Port
Blair General Information
Located on the east coast
of South Andaman, Port Blair, the capital
of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is a
remote harbour. With just a cluster
of tin-roofed houses, shops, restaurants
and offices, it is a tourist destination
less by choice and more because of necessity.
It is the arrival point for the islands,
and the only place with a bank, tourist
offices and hotels.
Mineral water and other essentials
are available here, only marginally
more expensive than the mainland. Power,
water and sewerage systems are beginning
to show signs of being over-stretched
and there are frequent breakdowns. Port
Blair offers a variety of sea food delicacies,
besides Indian, Chinese, Continental,
and Burmese cuisine.
Scuba Diving in the Andaman
Islands
Andamans are Coral islands with white
sand beaches and surrounded by pristine
beauty of Nature. The seas around the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are some
of the world's finest, relatively unexplored,
unspoiled and multi-hued. Many species
of fish and coral are unique to the
area and fascinating life systems exist
in ash beds and cooled lava around the
eastern volcanic island of Barren. One
can start by snorkelling; most hotels
supply masks and snorkels. However,
the only way to get really close, and
venture out into deeper waters, is to
scuba dive. The experience of weaving
in and out of coral beds, coming eye
to eye with fish or swimming with dolphins
and barracudas is unforgettable, and
at prices that are among the lowest
in the world, it's an opportunity not
to be missed.
The dive centers The Samudra, Port
Blair Underwater and Andamans Adventure
Sports and the recently established
Andaman and Nicobar Scuba Diving Society
run by Mr Chowdhary have almost similar
rates. These centers have good equipment
and the guides are well experienced.
It's not uncommon to come across schools
of sharks, which rarely turn hostile,
but one thing to watch out for and avoid
is the black-and-white sea snake. Though
the snakes seldom attack - and, since
their fangs are at the back of their
mouths, would find it difficult to get
a grip on any human - their bite is
more deadly than that of the cobra.
It's essential to respect the environment
when diving and snorkelling. Increased
tourism inevitably puts pressure on
the delicate marine eco-system, and
poorly funded wildlife organizations
can do little to prevent damage from
insensitive visitors. Divers and snorkellers
should never touch or pick coral; most
of the reefs remain undamaged, but the
dead coral in the shallow waters on
the shores at Wandoor is an early sign
of what happens if coral is walked on
or picked.
Main
Sightseeing of Port Blair
Cellular Jail : Port
Blair's only firm reminder of its
gloomy past, the sturdy brick Cellular
Jail or Kala Pani overlooks the sea
from a small rise in the northeast
of town. Seven wings originally radiated
from the central tower out of which
only three remain, the rest being
destroyed by the Japanese.
Built over a period of eighteen
years at the start of the 20th century
by the British, its dingy solitary
cells were quite different and far
worse than the dormitories in other
prison blocks erected earlier. The
prisoners endured extremely grim conditions
in the dirty and ill-ventilated cells
where drinking water was limited to
two glasses per day and the convicts
were expected to wash in the rain
as they worked, clearing forests and
building prison quarters. Food was
stored in vats where the rice and
pulses became infested with worms;
more than half the prison population
died long before their twenty years'
detention was up. Frequent executions
took place in full view of the cells,
at the gallows that still stand in
squat wooden shelters in the courtyards.
The sound and light show (in English
on Wed, Sat & Sun 7.15pm; in Hindi
daily at 6pm; except for the rainy
season) outlines the history of the
prison, and a small museum by the
entrance gate (open at the same hours
as the prison) exhibits lists of convicts,
photographs and grim torture devices.
Samudrika Marine Museum
: Run by the Indian Navy, the marine
museum has tanks brimming with exotic
fish and coral from the islands' reefs.
The five sections of this unique museum
display history and geography of the
Andaman & Nicobar islands. Displays
include miniature models of islands,
pictures of tribals and their life-style
and archaeology.
Aquarium : This
aquarium cum museum has a collection
of some 350 species of marine animals
found in the Andaman Sea.
Anthropological Museum
: On MG Road in the west of town,
the anthropological museum illustrates
the lives of the aboriginal tribes
with miniature models of the tools
used by them, their dresses and photographs
of their life style. Above the museum
is a well stocked library where you
can look up books.
Mini Zoo and Forest Museum
: The small zoo has 200 species
of animals and birds which include
the Nicobar Pigeon, the Andaman Pigand
and the rare agile luminous-green
Andaman gekko. A salt-water crocodile
farm that breeds and releases crocodiles
into the coastal mangrove swamps is
a part of the zoo. Near the zoo is
the museum maintained and run by the
forest department. This unusual museum
displays local types of wood used
in the timber industry such as padauk
which has both light and dark colours
present in the same tree, rosewood
and marble wood. Lumbering methods
are clearly explained here.
Chatham Sawmill
: Around 5 km North-west of Aberdeen
Bazaar, on the peninsula that marks
the northernmost edge of Port Blair,
is the British built Chatham sawmill
one of the oldest and largest timber
processing plants on Indian territory.
The seasoning of beautiful and rare
woods taken from various islands is
a sad testimony to continuing felling;
photography is prohibited. Most of
the timber goes from here to the mainland.
Water Sports Complex : Very
close to the Fisheries Museum, is
the water sports complex where you
can rent rowboats, wind surfing equipment,
sailing dinghies and snorkels. Water
skiing is also available.
Mt Harriet : Mount
Harriet at 365 m is one of the highest
points in South Andaman. A natural
trail leads to the summit. Permission
to climb the nature trails that weave
through dense forest must be obtained
from the Chief Wildlife Warden in
Haddo.Open to tourists during the
day, permission of the warden at Port
Blair has to be taken to stay overnight
in the forest rest house. Towards
the north is the Mt Harriet National
Park where one can watch elephants
being trained to carry logs. One can
take a ferry service or taxi from
the Chatnam wharf to Bamboo flat.
The summit , 7 km from here is an
enjoyable walk but the route is devoid
of drinking water. Taxis and jeeps
are also available.
Madhuban : Ferries
from Phoenix Bay Jetty to Bamboo Flat
and a short bus ride gets you to Madhuban
a felling area where elephants work
alongside men. Private vehicles can
be ferried from Chafham jetty to Bamboo
Flat, which saves a long drive over
poor roads on the route from Port
Blair.
Ross Island : Ross
Island was the administrative headquarters
of the British during World War II.
Formerly known as Paris of the East,
this place now lies in ruins. Its
manicured lawns adorned with umbrellas
and shades and the majestic ballrooms
were destroyed in an earthquake in
1941. Daily services were held at
the Church but now forest and under
growth has over-run the place which
is in ruins and has a somewhat haunting
air of poignancy. The small museum
near the jetty presents a picture
of the bygone era. The island is under
Naval control and it is mandatory
to sign the visitor's guest book on
arrival. Ferries from Phoenix Bay
take 20 minutes for the ride to Ross
Island.
Corbyn's Cove : The
nearest beach to Port Blair, it is
a pleasant 7 km walk. The nearby Snake
Island is surrounded by coral reefs.
Currents in the water here are pretty
strong and swimming can be dangerous..
Go to Top
Excursions
from Port Blair
Sippighat Farm
: Located 15 km from Port Blair
en route to Wandoor, this Government
owned farm is used for research in various
kinds of agricultural products. Research
predominantly in spices has developed
new varieties of cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg
and cloves.
Wandoor (29 km)
: This stunningly beautiful
group of 15 islands forms part of the
280 sq kms Mahatma Gandhi Marine National
Park. There are a number of good beaches
on Wandoor but watch for the strong
currents. Do not venture on the corals
as they might get damaged. Many coral
reefs have already been damaged due
to over enthusiastic visitors. Part
of the Wandoor national park, Red Skin
and Jolly Buoy islands boast a stunning
array of over 50 varieties of coral
and fish. Daily boat trips are organised
to these uninhabited islands (departures
from Wandoor jetty, daily except Mon,
10am). Food and drink are usually provided
on the organized tours, which also provide
transport from Port Blair to Wandoor.
Although the trips give less than three
hours to explore the fabulous reefs,
they are still worthwhile.
Chiriya Tapu (30 Km) : At
the southern tip of South Andaman, an
hour's drive from Port Blair, is Chiriya
Tapu or Bird Island; a tiny fishing
village with mangroves, shell-strewn
beaches, sharp rocks and vast coral
reefs. South pf the island is a beach
well known for snorkelling.
Cinque Island : South
of Chirya Tapu, the uninhabited Cinque
Island are surrounded by some of the
finest coral reefs which can be seen
a few hundred metres into the sea. Permission
from the Forest Department is required
to visit these islands and a night visit
is rarely granted. It takes two and
a half hours to get here by boat from
Chiriya Tapu and three and a half hours
from Wandoor. Ferries between Phoenix
Bay and the island run only once a week
(3hr).
Diglipur : It is the
northernmost point of the Andaman chain.
9 km inland from its harbour at Arial
Bay is a bazaar. One can swim at a small
beach beside the mangrove swamps near
a sawmill. A sandy beach, 11 km further
on at Kalipur is connected by bus. Permission
to make the three- to four-hour climb
up the thickly forested Saddle Peak
must be obtained from the Range Officer
at Arial Bay. The nearby Austin Islands
are also worth a visit. .
How
to reach Port Blair?
By Air : The capital
Port Blair, on South Andaman, is served
by Indian Airlines flights from Calcutta
(Wed, Fri & Sun; 2hr) and Madras
(Tues, Thurs & Sat; 2hr 5min). Jet
and East-West a private airline have
services from Chennai. Both outward
and return journeys should be booked
in advance at the respective airline
offices on the mainland.
By Sea : SCI operates
twice (four times at times) between
Port Blair and Chennai (60 hrs, Calcutta
(56 hrs) and Vishakhapatnam(56hrs) in
its own vessels. Though more economical
than flying, the long crossings are
uncomfortable at times and often delayed
by bad conditions and bureaucracy. Offices
of the Shipping Corporation of India
(SCI) are at First Floor, 13 Strand
Rd, Calcutta (2482354), AV Bhanoji Row
Garude, Pattbhiramaya & Co, Vishakapatnam
port (565597) or Jawahar Building, near
Customs House, Rajaji Rd, Chennai (Ph.:
5220841). You'll need two passport photos
and should confirm your place on the
boat 4 days before sailing. There's
also an information centre for the islands
at F 104 Curzon Road Hostel, Kasturba
Gandhi Marg, New Delhi (387015).
Special Permits / Formalities
to travel Port Blair
Foreign tourists need a permit to visit
Andamans. The Nicobar islands are out
of bound for non-Indians. On the Andamans
too there are many areas like the reserve
places for the tribals on the Middle
Andamans, Little Andaman and South Andamans
that are out of bound. Further on the
North Andamans, Diglipur is opened for
foreigners. Day trips are allowed to
Ross, Viper, Cinque, Narcondum, Interview
and Brother & Sister islands. On
the Barren volcanic islands boats go
but embarkment is not allowed.
Permits are issued for 30 days,
which under special circumstances can
be extended for 2-3 days but not more
than that. Permits are issued at the
Port Blair Airport. If one does not
have a confirmed return ticket he is
allowed only a 10-15 days stay, which
is extended to 30 days. Tourists arriving
by plane can pick up the permit necessary
to visit the islands on arrival at Port
Blair airport; ship passengers should
obtain one at a shipping office or Foreigners'
Registration office before leaving India.
The superintendent of police in Port
Blair's Aberdeen Bazaar can extend your
initial fifteen-day visa up to a maximum
of thirty days. If reporting is not
done on arrival then at the time of
departure one may have problems in proving
proof that he has not stayed longer
than 30 days. Permits are stamped at
the time of departure.
