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Andaman & Nicobar Islands
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You can come to the wonderful Andaman and Nicobar Islands via a steamer or a ship. You have also the opportunity to come to these islands by air for the purpose of the wonderful islands.
The beaches on these wonderful islands are indeed fascinating and they are crystal clear. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for some of the pristine beaches of the world.
Come here and enjoy the wonderful honeymoon in the resort and this will be a fine experience. If you are the lover of the adventured water sports, you have the opportunity to go for the underwater scuba diving and much more. Come here through the package tours.
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Andaman & Nicobars, a group of 572 Islands & islets spread over like a broken pearl chain in Bay of Bengal covering an area of 8249 sq.km. Over a distance of 780kms of ocean from North to South. The Island , although an Union Territory of India, is very close to Rangoon(Burma), Phuket(Thailand) Malaysia & Sumatra. However to reach these islands irrespective Indians or Foreigners have to undertake journey from Chennai/ Calcutta / Vizag. Andaman is graded as one of the ideal destination for availing leave travel concession to cover a long distance journey.
HISTORY
There is a reference in the Hindu epic Ramayana, to the monkey-god Hanuman making a stopover in the Andaman while he was en route to Lanka in search of Sita. Aboriginals have inhabited the Islands for thousands of years ? but their xenophobia and their belligerence resulted in the area remaining unexplored. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of ?Sherlock Holmes? fame described the islanders in his book, ?The Sign of Four?, as ?perhaps the smallest race upon this earth ? fierce, morose and intractable?. Lying on the ancient trade route between Burma and India, the islands were delineated on Ptolemy?s second century a.d. map. The Chinese traveller, I-Tsing who visited India in the seventh century gave a rivetting account of these isles, as did the Venetian explorer Marco Polo (1254-1324).
The place became the naval base of the great Maratha admiral, Kanhoji Angre in the early 18th century. He frequently crossed swords with the Europeans ? the British, the Dutch and the Portugese. In 1713, he captured the yacht of the British governor of Bombay, releasing it only after obtaining a hefty ransom. Though attacked later by a combined British/Portugese naval task force, Angre remained undefeated until his death in 1729. The first westerners to set foot on these isles were the Danes in the mid-18th century.
CULTURE
Andaman and Nicobar Islands have an unique culture, where all religions, languages, ethnic groups live in total peace and harmony and hence it is rightly called Mini India. Port Blair has a cosmopolitan character where people of all walks of life live together in peace and tranquility. All major festivals are celebrated with equal zeal and fervour and attended by all religious groups.
FOOD
Sea food is the specialty of these islands. The unpolluted water of Andaman Sea abounds with varieties of fish, crabs, lobsters, prawns etc. Seafood is easily available and deliciously cooked. North Indian, South Indian, vegetarian, continental, Chinese dishes are also available.
ENTERTAINMENT
Andaman Water Sports Complex
This unique complex offers all possible aqua-sport facilities like Water-skiing, Sail boats, Windsurfing, Speed Boats etc., and safe water sports like Paddle Boats, Row Boats etc. There is a sea water swimming pool and a change room. There is also a Memorial for the Battle of Aberdeen fought between Britishers and Andamanee aboriginals in 1859. Nearby is anAmusement Park with Rollercoaster, Pleasure rides etc. and a children Traffic Park is adjacent to it.
Snorkeling
One can enjoy the under-water marine life and view the rarest varieties of corals by snorkeling in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Carbyn's Cove Tourism Complex, Havelock and other islands on all days from dawn to dusk depending on the weather.
Island Camping
Camps are just the right choice for the nature-lovers who wish to enjoy the sun, sea and the pristine beauty of nature by spending quiet holidays right on the beach. Tents are available on hire at all the Guest Houses at moderate rates.
Scuba Diving
Diving in Andaman waters offer a fascinating world of under-water marine life, varieties of colourful fishes, rarest of the coral reefs in the world, mysterious remains of sunken ships etc. All these can be explored through SCUBA diving.
Trekking
One can go trekking through the nature trail from Mt. Harriet to Madhuban and enjoy the rare forest life, flora and fauna. There are other trekking routes also, Trekking equipment and the tents are available on hire from Andaman Teal House.
General Information of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
LOCATION
About 13 km long and 4.5 km wide, the island of Diu is situated off the southern coast of Gujarat, separated by a narrow channel.
How to Reach
By Air
Five weekly flights between Calcutta and Port Blair and four flights between Chennai and Vishakhapattnam connect the islands to the mainland.
By Sea
Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam and back. There are three to four sailings every month from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair and vice-versa. There is one sailing from Vishakhapatnam in a month. The voyage takes about 50 to 60 hours and the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about two to four days.
CLIMATE
The summer temperatures range between 20?C and 38?C. And the winter between 20?C and 25?C.
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