How to reach Andaman & Nicobar Islands?
Amidst the mighty waters of the Bay of Bengal lies a gem covered in several beautiful islands. The enthralling and captivating beauty of the beaches and lagoons captures the attention of every tourist. Andaman in itself is a package for every fellow traveler, be it in nature or the activities it offers. Given the remote nature of the island, if you are wondering how to reach Andaman & Nicobar Islands, then we’ve got you covered. While flights are the most common means to reach the islands, there are various ships that ply from various port cities in India for a few days of the month. How to reach Andaman & Nicobar Islands Listed below are a number of ways how to reach the Andaman and Nicobar islands. How to reach Andaman by flight How to reach Andaman by sea How to reach Andaman by train How to reach Andaman by road 1. How to reach Andaman & Nicobar islands by air Image Source: Kevin Woblick via Unsplash The best mode of transportation to travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is by flight. Andaman has a very popular airport called Veer Savarkar named after a renowned freedom fighter. It is the only commercial airport located in Andaman. If you are traveling by air you will have to get down at the Veer Savarkar Airport in Port Blair. You can board a plane straight to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Bengaluru, and Visakhapatnam. These are the straight routes, in case you are boarding from elsewhere, you will have to take a hopping flight and reach Andaman. Most domestic flights like Indigo Airlines, Air India, Vistara, spice jet, and Go air are available to Andaman. A flight from Chennai will be the fastest route from India. The Flight might take around 2- 3 hours to reach your dream city. The Delhi route is the longest with 5 hours of travel. 2. How to reach Andaman & Nicobar by sea Image Source: Zhang via Unsplash Passenger ships from all the port cities of India sail to the beautiful islands of Andaman daily. Traveling by sea you can get down at Haddo wharf port in Andaman. Since it takes 3-4 days to reach the destination it is not a very suggested mode of transport to reach Andaman. The main ships that connect to Port Blair are MV Nancowry, MV Nicobar, MV Harshvardhana, MV Swaraj Dweep, and MV Akbar. The rates of tickets vary depending on the ships and class your board. The passengers can book their tickets from the respective ports in advance. 3. How to reach Andaman by train One cannot reach Andaman by rail since it is an island. However, the nearest railway station to Andaman is Chennai Central in Tamil Nadu. After reaching Chennai Central you can take a flight, or a ship to reach Andaman. 4. How to reach Andaman by road There are no roadways connecting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to other parts of India. You can opt for a flight or ship. However, you can travel around the Island by car. But still, a boat is a very common means of transport here. Intrastate travel in Andaman Image Source: Jeremy Bezanger via Unsplash Commuting within the islands comes with various options. On landing in Port Blair via flight or ship, there are various ways to get around the islands. These are some of the methods to ply within the state: By Ferry: Moving in and around the islands requires one to hop on a boat or ferry. It is also the most common method of hopping from one island to the other. There are both government and private ferries available. However, it is always wise to book your ferries in advance since the rush for ticket bookings is high especially during the peak tourist season. By Cabs: You can hire a cab/taxi and move from place to place. Though this is a convenient way of moving about, it is more expensive than other modes of transport. By autos: You can find plenty of tuk-tuks/autos plying around the islands. Hiring an auto is cheaper than cabs but it is not the most comfortable. The roads are not as smooth and make for a bumpy ride. By two-wheelers: One of the cheapest means of traveling within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is hiring two-wheelers like scooters or bikes. A certain level of expertise is required to drive around in two-wheelers since the roads are not well maintained. FAQs 1. How can I go to Andaman and Nicobar from Mumbai? You can take a flight or train from Mumbai to Chennai. Here, you can board a direct flight from Chennai International Airport to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. 2. How we can go to Andaman and Nicobar islands? You can reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by either boarding a direct flight from Kolkatta or Chennai. Or you can reach the islands by boarding a ship from any one of the port cities in India. 3. How many airports are there in Andaman and Nicobar Islands? There are four airports in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The main airport is the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. This is also the only International airport on the island. The other three airports are military airports. 4. Can we go to Andaman by ship? Yes, one can reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by ship. The waterways are connected to some port cities in India like Kolkatta, Chennai, and Vishakhapatnam. You can board a ship from one of these ports and reach the Haddo Wharf in Port Blair. 5. Do Andaman and Nicobar have railway stations? No, there is no railway station in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the Indian Government approved the first railway line to be built on the island last year to connect Port Blair and
20+ Unique Things to Do in Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2022 List)
Andaman being a gem of the Bay of Bengal is a heaven to all travellers and nature lovers. Owing to its distinguished topography this place is home to many adventure activities, water sports, and much more. Andaman and Nicobar are two of the most beautiful and pristine islands in India, which are home to a wealth of natural biodiversity and majestic landscapes. What’s more, these Islands are a destination to be visited again and again. These are rich in natural resources and offer a variety of breathtaking vistas. From the spectacular beaches to the deep blue waters, to the dense forests, these islands offer the visitor a wide variety of things to do. In this blog post, we will have a look at some of the unique things to do in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 20+ Things to Do in Andaman & Nicobar Islands Andaman is an amazing destination to explore when you’re looking for a holiday destination. It’s so diverse, you can explore the beaches, the marine life, and the numerous islands in the Andaman archipelago. Here are 20+ unique things to do in the Andaman & Nicobar islands. Sea Karting in Andaman Snorkelling under the clean water Sea-walking with the fishes Swim with elephants Enjoy mangrove kayaking Dolphin watching Semi-submarine ride for newbies Glass water boating Fishing for the soul Volcano barren Island tour Island trekking for the travel junkie Bioluminescence in Havelock Rubber plantations visit Watch Turtle nesting Island hopping Romantic walks in Ross and Smith Island Stay in Beach Facing Resorts Visit Limestone Caves Shopping Banana Boat Ride Bird Watching in Chidiya Tapu Parasailing in Andaman Let’s take a closer look at each of these activities along with their location, duration, and cost. 01. Sea Karting in Andaman A couple enjoying seakarting If you like to give yourself an adrenaline rush, then the first thing you need to try in Andaman is Sea Karting. Seakarting is becoming a popular water sport in Andaman. The major attraction of this water sport is that you get to venture into the deep ocean of Port Blair with speed and comfort without compromising on safety. You also get a chance to self-drive, as an instructor accompanies you along your ride. Location: Port Blair, Andaman Duration: 1.5 hours approx. Cost per person: INR 5000/- 02. Snorkelling under the Clean Water A lady snorkelling under clean water Snorkelling – the brother of Scuba diving. If you are afraid of diving into the deep ocean but still want to explore the inner sea, Snorkelling is the answer. It lets you swim on the surface of the water with the help of a breathing device and swim fins giving an experience similar to scuba-diving. Snorkelling in Andaman will be a unique and fun experience for you. Adding it to your list of unique things to do in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands should be a top priority. Location: Havelock Island, Port Blair, Andaman, and Nicobar Duration: 1 hour Cost per person: INR 1000/- 03. Sea Walking with the fishes A man enjoying the company of fishes It is a new fun activity introduced in Andaman recently. While Sea walking in Andaman you will be given a helmet where you can easily walk on the seafloor at a depth of 7 meters. It is a one-of-a-kind activity every fellow traveller should experience. It is indeed one of those unique things to do in Andaman. Location: North Bay Island, Havelock Island Duration: 1 hour Cost per person: INR 4000/- 04. Swim with Elephants Rajan th elephant swimming in water Swimming with elephants!! How cool is that! Here in Andaman, you are offered a fun yet thrilling swimming experience that you can cherish for the rest of your life. Rajan the elephant was the major attraction of this activity but he passed away in 2016. But there are 60 other elephants who are friendly and love the company of people. This is one of the inevitable activities to do in Andaman. Location: Any beach Duration: 30 minutes 05. Enjoy Mangrove Kayaking A beautiful view of the mangroves All of you must have heard of kayaking, But mangrove kayaking in Mayabunder is definitely going to break your idea of Kayaking. Did you know that ⅕th of India’s Mangrove is in Mayabunder? Kayaking through the lush green mangroves leaves us in Aww with nature. It is one of the best places to visit in Andaman. Being a secluded area this place is a resort for all peace and nature lovers. Location: Mayabunder Duration: 2.5 hours Cost per person: INR 2500/- 06. Dolphin watching The happy mammals posing for a family picture Dolphins are known to be the happiest animals alive. Watching them dance, jump, and wade across the water, make us so happy. You also get a chance to play with these happy mammals. A lot of Islands in Andaman offer ample opportunities for Dolphin watching. Watch these happy creatures tease you as you watch them. Location: North passage, Lalji bay Cost per person: Free of cost. 07. Semi-submarine ride for newbies An image of the semi-submarine Marine life is astonishing and marvelous in itself. You should actually set out to explore the beautiful deep ocean at least once in a lifetime. Indulge in the marine life of Andaman by taking a semi-submarine ride. It will be the most memorable and cherishable moment of your life. Be ready to witness the fascinating marine life very close with uncompromised comfort. This is also an ideal activity for people who are scared to venture alone into the deep ocean. Make sure to add this to the things to do in Andaman & Nicobar Islands with the family list. Location: Port Blair Duration: 2 hours Cost: INR 2000/- 08. Glass water boating People
