Andaman and Nicobar Islands, also known as India’s “Tropical Paradise”, are a cluster of islands in the serene Bay of Bengal. There are many places to visit in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that offer the perfect getaway and will surely leave you spellbound. Beyond the natural splendour and water activities, the islands have a rich historical narrative. If you are a history aficionado, you can take a walk-through time with visits to colonial-era establishments and museums. Additionally, the place serves as a melting pot of diverse cultures and indigenous tribes.
14 Places To Visit In Andaman And Nicobar
You can find the perfect blend of scenery, adventure and cultural experiences on these islands. Here is a list of top 14 places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for you to explore:
1. Port Blair
Photo: Yercaud-Elango / Wikimedia Commons
Port Blair is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Named after Captain Archibald Blair of the East India Company, Port Blair is home to major naval, sea and air bases. It serves as a vibrant hub showcasing a fusion of nature, history and cultural allure. Serving as the primary port of entry for many visitors, Port Blair acts as a gateway to Andaman and Nicobar’s most captivating destinations.
Major Attractions: Cellular Jail, Mahatma Gandhi National Park, Corbyn’s Cove, Anthropological Museum, and Chidiya Tapu
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 days
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Port Blair Port
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Port Blair For A Memorable Experience
2. Havelock Island
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
Officially renamed as Swaraj Dweep, Havelock Island is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is also the largest island in this union territory. There are 7 beaches on this island, with Beach No. 7 or Radhanagar beach as the most popular and highly rated amongst travellers. The place is a paradise with beautiful marine life, pristine beaches and exciting water activities for everyone.
Major Attractions: Neil’s Cove, Vijay Nagar Beach, Kalapathar Beach, Elephant Beach and Radhanagar Beach.
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Ideal Trip Duration: 3 – 5 days
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Havelock Jetty
3. Baratang Island
Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons
Baratang Island, nestled within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is a hidden treasure trove, presenting unique adventures for travellers. It is celebrated for its natural marvels, dense mangrove thickets, and beautiful limestone caverns. It is home to the Jarawa tribe living along the Great Andaman Trunk Road and is one of the oldest human races. The place stands out as a haven for nature aficionados and thrill-seekers looking for exciting tourist places in Andaman and Nicobar.
Major Attractions: Mangrove creek safari, mud volcanoes and limestone caves
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Baratang Harbour Jetty
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Andaman For Honeymoon
4. Neil Island
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
Renamed as Shaheed Dweep, Neil Island features among the top in the Andaman and Nicobar tourist places list because of its unspoiled and serene beauty. If you want a quieter and intimate experience, then this island is perfect for you. The place acts like a great tropical getaway from your routine life. There is a diverse range of flora and fauna that you can witness on Neil Island.
Major Attractions: Natural Bridge, Laxmanpur Beach, Bharatpur Beach and Sitapur Beach.
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 days
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Neil Harbour Jetty
5. Ross And Smith Islands
Photo: Singhabhinav7 / Wikimedia Commons
One of the best places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar, the Ross and Smith Islands are located on the northern Andaman side. A thin sandbar connects these twin islands, which becomes submerged during high tide, turning them into two separate islands. These islands are also the habitat of Olive Ridley turtles and if visitors are lucky, they might spot them nesting. There are bamboo huts, hiking trails and activities like scuba diving and snorkelling present at this island.
Major Attractions: Forest Department Museum, British Colony Ruins, Twin Islands Beach and Japanese Bunkers
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 day
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport
Nearest Seaport: Aerial Bay Jetty
Suggested Read: Experience The Festivals Of Andaman And Nicobar Islands On Your Next Vacation
6. Diglipur
Photo: Skasish / Wikimedia Commons
Diglipur is home to some of the best offbeat places for an Andaman and Nicobar trip with its unique natural beauty and serene beaches. It is the largest town in northern Andaman Islands. The town is well-known for its agricultural products, which are vital to the local economy and include rice, coconuts, bananas, and areca nuts. Located on the southern side of Aerial Bay, this town is a blend of peace and adventure.
Major Attractions: Kalipur Beach, Saddle Peak National Park, Ramgarh Beach and Alfred Caves
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 days
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Aerial Bay Jetty
7. Mayabunder
Photo: Jakub Michankow / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Mayabunder is another great spot and you can explore it by boating along the mangroves that line the edges of the beaches. You can book elephant viewing experiences at Mayabunder for a fun time. Snorkelling and speed boat trips are two excellent methods to discover the local marine life and coral reefs, and Mayabunder offers both. November through February is turtle nesting season at Mayabunder, a fantastic opportunity to get up close with these incredible animals. You can also go hiking to explore the area’s fauna.
Major Attractions: Rampur Beach, Vajrapani Dweep, Mahatma Gandhi’s Statue and German Jetty
Best Time To Visit: November to April
Ideal Trip Duration: 3 – 4 days
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Mayabunder Jetty
Suggested Read: Popular Things To Do In Havelock At Night On Your Trip To The Andamans
8. Rangat
Photo: Melnikov Dmitriy / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
Situated between the Middle and South Andaman Islands is Rangat Island. The island is the second largest in the Andaman Islands, with a total size of roughly 1070 square kilometres. People characterise Rangat as a “ramshackle sprawl” that stretches along the Andaman Trunk Road, with general stores and chain cafes lining the street. Additionally, Rangat is home to the 1 kilometre Dhani Nallah Mangrove Walkway, a serene and picturesque nature path bordered by mangrove creeks.
Major Attractions: Cuthbert Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchavati Hills and Yerrata Mangrove Park
Best Time To visit: November to April
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 days
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Rangat Harbour Jetty
9. Cinque Island
Photo: Masha Basova / Shutterstock / Image For Representation only
Located to the north of Duncan Island and the Passage, Cinque Island borders Wandoor Marine National Park. An amazing sandbar joins the North and South Cinque islands, further separating the island. Cinque Island’s abundant marine life and unspoiled coral reefs have earned it a reputation. Because there are fewer visitors and the island is comparatively unspoiled, the corals and other underwater treasures are preserved. At the summit of the highest hill in the northern portion of North Cinque is a lighthouse that was built in 1972.
Things To Do: Scuba diving, snorkelling and game fishing
Best Time To Visit: October to May
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 day
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Haddo Jetty
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Port Blair For A Memorable Experience
10. Red Skin Island
Photo: Singhabhinav7 / Wikimedia Commons
The island gets its unusual name from its colourful coral reefs and breathtaking crimson underwater cliffs. Red Skin Island is a component of a protected area with abundant biodiversity that includes numerous other islands. The island is only available from May to October, and overnight visits are severely forbidden. It is still closed on Mondays. Families searching for a tranquil holiday place and honeymooners alike frequently travel to Red Skin Island.
Things To Do: Snorkelling, glass bottom boat ride and scuba-diving
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 day
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest Seaport: Wandoor Jetty
11. North Bay Island
Photo: W. Bulach / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
North Bay Island is a secluded island that is famous for its water sports and tourists plan a visit here along with Ross Island. Situated to the north of Port Blair, it is among the places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for honeymoon for couples who are adventure enthusiasts. The island offers a plethora of water activities like scuba diving, parasailing, sea walking, snorkelling, coral safari submarine safari, and dolphin glass-bottomed boating.
Best Time To Visit: November to March
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days
Nearest Seaport: Port Blair
Suggested Read: Best Wildlife Sanctuaries In Andaman And Nicobar For Adventure Lovers
12. Narcondam Island
Photo: Rohitjahnavi / Wikimedia Commons
Narcondam Island is located on the western side of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is formed of andesite rock (a type of igneous rock). It is a small volcanic island and is an amalgamation of two Tamil words “naraka-kundram,” that translates to “a pit of hell.” The volcanic mountain is 710 metres which forms the second-highest point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Apart from this, one can witness the endangered Narcondam hornbill during a visit to the island’s wildlife sanctuary.
Major Attractions: Narcondam Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narcondam Mountain
Best Time To Visit: September to May
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days
Nearest Seaport: Port Blair
13. Parrot Island
Photo: Pexels / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
As the name suggests, Parrot Island is home to thousands of parrots and is a popular destination for bird-watching. It is considered one of the top tourist places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands that is surrounded by a large patch of greenery. Located near Bartang Island, Parrot Island is surrounded by mangrove forests and can be reached by a short boat ride. The place makes you feel close to nature and is a paradise for photographers and bird-watchers.
Major Attractions: Parakeets
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days
Nearest Seaport: Port Blair
Suggested Read: Popular Places To Visit In Andaman And Nicobar In 5 Days
14. Little Andaman Island
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On the list of places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Little Andaman Island is also known as Ebu Belong. It houses a comprehensive rainforest and rare marine turtle species. The island is a popular surfing destination apt for beginners to advanced surfers. Nature lovers are also in for a treat as they can indulge in Elephant Safari under the supervision of trained mahavats.
Best Time To Visit: November to May
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days
Nearest Seaport: Port Blair
There are many places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The place is a conglomerate of 572 islands, of which only 37 islands are currently inhabited. Although tourists can only visit a few of them, there are still plenty of activities to make these islands the perfect holiday destination. If you are looking to explore this place, choose TripXL to plan a customised itinerary and get the best experience.
Cover Photo: Nabil Naidu / Pexels