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The beautiful archipelago of the Andaman Islands is a popular holiday destination not just because of its beauty but also because of its historical significance. The museums in Port Blair provide information about the cultural, historical and geographical specialities of the islands. You can visit some of the best museums of Andaman and take a trip down the cultural and historical roots of the island as well as get introduced to the historical characters, scientific discoveries and local wildlife of the area.
7 Museums In Port Blair
The 7 famous museums in Port Blair are not just a place for enjoying the cultural and geographic beauty of the islands. Let’s have a closer look at them.
1. Anthropological Museum
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons
Considered to be one of the most visited places in Port Blair, the Anthropological Museum showcases an all-encompassing exhibition of weapons and tools used by the local Andamanese tribes like Jarwas, Great Andamanese, Sentenalese and the Shompens. The place was started in 1975 to give tourists an inside view of regional tribal history through models, portraits and photographs of the tribals. The Anthropological Survey of India maintains the place.
Location: Anthropological Museum, Thomas Colony, Junglighat, Port Blair
Timings: 8:30 AM – 1 PM, 1 PM – 4:30 PM (Monday Closed)
Entry Fees: ₹10 for adults, ₹3 for children
Best Time To Visit: March to May
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Andaman And Nicobar In 5 Days
2. Samudrika Naval Marine Museum
Photo: Yercaud-elango / Wikimedia Commons
Run by The Indian Navy, Samudrika Naval Marine Museum is one of the top choices among the top museums in Port Blair for tourists visiting the city. The museum houses a fisheries’ museum that gives a lot of information about the animals, plants, tribal life and overall marine ecosystem of the island. There is a mini zoo within the museum grounds that also houses crocodiles. One of the most distinctive features of the Naval Museum is the huge skeleton of a blue whale that got washed on the Nicobar shores and is kept outside the museum.
Location: Samudrika Naval Museum, Airport Authority Colony, Haddo, Port Blair
Timings: 9 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM ( Monday closed)
Entry Fees: ₹50 for Adults, ₹25 for children, Entry free for physically handicapped, senior citizens and freedom fighters
Best Time To Visit: November to July
3. Cellular Jail Museum
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons
Cellular Jail Museum was a colonial prison in ancient times used to imprison the political prisoners of Britain. The prisoners exiled to this prison included some famous Indian freedom fighters like Yogendra Shukla and V.D. Savarkar Batukeshwar Dutt. Infamously known as Kala Paani, the place has relics that stood as mute witnesses of the tortures meted out in this jail and sing the saga of the true heroic Indian freedom struggle. Today, this complex is a national freedom memorial monument and one of the top historical museums in Port Blair.
Location: Cellular Jail Museum, Atlanta Point, Port Blair
Timings: 9 AM-12 PM, 1 PM-4:45 PM
Entry Fees: Starting at ₹50 for adults and ₹25 for children (including light and sound show)
Best Time To Visit: December to April
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Port Blair
4. Forest Museum
Photo: Harshanh / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Forest Museum is one of the popular museums in Port Blair, showcasing displays associated with local wildlife along with forests and animals. Quite popular among wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts, the museum houses attractions made from gurjan, timber, satinwood, oak and padauk. The local forest department manages the place and showcases things associated with the rich flora and fauna of Andaman. The place also houses a mini zoo as well as a zoological garden inside.
Location: Forest Museum, Chatham Island, Foreshore Rd, Haddo, Port Blair
Timings: 8 AM – 12 PM, 2:30 PM – 5 PM (Sundays closed)
Entry Fees: ₹2 per person
Best Time To Visit: October to May
5. Zoological Survey Of India Museum
Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
A fun destination, the Zoological Survey of India Museum in Port Blair showcases wide zoological collections that are native to the island. The place is home to a variety of corals, butterflies, sponges, centipedes etc. There are stuffed specimens of parakeets, hawks, bats and civets that are well-labelled with species and genetic names on display that may be of interest for research students, scientists as well as animal enthusiasts.
Location: ZSI Museum, Haddo, Port Blair
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: Free
Best time To Visit: November to April
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Andaman In December
6. Science Centre Museum
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Established in 2003, the Science Centre is an interesting place to spend time with family and friends. The place houses a special exhibit showcasing the science of oceans, the genesis of Andamanese islands, oceanic science, a modern technological gallery, a portable planetarium as well as an in-house butterfly corner. If interested, the place also has pieces of the first aircraft The VT AAN plane that entered the island and telescope shows every month.
Location: Science Centre Museum, Corbyn Cove Road, Science City, Shadipur, Port Blair
Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM (Mondays Closed)
Entry Fees: ₹10 for adults and ₹5 for children
Best Time To Visit: October to April
7. Fisheries Museum
Photo: Yercaud-elango / Wikimedia Commons
Located near the famous Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, the Fisheries Museum is one of the best museums in Port Blair, showcasing marine life species that are endemic to the islands. The place houses over 350 different marine species along with colourful shells and corals. The place is under the control of the Indian Navy and requires every visitor to register before entering.
Location: Fisheries Museum, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Port Blair
Timings: 9 AM – 12:45 PM, 1:30 PM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: ₹5 for adults and ₹3 for children
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Suggested Read: Nightlife In Port Blair
The museums in Port Blair offer interesting snippets of the local history, culture and marine fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are some of the most popular attractions in Port Blair that attract tourists from all over the world. Include them in your next visit with TripXL to ensure one of the most memorable travel experiences you have ever had.
Cover Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons
