Day 1:
Historical Landmarks of Port Blair
08:00 AM – 01:00 PM
When in the Andaman Islands, you begin your sightseeing by visiting the historic Cellular Jail.
During the British era, the Andaman was synonymous with Kala Paani which is known as the Cellular Jail. The colonial prison had been built in 7-gon fort-like architecture with close to 700 cells to accommodate convicted dissidents and mutineers to be sent in exile. It has been declared a national memorial monument to showcase the life of prisoners during British rule.
Time Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
Mode of Transport: Taxi/auto rickshaw/rent a bike.
A 20-minute ferry ride from Port Blair takes you to Netaji Chandra Bose Dweep also known as Ross Island.
For 85 years, Ross Island was used as an administrative center of the Andaman Islands during the British Raj and now it remains an uninhabited piece of land. A visit to this island provides a glimpse of the bygone era. The ruins of government buildings, churches, and Japanese Bunkers are the only remaining shreds of evidence of once a thriving town. A light and sound show is organized daily It’s better to plan your visit early in the day because no civilian is allowed to stay at the island after 6:00 PM.
Time Duration: 3 – 4 hours.
Mode of Transport: Ferry ride from Aberdeen Jetty at Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex.
For lunch, there are plenty of options for visitors to quench their hunger. Couple of famous outlets is Annapurna Cafeteria for vegetarians and New Lighthouse Restaurant for seafood lovers. Both restaurants are located in the same neighborhood.
Marine Museum and Park
03:00 PM – 08:00 PM
After lunch, it’s better to stay indoors and exploring museums is an ideal way to do it. The Zonal Anthropological Museum is just a stone’s throw away from Annapurna Cafeteria and New Lighthouse Restaurant.
The Anthropological Museum was developed with a mission to educate the tourists about the tribal culture and way of life on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As tourists are not allowed to access the tribal areas, the museum acts as an information center for those who have a keen interest in knowing about the native people. The museum is spread across 3 stories.
Time Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Mode of Transport: Taxi/auto rickshaw/rent a bike.
2 km from the museum is the Tiranga Memorial.
Tiranga Memorial is probably the most historically significant point of interest in Port Blair. At this very spot, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag for the first time in 1943 and declared Andaman as a free territory. A walkway has been developed for tourists to explore the area on foot.
Time Duration: 45 min – 1 hour
Mode of Transport: Taxi/auto rickshaw/rent a bike.
The day’s sightseeing ends with the Light & Sound Show at Cellular Jail.
Attending the light and sound show at the Cellular Jail is one of the important activities in Port Blair. The show narrates the history, life inside the prison, and many other aspects of the jail unknown to outsiders. The show is narrated in two languages, Hindi and English.
For more details, you can check, www.andamantourism.gov.in
Time Duration: 30 – 45 min.
Mode of Transport: Taxi/auto rickshaw/rent a bike.
Also read: How to plan an itinerary to explore Havelock Island?
Day 2:
Beach Hopping in South Andaman
06:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Having explored the city of Port Blair, exploring the nearby beaches around the city should be on your list.
Mode of Transport: Our recommendation is to hire a cab for the day or rent a bike. The beaches are within a 30 km radius of Port Blair and transportation can be a problem if not arranged beforehand.
Kick off your sightseeing with the view of the sunrise at Corbyn’s Cove Beach.
Corbyn’s Cove Beach attracts tourists in large numbers. Hence ideal would be, to explore the beach in a pristine manner early in the morning. Being east facing, you get a clear view of the sun rising above the horizon. The beach is known for water activities like jet skiing.
Time Duration: 45 min – 1 hour
After the mesmerizing sunrise view at Corbyn’s beach, we advise having a heavy breakfast on your way to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor. Wandoor is 30 km from the city and is protected by the Forest Department. Restaurants or food joints are hard to get here.
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park was developed with the purpose of protecting the corals, sea turtles, and other marine creatures. The protected area comprises 15 islands out of which only 2 islands (Jolly Buoy & Red Skin) are allowed for tourists to explore on boats.
In a day 150 permits are issued to tourists (on first cum first serve basis) and a total of 5 boats carry tourists for a 2-hour ride to these islands. The timings are 08:30 AM, 09:00 AM, 09:30 AM, 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
So plan to be here early.
Advice: Water bottles, plastic products are not allowed beyond the entrance checkpoint.
Time Duration: 3 – 4 hours
The final destination for the day shall be Chidiya Tapu Beach.
Chidiya Tapu Beach is 30 km from Wandoor and it takes around 1 hour to get here. Chidiya Tapu Beach is the southernmost tip of Andaman Island and hence an ideal place for viewing the sunset. After having a long day, this serves to be an ideal location to wind up your sightseeing. Besides this, the picturesque surroundings of the area make it an ideal location for photoshoots.
Time Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
The return journey from Chidiya Tapu to Part Blair takes close to 30 mins.
Day 3:
Off-beat in Port Blair
08:00 AM – 06:00 PM
The third day in Port Blair should be reserved for exploring the off-beat areas of the city.
Mode of Transport: Our recommendation is to hire a cab for the day or rent a bike.
After having breakfast, head towards the northern side of the city to pay a visit to the Chatham Saw Mill.
This is the largest and oldest operational sawmill in Asia. The sawmill was established in 1883 on the mini island of Chatham. The premise is now owned and managed by the Government of India. The Forest Museum adjacent to the sawmill is an intriguing place for tourists. The museum gives a glimpse of the long history and also showcases a unique collection of woodwork. Many people visiting the Andaman Islands are not aware that the sawmill allows tourists to take a tour. The timings for visitors are 08:30 AM till 02:30 PM.
Time Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
From the Chatham jetty, you take a ferry ride to Bombooflat jetty and head towards Mount Manipur National Park.
Mount Manipur National Park was formerly known as Mount Harriet National Park. The place is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The peak of Mt. Manipur provides a vantage point to view the Neil and Havelock islands. On the way to the national park, you come across the lighthouse which is printed on the back of the previous Rs. 20 currency note. Adventure and plant lovers can trek into the dense forest to the explore flora of the region.
Time Duration: 4 – 5 hours
On your way back to Port Blair, you can stop by at Samudrika Marine Museum.
Samudrika Marine Museum is an initiative by the Indian Navy to spread awareness about the oceanic environment. The museum showcases a vast collection of corals, seashells, and many other aquatic creatures. If traveling with kids, this can be an insightful tour.
Time Duration: 45 min -1 hour
For souvenirs, Sagarika Emporium offers a variety of artifacts, woodwork, seashells, and handmade products made by local artisans.
