Andaman and Nicobar Islands - A Detailed Guide
Andaman Islands tourism is a perfect destination in India that covers many aspects of a travelers requirements. Be it a solo, family, adventure or a honeymoon traveler coming to the Andaman Islands, Andaman Tourism has to offer everything to each segment of travelers. The island has gained quite a lot of popularity among travelers who are looking into both leisure and adventure trips in India. The underwater experience in Andaman is quite unique and still in its pristine state. The different shades of green can actually be seen in the Andaman Islands. The tourism at the islands has seen a steep increase for the past 2 - 3 years. With the international airport expected to be operational from 2022, Andaman tourism will start getting international travelers.
Operational Islands in Andaman Tourism
The Andaman Archipelago has over 570 islands out of which only 36 are inhabited. Andaman Island tourism offers varied kinds of experiences for travelers on a visit to the islands. Please note that tourism is open only in the Andaman Islands and is closed for the Nicobar Islands. Nicobar Island entirely falls under the tribal restricted area and travelers are to visit Nicobar without valid and permissible reasons. Even the Andaman Islanders cannot go to the Nicobar Islands without government orders. The government employees are posted in Nicobar which is the only way they can see Nicobar in their lifetime.
However, lately, discussions are underway were some parts of Nicobar to be open for tourism purposes as well. Let's see over time if anything positive comes out from Nicobar tourism as well. We will discuss the Nicobar Islands separately.
Major Islands that are open to tourism as of 2023:
- Port Blair – Capital City - Know More
- Havelock Island - Know More
- Neil Island - Know More
- Baratang - Know More
- Port Blair-Haveock - Know More
- Havelock – Barren Island - Know More
- Havelock – Elephant Beach - Know More
- Port Blair – Jolly Bouy - Know More
- Port Blair – Ross & North Bay - Know More
- Sightseeing Spots at Neil Island - Know More
Brief History of Andaman Tourism
The Andaman Islands were accessed as a trade route by the British who later settled down here for a while before converting the island into a place for punishing the convicts. They built the Cellular jail and the island was mainly used for exiling the freedom activists from the mainland. The Cellular Jail became a hub to transfer prisoners from mainland India to a remote location such as the Andaman.
The islands were earlier known as Kaalapani (Black Water) because of the harsh punishments that Indian freedom fighters had to go through. Today, this jail is a National Memorial that can be visited when you are in Andaman. The British had set up a colony at Ross Island from where they used to govern the entire Andaman Islands. This colony was also said as the Paris of the past because of its well-planned architecture that helped the British to govern the entire Andaman Islands with much ease.
Ross Island has been renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island in 2018, and is still present where we can visit to see the ruins of the colony that was built by the British. This island is one most recommended places to visit in Andaman Tourism.
