Andaman - long weekend of turquoise water and pristine white sand beaches
Updated: Jan 3, 2024
On our first wedding anniversary, we wanted to get away from all the hustle and bustle of our hectic corporate life and unwind in nature's lap.
We started scouting for places for our next trip knowing that it would be a beach vacation! Like any other corporate couple, it was becoming a little difficult to get an extended break after having exhausted a large amount of our leaves during the festivities!
After discussing a host of options including Bali, Thailand, Maldives, and Kerala, we finally decided to embark on a captivating journey to the tropical paradise of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where azure waters meet pristine white sands, between 25-28 November!
This three-day odyssey promised an immersive experience, weaving together the fascinating history of Port Blair, the vibrant marine life of Havelock Island, and the tranquil beauty of secluded beaches. From the poignant echoes of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair to the breathtaking underwater world off the shores of Havelock, each moment unfolded a new chapter in this archipelago's tale.
In this blogpost, we will share our 3-Day itinerary, recommendations, scuba diving experience, and finally, some things to watch out for!
Getting there
Exploring the Local Island
Must do activities in the Andaman Islands
So let's 'dive-in'!!
GETTING THERE :
Delhi to Port Blair
We began our adventure with an early morning Vistara flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair with a short 45-minute fuel stop at Kolkata.
The approximately 5-hour flight is not merely a means of transportation but a prelude to the tropical paradise awaiting your arrival. We planned to reach Havelock Island on the same day of arrival
Port Blair to Havelock Island (Swaraj deep)
One needs to navigate the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal via a ferry ride from Port Blair to Havelock Island, now renamed Swaraj Deep. There are multiple government and privately owned ferry/cruise options available, tickets to which can be purchased in advance via their websites or the aggregator platform www.go2andaman.com
It takes approximately 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours from Portblair to Havelock based on the ferry you board.
A few of the well-known preferred options for tourists are :
1. Green ocean (Govt)
3. Nautika / Nautika Lite (Private)
4. Makruzz (Private)
Key things to remember :
Tickets for these ferries tend to get sold out, hence it is recommended to book them at least 2-3 weeks in advance
While there is an open deck on the Green Ocean ferry, Makruzz and Nautika(Lite) are completely air-conditioned and they are not allowed to go on the deck during transit.
Green Ocean tends to go slightly slower than its privately-led counterparts, but it will be cost-effective as well.
Based on the weather conditions, the ocean can get rough at times, hence it is recommended to carry a motion sickness medicine to avoid nausea
There are 2 main seating cabin classes: Standard and Luxury. You can also purchase some light snacks and beverages on the deck.
One needs to reach the port at least 45-60 minutes in advance of the departure time and complete the check-in and security formalities before boarding.
EXPLORING THE LOCAL ISLAND :
Upon reaching Havelock, one has the option to take the local buses or avail of cab services. The cab rates are fixed by the transport union. One can also rent a scooty/bike to explore the island on their own. We got our Activa at ~INR 500 per day (not inclusive of fuel). and refundable security deposit of INR 2000 Please note that helmets are compulsory for both the driver and the pillion rider. Please adhere to the local rules to avoid getting a challan!
Additional tip: You can download the app "My Swaraj Deep" from PlayStore. This app is for tourists looking for information about navigation, tourist circuits, vendor details, etc
Day 1 - Havelock - a little-known paradise
We reached Havelock Island at around 4 PM from the ferry and headed straight towards our stay for the next couple of days - Dolphin Resort (More on this later!)
While Andamans have the same time zone as India, but as it is closer to the equator the sunsets by 5 PM. We did not want to miss our first sunset in Havelock so we quickly freshened up and went to the private beach (Vijaynagar beach) attached to our resort!
Nothing would have prepared us for what we witnessed next. The tranquil beauty of the Havelock sunset is a captivating moment, where time seems to stand still, and nature paints its masterpiece in the skies above the tropical paradise.
After taking a soothing walk on the beach, we took our scooty to aimlessly wander on the island. We went to a local Ayurvedic and got a relaxing foot massage. The night was still young and we headed towards the highly recommended beachside restaurant "Something Different". We enjoyed the rest of the evening with a great ambiance, soothing music, and lip-smacking food!
We called it a day and went back to our resort super excited for what lies ahead of us! Set our alarms for 3:30 AM so that we could witness a stunning sunrise the next morning.
DAY 2 - Of stunning sunrises and spectacular sunsets...
We started our second day VERY early in the morning and were ready to hit the road by 4 AM.
Sunrise at Kalapathar Beach .
We wanted to capture this beauty with our drone, but God had different plans! While we did manage to get some good shots, a strong gust of breeze swayed away our drone and it got stuck in the trees! With the help of a very kind coconut vendor, we were able to retrieve it in Working condition after a stressful half hour!
So word of caution: be careful with drones!
We sipped on the sweet and fresh coconut water while walking on the beach, after which we headed back to our resort for breakfast.
Accommodation in Havelock:
We booked our stay with a government-run Dolphin Resort, which can boast of being located at one of the most fantastic locations there is! It's a huge property with massive cottage-style rooms and all amenities.
It is attached to its private beach which is spotlessly maintained. The per day tariff for this property is MUCH MUCH Cheaper than any other resort and the location is undoubtedly the best. Highly recommended!!
Finding Nemo in Havelock: Shore Diving!
After resting for a bit, we decided to explore the vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life. Havelock Island, in particular, stands out as a premier scuba diving destination. The clear azure waters surrounding Havelock provide an ideal canvas for underwater exploration.
We decided to dive with the very knowledgeable instructors at 'Blue Sea Dive'. They do a preliminary readiness analysis and will recommend you to dive only if you don't suffer from medical conditions like Asthma, Thyroid, BP, etc. The instructors spent time with us in going through the basic training, provided wet suits, and then took us for tandem diving.
The instructor gradually descended up to 10 meters underwater where the visibility was exceptional, allowing us to witness the kaleidoscopic coral formations and the rich biodiversity that thrives beneath the surface. And yes! We did spot NEMO!
They normally charge ~3000-3500 per person which is inclusive of training, gear, and 45 minutes of diving with underwater pictures and videos.
Spectacular sunset at Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach is a sublime stretch of coastline that has earned its reputation as one of Asia's finest beaches. Depending on which time of the year you are visiting, the sunset time will vary a little bit, but it is recommended that you reach there by 4-4:15 PM to witness magic in the skies.
The beach is renowned for its incredibly soft and white sand, a stark contrast to the lush greenery that surrounds it. The waters, varying in shades of blue, invite visitors for a refreshing swim. There are public lockers available at the beach for those who want to go for a swim without worrying about their belongings.
At sunset, Radhanagar transforms into a canvas of warm hues, with the sinking sun casting a golden glow over the horizon. Radhanagar Beach is not merely a destination; it's an immersive experience.
We did some souvenir shopping and indulged in some street food outside Radhanagar beach, and then went back to our resort.
DAY 3 - Exploring Port Blair
We were so mesmerized by Radhanagar beach, that we decided to visit it again the next day early morning. Most of the locals were pretty surprised by this as it is usually considered a sunset spot, but oh boy! We were so glad that we decided to go there again at the break of dawn!
In contrast to what we experienced the previous evening, Radhanagar beach in the morning was empty. We had the whole beach to ourselves and it was just as beautiful! The vast expanse of Radhanagar's sands invites strolls, with the gentle waves creating a rhythmic serenade in the background.
We returned to our resort by 7 AM, quickly packed our stuff, and checked out (almost reluctantly) from there. It was time for our journey back to Port Blair.
Havelock to Port Blair
Similar to the onward journey, we had booked our ferry tickets for Nautika Lite online, a few weeks in advance. The ferry was on time and the journey was smooth. In a couple of hours, we reached Port Blair and then went straight to our hotel.
Accommodation in Port Blair
We booked the luxurious, Welcomhotel by ITC in Port Blair, which stood against the backdrop of deep blue coastline and cool ocean breeze! The rooms were comfortable and the staff was extremely courteous.
After relaxing for a bit, we went to Corbyn Cove's beach and enjoyed street food. There are plenty of water sports and activities like sea kart, paragliding etc which keep happening throughout the day. Honestly, after visiting the pristine beaches of Havelock, Corbyn Cove beach felt a little underwhelming in terms of overcrowding and general cleanliness of the beach.
Cellular Jail and Light & Sound Show
Andaman has a dark history of torturing political prisoners and freedom fighters with the infamous "Kala Pani ki Saza". The entry ticket to the cellular Jail is INR 30 for Indians and the guided tour is priced at INR 100 Per person, which can be purchased on the spot. The 45-minute guided journey highlights the atrocities that happened at the Cellular Jail and the sacrifices our freedom fighters made for our country.
The government also runs a spectacular light and sound show every day in 3 slots, starting at 5:50 PM, 6:50 PM and 7:50 PM. Tickets for this show have to be purchased at least a day in advance from the Andaman tourism website and are priced at INR 300 per person.
We must say, it is one of the most enthralling and spine-chilling experiences of our lives. The show is a masterpiece with captivating storytelling and powerful production quality. Do not miss this when you are in Port Blair.
After an eventful evening, we went back to our resort for a candlelight dinner and called it a day for our flight back home the next morning.
As I am writing this blog on our 5-hour flight, I can't help but reflect on this 3-day escape that ensured a perfect blend of history, culture, adventure, and relaxation in the stunning Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
FINALLY, We hope this blog inspired you to plan a trip to this paradise soon enough. We are sure it will be an unforgettable tryst with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where the rhythm of the waves becomes the soundtrack to your holiday.
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