The Andamans Wiki
Practical, no-nonsense guides to the islands, beaches and lesser-known corners of the Andamans — how to get there, what to expect, and what to watch out for. Written by people who live here.
Port Blair & around
Town Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) The capital and gateway to the islands — airport, ferry jetties, the Cellular Jail, and a base for Ross, North Bay, Corbyn's Cove and day trips south and west. Island Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) The ruined British capital of the Andamans, ten minutes by boat from Port Blair — colonial buildings swallowed by banyan roots, deer on the lawns. Island North Bay Island Port Blair's coral island — sea walk, glass-bottom boats and snorkelling over a shallow reef, usually paired with Ross Island. Attraction Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) The colonial prison at the heart of Port Blair — a national memorial to the freedom fighters transported here, with a museum, the gallows and the surviving wings. Attraction Cellular Jail Light & Sound Show The evening show in the jail courtyard — the story of Kala Pani told through narration, lighting and the voice of the old peepal tree. Book ahead in season. Attraction Marina Park & Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex Port Blair's harbour-front — where the boats for Ross and North Bay leave, with water sports, an evening promenade, food stalls and a sea-facing park. Beach Corbyn's Cove Port Blair's own beach — a palm-lined crescent 7 km from town, good for a swim, a jet-ski and a sunset without leaving the capital.
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
Island Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) The Andamans' most-visited island — home to Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and the best diving in India. Beach Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7) Havelock's west-coast showpiece — a two-kilometre arc of white sand, glassy water and the best sunset in the islands. Beach Elephant Beach Havelock's water-sports beach — a shallow reef metres from the sand, snorkelling, sea walk and jet-skis, reached by boat or a jungle trek. Beach Kalapathar Beach Havelock's quiet east-coast beach of black rocks and turquoise shallows — the place for sunrise and a slow morning. Beach Neil's Cove The hidden lagoon a kilometre north of Radhanagar Beach — a rocky, forest-backed cove that few visitors reach, with a serious crocodile caveat.
Neil (Shaheed Dweep)
Island Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) Havelock's smaller, slower neighbour — three beaches, one natural rock bridge, and not much else to do but relax. Beach Bharatpur Beach Neil Island's jetty beach — the swimming, snorkelling and glass-bottom-boat spot, minutes from where the ferry drops you. Beach Laxmanpur Beach & the Natural Bridge Neil's sunset beach (Laxmanpur 1) and the coral rock arch known as the Natural Bridge (Laxmanpur 2), reachable at low tide. Beach Sitapur Beach Neil's sunrise beach on the island's eastern tip — open sea, real waves, limestone cliffs and almost nobody around.
South Andaman
Beach Kurmadera Beach A remote west-coast beach beyond Collinpur, ~30–35 km from Port Blair — a rough jeep track, a muddy creek walk, then an empty sunset shore. Beach Shoal Bay 19 A hidden beach at the end of the numbered Shoal Bay settlements north of Port Blair — a short walk through fields and mangroves to clean, empty sand.
North & Middle Andaman
Island Baratang Island Limestone caves reached by boat through mangrove creeks, a mud volcano and Parrot Island — a long day trip north from Port Blair through the Jarawa reserve, or by sea. Island Ross & Smith Islands (Diglipur) Twin islands in the far north joined by a white sandbar you can walk across at low tide — arguably the most beautiful beach in the Andamans, and the hardest to reach.