 1945 and later abandoned it.

During British occupation, this island was the seat of power of the Britishers. It was developed into self-equipped township with all facilities required for a civilized colony. Dr. Walker, Chairman of the Andaman Committee, established the infamous and the dreaded Penal Settlement with 200 convicts. The Britishers even persuaded the aborigines to come and live in some huts at Ross Island and even established an Andaman Home for them in 1863. Later on the services of these Andamanese were used to catch the escaping convicts from Ross Island.

The island with historical background is spread along an area of 0.6 sq. kms. With the ruins and also with the historical background, the Island has gained a lot of popularity among the tourists.

Ross island is open for the tourists to visit during day time as the boat services are available from the Phoenix Bay jetty at 8.30 AM, 10.30 AM, and 12.30 PM. Navy has established a museum on the Island Known as ‘Smritika’ depicting the history of the Island.

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.

The tiny, serene, beautiful island of Viper witnessed the untold sufferings the freedom fighters had to undergo. Dangerous convicts found guilty of violating the rules of the Penal Settlement, were put in fetters and were forced to work with their fetters on in this island. Freedom fighters like Nanigopal and Nandlal Pulindas, who had resorted to hunger strike at the Cellular Jail, were imprisoned at Viper Island. The jail at Viper, where prisoners deported from the mainland were confined, was built by the British under the supervision of Major Fort. Work on the prison was started in 1867. Owing to the working conditions, the jail earned the notorious name Viper Chain Gang Jail.

The island derives its name from the vessel ‘Viper’ in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to the islands in 1768 with the purpose of establishing a Penal Settlement. The vessel, it is believed, met with an accident and its wreckage was abandoned near the island.

Gallows built on top of a hillock, visible to all prisoners in the island, signified death. Sher Ali, the Pathan, guilty of murdering Lord Mayo, was condemned to death and hanged at Viper Island.

The Harbour cruise, available daily from Phoenix Bay Jetty (at 3 PM), provides a panoramic view of different points around the harbour and includes a trip to Viper Island

Islands

Jolly Buoy

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.

Neil Island

A long shallow beach basically used for timbering operations.

Chatam 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.

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.

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.

Kondul

Is a small island to the north of Great Nicobar and is known for good canoes

Katchal

Is the most developed island with the majority of the population as Scheduled Tribe. The soil is most suitable for Rubber Plantation.

Pullomillor

An extremely beautiful island known for copra and betel nuts

Other places of visit

Chirya tapoo

Chidiya Tapu is the southern most tip of South Andaman, around 35 Km south of Port Blair. The lush green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the Sylvan Sands and Munda pahar beaches make it an ideal picnic site. The forest guesthouse situated on top of a hillock provides a fabulous view of isolated islands, submerged corals and the breath-taking sunset. Conducted tours are available from Andaman Teal House, Port Blair.

Mount Harriet

The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj, this place is an ideal for a nice and fascinating over view of the outer islands and the sea. It is the highest peak in the South Andamans (365 metres high) ), lying on the other side of Ross Island, provides an excellent view of the Port Blair City. One can trek upto Madhuban through a nature trail and can find rare endemic birds, animals and butterflies. Conducted tours to Mt. Harriet are available from Andaman Teal House.

Mini Zoo at Port Blair

When you tour this zoo you will see rare species like Nicobar Pigeon, Andaman Pig. The zoo provides with favorable breeding ground for the Crocodiles, which are bred through Saltwater Crocodile Breeding Programme.

Madhuban

When you travel 15 kms from Port Blair, and reach a place with a sea beach in front and hills behind, you will be in Madhuban - used as a training ground for elephants by rangers