Andaman and Nicobar islands are one of the unique getaways in India. The coastline of these islands is kissed by the waters of Bay of Bengal as well as the Indian Ocean. The azure waters of the islands will make holidaying here worthy for the memory`s scrapbook.

How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Comprising India`s most remote state, the Andaman Islands are situated 1000 km off the east coast in the middle of the Bay of Bengal, connected to the mainland by flights and ferries from Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam.

Air: Port Blair, on South Andaman, is served by Indian Airlines flights from Kolkata and daily flights from Chennai on both IA and Jet Airways.

The smart, newly extended Veer Savarkar airport terminal is 4 km south of town at Lamba Line. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are on hand for short trips upto town but if one have booked a room in any of the middle- or upper-range hotels or do so at the counter in the airport, he or she should find a shuttle bus waiting outside. Local buses also frequently ply the route to town from the main road about 300m from the terminal building.

Ship: It is also possible to get to Port Blair by ship. Services to and from Chennai can be reasonably relied upon to leave in each direction once a week. However once the tourists get to the islands, thirty day permits are obtainable on arrival in Port Blair. Permits are usually extendable for fifteen days but the authorities sometimes only allow staying in Port Blair for that period.

Port Blair has two jetties: boats from the mainland moor at Haddo Jetty, nearly 2km northwest of Phoenix Jetty, arrival point for inter-island ferries. The Director of Shipping Services at Phoenix Jetty has the latest information on boats and ferries.

Places of Interest in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Adventure Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: This tourist destination is a haven for adventure lovers. Surrounded by Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean these islands offer a number of water sports to try out. Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Picnics and Bird Watching are some of the popular adventure sports here.

Nature Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The flora and fauna of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are such that the tourists are provided with ample scopes to bask in their nature`s bounty.

Excursions can be arranged from Port Blair to the Botanical Gardens, Burmah Nullah and the Wimberlygunj Lumbering Centres, in the jungle. The zoo on Haddo Promontoiy has saltwater crocodiles, hornbills and crab-eating monkeys.

Being an island it has Marine Park at Wandoor where the tourists can witness the famous coral reefs. it is also the right place to gather more information on the aquatic life. So before the visitors go underwater in Andaman it will be a lot helpful to drop in at such parks.

Leisure Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Andaman and Nicobar Islands house several museums, emporiums and other places of interest. The beaches, however, remain the dominant factor in attracting tourists.

Port Blair, the capital, on South Andaman, was named after Lt. Reginald Blair who conducted a survey of the area in 1789. Until World War II it had remained essentially a penal settlement.

The Cellular Jail, now a museum, where a total of 400 freedom fighters were held during the struggle for independence, is a massive whitewashed 18th-century building that faces the sea.

Other places of interest are the Anthropological Museum (exhibiting mini-reproductions of villages of local tribes), a Burmese temple at Phoenix Bay, the Ghol Ghar spice stores, and the Cottage Industries Emporium.

From Marine Jetty, ferries ply across the harbour to Aberdeen Market, Vyper Island, where executions used to take place, or past the Chattam Saw Mill, situated on an island off Haddo. Cruises are organised by the Department of Information, Publicity and Tourism, as well as hotels during the day, and at sunset.

The closest beach is Corbyn`s Cove, 6 km from town. There are beaches too at Wandoor and Shirya Tapu at the southern tip of the island. As most of the islands are reserves where tribes are protected from contact with the outside world, only a limited number are open to visitors.

Tribal Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The main aboriginal group are the Onges, who live on Little Andaman. Onges, like other Andamanese tribes, are of Negrito stock. They practice food gathering, hunting, honey-collecting and fishing, and are the only tribe on the islands who freely accept contact with the outside world.

In the Nicobars, the only aboriginals are the Shompens with whom little contact exists. The Nicobarese, the largest group, seem to be of mixed Burmese, Malay, Mon and Shan origin. They are cultivators producing fruit, vegetables, copra and coconut oil. They also raise pigs and cows which were first brought to the islands by erstwhile Danish settlers in the 18th century.

Village Tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Most of the villages in Andaman are occupied by the tribal folk. Hence a trip to these villages will enable will bring the tourists face to face with the tribal lifestyle.

Shopping in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Items made out of shells are a big attraction here for the tourists. Beaded jewelries are trendy and popular on the islands. Straw hats will also be quite useful and at the same time they are the perfect accessories for the beaches.

Andaman and Nicobar islands are the best place to try out the sea foods.

Visiting Information on Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Accommodation is easily available here. In case the tourists are planning an extravagant vacation then they can check into the resorts. Sea cruises are also popular in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Tourist information centers will answer the queries of the travelers.

The climate remains tropical throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 35°C and humidity levels never below seventy percent. By far the best time to visit is between January and May. Despite being so far east, the islands run on Indian time, so the sun rises as early as 4.30am in summer and darkness falls soon after 5pm.