Sunday 9 November 2014

Andaman Tourism Online

Sunday 12 October 2014

About Andaman And Nicobar Islands


The Islands of Andaman & Nicobar have been home to people since the dawn of time. In fact, long before European countries could lay claim on these islands, evidences prove indigenous Andamanis have lived here since the Middle Paleolithic ages.

This place was the dreaded Kalapaani, Black Waters- a place where the colonial rulers sent supposedly hardened criminals and freedom fighters as prisoners. The Cellular Jail that was once home to some of these prisoners is now a must-see for the younger generation seeking inspiration from the days of struggle or those of us who take our freedom for granted.

The Andaman and Nicobar and its surrounding islands are blessed with a rich tropical forest that is home to several unique flora and fauna. There are several species of orchids and ferns that are native and unique to the forests here. Speaking of its faunal spread, taxonomists have listed around 3 species of polychaetes (species of marine worms) that are unique to this place, have been recorded for the first time here and are new to the Indian Ocean.

There’s plenty of see and lots of activities to do here. If you are beach lover, head straight to Havelock Islands to enjoy the pristine water and white sand. This is also a great place to go scuba diving and snorkeling. To those looking to please the gastronomic god in them, Port Blair is home to several sea food joints that serve marine produce fresh from the sea! To understand and appreciate the native people who’ve inhibited the place for thousands of years, visit the Anthropological Museum in Port Blair. This museum offers a poignant portrait of the tribal communities viz. the Onges, the Sentinelese, Jarawas, Andamanese, Shompens, and the Nicobarese. If understanding the local flora and fauna interests you, a visit to the Fisheries Museum, the Samudrika Museum, the Forest Museum, the Zoological Museum, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a must.

As for the common languages spoken here, Tamil, Bengali, and Nicobarese seem popular. But you can also manage with Hindi or English. Tourism in this place was once flourishing, but the Tsunami of 2004, wrecked a lot of natural habitats that were once a popular tourist destination. The remnants of what’s left behind are slowly but surely making a mark. While Indians do not require permit to visit Andamans, but they need permission to visit Nicobar. Such permits are rarely allowed, given the sensitive nature of the place.

If you are visiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands by air, Chennai and Kolkata are the closest. Indian Airlines operates its flights daily from Port Blair and Kolkata. Travelling by boat is possible to and from Chennai and Kolkata ports. As for the best time to visit the Islands, the pleasant and moderate weather make this is a year round travel destination. But beware of the monsoons that strike the islands between May and October, and between, November and December.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- Information that We Bet You Didn’t Know

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a tropical paradise belonging to India, but geographically closer to Southeast Asia, viz. Thailand and Burma. Not until a few centuries ago, the place was shrouded in mystery because of its inaccessibility to mainland India (or other countries). The entire island shimmered like an emerald, thanks to the dense and thick green forests that enveloped it. To those looking to visit the place, here’s some general information about A&N:-

a) People in India can visit Andaman without permission, but entry is restricted to Nicobar. Access to Nicobar is allowed only through special permits (this is rarely given). Foreign nationals visiting the place need authorization from competent authorities. They are allowed access for thirty days (days and nights included) to visit Port Blair, Havelock Islands, Long Islands, Neil Islands, Diglipur, Mayabunder, and Rangat. A few other places are restricted for day entry only and in some areas permission is absolutely restricted.
b) Chennai and Kolkata are the closest cities to the Islands. While Chennai is 1190 kms away, Kolkata is around 1255 kms away from Port Blair. When traveling by sea, Vishakhapatnam is 1200 kms away from the capital city.
c) Tamil, Bengali and Telugu are commonly spoken and understood throughout the island. But Hindi and English would also help. Malayalam is also spoken to a small extent in some places.
d) More than three fourths of the island is covered by forest; 92% of this is 92% and 86% is reserved. The sus scrofa (wild boar) and the macaque are commonly found animals, but the endangered Dugong is the state animal. This is a marine animal that is unfortunately endangered because of habitat changes. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to a diverse range of birds; some 14 of them are endemic to this place. Some like the Edible-nest Swiftlet are highly prized for their nests.
e) As for the flora, the Andaman Padauk is the state tree. The timber from this tree is highly valued and often called East Indian Mahogany.
f) During the reign of the British, the islands were collectively called Kaalapaani or Black Water because of its unfriendly terrain and inaccessibility. It was here at the Cellular Jail that hundreds of freedom fighters including Veer Savarkar and Jatin Chandra Pal were jailed; some were even condemned to imprisonment until death.
g) The climate here is pleasant, with humidity at around 80%. Although, it is suitable at all times, the best time to visit would be around December to April. This is when the days are pleasant, but the nights aren’t bad either.
h) The tribes living here include the Andamanese of Strait Islands, the Onges of Andaman, jarawas of South and Middle Andaman, etc. The Jangil tribe which existed prior to being distributed by European settlers became extinct...

Tuesday 7 October 2014

9 Reasons Why Havelock Island Is The Pearl of Andaman !!!

The sea is blue, sands are silky white and forests are lush green - the Havelock Island is a painting on canvas. Located north east of the capital Port Blair, this glorious island is the largest and most popular in the Andaman Islands. Tucked away from the chaotic city life, time refuses to budge here. We give you 9 reasons why Havelock could be the dream-island you wouldn't mind being stranded on.

1. ASIA'S BEST
Interestingly, the beaches on Havelock are numbered. Not that they don't have individual names. For instance, Beach #7 is the Radhanagar Beach which is also the most gorgeous of all. Named Asia's best beach by Time Magazine in 2004 and listed as one of the top 100 beaches in the world, this beach is Andaman's most prized possession.

2. MIRRORED SEA
The water here is crystal clear and looks splendid in luscious shades of Andaman blue and green! And the sands? They turn golden every time the sunrays gently caress its pure white surface.

3. MAJESTIC SUN
Sunsets at Havelock Island are what picture-perfect postcards are made of. If you happen to be an adventure junkie, you could probably trek to the southernmost tip of South Andaman to soak in the beauty of breathtaking sunsets at the Munda Pahar beach in Chidiya Taapu (Bird Island).

4. EXOTIC FORESTS
The 2004 tsunami might have swept away the shoreline and uprooted forests here, but the Kalapathar Beach (situated on Havelock Island's corner) has not lost its picturesque regalia even by an whisker. On the contrary, the massive bleached trunks of fallen trees along its fringes add an exquisite charm.

5. DIVINE DIVING
Elephant Beach on the northwest coast of Radhanagar is the ideal spot for snorkeling. From corals to turtles, the glass-bottom boats during snorkeling help you marvel at aquatic life. How can you give scuba diving a miss when you are at Andaman? And Havelock is the centre of diving! The Elephant beach and Lighthouse are the favourite diving sites where the experience of watching the corals is nothing less than divine!

6. COOL CAMPING
Camping is not much of a hassle. From the Nicobari huts/suites with high-thatched roofs few meters away from the beach-side, also popular by the name 'El Dorado' at Beach #3 and #5, Andaman Bubbles which have a resort-touch to pre-setup tents equipped with restaurants, spending the night on Havelock could be a good bet, after all!

7. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!
When at Havelock, indulge yourself by cruising away on a boat with local fishermen for mangrove safari and fishing. Fishing lines shall be prepared for you, all you have to do is wait for your catch! Be patient when you are at it!

8. WHERE'S THE FOOD?
Food shacks, dhabas and cafes are aplenty. Seafood lovers can rejoice here for the variety this island has to offer. Also, when enjoying the goodness of coconut water, do not forget to crack open the green coconuts into halves and scoop the milky white flesh for an ultimate tasteful sojourn.

9. MAKE A WISH
If you are a book lover, then you can comfortably grab a corner on one of the tree houses and immerse yourself. Else, you could just gaze at the sea for hours, admire the sylvan surroundings and make a secret wish for time to just freeze!
http://andamanbluebay.com/

Monday 6 October 2014

Andaman Family Tour Packages



Our Client Mr. TARUN K C Enjoying His Holidays With Family in Andaman.

Make your experience thrilling and exciting by visiting the Islands of Andaman where you will find the finest beaches, coral reefs, rain-forests filled with everlasting greenery, active volcano, elephants swimming and giant fish. To know About Andaman, it is a group of more than 572 Islands with abundance of rocks and islets situated in the Bay of Bengal which is south east to the Indian mainland. The Andaman is marked to be one of the dream destinations as it offers a very Eco-friendly environment for many tourists. We insist, make this experience an unforgettable journey as you venture into the fine waters of aquatic life.
Before that, it is important to know the right time when you can visit this place. The favorable time to visit this place is from the month of October to May. Andaman usually has a very moderate climate throughout the year ranging from 23 degree Celsius to 31 degrees as it is a tropical area. Andaman has not known any severe climatic conditions with tropical storms and rains in the monsoons and the late summers as an exception. Check the details of some activities that you can do during certain months:

The winter season starts from December to February which is not too chilly and pleasant. However, it is the ideal time for sightseeing, tourist activities and water sports.

The summer season in Andaman usually starts from March to May. It is warm and pleasant with a good sea breeze and the humidity level is about 80 %. You can do any kind of tourist activities during this period of time.

The monsoon season starts from mid may to august and the post monsoon starts from September to November may have medium to heavy rainfall. Though it is not a good time to visit the nature does look beautiful at this time.

Do not choose the period of time from the June to the September as it is prone to heavy rains and thunderstorms making it difficult for you to enjoy the sightseeing. So choose October to May as it is the apt time to enjoy the good weather in the Andaman.

According to some polls, the best month to visit the Andaman is during December as it is pleasant. The weather is very pleasing with a little bit of cold and plenty of clear blue skies. It is the perfect moth for sightseeing and enjoying a variety of water games. It is also marked to be the season of the Andaman Island tourism festival. Another good month you can consider would be January which is pretty fine and is one of the coolest months of the year. The days are pleasant with cool nights and clear skies where you can see the beautiful sunshine. February is also a good month to visit as it is a great moth for sightseeing the attractions where you can enjoy yourself at the beach accompanied with activities like scuba diving and sea walking.
Our Client Mr & Mrs Minkul Tekwani Enjoying There Honeymoon At Havelock Island.

Beach lover are you? Then Andaman and Nicobar is the destination that you must visit for your Honeymoon ! Unlike conventional destinations like Ooty or Kodaikanal, the beautiful islands of Andaman and Nicobar offer plenty of activities to keep you busy, quiet and long stretch beaches for privacy, and the right climate so as to feel cozy in each other’s arms.

If you aren’t a water activity aficionado, this place is worth visiting almost any time of the year thanks to the average temperatures that don’t cross 23°C. But if you wish to make your trip memorable, make sure that you enjoy your Honeymoon with the many water based activities offered here. Some of them include scuba diving, snorkeling, etc. And the best time to visit for your Honeymoon would be around the summer season, i.e. from December to early April. Monsoons start from May and last until August and early September. Although this isn’t ideal for water sport, the lush greenery is ideal for trekking and other activities. In fact, the monsoon adds to the beauty of the lush vegetation.

Common adventure activities to be included in your Honeymoon Trip to Andamans : Snorkeling: This can be enjoyed around North Bay, Havelock Islands, Corbyn’s Cove, and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

Scuba Diving: Diving in the clear waters of the Andaman are a great way to understand and appreciate the beautiful marine life in the Islands.

Sport Fishing: Albeit expensive, angling is a great activity that can be enjoyed by couples. Camping: Camping around select forest areas is allowed on conditional basis and under permission from the island authorities. These are ideal for couples who’d love to explore the flora and fauna around Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Trekking: Trekking along Mount Harriet can be enjoyed to appreciate the flora and fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. There are several other trekking routes. You can hire trekking equipments on rent from the Andaman Teal House or other popular travel companies...If you want to use the best Andaman Tour Package , contact a
Andaman Bluebay Holidays tour operator soon.



Andaman Jet Ski Ride

Jet ski is among the most popular adventure Water sport activities in the lagoons of Andaman Islands. This is one sport which does not require you to be a trained and is as much fun .
The best places for Jet ski in the Andaman Islands are the Andaman Water Sport Complex & Carbin cove beach.
# 400/- Per Person Upto 15 Minutes.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Snorkeling in Elephant Beach Havelock




The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are home to some of the most picturesques beaches in the world. Beaches in Andaman & Nicobar Islands are uncrowded and pristine.
Feel the magic of unspoilt nature as you holiday on pure virgin beaches as you relax on soft sands with breeze caressing your soft skin with unadulterated affection.
Situated in the Bay of Bengal , Andaman Islands are strewn with sun soaked beaches rich in coconuts and tropical fruits.Sun bathe, swim and dive to your hearts content. Tranquil beaches of Radha Nagar and Long Island are simply exotic. The lovely beaches in Andaman Islands are just right for those on a luxury holiday and honeymoon.
Have unlimited beach fun as you holiday on the beaches of Port Blair, the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Enjoy snorkeling and deep sea diving at Havelock Island.

The beaches of Andaman & Nicobar Islands enchant you with their pure virginal white sands that sparkle under the warm rays of the friendly sun. Set out on deep sea fishing expeditions into the ocean and gaze wonder eyed at the panoramic vistas that greet you eyes.
See Corals and be enchanted with the vibrant marine life that greets you while you holiday on the beaches of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

On Elephant beach in Havelock Island, people can watch training of elephants and elephants swimming in sea. People can also explore other adventures activities like scuba diving, snorkeling and sight seeing. Elephant Beach is one of those unique beaches on Havelock Island which is untouched by tourism, and you can go snorkeling and see everything from eels to sea horses !

www.andamanbluebay.com


Sunday 14 September 2014

Saturday 26 April 2014

Beaches in Andaman Islands, India

Beaches in Andaman Islands, India


It doesn’t take a genius to decipher that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a beach lover’s paradise! Surrounded by turquoise water on all sides, the tropical islands are home to some of the best but secluded beaches in the world. Here are some of the popular ones;

Ramnagar Beach:

Ramnagar is a beautiful stretch of white sandy beaches dotted with palm and coconut trees. The place is located north of Diglipur and is connected by boat from Mayabunder and Port Blair. Boat services from Mayabunder operate daily and twice a week from Port Blair. This is a great dive site; you can sign up with one of the many water sport activity management companies that can arrange for scuba diving, snorkeling, sport fishing and other activities.

Radhanagar Beach:

Popularly known as Beach 7, this is one of Asia’s best beaches. This is one of the two popular attractions of Havelock islands (the other being Vijaynagar Beach). Sea water swimming is the favorite sport of tourists here. If you’re lucky enough, you can swim alongside beautiful tropical island fishes. Other activities commonly undertaken here include snorkeling, diving, etc And if none of these are to your satisfaction, grab a bottle of your sun tan and bask in the warmth of the sun.

Corbyn’s Cove:

Corbyn’s Cove is a wonderful beach surrounded by lush green palm and coconut trees. This is one of the closest beaches from Port Blair- just 4kms from the airport. In fact, this is one of the most popular as well; hotels, resorts, and water sport activity centres are located here. And on the way to the beach, do not forget to check the Japanese bunkers. As for scuba diving, the Snake Island located across the beach is ideal.

Karmatang Beach:

There’s not much to enjoy at Karmatang beach, but it is very popular as a nesting place for turtles. So, if you’d like to explore and learn more about your reptile friend, a visit to this place should be must in your itinerary. This place is also ideal for you if your idea of bliss is to relax by the beach on a hammock reading a book and enjoying the cool breeze that blows. There are several huts and benches that provide a perfect evening setting. Karmatang is a secluded beach which means it is ideal for a small beach party as well. As for families with children, there’s a small park close by. But besides this, there’s not much entertainment.

Laxmanpur Beach:

This beach is on Neil Island and is famous for its awesome sunset view. There are plenty of dead corals and sea shells lying on the beach. It is fairly large and even on a peak day, couples can manage to find their spot of privacy.

A word of caution though!!

Did you know that white pristine sand is made so because of the corals and shell particles on the beaches? The ocean waves act upon the shells and the corals break them into smaller particles resulting in beach sand. When you visit a beach, by all means play with these shells and corals, but return when you are done. The more shell and coral debris that you leave- the whiter is the sand! This way you help you re-mineralize the water.

Sunday 20 April 2014

Ross Island

ROSS ISLAND
Ross Island from distance Ross Island is another beautiful Island near Port Blair. If you stand at the Marine Park, PB, you can see the island. It is a lovely place to spend few hours and learn about the historical importance. Some ruins on the Island Ross Island is located very near to Port Blair City.

The small island with its treasure of ruins in it become the hot tourists spot in the territory. While visiting to this island, we desire to know more and more about Ross Island. Before the independence, the island is the seat of British power and capital of these Andaman Islands from 1858 until 1941 and also the base for the British Administrator of the penal colony in Port Blair In 1941, the Japanese converted the site into POW camp, and built war installations, remnants of which can still be seen. It now stands as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris and the few signs of its colonial glory, such as the Chief Commissioner's house and the Anglican church, are dilapidated and overgrown. A small museum named 'Smritika' holds photographs and the other antiques of the Britishers relevant to these islands.


Photo: Ross Island from distance Ross Island is another beautiful Island near Port Blair. If you stand at the Marine Park, PB, you can see the island. It is a lovely place to spend few hours and learn about the historical importance. Some ruins on the Island Ross Island is located very near to Port Blair City.

The small island with its treasure of ruins in it become the hot tourists spot in the territory. While visiting to this island, we desire to know more and more about Ross Island. Before the independence, the island is the seat of British power and capital of these Andaman Islands from 1858 until 1941 and also the base for the British Administrator of the penal colony in Port Blair In 1941, the Japanese converted the site into POW camp, and built war installations, remnants of which can still be seen. It now stands as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris and the few signs of its colonial glory, such as the Chief Commissioner's house and the Anglican church, are dilapidated and overgrown. A small museum named 'Smritika' holds photographs and the other antiques of the Britishers relevant to these islands.

About Andaman And Nicobar Islands

About Andaman

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were shrouded in mystery for centuries because of their inaccessibility. These are the paragon of beauty and present a landscape full with scenic and picturesque extravaganza. These islands shimmer like emeralds in the Bay of Bengal. The dense forest which cover these islands and the innumerable exotic flowers and birds create a highly poetic and romantic atmosphere. "Here the white beaches on the edge of a meandering coastline have palm trees that sway to the rhythm of the Sea. The beat of tribal drums haunt the stillness and technicolor fish steer their way through crystal clear water." The scenic beauty of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, would create a sense of dissatisfaction and the human mind would rebel against "the whole mass of the motley facts of life".

The Andaman & Nicobar are a group of picturesque Islands, big and small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 572 islands, islets and rocks lying in the South Eastern Part of the Bay of Bengal.They lie along an arc in long and narrow broken chain, approximately North-South over a distance nearly 800 kms. It is logical to presume a former land connection form Cape Negris at South part of Burma to Achin Head (Cape Pedro) in Andalas (Sumatra). The flora and fauna of these islands, however, indicate that this land connection if it existed, should have been prior to the development of their present life form.

The HistoryA clear history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands can be had only from a British Survey of these islands conducted in 1777. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands remained the abode of the Negritos and the Mongoloids respectively, who occupied the Islands for centuries. These islands remained secluded from the mainland till the end of the 18th Century when people from the outside world first arrived. In the Second Century, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were located in the maps prepared by the great Greek astronomer, mathematician and geographer, Claudius Ptolemaeus, which possibly is the earliest reference to these islands. The early history of Nicobar is not well known although these islands were familiar to traders in ancient times, the islands being situated close to the trade route to the Far East. Though little is known about Portuguese activities in these islands, it is evident that the Portuguese missionaries started preaching Christianity among the islanders. The Nicobarese language also reflects a few Portuguese words.

The British RegimeThe history of the British in the Andaman and Nicobar islands began in 1788 when Lord Cornwallis, the then Governor General of India, thought of colonizing the islands and instructed Lt. Archibald Blair and Lt. R.H.Colebrook of the Royal Navy to Survey the islands and submit a report on their suitability for a British Colony. According to the recommendation of these two officers the first British settlement was founded in 1789 on Chatham Island , near Port Cornwallis (Now Port Blair). After the First War of Independence in 1857, the British Government thought of establishing a penal settlement here. In March 1858, the first penal settlement was established, with 200 prisoners, mostly rebels from the Indian Army. Initially the convicts were kept in a jail at Viper island, which is about 15 minutes boat ride from Port Blair. The island had a jail, gallows, Kutcheri, Doctor's residence, etc. Subsequently, this Jail was abandoned and the Cellular Jail at Port Blair was constructed. During the time of successive Superintendents, E.H.Man, General Steward, and Col. Cadell, the number of convicts increased and they were subjected to inhuman tortures at the hands of the British jailors. The foundation of the famous Cellular Jail was laid in 1896. The building was completed in 1906. Many changes, both in policy and practice, took place during Colonel Ferrar's time, which, inter alia, included concession to the convicts, mainland visit, etc.

The Japanese RegimeWorld War II brought another series of changes in the life of the Andamans. During the War, the Japanese occupied Andamans on March 21, 1942 and kept the region under their effective control till October 8,1945 . Initially the Japanese behaved cordially towards the locals, but became harsh and suspicious after instances came to their notice of some locals maintaining contacts with the British. As a result a large number of innocent people were killed. One such place where the massacre occured is Humfreygunj. But one good result of the Japanese occupation was making the Andamans self-sufficient, at least in food production. The naval blockade created an acute food crisis and the Japanese compelled the local people to bring more land under cultivation. They also constructed roads. Netaji Subash Chandra Bose arrived in Port Blair on December 29, 1943 and was given a ceremonial welcome. He hoisted the National Flag at Port Blair on 30th Dec. 1943 for the first time during the British regime in India . On October 8, 1945 , the Japanese surrendered to the South East Asia Command at Port Blair. The Government quickly restored normalcy in the area and started rehabilitation work.

Port Blair, the capital City of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India. It lies on the east coast of South Andaman Island and is the main access to every part of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Port Blair is a Headquarter of Andaman & Nicobar Andaman and Nicobar Administration.