Andaman Islands: What to See and Do

Mentioned for the first time in the Arab chronicles written between China and India in 851, it would be Marco Polo who, during his trips to the Indian Ocean at the end of the 13th century, would refer to the inhabitants of Andaman as "dog-headed cannibals", a design that would accentuate the negative perception of the natives of the island in the eyes of western culture. Luckily, during the following years, Andaman also expanded that list of paradises that, either due to its lack of tourist openness, its remoteness or location, becomes one of those perfect places to flee to in search of the beginning of all things, from the virgin beaches, the banana plantations of brilliant bananas, the fish of a thousand colors and the tropical orchards. Read also traveltargets for complete article.

Composed of up to 572 islands of which only 36 are inhabited and 30 are visitable after various permits granted in 2018, the islands of Andaman and Nicobar have strict control when it comes to enjoying this paradise. Among other various restrictions, it is not possible to camp on the beach, take photographs of native tribes (most of them from the Onge ethnic group, of Malay and Philippine influences), or alter the seabed, with aquatic photography being a luxury limited to certain specific areas . Restrictions that obey a global interest: respect for cultures that are not accustomed to foreign contact and a natural heritage that is partially unknown to the tourist masses.

When accessing the Andaman Islands , it is only possible to do so through flights that depart from the Indian cities of Kolkata , Chennai , New Delhi , Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar, or by boat from Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata during a three day and two night excursion. Once you have arrived, you just have to enjoy the main tourist attractions.

Havelock Island

Any promotional image of the Andaman, that of crystalline beaches and wild nature, comes from Havelock, the most touristic island in the archipelago and its main ecotourism engine. Here the goal is to enjoy its beaches, especially Radhanagar, named as the best beach in Asia by Time magazine in 2004 , or Elephant Beach , famous for the ancient presence of the most famous swimming elephant in the world. When it comes to staying, the Taj chain offers the best starting point when it comes to getting lost in a unique nature through its Taj Exotica Resort & Spa .

Neil Island

If there is a reason to visit this island, it is undoubtedly a seabed where you can dive in the Indian Ocean among manta rays and remains of lava dumped in the sea.

Baratang Island

Crossed by the famous Andaman Trunk Road , where the appearance of natives is more than likely, Baratang is a natural paradise 100 kilometers from Port Blair. Filled with beach and mangroves, the island is famous for its limestone caves , in addition to the Mud Volcano , a mud volcano formed by underground gases stored in some sectors of the island.

Little Andaman

Home to the Onge tribe , one of the most ancient of all Asia, the "little Andamans' becomes the perfect setting where succumbing to elephant safaris or practice of surf , as are some of the best beaches are concentrated for practice, especially Butler Beach.

The Andaman Islands make up an unexplored paradise in which the lack of better infrastructure and the presence of different ethnic groups hinder a transition to mass tourism that, for the moment, should be retained at the expense of a unique adventure to live as long as you know how and where go.

At the Geographical Society of the Indies we do not provide a guide service or visits to the Andaman Islands, although we do facilitate the management of airline tickets and hotels as a complement to a trip to India .