Built over a period of eighteen years at the start of the 20th 
century by the British, its dingy solitary cells were quite
different and far worse than the dormitories in other prison
blocks erected earlier. The prisoners endured extremely grim
conditions in the dirty and ill-ventilated cells where
drinking water was limited to two glasses per day and the
convicts were expected to wash in the rain as they worked,
clearing forests and building prison quarters. Food was stored
in vats where the rice and pulses became infested with worms;
more than half the prison population died long before their
twenty years' detention was up. Frequent executions took place
in full view of the cells, at the gallows that still stand in
squat wooden shelters in the courtyards.
| Corbyn's Cove, a 7 km walk away, is the nearest beach to Port Blair.
The nearby Snake Island is surrounded by coral reefs. Currents
in the water here are pretty strong and swimming can be
dangerous.
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The sound and light show (in English on Wed, Sat & Sun 7.15pm;
in Hindi daily at 6pm; except for the rainy season) outlines
the history of the prison, and a small museum by the entrance
gate (open at the same hours as the prison) exhibits lists of
convicts, photographs and grim torture devices.
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Samudrika Marine Museum
Run by the Indian Navy, the marine museum has tanks brimming
with exotic fish and coral from the islands' reefs. The five
sections of this unique museum display history and geography
of the Andaman & Nicobar islands. Displays include miniature
models of islands, pictures of tribals and their life-style
and archaeology.
Aquarium
This aquarium cum museum has a collection of some 350 species
of marine animals found in the Andaman Sea.
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Anthropological Museum
On MG Road in the west of town, the anthropological museum
illustrates the lives of the aboriginal tribes with miniature
models of the tools used by them, their dresses and
photographs of their life style. Above the museum is a well
stocked library where you can look up books. |
| Wandoor, 29 km from Port Blair consists of a stunningly beautiful group of 15 islands that form part of
the 280 sq kms Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. There are
a number of good beaches on Wandoor but watch for the strong
currents.
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Mini Zoo and Forest Museum
The small zoo has 200 species of animals and birds which
include the Nicobar Pigeon, the Andaman Pigand and the rare agile
luminous-green Andaman gekko. A salt-water crocodile farm that
breeds and releases crocodiles into the coastal mangrove
swamps is a part of the zoo. Near the zoo is the museum maintained and run by the forest
department. This unusual museum displays local types of wood
used in the timber industry such as padauk which has both
light and dark colours present in the same tree, rosewood and
marble wood. Lumbering methods are clearly explained here.
Chatham Sawmill
5 km North-west of Aberdeen Bazaar, on the peninsula that
marks the northernmost edge of Port Blair, is the British
built Chatham sawmill one of the oldest and largest timber
processing plants on Indian territory. The seasoning of
beautiful and rare woods taken from various islands is a sad
testimony to continuing felling; photography is prohibited.
Most of the timber goes from here to the mainland.
Water Sports Complex
Very close to the Fisheries Museum, is the water sports
complex where you can rent rowboats, wind surfing equipment,
sailing dinghies and snorkels. Water skiing is also available.
| Chiriya Tapu, 30 Km from Port Blair is at the southern tip of South Andaman. A tiny fishing
village it has beautiful mangroves, shell-strewn beaches, sharp rocks and
vast coral reefs. South of the island is a beach well known
for snorkelling.
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Mt Harriet
Mount Harriet at 365 m is one of the highest points in South
Andaman. A natural trail leads to the summit. Permission to
climb the nature trails that weave through dense forest must
be obtained from the Chief Wildlife Warden in Haddo.Open to
tourists during the day, permission of the warden at Port
Blair has to be taken to stay overnight in the forest rest
house. Towards the north is the Mt Harriet National Park where
one can watch elephants being trained to carry logs. One can
take a ferry service or taxi from the Chatnam wharf to Bamboo
flat. The summit , 7 km from here is an enjoyable walk but the
route is devoid of drinking water. Taxis and jeeps are also
available. |
Madhuban
Ferries from Phoenix Bay Jetty to Bamboo Flat and a short bus
ride gets you to Madhuban a felling area where elephants work
alongside men. Private vehicles can be ferried from Chafham
jetty to Bamboo Flat, which saves a long drive over poor roads
on the route from Port Blair.
Ross Island
Ross Island was the administrative headquarters of the British
during World War II. Formerly known as Paris of the East, this
place now lies in ruins. Its manicured lawns adorned with
umbrellas and shades and the majestic ballrooms were destroyed
in an earthquake in 1941. Daily services were held at the
Church but now forest and under growth has over-run the place
which is in ruins and has a somewhat haunting air of
poignancy. The small museum near the jetty presents a picture
of the bygone era. The island is under Naval control and it is
mandatory to sign the visitor's guest book on arrival. Ferries
from Phoenix Bay take 20 minutes for the ride to Ross Island.
Corbyn's Cove
The nearest beach to Port Blair, it is a pleasant 7 km walk.
The nearby Snake Island is surrounded by coral reefs. Currents
in the water here are pretty strong and swimming can be
dangerous.
Sippighat Farm
Located 15 km from Port Blair en route to Wandoor, this
Government owned farm is used for research in various kinds of
agricultural products. Research predominantly in spices has
developed new varieties of cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg and
cloves.
Wandoor (29 km)
This stunningly beautiful group of 15 islands forms part of
the 280 sq kms Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. There are
a number of good beaches on Wandoor but watch for the strong
currents. Do not venture on the corals as they might get
damaged. Many coral reefs have already been damaged due to
over enthusiastic visitors.
Part of the Wandoor National Park, Red Skin and Jolly Buoy
islands boast a stunning array of over 50 varieties of coral
and fish. Daily boat trips are organised to these uninhabited
islands (departures from Wandoor jetty, daily except Mon,
10am). Food and drink are usually provided on the organized
tours, which also provide transport from Port Blair to
Wandoor. Although the trips give less than three hours to
explore the fabulous reefs, they are still worthwhile.
Chiriya Tapu (30 Km)
At the southern tip of South Andaman, an hour's drive from
Port Blair, is Chiriya Tapu or Bird Island; a tiny fishing
village with mangroves, shell-strewn beaches, sharp rocks and
vast coral reefs. South pf the island is a beach well known
for snorkelling.
Cinque Island
South of Chirya Tapu, the uninhabited Cinque Island are
surrounded by some of the finest coral reefs which can be seen
a few hundred metres into the sea. Permission from the Forest
Department is required to visit these islands and a night
visit is rarely granted. It takes two and a half hours to get
here by boat from Chiriya Tapu and three and a half hours from
Wandoor. Ferries between Phoenix Bay and the island run only
once a week (3hr).
Diglipur
It is the northernmost point of the Andaman chain. 9 km inland
from its harbour at Arial Bay is a bazaar. One can swim at a
small beach beside the mangrove swamps near a sawmill. A sandy
beach, 11 km further on at Kalipur is connected by bus.
Permission to make the three- to four-hour climb up the
thickly forested Saddle Peak must be obtained from the Range
Officer at Arial Bay. The nearby Austin Islands are also worth
a visit.
Accommodation
Turtle resort, a PWD rest house and the smaller PWD rest house
on a hillock down at Arial Bay are some places to stay
overnight.
Long Island
The several sandy beaches on this island, which is off the
south east coast of Middle Andaman are an idyllic camping
site. It has a forest rest house and a PWD rest house. On
Wednesdays and Saturdays ferries from Port Blair and Havelock
stop here on their way to Rangat.
Neil Island
Predominantly inhabited by post-partition Bengali settlers, the
Neil Islands offer good beaches for snorkelling. Some of the
corals here have been damaged due to extensive fishing. The
numbered beaches are popular for their hammocks under shady
trees. The largest of Neil's wide and deserted beaches is at
Sitapur, on the east coast.
Accommodation and Places to eat
Hawabill Nest Yatri Niwas, an advance booking for which has to
be made at A&N tourist office at Port Blair and the PWD rest
house (up to Rs100) for which an introductory letter can be
obtained from the Chief Engineer's Office in Port Blair
(20206) are the places to stay here. Camping is another
option. The village market has a few shops, which serve dosas,
fried fish, vegetables and rice.
How to get There
Ferries leave from Phoenix Bay in Port Blair every Wednesday
and Friday.
Havelock Islands (45 km)
Havelock, full of Bengali settlers is the largest of a
scattering of islets northeast of Port Blair. The island,
popular for its long white beaches, turquoise waters and coral
reefs with dolphins, turtles and large fish is slightly hilly
and very fertile. Elephants brought here to work now offer
rides to tourists. Fruit and vegetables are grown for sale.
Accommodation
Clean double rooms at the new Dolphin Yatri Nivas (21328;
Rs225-500) about 3km from the jetty - an ANTO bus meets the
ferry (book at the Andaman and Nicobar tourist office in Port
Blair), where you can also get reasonable but unexciting food.
The only other hotel is the poor VS Lodge (Rs225-350), not far
from the jetty, where there are also a few shops and basic
meal joints. The wide beach close to the hotel is good for
sunbathing, and the sea is very shallow, but the best waters
for swimming lie off the beach at Radhnagar, 10 km from the
jetty at the end of a narrow and poorly surfaced road; watch
for pesky sandflies, especially in the evenings. There's no
guarantee of transport to Radhnagar - the best thing to do is
to bring a moped (plus fuel) or bicycle with you from Port
Blair.
Viper Islands
The islands got its name from a ship The Viper, which was
wrecked nearby. Gallows, whipping posts and crumbling walls of
the gallows remind one of the days of the Raj. Convicts were
made to stay for a month to deter them from breaking prison
discipline. Harbour cruises from Port Blair (daily 3-5pm;
Rs20) include a short stop on Viper Island.
Middle Andamans
The Grand trunk Road links Port Blair to the Middle Andamans.
Public transport has armed guards to ward off any attacks from
the native Jarawa tribes who are very hostile to visitors.
Independent travelling in this area is discouraged even though
the island is open to the tourists and accommodation & other
facilities have been provided. Tourists can also visit Rangat
and Mayabunder islands.
Little Andamans
Home to the Onge tribals, who are confined to the south of the
island, these reserves are out of bound areas. The waves make
this place good for swimming. There is police station where
one has to register his arrival. The main beach of Little
Andamans is at Butler Bay, which is also a camping ground.
Festivals and Events
Island Tourism Festival, a 10-day affair, is held between
December and February each year. Dance performances by people
from the surrounding villages and the Andaman Dog Show are
major attractions.
Adventure
Scuba Diving in the Andaman Islands
Andamans are Coral islands with white sand beaches and
surrounded by pristine beauty of Nature. The seas around the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are some of the world's finest,
relatively unexplored, unspoiled and multi-hued. Many species
of fish and coral are unique to the area and fascinating life
systems exist in ash beds and cooled lava around the eastern
volcanic island of Barren. One can start by snorkelling; most
hotels supply masks and snorkels. However, the only way to get
really close, and venture out into deeper waters, is to scuba
dive. The experience of weaving in and out of coral beds,
coming eye to eye with fish or swimming with dolphins and
barracudas is unforgettable, and at prices that are among the
lowest in the world, it's an opportunity not to be missed.
The dive centers The Samudra, Port Blair Underwater and
Andamans Adventure Sports and the recently established Andaman
and Nicobar Scuba Diving Society run by Mr Chowdhary have
almost similar rates. These centers have good equipment and
the guides are well experienced. It's not uncommon to come
across schools of sharks, which rarely turn hostile, but one
thing to watch out for and avoid is the black-and-white sea
snake. Though the snakes seldom attack - and, since their
fangs are at the back of their mouths, would find it difficult
to get a grip on any human - their bite is more deadly than
that of the cobra.
It is essential to respect the environment when diving and
snorkelling. Increased tourism inevitably puts pressure on the
delicate marine eco-system, and poorly funded wildlife
organizations can do little to prevent damage from insensitive
visitors. Divers and snorkellers should never touch or pick
coral; most of the reefs remain undamaged, but the dead coral
in the shallow waters on the shores at Wandoor is an early
sign of what happens if coral is walked on or picked.
General Information
Accommodation
Peerless Resort at Corbyn's Cove, Bay Island Hotel with
excellent sea views and a sea water swimming pool and Hotel
Sinclairs Bay View are the luxury hotels in Port Blair. The
Holiday Resort, Andaman Teal House, Megapode Nest Tourist
Complex at Haddo on the hill above the bay, Hornbill Nest
Yatri Niwas and Hotel Abhishek are some mid-range hotels.
Central Lodge, Sampat Lodge, Jagannath Guest House and the
Youth Hostel are budget options. Several government
guesthouses, two tourist homes, and a circuit house are also
available.
Foreign tourists are permitted to visit only the Andaman group
of islands, while access to Nicobars is restricted only to
Indians. Though situated in the tropics, the islands have a
pleasant temperate climate, due to the sea breeze blowing in
continuously. The best time to visit these islands, is between
November and May.
Places to eat
Mandalay Restaurant at the Bay Island Hotel, China Room, Islet
Restaurant, New India Café and Dhanalakshmi Restaurant.
How to get There
Air
The capital Port Blair, on South Andaman, is served by Indian
Airlines flights from Calcutta (Wed, Fri & Sun; 2hr) and
Madras (Tues, Thurs & Sat; 2hr 5min). Jet and East-West a
private airline have services from Chennai. Both outward and
return journeys should be booked in advance at the respective
airline offices on the mainland.
Water
SCI operates twice (four times at times) between Port Blair
and Chennai (60 hrs, Calcutta (56 hrs) and
Vishakhapatnam(56hrs) in its own vessels. Though more
economical than flying, the long crossings are uncomfortable
at times and often delayed by bad conditions and bureaucracy.
Tickets cost from Rs690 for a simple, crowded bunk to Rs2500
for a deluxe a/c cabin. Meals of dal, rice and vegetables are
served for around Rs100 per day. Taking along some
supplementary snacks and fruit is not too bad an idea.
Offices of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) are at
First Floor, 13 Strand Rd, Calcutta (2482354), AV Bhanoji Row
Garude, Pattbhiramaya & Co, Vishakapatnam port (565597) or
Jawahar Building, near Customs House, Rajaji Rd, Chennai (Ph.:
5220841). You'll need two passport photos and should confirm
your place on the boat 4 days before sailing. There's also an
information centre for the islands at F 104 Curzon Road
Hostel, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi (387015).
Getting Around
Port Blair has buses, taxis and a few auto rickshaws. Buses to
key locations are available from the Port Blair bus stand. It
is advisable to have own transportation to explore the island.
Motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and bicycles are available.
Regular ferry services connect Port Blair to near by islands
of Chiriya Tapu or Bird Island, Corbyn's Cove Beach, Ross
Island, and other inhabited islands in the region.. Private
boats can also be hired but may work out to be expensive.
Permits
Foreign tourists need a permit to visit Andamans. The Nicobar
islands are out of bound for non-Indians. On the Andamans too
there are many areas like the reserve places for the tribals
on the Middle Andamans, Little Andaman and South Andamans that
are out of bound. Further on the North Andamans, Diglipur is
opened for foreigners. Day trips are allowed to Ross, Viper,
Cinque, Narcondum, Interview and Brother & Sister islands. On
the Barren volcanic islands boats go but embarkment is not
allowed.
Permits are issued for 30 days, which under special
circumstances can be extended for 2-3 days but not more than
that. Permits are issued at the Port Blair Airport. If one
does not have a confirmed return ticket he is allowed only a
10-15 days stay, which is extended to 30 days. Tourists
arriving by plane can pick up the permit necessary to visit
the islands on arrival at Port Blair airport; ship passengers
should obtain one at a shipping office or Foreigners'
Registration office before leaving India. The superintendent
of police in Port Blair's Aberdeen Bazaar can extend your
initial fifteen-day visa up to a maximum of thirty days. If
reporting is not done on arrival then at the time of departure
one may have problems in proving proof that he has not stayed
longer than 30 days. Permits are stamped at the time of
departure.
Shopping
Andamans is more a place to swim, breathe the fresh airs than
shop. Nevertheless, Port Blair's markets have muti hued and
multi sized corals and sea shell souvenirs for sale. Mother of
pearl jewellery and artifacts, objects d'art in local wood and
palm mats are also available.
Population:
About 3.5 lakh people reside on this group of
islands
Languages:
Hindi, Nicobarese, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and
Bengali.
Tourist Information
The Government of India Tourist office is above Super Shoppe
on Juglighat Main Road. The Andaman and Nicobar Tourism office
has a friendly staff. Pamphlets and brochures are available
here.
Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be changed at the
State Bank of India branch. Port Blair's post and telegraph
office has STD, ISD and fax facilities.
Tourist Offices
Port Blair Director (Tourism), Andaman & Nicobar Admn., Port
Blair - 741101
Tel : (03192) 30933, 20747 : Fax : (0091-03192) 30933
New Dehli Resident Commissioner, Andaman & Nicobar Admn.,
Andaman & Nicobar Bhavan,
Plot No. 12, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021
Tel : 011- 6119590, 6871443 : Fax : 011-6882116
Calcutta Dy. Resident Commissioner, Andaman & Nicobar Admn.,
3-A, Auckland Place,
Calcutta - 700017
Tel / Fax : (033) 2475084
Chennai Dy. Resident Commissioner, Andaman & Nicobar Admn.,
C.P.W.D.Campus, K.K.Nagar,
Chennai - 600078.
Tel / Fax : (044) 4844715
Compiled by Puneet Sachdeva
