How to Plan a Short Trip to Andaman

This post is for anyone who wants to visit Andaman for a short 6 days trip. The information provides here are based on my visit in Feb' 2016. Writing down here, as it may help someone plan his/her trip to beautiful Andaman ;) 

Well this was the last minute plan made by us so we didn't have much time to research to plan it our-self hence we decided to go through the travel agents. This turned out to be a bad idea, as there were hell lot of travel sites/agents to confuse us, but after talking to few of them we got the fair idea and decided to go through one of the them. 

Airport- Port Blair

The only way to enter Andaman is to go to Port Blair and there are no direct flight from Delhi or Bangalore to Port Blair. Anyone who wishes to visit has to take the connecting flight which goes either through Chennai or Calcutta. The minimum travel time is about 6 hours from Delhi.

In Andaman to go from one island to another one has to either take cruise or boat. There are cruise shuttles from Port Blair to Havelock which passes through Neil, if someone is visiting to Neil from Havelock they will have to show the return cruise tickets from Neil to Port Blair / Havelock, while check-in.

Port Blair 

Following are the must See places:

Cellular Jail

1. The Sound and Light show at Cellular jail. This takes you back to the Indian freedom struggle.

2. Chidiya Tapu (Munda Pahad) - This is about 30 kms from Port Blair and comes under the reserve Forrest area. This is the best point to see the sunset when you are in Port Blair.

Ross Island

3. Ross Island - It is just 2 kms from Port Blair and reached through the small/big boats from Water Sports Complex. This is managed by the Indian Navy so, one who wishes to visit has to fill a form with signature at the entrance. This small island has ruins from the past, seeing which one can say how well everything is being planned in the island. This is closed on Wednesday so plan your visit accordingly. They do have a light & sound show like Cellular jail, I have not seen it as I had the return flight to Delhi on the same day, but I think if one has time one must see this show. For more information about the island you can visit the wiki page. 

4. North Bay Island - Best place for Sea Walk.

5. Jollybouy - Best place for Snorkeling.

6. Corbyn's Cove Beach - Nothing special about this beach but drive to this beach is awesome

Havelock 

View from the Beach Resort we stayed in Havelock

Following are the must see places:

• Elephanta Beach
• Famous for water activity and picturesque views. 
• Snorkeling (do only if one is not planning to visit Jollybouy)
• Sea Walk (do only if one is not planning to visit North Bay)

• Radhanagar Beach - One can do Scuba diving here if one is not planing to visit Neil island

• Kalapathar Beach - To view Sunset

Neil

Following are the must see places:

• Natural Bridge 

  

  @ Natural Bridge

• Lakshmanpur Beach - Best place to see sunset

• Bharatput Beach - This is next to the Neil Jetty and must visit for water activities
• Best place to do Scuba diving in Andaman
• Glass Bottom boat ride - Best for people who are scared to do Scuba/snorkeling. as it does cover the Scuba point too. 
• Jet Skie
• Snorkeling

• Seetapur Beach - Sunrise point in Neil

Few Dos' and Don'ts ;) 

• I must say if you have time plan it yourself, you will save almost half the money what you pay to the travel agents.
• If you are planning yourself, make sure you first check the cruise availability and if booking is possible book the tickets too.
• In Havelock and Neil you don't need to hire a cab. You can rent scooter (Activa), which is the best way to roam around there.  
• Don't keep Ross Island and North Bay at the last day of trip because one full day is needed to cover both.
• Stay at Havelock for minimum of two days
• Stay at Neil for minimum of two days.
• If you don't have enough time you can skip Marina park, Gandhi park and Joggers Park in Port Blair.

@ Munda Pahar