12 Best Tourist Places in Port Blair

Port Blair serves as the capital of South Andaman and a significant naval base for India. A number of charming islands, including Corbyn's Cove, Ross Island, Rutland Island, Viper Island, Jolly Buoy Island, Neil Island, and Barren Island, are also situated near the city. Port Blair's land connects to other attractions like the picturesque Wandoor Beach and Chidiya Tapu. The city has excellent air and sea connections to the rest of India. Traditional food dishes at Port Blair that tourists should try are curried prawns, macherjhol, tandoori fish, Amritsarikulcha grilled lobsters, chili curry, fish curry, and barbeques. The most famous places at Port Blair are described below.

1. Cellular Jail

Kala Pani is another name for the Cellular Jail. This is a former colonial jail that is located in Port Blair. A well-known tourist destination in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Cellular Jail.

The jail was mostly used to exile political prisoners from India. The prison complex is presently held by the Indian government and is recognized as a national memorial site that depicts prisoner life during the British colonial era. The Cellular Jail serves as a somber reminder of all the sacrifices faced by the Indian independence warriors and plays a significant role in India's history.

Entry fee for Cellular Jail:

1. Entry Fee: Rupees 30
2. Video Camera: Rupees 1,000
3. Camera: 200 Rupees

Attractions at Cellular Jail:

1. Light and Sound Show:

Management of the Jail host a light and sound show every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday in honor of the courageous martyrs. The light and sound show not only turns the cellular prison into a lovely stage for a live performance, but it also tells the tragic story of the independence movement and the life of the inmates inside during the British reign.

Time and fees:

1. Timings of Hindi Shows: 6:00 PM and 7:15 PM
2. Timings of the English Show: 7:15 PM
3. Cost per person: INR 50

2. Architecture of Cellular Jail:

The jail's complex represents the history of the Indian independence leaders who spent time in exile there. The original structure was a puce-colored structure, and the prison was split into seven wings. The cells were just 4.5 by 2.7 meters in size and had a tiny ventilator.

Advice for visitors:

1. An INR 200 fee must be paid in order to bring your camera into the museum grounds. It is best to keep your camera in your car or room unless you wish to take pictures of the museum's interior.
2. Follow the instructions in the booklet to better understand the museum's history.

2. Corbyn's Cove Beach

This beach is closest to Port Blair. Certain parts of Corbyn's Cove beach have some seating arrangements to get a good view of the horizon from a small height. There are a few shacks that offer regional treats, beverages, and coconut water. This beach is the best location where tourists get excellent prices on clothing, accessories, and other products to purchase as souvenirs.

Corbyn's Cove Beach offers some options for water sports, but many visitors decide not to participate due to the area's litter and the water's contaminant levels.This is the top attraction frequently included in the touring plan for visitors to Port Blair. Visitors can go Jet Skiing or take a quick boat ride into the sea. Tall coconut trees line the entire shore, and guests can walk among them before entering the sands.

3. Rutland Island

Rutland features pristine beaches, and this is one of the least frequented islands. This is a wonderful spot to unwind and get in touch with nature. The virgin beaches of the island are bordered by mangrove swamps and reefs.

4. Viper Island

Several years before Cellular Jail was built, The British utilized Viper Island to keep the independence fighters in exile. The island earned its name because it was home to a large number of viper snakes. The prison was built atop a hillock on the island. This prison was unique compared to the others as it was encircled by water. Women were held on the premises, and the prisoners suffered unspeakable torture.

Tourist Attractions in Viper Island:

1. Samudra Marine Museum:

The Indian army constructed this museum, which offers knowledge about the island's wildlife, flora, tribal history, and maritime ecosystem.

2. New India Caf�:

This caf� is well-known among the locals for serving a number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals from all around India.

3. Lighthouse Residency:

This restaurant delivers a variety of mouthwatering seafood meals, like red snapper, crab, or prawns, along with rice & fries.

4. Adi Bengali Hotel:

This hotel offers delicious and mouthwatering Bengali food.

5. Light and Sound Show on Viper Island:

On the island, a light and sound show is performed that highlights important historical moments from the period before independence. It is held Monday through Sunday, and it is not held on Wednesday or on public holidays.

When to go to Viper Island is best:

November through May are the ideal months to explore Viper Island. The island experiences beautiful weather all year round. It's best to avoid visiting the island from June to September because of the monsoon season's high tides, heavy rains, and windy conditions.

5. Wandoor Beach

Wandoor is a small village in South Andaman, and it is best known for the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park; this area has the greatest marine biodiversity. Wandoor Beach is located in the captivating South Andaman Islands. Wandoor is close to Port Blair and can be reached there in one to two hours by car. This unique spot is a fantastic place to go swimming and enjoy to view of coral reefs. This beach is next to Wandoor village and from where it gets its name.

Activities in Wandoor Beach:

1. Enjoy the Beach:

This beach is among the nicest in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Visitors can simply relax at the beach and enjoy the spotlessly white sand, crystal-clear waves, and scenery. Visitors can go swimming in the water, but make sure that lifeguards should present there. Kids will enjoy building sand castles in the white sand and watching the little fishing boats that are constantly present here. To view the coral reefs of Wandoor beach, you can reserve a glass-bottom boat.

2. Watch Sunset on the beach:

If you're traveling to the Andaman and Nicobar islands, ensure that you capture lots of good amazing pictures. Beaches on the island are well known for their spectacular sunrise and sunset vistas.

Resorts:

This beach is among the best locations to spend a holiday and is very famous among vacationers. Wandoor is home to a number of resorts.

1. Sea Princess Beach Resort:

This hotel is probably situated in the most picturesque spot on the beach. It provides the essentials like running water, housekeeping, free parking, and even free Wi-Fi. The hotel also offers complimentary airport transportation, so if you wish to come hotel immediately from the Veer Savarkar International Airport, you can use this service.

2. Coral Cove Hotels and Resort:

This is the best resort near Wandoor Beach. In Port Blair, this is a 4-star hotel. It provides the essentials like CCTV, Centralized AC, and free Wi-Fi. This resort guarantees its visitors the highest level of service.

3. Anugama Resort:

This stunning resort is less than two kilometers from Wandoor Beach. The Anugama Resort is a unique location by its own standards, with attached bathrooms in every room, free parking, and complimentary breakfast for all visitors.

6. North Bay Island

The stunning coral reefs and thrilling adventure activities of North Bay Island in the Andaman attract tourists. Interestingly, North Bay Island is shown on the reverse of a 20 Rupee seen as an island.

Regarding drawing tourists, North Bay Island compared with some of the world's most stunning islands. The most attractive visitors include scuba diving, sea walking, snorkeling, and glass boat rides.

When to go to North Bay Island is best:

November through May are the ideal months to explore North Bay Island. The island experiences beautiful weather all year round. It's best to avoid visiting the island from June to September because of the monsoon season's high tides, heavy rains, and windy conditions.

7. Forest Museum

This one-of-a-kind museum, situated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands close to Port Blair, highlights the forest sector and the islands' enormous amount of wood. The museum is around 10 kilometers from the heart of Port Blair and is part of the Chatam Saw Mill complex. Various antiquities and sculptures produced from coastline wood are displayed here. Also on display are several distinctive and uncommon plant species that can be found on the islands.

The Forest Museum is renowned for its scale models and varied collection of artifacts and ornamental items made of wood, paduak, oak, gurjan, satinwood, and peauma. This diverse selection reflects the union territory's woodlands' extremely varied flora and wildlife.The museum also has a miniature zoo and zoological garden that is home to numerous endangered birds, animals, and plants.

8. Sandbar Beach

The heavily forested islands and the white sand combine to create a breathtaking scenery that is unique and attracts a lot of tourists. On a clear day with calm waves, you can simply relax on the sand or go swimming and fishing on either side.

9. Chidiya Tapu

This is a charming tiny island in the Andamans. The bird island is the nickname of Chidiya Tapu. This is around 25 kilometers from Port Blair. The main attraction of the area is birdwatching, but there are also some enjoyable aquatic activities offered, like boating, scuba diving, and deep-sea strolling. The island's sunset point is among the top sunset points in the Andamans. Here is an extended black cliff with an exposed seascape close to Chidiya Tapu that offers a spectacular view of the deep blue ocean. Travelers can cross the unique Kalpathar's rugged rocks on the way to the beach. Along with the stunning natural beauty, there is a small zoo next to the beach where visitors can see unusual animals like monitor lizards.

Places to stay at Chidiya Tapu:

1. Hotel Blue Marlin:

This hotel is among the best places to stay in the area. The staff makes sure that each visitor receives the best service possible. There are two types of rooms available at this hotel that are air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned. It provides the essentials like free parking and free Wi-Fi. The hotel also offers complimentary airport transportation, so if you wish to come hotel immediately from the Airport, then you can use this service.

2. Sinclair's Bay View:

Sinclair's is the best option if you want to live in luxury. Sinclair's Hotel Bay View is situated in a stunning spot on a sloping hillside with a direct view of the Bay of Bengal. This ultra-luxury hotel offers a bustling bar, delicious food, and LCD televisions in each room. Visitors have the option of staying in a family room or a suite. If you want to unwind and exercise, visit the hotel's spa and swimming pool, which are located in the hotel.

3. Coral Cove Hotels and Resort:

This is the best resort near Wandoor Beach. In Port Blair, this is a 4-star hotel. It provides the essentials like CCTV, Centralized AC, and free Wi-Fi. This resort guarantees its visitors the highest level of service.

10. Baratang Island

This charming island is located in the North and Middle Andaman. Mangroves, mud volcanoes, and limestone caves are the island's most well-known natural features. The mud volcanoes cover a vast area of around 1000 and 2000 square meters. The public ferry service that connects Port Blair city and Phoenix Bay Jetty allows you to travel to Baratang island. For anyone who enjoys bird watching, Parrot Island is the ideal location. There are more than a hundred species of parrots on this island.

When to go to Baratang Island is best:

November through May are the ideal months to explore Baratang Island. The island experiences beautiful weather all year round. It's best to avoid visiting the island from June to September because of the monsoon season's high tides, heavy rains, and windy conditions.

11. Red Skin Island Beach

This island offers a peaceful journey on a beach that is similar to paradise. It is regarded as a substitute for Jolly Buoy Island. A picture-perfect vacation is made possible by the beach's beauty and the nearby forest. A wonderful vacation is provided by this beautiful beach and the nearby forest. This island is a marine life hotspot with a plethora of red coral reefs, aquatic creatures, tropical flora, white sand beaches, and pure water. This island is home to fish like zebrafish, parrotfish, and sea urchins. Elephants are seen on the beach as well.

When to go to Red Skin Island Beach is best:

November through May are the ideal months to explore this island. The island experiences beautiful weather all year round. It's best to avoid visiting the island from June to September because of the monsoon season's high tides, heavy rains, and windy conditions.

12. Chatham Saw Mill

This is the oldest and largest sawmill in Port Blair. This is the only sawmill on the island that supplies wood for building projects and also exports wood to businesses and furniture factories around Port Blair. Crimson wall panels of London's Buckingham Palace are thought to have been constructed from wood supplied by this mill. This mill houses a museum that provides information about geology, geography, and wildlife. Tourists can also visit the Forest Museum, the Bomb Pit, and the Pillar of the Planet on the premises of the mill.

Advice for Visitors:

1. A lot of sawdust is present in the mill. People with allergies to dust or breathing issues should take the proper precautions or stay away.
2. Travelers are welcome to take a tour of the warehouse and mill.