Places to Visit

It has been a long journey for the Cellular Jail - from a torture machine to a National Memorial, from a dreaded prison to a place of pilgrimage.

The cellular Jail was regarded by the freedom fighters all over the country as a place of pilgrimage. It was here the British Government used to send “dangerous prisoners”. The construction of the cellular Jail was taken up in 1898 and completed by about 1906. The jail is the first site that greets a visitor on his/her arrival at Port Blair. Simultaneously, the huge building instills terrorism, the minds of the onlookers and a sense of reverence. Every bricks of Cellular Jail has got a heart rendering story to tell the story of resistance, sufferings and sacrifices.

The structural specialty of the Cellular Jail is that the whole jail consists of cells. Each cell was meant for one inmate only and hence the name. Cellular Jail originally had seven, three storied wings with a total of 698 cells, radiating from a central tower which had an additional storey to facilitate watch and ward.

In one of the three surviving wings of the Jail is situated the District Jail. On the inside walls of the hexagonal brick built structure of the second floor of the Central Tower of the Cellular Jail, one can find the names of more than 336 freedom fighters and revolutionaries who were incarcerated in the Cellular Jail for their patriotic fervor.

In the Cellular Jail Museum more than 200 photographs of all freedom fighters who were in the Jail are exhibited. Certain paintings on the barbarous treatment meted out to the prisoners, utensils, vessels, uniforms etc. of the prisoners used in those days and the tools, machines which the prisoners were made to operate, on great personal risk are all in the museum reminding us the untold sufferings of the freedom fighters while languishing in the Cellular Jail.

Convicts who were sentenced to transportation for life were sent to these islands and interned in the Cellular Jail. Many political prisoners and revolutionaries were incarcerated here during the freedom struggle. Against the tyranny of the Jail management political prisoners were not allowed to communicate with their friends and relatives on the mainland except once in a year. Even the letters coming from mainland and newspapers subscribed by the prisoners were censored before being given to them. While fighting against this tyranny some political leaders had to lay down their lives. Many prisoners had gone insane in the Jail and ended their live by committing suicide rather than subjecting themselves to the indignities heaped on them.

The Jail, now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people, has been declared a National Memorial.

The saga of this heroic struggle is now brought alive in the Cellular Jail, Port Blair in a moving Son et Lumiere (Light and Sound Show) which was inaugurated by Lt. General R. S. Dayal (Retd.) Lt. Governor, A & N Islands on 20th October 1990 in the presence of a number of Freedom Fighters (Ex- Andaman Political Prisoners). The show begins with a brief historical and mythological reference to the A & N Islands by the wandering spirit of the cellular Jail. The Spirit takes one into a journey through the period when freedom fighters faced unimaginable miseries at the hands of David Barrie and other Jailers from time to time. Undeterred, they stood firm to resolve their fight for freedom, with courage and dignity.

Ross Island, a few km from Aberdeen jetty at Port Blair, is yet another member of the Andaman group of islands. As in the case of its sister-islands, it also has thick forests. To any onlooker it may give the impression that it has no "life" — in the sense that there is no human habitation.

But, a few decades ago, this island was the seat of "British power." Ross Island was the headquarters of the Indian Penal Settlement for nearly 80 years. It had everything — bazaar, bakery, stores, water treatment plant, church, tennis court, printing press, secretariat, hospital, cemetery and what have you. Today, everything has disappeared except some buildings, which housed some of these landmarks.

Named after the marine surveyor Sir Daniel Ross, the Island soon became the base. Initially, crude barracks of bamboo and grass were put up for freedom fighters while the rest of the party stayed on board the ships that had brought them. Later, the freedom fighters built houses, offices, barracks and other structures at the Ross Island, after which they were promptly sent to Viper Island, where the first jail was built. The bungalow, meant for the chief of the Penal Settlement, was constructed at the northern summit of the Island. Called Government House, the large-gabled home had Italian tiled flooring on the ground level. Now, some remains of the flooring are there, of course in a decrepit condition.

Port Blair is the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is located on the east coast of the Island in the South Andaman Group. For most people Port Blair is primarily an erstwhile penal colony, while for some it’s the gateway to the “Pristine” islands and beaches of Andaman and Nicobar. Most restaurants and hotels are around this area.

1. Corbyn’s Cove: Corbyn’s Cove beach, the coconut palm fringed beach, ideal for sun basking is 6 km away from Port Blair town. Facilities like hotel, restaurant and bar, changing room etc is available near the beach. Historical remains like Japanese bunkers can be seen on the way. Snake Island nearby is famous for Scuba Diving.
2. North Bay Island: North Bay is a beach on an island, which as the name indicates, is just north of Port Blair. The beach and the snorkeling opportunities in its fringing coral reefs are the closest ones you will find to Port Blair, and therefore it gets quite crowded. The corals at North Bay are rather good and spread over a large area. You are very likely to spot many fish, a lobster or two, or even clams on the coral reef.
3. Wandoor Beach: Wandoor is at a distance of 29 kms from Port Blair covering an area of 281.5 sq. kms. Here is Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. This Marine Park made up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is one of the best found anywhere in the world. Viewing of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, SCUBA diving and snorkeling are lifetime experience for anyone.
4. Chidiya Tapu: It is the southernmost tip of South Andaman. The lust green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the sylvan sands and Munda Pahar beaches makes it an ideal picnic site. The forest guest houses situated on top of a hillock provides a fabulous view of isolated islands, submerged corals and the breath taking sunset.
5. Collinpur: Situated near to Tirur, this place has a beautiful sandy beach with swallow water. Suitable for swimming, sun basking and viewing sunset.
6. Madhuban: Mandhuban (75 kms by road/ 20 kms, by ferry and trek road from Port Blair). This place is a trekking area, north east of south Andaman, exotic endemic birds, animals, butterflies, and elephant lulumbering are the most interesting part of the trek.
7. Cinque Island: 26 kms from Port Blair. Declared as Sanctuary, this is an enchanting islands with rare corals and under-water marine life, a fine sandy beach and tropical rain forest. Chartered boats of permitted category as allowed from Port Blair and Wandoor.

Port Blair is the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is located on the east coast of the Island in the South Andaman Group. For most people Port Blair is primarily an erstwhile penal colony, while for some it’s the gateway to the “Pristine” islands and beaches of Andaman and Nicobar. Most restaurants and hotels are around this area. This island, near Neil Island offers beautiful sandy beach fringed with green canopy of the rain forest beckons every one to enjoy the fun at the azure sea. Island camping is organized during the tourist season at Radha Nagar beach. One can enjoy the stay right on the sea shore by hearing the lulls of the solacing sea in this camp. Havelock is  connected by daily speed boat services from Port Blair. Snorkeling and  scuba diving facilities are provided by scuba dive centre operations seasonally.

1. Radhanagar beach: Radha Nagar Beach lies on the south coat of Havelock some 12 km from the islands ferry pier. Radhanagar is a Grade A beach of outstanding quality. It has an overall length of approaching two kilometers and an average width of 30 to 40 meters. The sand is white coral, very fine in grain. South facing, the beach has excellent exposure and is not subject to shading which would reduce its attraction for sunbathing. The end of the beach is contained by rocky outcrops which provide some variety to the littoral. The quality of water at Radha Nagar beach is exceptionally calm and clear. There is very little wave action and consequently almost no turbity in the water even along the surf line.
2. Elephant Beach (Hathi Tapu): Elephant beach (Hathi Tapu at Havelock is offer wonderful beach for snorkeling with rich coral reef and amazing marine life. One can visit Elephant Beach via a small boat by cruising through the dark blue sea. Elephant’s Beach was a pristine and untouched, it was like landing on such an island which is not inhabited by anyone. The under water sea life and corals were seen as clear as you see in pictures and portable aquarium. The snorkeling in this beach is the most memorable moments and life time experience for incoming tourist.
3. Vijayanagar Beach: Vijayanagar is a long stretch of sand on the east coast of the island, punctuated occasionally by rock section. Most of the beach is lined by sea mahua trees, large trees whose trunks grow along to climb vertically. These trees have lent a distinct charter to the sea front, and provide shade close to the water. Vijayanagar Beach is perfect for long walks along the sea.

This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the   vegetable bowl of Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair daily, it provides an ideal holiday Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair four days a week, it provides an ideal holiday for ecofriendly   tourists. One can feel the sincerity and serenity of village life here.  Beautiful beaches at Lakshmanpur, Bharatpur & Sitapur, and natural   bridge formations on the sea shore, norkeling and scuba diving are the attractions.

Little Andaman Island, located south to the south Andaman Island, has various attractions in store for the tourists. There are two water falls in the island, both in the midst of the evergreen rain forests. White surf waterfall is 6.5 kms from the Jut bay jetty. One can enjoy Elephant safari through the forest here. The other water fall whisper wave is 20 kms away from here. Journey to the whisper wave includes 4 kms trekking through the forest. Butler Bay a beautiful beach, is 14 kms from the Hut Bay jetty. The beach is suitable basking, snorkeling and surfing. Boating through the creek near the   beach is very fascinating. Netaji Nagar beach (11 kms from Hutbay Jetty) is another beautiful beach in the islands. Little Andaman is also famous for its red oil palm plantation, which spread over an area of 1600 hectares. There is a palm oil extraction factory inside the plantation. This can be visited the  White Surf waterfall and Butler Bay beach.

Connected with Port Blair by boat four times a week, this island offers an    exquisite sandy beach at Lalaji Bay, un polluted environment and evergreen       forest. The sea around the island is frequented by dolphins. Lalaji Bay, 6   kms away from the bet jetty, is accessible by 15 minutes journey in    doonghies or trekking through the forest. One can reach Long Island by      boat from Rangat / Yeretta jetty also.

The only active volcano in India is located in Barren Island. The Volcano erupted twice in recent past, once in 1991 and again in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177 year. This island, about 3 kms in diameter, has a big crater of the volcano, about half km away from the shore. This   island can be visited can be visited by charter boats only with the permission of Forest Department.

One of the twin islands in Andaman, is connected to Ross Islands by an       imposing sand bar. The Island is a perfect location for Island Camping   and    is a best suit to enjoy the village life in seclusion. The Island is attracted due to its clean and unspoiled seashore and the marvelous sight seeing facilities. The lusting green coconut palms grow meticulously in    rows on the sea shore adds the beauty of this Island.

This camping location is an ideal place to spend vacations away from the      hustle and bustle of madding city life. Good accommodation facilities    with   delicious cuisine make the holidays in Smith Islands a remarkable  experience.

This uninhabited island is famous for Merk bay a coral white sandy, shallow beach suitable for snorkeling, swimming and sun basking. The sea around t he island is famous for playful dolphins. The island is not connected by regular boat services. One has to hire boats from long Island or Yeratta jetty   Rangat to reach Merk Bay. Suitable for day visit to enjoy the glorious   solitude. Accommodation facilities are not available. One has to get food   packed and drinking water while visiting this island.

The journey is through the high dense forest. This Island between South and Middle Andaman has beautiful beaches, mangroves creeks, mud volcanoes and limestone caves. The journey for exploring limestone caves through creeks is highly admired. Keep packed food and drinking water while visiting the limestone caves.

One can enjoy the quiet village life and solitude of virgin nature at this part   of Middle Andaman Island. You can also breathe unpolluted air, a rare   commodity for the city dweller. Amkunj beach (15 kms away from Rangat bazaar/ jetty towards Mayabunder) are the beaches near Rangat. Cuthbert      bay Beach (20 kms away from Rangat are the beaches near Rangat. Cuthbert bay ia a turtle nesting ground. One can view the nesting of turtle during December – February season. Hawksbill Nest is a near the Cuthbert bay   beach and turtle sanctuary are on the way to Cuthbert bay.

Situated in the northern part of Middle Andaman Island, Mayabunder offers  excellent scenic beauty, mangrove creeks and beautiful beaches. Beach at Avis Island (30 minutes journey from Mayabunder), Karmatang beach (13    kms) and mangrove lined nesting of turtles during December- February season.

Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides a rare experience for eco friendly tourists. It is famous for its oranges, rice, forest wealth and marine life. Saddle peak (732 metres) the highest point in the Andaman is nearby. Kalpong the only river of Andaman flows from here.

Trekking to saddle peak through the evergreen forest, Kalipur, Lamiya Bay and Ram Nagar Beaches and sand bar joining Ross and Smith Islands are the attractions here. Ramnagar each and sand bar joining Ross and Smith Islands famous for Turtle nesting.

1. Scuba Diving:
Andaman Water offer a fascinating world of under water marine life, varieties of colorful fishes, rarest of the coral reefs in the world, mysterious remains of sunken ships, etc. All these can be explored through Scuba Diving.
2. Sailing, skiing, Para Sailing, Water scooter and speed boats:
Andaman Water sports complex at Port Blair is a unique water sports center run by Directorate of Tourism. It offers adventure water sports like sailing, skiing, water scooters and speed boats
3. Snorkeling:
One can enjoy the under water marine life and view the rarest varieties of corals by snorkeling near Water sports complex, chiditapu, North Bay, Islands in  Mahatma Gandhi National Marine National park –(Jolly Buoy, Red skin), Havelock and Ross and Smith Islands.

b) Madhuan:
Madhuban is a trekking area on north eastern side of Mount Harriet in South Andaman Island. Exotic beach, endemic beach, endemic birds, animals, butterflies and elephant lumbering are the most interesting part of the trek.