The Andaman Islands are popular for their untouched beaches, dense forests and one-of-a-kind cultural history. These islands are a perfect combination of natural beauty and excitement, which attracts tourists from all over the globe. In this blog post we will highlight what is the specialty of Andaman Island that makes it a place you must visit.
Suggested Read: Fairs and Festivals in Andaman and Travel tips for Andaman
Pristine Beaches
Andaman island is recognized for its remarkable beaches. The islands possess some of the most breathtaking and unspoiled beaches worldwide, featuring soft white sand, clear turquoise waters, and scenic palm trees. Radhanagar Beach situated in Havelock Island – it got the honour of being voted as one among top beaches across Asia while Elephant Beach found within Neil Island that’s famous for providing superb opportunities related to snorkeling or diving are two particularly well-liked ones.
In Andaman’s beaches, you can do more than just look at them. These places offer activities like swimming and sunbathing, or playing in the water with things such as kayaks, jet-skis and parasails. The still and transparent sea makes it a perfect place for snorkeling and scuba diving; you can see many types of fish along with the lively coral reefs.
Rich Marine Life
Andaman island has one more thing it’s famous for, which is its amazing marine life. The water around the islands is filled with many different kinds of sea creatures such as pretty fish, turtles that live in the sea, dolphins and sometimes even big whales visit here too. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known to be among the finest places for diving across the globe. They have brilliant clarity of water which gives a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty beneath surface waters.
Havelock Island, Neil Island and North Bay Island are some of the diving spots that people often choose in the Andamans. They offer different kinds of experience for diving, from not very deep dives suitable for beginners to quite deep ones great for those with more experience. The coral reefs around these islands are also a big draw, with their lively colors and special shapes making it a specialty of Andaman Island.
Apart from diving, the Andamans also have great conditions for snorkeling. The island’s shallow waters are ideal for this activity, letting you see the vibrant fish and coral reefs at a close distance. Elephant Beach on Havelock Island and Laxmanpur Beach on Neil Island are few of the finest places to do snorkeling.
Lush Forests and Wildlife
The specialty of Andaman Island is not only its beaches and marine creatures, but it also possesses thick tropical forests and a wide array of animal life. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are recognized as one among the biodiversity hotspots in India, having many species that can be found only there (endemic).
In the forests of Andamans, many types of plants and animals can be found. This includes special and endangered species like Andaman wild boar, Andaman serpent eagle, as well as the Narcondam hornbill. There are also a few national parks and wildlife sanctuaries here such as Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and Mount Harriet National Park which are good places for those who love nature or enjoy observing different kinds of wildlife.
Andamans has a very special feature, which is seeing bioluminescent plankton on a night kayaking trip. These tiny creatures give off blue light when they are disturbed, making the dark water around you seem like magic and unreal as you move through it with your paddle’s strokes causing them to glow.
Adventure Activities
Andaman island is a good place for people who like adventure. The islands have many exciting things to do such as water sports, walking in nature and going from one island to another. Adventure activities that are popular in Andaman include:
- Scuba Diving: The Andamans are a scuba diving heaven with great clarity of water and many kinds of underwater creatures. On these islands there exist numerous diving centers which provide classes as well as guided dives for all levels starting from beginners to those who have experience in diving.
- Sea Walking: Sea walking is an unusual and thrilling method to investigate the underwater realm if you feel uncertain about diving. Using a helmet that permits normal breathing, you can walk on the seafloor and observe marine life from nearby.
- Trekking: Andamans’ forests are very good for trekking, having paths that take you to secret beaches, waterfalls and viewpoints. Popular routes include the Madhuban Trek in Havelock Island and Saddle Peak Trek in North Andaman Island.
- Island Hopping: There are more than 300 islands in Andamans, so it’s very important to do island hopping. You can use a ferry or rent a private boat for exploring these many islands; each has its special beauty and attractions making it another specialty of Andaman Island.
Cultural Heritage
In Andaman Island, there is a special feature about its cultural history. These islands have many native tribes and some of them have been living in seclusion for hundreds of years. The Jarawas are the most famous tribe, having resided on these lands for more than 60,000 years and maintaining their traditional lifestyle even now.
Although it is not permitted to visit the Jarawa reserves for safeguarding the tribe, you can see their culture and history in the Anthropological Museum at Port Blair. The museum displays items, tools and pictures belonging to different native tribes from Andaman Islands.
Moreover, the islands possess a vivid history. Many historical locations and monuments provide insight into past times. The Cellular Jail in Port Blair, commonly called Kala Pani, is one of these notable places to visit. This jail was utilized by the British government for holding political activists during India’s fight for freedom from their rule; it has been transformed into a respected national memorial now (source).
Exotic Cuisine
The specialty of Andaman Island, without a doubt, is its unique and exotic cuisine. The islands boast a fascinating mix of Indian, Burmese and Thai tastes which are further enhanced by the abundant seafood.
The Andamans have many dishes that you must try. Some of these are Andaman fish curry, made from coconut milk with different spices, and Nicobari pork which is a traditional food of Nicobarese tribe (Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tourism, 2021). There are also vegetarian choices like Andaman soya chunks curry or Andaman vegetable curry available on the islands.
If you have a love for desserts, then the Andamans can satisfy your cravings. They make special sweets like Andaman halwa which has coconut and jaggery in it. Another dish is Andaman payasam – a sweet pudding mixed with rice and coconut milk.
Underwater Photography
The specialty of Andaman Island is a place where you can take amazing photographs under the sea. The water is very clear and full of colorful marine life, making it great for shooting photos. Many dive centers in these islands give classes on underwater photography as well as offer equipment to rent for this purpose.
An underwater photography experience in the Andamans that many people want is taking pictures of dugong, which is also called “sea cow.” These large and gentle creatures live in the shallow waters surrounding the islands and are a protected species. If you have patience and good fortune, it’s possible to capture an image of these amazing beings at their home.
Mangrove Kayaking
Another specialty of Andaman Island is the chance to discover its large mangrove forests. The Andamans have some of the most wide-spread mangrove forests in India, and to go kayaking through these thick, complicated mazes of roots and branches is truly an experience that can’t be compared with anything else.
Havelock Island and Neil Island are the top choices for mangrove kayaking in Andamans. When you row through these slim passageways, observe carefully to spot different animals that live in this forest such as monitor lizards, saltwater crocodiles and many kinds of birds.
Mud Volcano Trekking
A peculiar and not so popular feature of Andaman Island is the opportunity to see a mud volcano. In Andamans, you can find many mud volcanoes that occur when there is an eruption from the surface of earth with mud, water and gases.
The mud volcano that is easiest to reach in the Andaman Islands can be found on Baratang Island, which you can get to with a brief boat trip from Port Blair. The journey towards the mud volcano will guide you through thick woods and mangrove swamps, and when you see bubbling mud with gurgling sounds it’s really fascinating.
Birdwatching
For individuals who like to watch birds, this place has a unique feature. The area is home to more than 270 types of birds, some of which can only be found here and are very rare. Examples include the Andaman woodpecker, Andaman treepie, along with the Andaman scops owl.
In the Andamans, birdwatching is quite popular. Chidiya Tapu Biological Park at South Andaman Island has more than 40 types of birds while Sippighat Agricultural Farm offers a welcome to migratory birds during winter time.
Lighthouse Visit
It is also possible to visit and explore one of the historic lighthouses in Andaman. There are many lighthouses on these islands that have been helping ships navigate through dangerous waters of Bay Bengal for more than one century.
Among all, the Cellular Jail Lighthouse in Port Blair is visited by many people. It shows a wonderful view of the islands around and also the ocean. Another important lighthouse that you should visit is Ross Island Lighthouse which is situated on small Ross Island having its beauty and story to tell too.
Local Handicrafts
The Speciality of Andaman Island in local handicrafts also shows its unique cultural heritage. The Andamans are famous for intricate wooden carvings, shell crafts and things made from coconut shells. These can be great souvenirs to bring back home with you.
The Aberdeen Bazaar in Port Blair is among the top shopping areas for local handicrafts, having many lively stalls and welcoming sellers. Another good place to look at and buy genuine local handicrafts is the Sagarika Emporium which manages Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO).
Wandoor Beach
Andamans are famous for numerous beautiful beaches, but Wandoor Beach on South Andaman Island is a secret treasure that represents the specialty of Andaman Island. Situated in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor Beach provides a peaceful and private environment with great chances to swim, sunbathe or snorkel.
Starting from the beach, many island-hopping trips begin. This involves visiting Red Skin Island and Jolly Buoy Island that are close by. These locations have clear beaches and provide good areas for snorkeling too.
Anthropological Museum
For people who want to know more about the original tribes of Andamans, they should go visit the Anthropological Museum in Port Blair. This place provides an intriguing view into history and culture from different groups that have lived on these islands for many years.
The museum has displays of photographs, objects and life-sized models showcasing the indigenous tribes that reside in Andaman. Alongside these exhibits are detailed information about their customs, traditions as well as how they live. It offers an outstanding chance to comprehend more about what makes Andaman Island special – its particular cultural heritage.
Wrapping up
The specialty of Andaman Island has a distinct mixture of natural beauty, adventure, cultural heritage and exotic cuisine. From the clean beaches and abundant marine life to the dense forests and native tribes, Andamans is an experience that stays with you forever.
No matter if you are a person who loves beaches, enjoys adventures, likes nature or appreciates good food – the Andamans have something for everyone. So, gather your things and go to this lovely group of islands to find out about the specialty of Andaman Island!
