Just to be clear, I like to travel and this blog is from the perspective of a family trip for 6 days covering Port Blair and Havelock.
Generally we take a week off and venture into vacations. This time we chose serene Andamans. It was difficult to plan the trip with so much to read and so much to check out, where to start and where to end.
I wanted to just pen down what all I went through and could help others for planning their trip to get the most out of it.
Just a disclaimer, I had a kid hence I had to skip some treks and Neil Island hop. Families with kid would understand it’s difficult to pack and go every other day and for me holidays are meant to be a bit relaxed.
Port Blair
In Andaman sunrise is around 5 AM and sets around 5 PM.
In short, your day starts very early, sun shines bright very early and people sleep early and get up early so you can plan your trips accordingly.
Generally the flight lands in the first half so you can use the second half to cover the cellular jail and lights and music show organised by the jail authorities. It’s basically the history of cellular jail narrated by a long standing tree inside of the jail. Tickets for the cellular jail visit are available on the fly. But for the light and music show you need to book them online https://www.andamantourism.gov.in/etourist/index.php/home. There are three shows starting around evening post sunset. The earlier you book and you get to sit at the front.
The show gets cancelled during the rains and from what I have heard it’s non refundable in that case, so pray for the rain gods to have mercy.
Corbyn’s cove beach is an evening beach, it doesn’t have much to offer in the morning with sun beating quite hard, you can take a stroll post sunset. You can send sometime sitting and enjoying the winds. Malai kulfi by the cycle vendors is good, try that too.
Next morning you can check out Ross Island for some water activities which you eventually can do in Havelock. If you have three days in Port Blair, you should go ahead else there is not much available. People without kids can also go to the Baratang where you get to see limestone caves but it involves an approx 2 kms trek.
Next is Munda pahad beach and chidiya tapu beach. They are very close to each other almost 2 km apart. Normally people reach around 3-3:30 PM at munda pahad beach to enjoy sitting and taking photographs on the beach. Freelance photographers are available and they can click and transfer the pics directly to your phones from their cameras. You should get one if you want to have some memorable photos. This was the best beach for me in Port Blair.
It is not advisable here to get into the waters because of crocodiles sightings. This beach gets closed at 4:30 PM.
After that everyone goes to the Chidiya Tapu beach which is not so good as for the beach but this is the best beach to see the sunset.
Although with clouds and far islands sun doesn’t feel like going into the sea as some islands obscure the view. However the sunset light and mangroves allow you to get some good photographs here as well. You can stay on this beach till 5:30 PM and guards will clear the beach around that time.
Port Blair to Havelock
Private jetty service, Makruzz and Green ocean ferry to havelock daily on scheduled timings, I guess there are 4-5 ferries daily and the tickets can be pre booked on their websites. The journey is for 1.5 hours with air conditioned interior and the departure procedure is almost like the airlines but with minimum rush. The seat selection is opened only before 48 hours and you are informed via sms. 
Havelock
Havelock is a small island with 3 beaches only.
Most of the resorts are in the city area known as Vijay nagar near to Govind nagar beach, but we never went to this beach, don’t know it this is accessible at all.
- Kalapathar - Approx 5 kms away from the city. This beach has a coral sea bed and know for sun rise. If you want to see the sun rise you get lucky with the weather you should be at the beach around 5 AM. This is one of the best beaches, calm serene, less crowdy. You can also play in the water but since there are corals it may hurt if you bath in the beach. Crocodiles not sighted yet, that’s the good news. Water on this part of the beach is crystal clear. There are shops for tea coffee and breakfast on this beach so you can spend time.
- Elephanta - this is the beach where all the water activities are done. There are two ways to go this beach.
- Trek - a jungle opening on the way to Radhanagar beach connects a trekkable path to this beach.
- Speed boats- it is a small beach. government controlled private operators are allowed for this service. 1000 Rs for adults and 500 for kids below 5 years, this will cover your to and fro expenses to the elephants beach with a namesake 3-5 minutes snorkelling experience in waist deep water. This beach has abundance of coral sea life hence all the water activities are done here. The boat man will be stay with you for three hours only and bring you back after that. This is a sharing speed boat service with 10 people. Tickets could be brought per activity before you leave for elephanta beach and also at the beach.Kids will enjoy the rides on dragon, Mickey Mouse shaped inflated rides. The complimentary snorkelling experience is just a gimmick to lure you into the paid experience that comes for 1200 bucks. On this price they will take you deep into the beach where you can sea actual sea life. They will also give you fish feed to bring some zebra fishes towards you. They also capture a small 3 minutes video of your snorkelling experience and share with you. Those who haven’t done it should at least get this one for an experience. Even though it’s not colourful experience compared to Maldives but it is an unforgettable experience definitely and very safe as one of the guys is always with holding your hand. I had also take the dolphin boat ride for 3500 bucks and 45 minutes, where they take you for a ride in a boat which had an oval shaped concave glass at the bottom for you to see the sea life. I opted this for my kid but I found it boring and the glass was not very clear and there was not much to see, only corals and zebra fishes everywhere and few other ones. No turtles could be seen even though they claimed. IMO this was a waste of money and time.
- Radhanagar - Crowned as Asia best beach, it does justifies the tag. This is only beach I felt you can fight with waves. It is a sprawling long beach, to my surprise doesn't feel like too much crowded due to its broad shore line. The water is clear, the sand is white and the waves are huge and inviting. Along the beach you have basic facilities to have a change of clothes some huts to stay and enjoy the beach view. Also there are freelance photographers if you want to get a quick photoshoot. You will also find shops for some local shopping and snacks at the approach point of the beach. There are guards watching you across and a help booth in case of any emergency. The authorities do try to keep the beach tidy and clean.
Food -
You'll get all types of cuisine, veg non veg just like all across India.
Sea food specialties are also available in some places.
Commute -
You have all the options -
- Renting a scooty
- hire an auto and he can take you to all the sight seeing places
- Cabs are also available
Advise - Plan your travel after Dussehra from November to March as it may rain in October occasionally.
Power cuts are frequent but very short so you need to make sure you stay property has backup.
This featured blog entry was written by vikasing85 from the blog Confused about Andaman trip.
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