Tourists from all over the world travel round several countries to enjoy as well as visualize the land, the climate, the people and the Historical monuments found in that place. Even places which are least spoken off have many tourist spots to enjoy. Andaman tourism in South-east Asia is the best option for travelling into some islands there. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a plethora of tourist spots which remain still unexplored. Avisit to the islands can only speak of its beauty.
The reserved and protected forests of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands extend over 86% area of the territory and the forest cover is more than 92 %. 50 % of the forests are covered by Tribal Reserves, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are considered to be the epicentre of andaman and nicobar tourism. Luxuriant mangroves, perhaps the richest in the world, occupy nearly 5 % of the territory. More than 150 plant and animal species are found here. The Islands are considered to be a birds paradise - more than 271 varieties of birds inhabit the pictaresque landscape, out of which 39 are endemic. Megapode, Swiftlet, Hornbill and Nicobar Pigeon are some of the specialities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Chatham Saw Mill is the first important attraction of the andaman tour. One of Asia's largest saw mills, Chatham Saw Mill was built here during the British rule. Expensive woods like Patak, Marble, Curzon and Satin wood are all cut into various sizes of planks, blocks and sleepers. They are dropped in chemical solutions and then sold. These are used for the islanders as well as the people of other states for their requirements. They must get permits to use these woods for houses, government offices and factories. Containers cater these huge logs of woods by ships to other states in India. Around 1000 employees work in this mill and is owned by the government. Andaman tourists can have a glance of the process in this mill.
The next attraction in the andaman tour is a museum undertaken by the forest department in Hadoo, which is a storehouse of all kinds of trees available in the islands. The trees and its kinds are exhibited by their names. Wooden handicrafts are displayed and also sold here. Hadoo also has a mini zoo where rare species of birds, crocodiles, monkeys, foxes, pythons, deer, wild goats, pigs, parrots and pigeons are found. Then there is a Naval Marine museum set up at Samudrika in Hadoo where Corals, Shells, Fish, and a lot of sea creatures are found. Navy's costumes, equipments and weapons are displayed vividly in the musuem. Few documentaries on the islands are also found here. The andaman tour then includes a Anthropological museum in Phoenix Bay where the weapons, pottery, hut models, wooden boats and the photographs of the native tribes are displayed. Various cultural heritages of the tribes of the island are displayed in this musuem. One of the most memorable places to visit during the andaman tour is the Cellular Jail located in Atlanta point which was constructed by the Britishers. The Jail stands as a symbol of cruelty and brutality the Britishers inflicted on the Indian freedom fighters.
The andaman and nicobar island tourism is incomplete without visiting The Fishers Museum which is located at the Aberdeen jetty. Many strange sea creatures and fishes can be observed in the musuem. Fishes of great quality are exported from here. One who is inquisitive regarding fishes, this museum is a must watch. There is a beach next to the capital city of Port Blair called Corbyn's Cove Beach which has a natural and picturesque coastline, surrounded by coconut palms. The favourite sports here are sea swimming, sun bathing, and beach combing and riding. A restaurant nearby makes it a perfect place to enjoy the delicacies of the island. People who are able to afford a luxury lifestyle stay in the Star hotel which faces the coastline making the stay in the island a memorable one. There is a Water Sports complex located at Aberdeen jetty named Aberdeen Water Sports where rowing boats, Pedal boats, Kayaks aqua cycle, Aqua glides and Bumper are available. A marine park is situated near Aberdeen jetty. An amusement park, this place is best suited for family picnic. There is a toy train and a traffic park which explains traffic rules and road safety measures to the children. A sound and light show takes place in the Cellular Jail where one can witness the gory sights of the torture that Britishers inflicted on the Indian Freedom fighters.The show takes place both in Hindi and English at specific times. Tickets are available at the entrance of the jail. The Sipicot central agricultural research centre which is affiliated to the central government is near Port Blair, about 14 kms away from the city. This centre cultivates experimental crops, vegetables, essences and perfumes. The area is on a stretch of about 80acres.
Wandoor Beach and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a beautiful locale situtated 29km away from the capital city of Port Blair. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has been constructed on these islands which stretch about 281.50 sq kms. People come across coral reefs, deep sea animals and mangrove forests here. A pristine coastline adds beauty to the beach. Andaman tourists thoroughly enjoy the scenic beauty of the park.
A small Port charters boats to Jolly buoy and Red skin Islands. The Jolly buoy and Red Skin Islands are the nearby port for reaching the Mahatma Gandhi Park. Clean sands and swimming pools add fun to these islands. The beautiful sea creatures can be observed closely by the andaman tourists. It needs half a day to reach here. Bringing food and water along with them is advisable for the andaman tourists. Mount Harriet, a big mountain about 55km away from Port Blair and 365 metres above sea level is another marvellous place to visit by the island tourists. One has to travel to Pamp Plot by boat and travel 15 kms by car. Phoenix Bay is the starting point for the boats to ferry to bamboo plot. One of the Governors of the British Empire spent his summer on this mountain. The whole Government too functioned here during the British rule. Soothing atmosphere, verdant forests, blue skies, visible pristine sea coasts are some wonderful sights visible from this mountain. This mountain is a favourite place for private time seekers and is also a painter's paradise. The mountain has a government tourist home too.
Just opposite to Aberdeen jetty is Ross Island which was the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar islands during the British rule. The island is now a part of the naval force. It is situated near the phoenix bay. Cruises are the best way to reach here. Some of the ruins built by the British officials still remain here. A museum named 'Smrithka' maintained by the Naval force is also located here. Photo copies of letters written by British officials, photographs and detailed documentary about the Island are found in the museum. But earthquakes tend to ruin this wonderful island tourist spot. Due to regular tremors in the island, some parts of it are sinking. The Island might completely get sunk after some years. The andaman tourists can find deer and peacocks in abundance in this Island. It is pleasant during day time. There is a graveyard for the Britishers. The island is completely surrounded by coconut palms. The calm and quiet atmosphere in the island whispers the woeful tales of the past.
Andaman tour's sweetest tourist destination is Chidiya Tapu which is in south Andaman. The island is located 26 kms away from the capital city of Port Blair. The forests here are dense and the island has a beautiful coastline. This is a village fully populated with birds. The sunset amidst the mountains is just the sight that everyone will hate to miss in the island. The favourite sports in Chidiya Tapu are Snorkeling and Boat riding. The industrial emporium in Sagarika is an emporium for wooden handicrafts set up by the government in Port Blair.A huge variety of furniture, wooden dolls, chairs, vessels made of wood, shell ornaments, walking sticks made of wood and ornamental lamps are exhibited in this emporium. The cheap prices of the products makes each and every tourist take at least one product in their home.
The Gandhi Park is located near the Lieutenant Governor's residence. The temple of Shri Vetrimalai Murugan temple accompanies the park. The Gandhi Park is constructed in Dil Dhaman Lake. The park has an ancient Buddha Temple, a statue of Gandhi in a seated position. Children enjoy Giant Wheels, Bumper boats and Boat riding. This place is well suited for families to enjoy their weekends. There is also a restaurant set in the park. Port Blair features cruise rides to reach the park. From Port Blair, andaman tourists, nicobar tourists and people of the Islands cruise to some other islands such as Ross Island, Hadoo, Panighat, Viper Island, Harbour and Floating Shipping yard.
Andaman tourism's religious flavour comes alive in Madhar Baba's Durgah which is located on the way to Corbyn's Cove. A strong belief of Baba fulfilling one's wishes resides in every nook and corner of this place. Animal sacrifices are a regular part of the culture here and the one scarificed is served as a meal to the devotees here who visit the Durgah. People come here irrespective of their cast and creed.
Rangat-Cutbert Bay lies is in the middle of the Andaman islands which is about 170 kms away from Port Blair. It can be reached both by road as well as by boat. The population here is next to that of Port Blair. The village is surrounded by mountains. The place is serene and calm. Turtles come from other nearby nations and return after laying their eggs on the coastline of this village. Both government as well as private resorts are found here.
Another picnic spot in Middle Andaman is Aam-Kunj Beach, a beach found in Rangat. This place is filled with commercial viability. Andaman tourists have fun and enjoy this place a lot. Strong and high tidal waves are a common sight here. Maya Bunder, a dense forest about 240 kms away from Port Blair is in North Andaman. A harbour lies nearby the forest. Office of top police officials, government offices and educational institutions are located here. This is a busy location. Karmatang Beach also in North Andaman is about 10 kms from Maya Bunder. The coastline found here is beautiful due to the white waves that is often witnessed here. A government tourist home 'Yatrik Nivas", is also close to this beach.
Diglipur is also in North Andaman. One has to reach Diglipur by rowing to Kalighat from Maya Bunder and travel by bus to Diglipur. There is no roadway for 46 kms, thus elephants help cart the wooden logs to Diglipur. A dense forest has to be crossed to reach Diglipur. Bengalis are abundant here. Only few Tamilians dwell here. The Kalpang River has a hydro-electric power project. The Havelock Island is in South Andaman. It is about 30 kms away from Port Blair. No road transport is available. The Havelock Island has Rudhanagar beach which adds to the beauty of the island. Dense forests are found in the coastline. Elephants taking bath and playing with the water is a lovely sight here. People who love Nature and like to be with it all the time, the Havelock island is the perfect place for them. An island tourism of this sort remains intact in one's memories for a long period.
32 kms away from Port Blair is Neil Island. One has to travel by boat to reach the island from Port Blair. It's a very small island. Both Bengalis and Tamilians dwell here. Garden crops are found here and they are taken to Port Blair. People who love being alone would suit well to this place. Little Andaman is a bit far from Port Blair and it requires small ships to travel to Little Andaman. The travel time is ten hours. Hut Bay is the capital city of Little Andaman. The Headquarters of The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Harbour is situated in this island. Refugees from Bangladesh and Srilanka also stay here. Palm tree cultivation is the most common agricutural practice in the island. Palm oil is extracted from the factories. There is a huge waterfall at the centre of the island. The island is an abode of a lot of Nicobari tribes. Harmandar is a tribe found near the coastline of the island. The Ongi tribes live in Twank creek, the Malakas in Car Nicobar. The nicobar tourists can visit a temple of Lord Murugan built on the coastline. A shrine built by the Tamils 'Shri Gnana Dhandayudhapani' in Malaka also a part of the nicobar touism. A few Christian tribes alongwith a few Tamilians comprise the population of the island.
Andaman and nicobar tourism is incomplete without a visit to Campbell Bay. It is situated at the boundary of the Nicobar island. The tip of the Bay is called Indira point and is 60 miles away from Indonesia. The historical as well as the actual name of this place is Nakkavaram. Nakkavaram features in ancient Tamil literature. With river Kalathiya flowing near the island, it is a picteresque destination for andaman tourism and andaman and nicobar tourism itself. Turtles from all nearby countries visit the Island. They come here to lay eggs and thereafter they go back. A lot of Crocodiles can also be seen on the shore of the island. These sights make the island a must watch for the andaman tourists and nicobar tourists as well. Though the Island is frequented by earthquakes and cyclones, it is its serene atmosphere that attracts the tourists. This is the reason why a number of ex - Army men have settled here.
A 10 day andaman tourism festival is held every year in the Islands. The festival is organized in order to popularise andaman and nicobar tourism. Both government and private enterprises have their stalls during this festival. We can find both North Indian, South Indian artists exhibit their talents in music, dance, poetry and debates. Every year the festival takes place during the second week of February. The inauguration of the festival is done by some eminent personalities from India. During these 10 days, the capital city of Port Blair remains crowded all the time.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are considered to be one of the most riveting tourist destinations of the world. Away from all noise and chaos, this place provides the required peace and relaxation that a human mind demands after all the fluctuations it witnesses in the daily life of the human civilization. Island tourism suits best in these picturesque islands.
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