The archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has a lot to offer in matters of adventure and thrill along with scenic beauty and a hint of excitement.
Whenever you think about beaches and water sports or activities related to water and fun, one of the most common places that pops into your mind is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and there are very good reasons for that. This archipelago of islands is not just about the mesmerizing scenic beauty with blue skies, turquoise water, and rich and vibrant green nature that gives a sensation of calmness. But, it is also the home of some of the most thrilling and exciting water sports and activities in the world. If you started counting how many things you can do here to get that adrenaline rush you might run out of fingers, so, to make things easy, here is a list of the best things to explore while visiting the Andamans.
- Seakart (Self-Drive)
You cannot drive a car, nor can you swim but still want to be able to be in water and driving? Well, no need to worry because seakart riding might be the perfect thing there is for a situation like this. There are only three places in this world where this adventurous ride is available and the Andaman is one of them. It is the most popular thing to enjoy on the coast of Port Blair. No driving or swimming skills are required and the unflippable and unsinkable Seakarts make being safe amidst water like a piece of cake. The karts can take upto three passengers, one being the guide and instructor while the others being the guests. The exciting journey starts from Corbyn’s Cove Beach up to Ross Island along the coast of Port Blair. There is a complimentary option to get your pictures taken while you sail through the sea like a tanned and sober Jack Sparrow.
- Snorkeling
One of the most visited places in Andaman is the Havelock Island which is also the best place to go snorkeling. The Elephant Beach of Havelock Islands is famous for this thrilling yet life-changing experience. Apart from the picturesque beauty of the uninterrupted green forest along with the shiny white beaches and the crystal blue water, this beach has a lot more that is to be discovered under the water. Snorkeling gives the chance to enjoy the underwater view of exquisite marine life and the rare corals. Snorkeling is also done at the North Bay although the water there is not as clear as in the Elephant Beach. This experience is for the easy-goers who do not want the bunch of rules or training of scuba-diving but want to explore the underwater regions in their natural setting without any complications. This experience is set to last for about an hour.
- Bioluminescent Beach
How many times have you looked at the night sky and wondered how beautiful the starry sky looks? Countless, right? But what if the stars reach out to you on your feet? The bioluminescent beach in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands looks just like that. Imagine stars and galaxies kissing your feet while you take a stroll through it. And the best part is, it does not cost any money to experience this jaw-dropping phenomenon. But the timing has to be right if you want to witness this magnificent art of nature. The bioluminescence can only be seen on a no-moon night. If you are visiting Andamans or even thinking about doing so, visiting the bioluminescent beach in Havelock Island is a must on the ‘Things-To-Do’ list.
- Scuba-Diving
A stroll on the beach or snorkeling sounds a bit boring to you? Want to really get your heart beat high? Why not try scubadiving? If you are a true adventure enthusiast then this is the perfect thing to do while visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If you are a bit rusty on the swimming skills or if you do not have any skills regarding swimming then there will absolutely be a ‘no problem’ in scuba-diving as it does not require any of the swimming skills. Many tourists opt out thinking about this but not anymore. This underwater activity is quite famous among couples so if you are visiting with your dearly beloved, then scuba-diving can take up space in your ‘Things-To-Do’ list. The PADI Scuba Diving does not require swimming skills but if you are looking for something more dangerous and rebellious then scuba-diving into the open waters will require some serious swimming knowledge.
- The Banana Boat Ride
Vacations mean laughs, giggles, and out-of-mind funny experiences. Well, there is one of them in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well. The Banana Boat ride is by far one of the most fun things to do while visiting the islands. The banana boat is tied to a speedboat which drags it on the water for speed while the passengers hop on the banana boat. The shape of the boat is cylindrical that looks a lot like a banana, hence, the name. The boat can take upto six passengers at one time and is completely safe if the life jackets are on while carefully following the instructions given by the instructor. This fun experience is child-friendly so if you are traveling with young adults and children, the banana boat ride is a must thing to do while vacating the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Glass Bottom Boat Ride
Humans are creatures filled with curiosity. This curiosity has led to some of the most astounding discoveries and inventions in the history of mankind. Speaking of curiosity, were you ever curious about what the picture looked like underwater while you were on the surface on a boat, sailing through the waves? That curiosity is about to be clenched by the Glass Bottom Boat ride where the bottom of the boat is made of glass which gives a clear view of the underwater activities that happen while the passengers are comfortable on the boat, enjoying the view. It is the most enjoyable thing to do for someone who is terribly afraid of going into the waters, which makes it a good thing to enjoy by the children. These boat rides explore between Water Sports Complex and North Bay Coral Island and between Port Blair and Jolly Buoy Island which lasts upto two hours. It is one of the most interesting and offbeat things to do in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Do not forget to give it a shot while visiting.
- Parasailing
Not just the waters, but there is a blend between the sky and the ocean when it comes to enthralling activities to enjoy in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Parasailing is one of the most adventurous and freeing experiences one can have while staying on the islands. Parasailing in Havelock Island might be able to satiate the adrenaline rush some tourists look for. The exciting feeling of being harnessed in a parachute while the whole thing is tied to a motorboat that is speeding off into the blue waters might be life-changing, to say the least. As the motor boat cranks up the speed, the parachute helps the tourist to fly in the sky like a kite while taking in all of the beauty of the place, is a really great thing to do with friends in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The duration of this life-altering experience can last upto one hour.
- Swimming with the Elephants
Swimming with the dolphins is still exciting but the Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer their own version of this experience with a pretty big twist, to say the least. This archipelago of islands will offer its tourists a unique experience of swimming with the elephant. Yes! The star elephant Rajan is a sixty-plus-year-old, very friendly elephant that loves company and the tourist will get the chance to swim with him. But, the booking for this experience should be done in advance to get a chance at this mind-blowing, one-of-a-kind activity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The duration of the experience lasts upto thirty minutes.
- Traveling in a Sea Plane
Flying above the deep blue water, and witnessing the horizon sounds romantic, right? Well, that can be arranged too in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A ride in a seaplane, run by Pawan Hans is one of the most romantic things to do in the islands. The ride from Port Blair to Havelock Island is only fifteen minutes with the seaplane. The same distance can be covered by ferry but the time it takes is about two hours although the stunning aerial views and the beautiful islands can be enjoyed more from the seaplane. So, if you are planning for a trip with your better half, this seaplane ride should not be missed at any cost.
- Sightseeing Tour
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have an abundance of beaches but that’s not the end of the story as it also has many national parks, plantations, and waterfalls to offer the tourists. From the blissful Neil Island that presents itself with a very natural scenic beauty with white sandy beaches and lush green forests, the reminiscent of the rich heritage of British Legacy from the time, when India was under British rule scattered all over the Ross Island, the third highest mountain peak and the home of the Mount Harriet National park to the Chidiya Tapu, an interesting place that offers the eager bird watchers a place to see rare migrating birds, Panchavati waterfalls of Panchavati hills which is located two hundred km away from Port Blair and the eye-catching uninhabited Guitar Island situated near Long Island, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is filled with places for sightseeing for the tourists.
- The Light and Sound Show
The Cellular Jail, also known as the Kala Paani Jail is the reminiscent of the struggle of Indian patriots who served their punishment in this place. The sense of pain, bewilderment, and patriotism are not the only things that will engulf a tourist but the light and sound show depicting a Peepal tree’s narration regarding the tortures and punishments the prisoners had to face while their imprisonment, featuring the legendary actor Om Puri’s voice is one of the highlights of this place. So, cherishing the history along with the mesmerizing show that dazzles the eyes is a must when you are planning a trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The Madhuban Trek
As said earlier, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands not only offer a plethora of vibrant and relaxing beaches but it also offer trekking from the third highest peak in the archipelago, Mount Harriet to Madhuban while navigating through Kala Patthar. This rugged and forestry trail provides an excellent environment for trekking mainly in the month of October as there grows pleasant flora and fauna around this month of the year, so, if you are not someone who wants to spend their days lying on an armchair and witnessing sunset and sunrise but rather you want to make your trip a bit more productive and meaningful then this trek is perfect for you.
- Excursion of Limestone Caves
If the tiny explorer in you is still whining about the trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands then it’s time to calm itself down as the archipelago of islands has something to offer that is bound to clench the thirst of curiosity of an explorer. The natural formations of stalactites and stalagmites in the Limestone Caves of Batarang are intriguing and fascinating highlights that need to be added to the ‘Things-To-Do’ list. Along with the thrilling experience of exploring the caves, a boat ride on the soothing blue water to the caves among the deep and lush mangroves on the sides is a sight that can only be enjoyed through one’s eyes.
- Bird watching at Chidiya Tapu
The amalgamation of natural beauty is unimaginable in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and one of the perfect places for a true nature lover is a tiny village, twenty-five km away from Port Blair called Chidiya Tapu. The word Chidiya means ‘bird’ in Hindi so that clearly gives away the significance of this tiny village. This place is perfect for the bird watchers as many rare and common migrating birds like seagulls, emerald doves, parakeets and many more can be seen here. If the plan is to get away from the bustling crowd of the tourists’ favorite places and spend a day of calmness amidst the symphony of birds then this place is an ideal sight to drop by. And the best part is, no money is required to spend some time amidst this tranquillity.
- Island Hopping
What can be more romantic than wandering off from island to island with your dearly beloved? Most probably, nothing. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer an exquisite option of island hopping mainly for the couples visiting the place. Boat rides to different islands such as the more popular and mainly visited Neil Island, Viper Island, Havelock Island, and North Bay Island, or the still yet to be explored, uninhibited Guitar Island, the Ross Island, Long Island, Jolly Buoy Island, and Stewart Island along with watching the sun rise and sun set might be a very good way of spending some quality time while taking in the scenic beauty of this archipelago of islands.
- Taking a Semi-Submarine Ride
While growing up, many had the wish or dream of riding in a submarine. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have something similar to offer forthe thrill-seeking visitors. The Coral Safari Semi-Submarine in Port Blair offers a similar experience to the tourists, where they get to enjoy and get intrigued by the world underwater while sitting in the comforts of the semi-submarine as it takes the tourists on a joyride over the multicolored coral reefs and amidst the fascinating creatures of water. This is of course a child-friendly activity that only lets the children enjoy and indulge in something very interesting but it also makes for a very good vacation story to brag about in school among their friends.
- Exploring Kala Patthar
One of the most beautiful beaches in the Havelock Island is the Kala Patthar beach. The beach presents the tourists with a heavenly beauty with shiny white sand beaches and serene blue water waves caressing the white sand along with black-colored rock formations all around the shoreline that give a contrasting yet vibrant look to the whole region. The name of this beach has been derived from an adjoining street called the Black Road. The beach is not one of the crowded ones which makes it a very nice place for visiting couples to spend some quality time together while leisurely watching the sun sets and sun rises along with the mind-bending view of the ocean.
- Checking Out the Forest Museum
If the plan is to have fun while enriching oneself with knowledge of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands then visiting the Forest Museum is the only place that needs to be added to the itinerary as this museum showcases various kinds of flora and fauna that were found in this archipelago of islands. The cost of one ticket is only two rupees so it is more than affordable and very much enlightening. The museum is located on the outskirts of Port Blair offering a major collection of artifacts that are made out of timber, oak, and other kinds of wood. Several kinds of research are also carried out while managed by the forest department, the results of which are also on display for seeing.
- Trying Fishing
If the tourists are passionate and proud of their fishing skills then the Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer a good chance to brush up their fishing skills while catching some good ones. With a cruise ride to the distant water will give the opportunity to catch as many fishes as one can due to the ample number of fishes, present in the water. With the help of guides, once the boat is stable, one can go fishing as much as they want.
- Finger Licking Seafood
It is a very dumb move to think that the trip to a coastal area is complete without relishing the fresh and delicious seafood the ocean has to offer to the tourists, so for the final thing to do when visiting the incredible Andaman and Nicobar Islands is to delve into the succulent and vibrant world of seafood. Especially when seafood is the specialty of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. There is an abundance of places to indulge yourself in the delectable cuisine offered by this archipelago of islands, including prawns, mussels, crabs and so much more.
