Sunday 28 June 2015

Andaman Tourism Commercial www.andamanbluebay.com


Andaman Bluebay Holidays is a complete TRAVEL MANAGEMENT COMPANY teamed by hardcore professionals & the leading travel and tour operator in Andaman Islands, India. Our core competence lies in ground handling of tourists visiting the place (Business & Leisure both), no matter how logistically difficult the reach be to far flung island, we play hard to cater the clients requirements. We cater Holiday Tour Packages to Port Blair and other nearby Islands. Offering our services to Corporate and Retail segment including Foreign National, Indian, corporate, Leisure travelers, Holiday Crunch and others (including other travel companies). We offer tour packages and arrange customized trips, hotel bookings, Air Ticket bookings, and Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Sport Fishing and car rental arrangements in Andaman.


We strive to deliver you the best travel services today in Andaman's. The head office is at Port Blair and a network of travel associate offices throughout the islands manned by professionals. The company is associated with leading hotels and resorts in Andaman Islands enables us to give our clients the best of the services.
The firm is registered (Reg:-No-3641/LC/2011) and also is a member of the tourism guild, (ATO) Andaman Tour Operators Association, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands & in All India Companies Act.

We are opt to 24x7 customer service with the belief in - maximizing performance and value, minimizing costs time at every step of the way. Our travels has a team of dedicated Tours and Travel executives.

For Andaman Bluebay Holidays Tour Packages.
Call: +91-9933215764 (24/7)
+91-9474212831
+91-9474287596
+913192-250133
Email:- andamanbluebay@gmail.com
Web:- www.AndamanBluebay.com
www.AndamanTourismOnline.com

Production House - MUMBAI AD FILMS +91-9474287596
Director - KRK RAJKUMARR ( +91- 9677 202 558 - +91-9474267764)
Music - M KARTHIK
VFX - KAAMIL.A
Model -SAM SINGH
Editor - KRK RAJKUMARR
Executive Producer - SASHI KUMAR.K
Voice over - ROHITH FERNANDES
Colorist - KRK
Director of Photography - KRK RAJKUMARR
Post Production - MUMBAI AD FILMS
Email mumbaiadfilms@gmail.com
MUMBAI AD FILMS
www.mumbaiadfilms.com
https://www.facebook.com/mumbaiadfilms

Sunday 21 June 2015

General Information About Andaman Tourism

GENERAL INFORMATION Administrative capital: Port Blair Airports: Veer Savarkar Airport, Port Blair Distances: 1255kms from Kolkata 1190kms from Chennai 1200kms from Vishakhapatnam Currency: Indian Rupees Altitude: Varies from sea level to 732 meters Highest peak: Saddle peak - 732 meters Climate: Tropical climate throughout the year with average minimum temperature at 23°C and maximum at 32°C. Humidity: Relatively high - 70% to 90%, with a gentle breeze blowing all the time. The weather is generally pleasant with average annual rainfall of 3000 mm in Port Blair. Population: 3,80,000 approx Forest cover: 92% protected forest; 86% reserve forest Clothing: Cottons throughout the year Internet Access: Good in Port Blair, but very poor dial up connections on extremely slow speeds in most other important islands like Havelock and Neil. Satellite internet is available in Havelock although expensive. Data cards (of a few companies) work in Port Blair, however do not work at all on other Islands. Most of the islands do not have internet access at all. Mobile & Telephone Access: Mobile providers include BSNL, Vodafone and Airtel with Reliance functioning currently only in Port Blair with excellent connectivity. As you travel away from the city of Port Blair to outer city limits or other islands, connectivity may become weak. ISD code: +91-3192 STD Code: 03192 Transport And Access Local Transport: Local bus services are not very well developed however dependable regular reliable ferries ply to all important islands. Auto rickshaws and taxis are easily available. Access by air: International: None. However the government does permit charter flights to land after taking necessary permissions from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Domestic- Port Blair is well connected with Chennai and Kolkata by daily flights. Refer to Getting There page for full details. (oliver to link) Access by sea: Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam and back. There are three or 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. Details about sailing dates etc can be obtained at www.andaman.nic.in (oliver to link) Entry formalities Indian Nationals Indian nationals need no permit to visit Andamans. However, permits are required to visit Nicobar Islands and other tribal areas, which are given in exceptional cases only. Application on a prescribed form may be addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Andaman District, Port Blair. Foreigners All foreigners need to specify that they intend to visit the Andamans while obtaining the visa to India. Foreigners arriving in Port Blair with a stamp reading "Entry to restricted areas not allowed" (or similar stamps) will not be allowed to enter the Andaman Islands. Do note that there is a line in fine print in all Visas stating that 'entry to restricted areas not allowed' and that is to be ignored, only if there is a separate rubber stamp then kindly check with your issuing authorities urgently! With a valid India Visa, foreigners can arrive in Port Blair. However a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter the Andamans which can be easily obtained on arrival at Port Blair from the immigration authorities. The permit is free of cost. In addition, permits can also be obtained from Indian Missions Overseas, Foreigners Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and the Immigration authorities at the airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. The Restricted Area Permit allows foreign nationals to stay on the islands for 30 days. This can be extended by an additional 15 days at the immigration office in Port Blair. Getting the extension depends on your reason for extension and luck. The places covered by Restricted Area Permit For night halt: South Andaman Island, Middle Andaman Island and Little Andaman Island (excluding the tribal reserve), Neil island, Havelock island, Long island, Diglipur, Baratang, North Passage island, and islands in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (excluding the islands of Boat Hobday, Twin, Tarmugli, Malay and Pluto). Night halt in the park is only with permission. For day halt: South Cinque island, Ross island, Narcondam island, Interview island, Brother island, Sister island and Barren island (you are not permitted to land on Barren).  Please note that the above can be changed at a short notice by the government and hence request you to contact the Immigration authorities for updated information. Local Events Island Tourism festival Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands celebrates an annual Island Tourism festival. The festivities include exhibitions, cultural performances and water sport competitions that carry on for a fortnight in the months of December and January. Subhash Mela - January every year Organised in Havelock every year on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. This mela (carnival) is celebrated with a week long festival filled with cultural programmes, food stalls and small roadside shops. Vivekanada Mela - January every year Organised at Neil Island to celebrate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanada. This mela (carnival) is celebrated with a week long festival filled with cultural programmes, food stalls, loud music and small roadside shops. Block Mela - January/February every year Held at Diglipur, this highlights the developments that have taken place in the rural areas and displays the typical rural life of these islands. Hari Bol Mela - February every year This is gathering of all local villages where they sing religious songs and pray together. Free food is served in the evening to all people and the festivities last 3 days. As this festival is mainly a religious one, travellers are advised to wear attire that is conservative if attending the festivities.

                                     












About Neil Island, Andaman & Nicobar Island

Neil Island is an island in the Andaman Islands of India, located in Ritchie's Archipelago. It is apparently named after James George Smith Neill, a British soldier who had sternly dealt with the insurgents during the suppression of the 1857 Mutiny. It occupies an area of 18.9 square kilometers (7.3 sq mi). The island is located 40 kilometers (25 mi) north-east of Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is the southernmost island of Ritchie's Archipelago, save for uninhabited Sir Hugh Rose Island, which is another 3.8 km to the southeast of Neil Island. Administratively, the island is in the Neil Kendra panchayat, Port Blair sub-district of the South Andaman district, in the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Sitapur (267)The population lives in five villages, which are numbered 1 through 5 (with population at 2001 census in parentheses) Bharatpur (564) Neil Kendra (1064) Lakshmanpur (372) Ram Nagar (601)

There is alone jetty at Bharathpur, which serves as the only entry–exit point of the island. The population of the island is 2868 as of the census of 2001. Agriculture is the primary occupation of the villagers, and the island supplies vegetables to the rest of Andaman. Despite its minuscule tourist infrastructure, an increasing number of tourists have chosen to stay at Neil Island instead of neighboring Havelock Island. There are a handful of restaurants and basic beach hotels that cater to international and domestic.
 Neil Island:-This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the vegetable bowl of Andamans. One.One can feel the sincerity and serenity of village life here. Beautiful beaches at Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur and the bridge formation on the sea-shore (Howrah bridge) are the attractions.




Friday 12 June 2015

Journey to Andaman is Incomplete Without a Visit to Havelock Island

One of the tourist destinations that stands out of the rest in India is the heavenly Island of Andaman. This travel destination is one of the most sought out among the various places in to be visited in India.Every years thousand of travelers from India and from the rest part of the world travels to Andaman to get the feeling of being in an uninhabited place. That's the impression that Andaman would pose to you and would compel you to visit it again and again.Your journey to Andaman would be incomplete without visiting Havelock Island resorts. Havelock comprises of an area of 113.93 Km2 and is the largest island, comprising of Ritchie's Archipelago which is a chain of island lying to the east of great Andaman in the Andaman island. The island has received its name from an Indian general active in India. That is all about the statistics of Havelock Island. Why it is called the crown of Andaman has been explained below.


The blue seas, silky white sands and the lush green sands would mesmerize you into the eternal beauty of the Havelock. Some people who have fallen in love with the island has often described it as the painted canvas. Located to the east of Port Blair is separated form the chaos of the chaos of the city life. The beauty of the island is eternal and time would refuse to budge in this land of beauty. Reasons that makes Havelock as the crown of Andaman have been mentioned below.
Havelock Island has the to its possession the best beach in Asia. Beach no 7 known as the Radhanagar beach is the most gorgeous and has got the status of being the best beach vacations in Asia. It has also attained a place among the 1oo most popular beach in the world.
Staying in a crowded city amid the hush-hush of the vehicles and the polluted environment, the Havelock island would pose to us as a Elysium. Crystal clear water of the sea provides a magnificent view. It looks ornate in the shades of blue and green, accompanied with the sands. With the gentle touch of the sunlight the surface turns white, like a pure white crystal.
A visit to the sea shore would be incomplete without the sunrise and the sunset. The sunrise and the sunset at the Havelock island could be compared to a picture perfect post-card image. If you seek to be adventurous by nature, trekking to the south most tip of southern Andaman would be worth opting for. The view of sunset at the Munda Pahar beach in Bird Island chidiya taapu would be a satisfying experience.
A visit to the island would be incomplete without visit to the exotic forest that forms a apart of the beauty of the islands. The forest region of the Havelock island was affected by the Tsunami that occurred in 2004, but the photogenic forest beauty is still prevalent in the Kalapathar beach. The fallen trunks of the trees along the sand of the seashore adds to the exquisite look of the prevailing beauty of the island.
Snorkeling is one of the most eminent attraction of the region. This adventures activity in the northwest cost of Radhanagar can give you the experience of corals, turtles and the aquatic life. One of the special feature that would add to your adventure is the glass bottom boats. Scuba diving is another is one more adventurous spots that would add to your memories of Havelock. Scuba diving at the Elephant beach and Lighthouse would give you the experience of the divine corals.
You can even take the pleasure of camping through the Nicobari huts present on the sea shore. Cruising in the boats of the local fisherman is one more activity that would add to the adventurous journey at the Havelock island. One more eminent part of the experience would be the food. Sea foods, cafes, dhabas and sacks would only add to the pleasant experience that you will ave in the Havelock island.

For More Details Contact Us On The Below Details.



ANDAMAN BLUEBAY HOLIDAYS
FIRST FLOOR, YOUSUF MANZIL,
NEW PAHAR GAON,
NEAR BUS TERMINUS POINT,
PORT BLAIR, PIN NO:- 744105,
SOUTH ANDAMAN ISLAND (INDIA)
(Approved by)
Information, Publicity & Tourism Dept.,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
GOI, Under Shop & Establishment,
Andaman & Nicobar Administration
Reg. No:- 3641/LC/2011
Fixed Line:- +91 3192-250133 (9AM To 6PM)
Mobile:- +91 9933215764 (24x7)
Mobile:- +91 9474212831 (9AM To 6PM)
Web:- www.AndamanBluebay.com
Web:- www.AndamanTourismOnline.com
Web:- www.AndamanTourism.website
Email:- andamanbluebay@gmail.com   sashiabh@gmail.com   info@andamanbluebay.com

Tuesday 2 June 2015

DETAILS OF ALL ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS


DETAILS OF ALL ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS





Port Blair

Port Blair, the gateway to the pristine islands, is the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A typical small Indian city, where people of diversified cultures and religion live together in peace and harmony. With over 5 tribes and many religions, it is incredible how Port Blair has never faced any religion/region based conflicts ever. With households celebrating every festival, whether big or small, together, with pomp and vigour ,this city can undoubtedly be called Mini-India.

Aberdeen Bazaar is the hub of the town, located about 2 kms away from the airport and about 1 km away from the Phoenix Bay Ship Dock. You can reach anyplace in Port Blair from anywhere in the city in not more than 15 mins in a vehicle. So, distance is never an issue here. You can choose to stay in the hotel of your choice and eat at a place you like, even if they are little away from the city.

Best time to Travel Andaman

Best time to travel to Port Blair would be between October to May. Though there are lots of tourists prefer to come during the off-season.

Places to See

Here are a select places you must visit when in Port Blair.

Cellular Jail

Andaman Island was called the Kalapani because of this place where freedom fighters were kept under rigorous imprisonment during the British regime in India. The saga of heroism of our Freedom Fighters can be witnessed here. Not to be missed is the “Light & Sound show” in the evening. More details on timings, location and charges here.

Ross Island

The former British Head-Quarters in Andaman Islands. It is a treat to visit the island just to watch the trees growing on the ancient buildings. Yes, you read me right ! See for yourself; the picture beside says it all. Ross Island is 25 mins from Port Blair. You can take a boat from Aberdeen Jetty.

Corbyn’s Cove Beach

A coconut palm fringed beach located in Port Blair. If sunset watching is what is in your mind and you don’t want to travel too far, this is the place to be. Being the only beach in Port Blair, you’ll find a lot of localites here. Imp: There is no public transport available here. You may hire an auto on to and fro basis, if you don’t have a rented vehicle with you.

Wandoor

A beautiful beach just 25 kms from Port Blair. Famous for snorkeling and coral watching in glass bottom boat among tourists. A day trip to Wandoor might cost somewhere around 2000-4000 if you hire a rental car. You may take a bus from Aberdeen Bazar bus stop if you are in backpacking mode.

Chidya Tapu

As the name suggests, Chidya Tapu means the Bird Island. A place for picturesque sunset and bird watching around 25kms from Port Blair. Taking a drive to ChidyaTapu, you will discover the greener side of Andamans – the evergreen rain forests, the mangrove creeks and the rich flora. Chidya Tapu also has a forest guest house situated on top of a hillock. For bookings one may contact Forest Department.


Havelock Island

This island, with beautiful sandy beaches fringed with green canopy of the rain forest beckons every one to enjoy the fun at the azure sea. Vijaynagar beach, 5 Kms. away from the jetty on the eastern side and Elephant beach, 10 Kms. from the jetty (including trekking through the forest) on the north western part of the island are other breathtaking beaches. The Tourism Department organizes Island camping (tented accommodation) during the tourist season at Radha Nagar beach. One can enjoy the stay right on the seashore by hearing the lulls of the solacing sea in this camp. Havelock is connected by daily speed boat services from Port Blair. Dolphin Resort provides comfortable accommodation at Havelock. Private Hotels are also offering excellent accommodation facilities there. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving facilities are offered by Scuba Dive Centre operators seasonally. Accommodation at Dolphin Resort & Island camping could be made from the Reception Desk of Directorate of Tourism, Port Blair on all working days during office hours.



Neil Island

Known as the ‘vegetable bowl’ of Andaman Islands for its quality and quantity of agricultural produce, Neil Island is a small settlement 36kms from Port Blair and takes around 2 hours by sea. It also has a decent cattle population and is known for milk production, most of which gets transported to the capital city.

The best beaches to visit on Neil Island are – Bharatpur, Sitapur & Lakshmanpur. Among them, Sitapur is considered to be the best. Neil Island is being considered as another ‘Havelock in the making’. But we really leave it up to you to decide.It has a small village life with most people occupied with Agriculture or tourism activities. Neil Island is yet another place which is considered ideal for eco-tourism owing to the lush green paddy fields, banana plantations and tropical trees. Sporting activities are picking up pace at Neil Island with a dive center coming up soon. There are a number of private resorts opening up, but for now the Hawabill Nest is the most popular one. It belongs to the Govt. of India.


Jolly Buoy

Sparkling hues of blue spread seamlessly in the clear pristine waters. Bright white sand lining the water. Jolly Buoy seems a befitting name for this little piece of paradise in Andaman. Part of the 15 islands in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park; it is one of the two that is open to tourists.

Colours dominate the landscape here, with brightly hued corals dotting the serene waters. One of the best places for coral spotting, a trip to this island will never disappoint you. Glide peacefully on a glass boat with the beautiful corals and marine life right beneath you. Or bring out your adventurous side by indulging in snorkeling as you revel among the corals and the abundant marine life. The sand proves soothing and seems perfect to make sandcastles. Unlike other beaches, you will find Jolly Buoy litter free, owing to the island being a no plastic zone.

The island is preserved in its pristine form with just a limited number of tourists allowed on it. You will be privy to a private beach like atmosphere. So splash, swim or just sit quietly on the sand as the gentle waves tickle your toes, soaking in the ubiquitous beauty and serenity.


Baratang

Baratang Island is situated between Middle and South Andamans, approximately 100 kms from the capital city Port Blair. Connected well through road and boats, the main transportation point is the Baratang Jetty. The road to Baratang from Port Blair passes through the Jarawa Tribe Reserve also known as Andaman Trunk Road (ATR Route). Hence, security personnel also travel for the safety of the tourists and the tribals in a convoy. Interacting with them, giving them food or clicking their pictures is strictly prohibited and a punishable offence.

It can be said that this place is a conglomerate of the varieties nature can offer. Like every other place in Andaman Islands, it has a beautiful coastline that boasts of rich marine diversity. Some of the beaches are Baludera, Rogalchang, Nayadera etc. It has mangroove creeks on both sides and a dense tropical forest apart from the beaches. This gives scope for adventure and fun activities like Jungle Trekking, Creek Safari, Island Camping, Beach Tours and Bird Watching and water sports like Snorkelling and Scuba Diving.

Places to See

A) Mangrove Creeks & Lime Stone Caves-Baratang is famous among tourists for Lime Stone caves and Mangrove Forests. These caves are located 50 minutes away by sea from the Baratang Jetty. You can hire small speed boats or fishermen boats (dongis) to reach Lime Stone Caves. They cost about Rs 600/- (both ways). The journey to the caves enthralls everyone as it takes you underneath the dense forest of mangrove plantations. For some it’s an experience of lifetime. Baratang is one of the few select places on the Earth where limestone caves can be found. Special permission from the Forest Department at Baratang is needed to visit the caves, which can be obtained from the Baratang jetty. Limestone caves remain closed on Monday. It is advisable to carry drinking water and food packets while visiting the caves.

B) Mud Volcano-Baratang also has an active mud volcano that squirts little fountains of mud. However, the eruptions are quite sporadic in nature.

C) Parrot Island-And if one has to experience the beauty of the sun setting over the ocean, it has to be done at Parrot Island.It is home to a large number of parrots which can be spotted returning to their nests in the evening while the sun sets in the backdrop making for a spectacular view and a really mesmerizing experience for the beholder. An Andaman itinerary is incomplete without a visit to this place as popular tourist sentiment goes.


Diglipur

Digilipur is the largest and farthest town located in the North Andaman Islands. It is more like a division or a county. It is 300 kms by road and 180 kms by sea from Port Blair which means a road trip might take the whole day. Yet, the beauty of Diglipur makes the escapade from the daily routines to this pristine place a worthy holiday.

Diglipur is a hub of a lot of tourist activities and attractions. Eco-friendly tourists flock in large numbers on the island for its abundant forest cover & marine life. Diglipur not only promises a rich flora and fauna but is also famous for its orange and rice production.

There are a whole lot of places to explore in and around Diglipur.Andaman Islands have only one river ‘Kalpong’ which flows through Diglipur and sustains the first and the only hydroelectricity project of the archipelago. The twin islands called Ross & Smith Islands, connected by a thin sand bar, are just a half an hour journey from Diglipur. A fascinating and must visit place, Ross & Smith and the Ramnagar Beach are famous for turtle nesting during December to February.


Ross Smith Island

Two secluded islands far away from the hustle bustle of the city and connected to each other by a thin strip of sandbar ; that’s Ross & Smith island for you. The island pair stands as a silent reminder of ‘Beauty in Connectedness’.

Everything from traveling to spending time on the islands have an exclusive feel to it. There is a Marine Sanctuary on the island which makes it an ideal place for spotting beautiful coral reefs and colorful species from the underwater. The beach is surrounded by tropical forests and is a preferred place for trekking and trail hiking by many tourists. One can also opt for activities like Scuba Diving & Snorkelling. And the clear blue waters add a touch of cleanliness and to the whole experience. The beach is seldom crowded and many a times tourists find the whole island to themselves alone!

Furthermore, Ross & Smith islands are home to the Olive Ridley turtles which means, being the right place at the right time, one can even witness the turtle nesting! (connect it to Turtle Nesting activity?) Occasionally, wild elephants from the adjacent forests may be spotted on the islands. The Smith island has a small village with about 60 families and accommodation is offered by the Directorate of Tourism. During peak season night stays are not advisable as there might be accommodation scarcity.


Mayabunder

Mayabunder is situated in the Northern part of Middle Andaman at a distance of 242 km by road and 130 kms by sea from Port Blair.

This place is known for its cultural eccentricity due to the presence of Burmese and East Pakistani settlements. The beaches have a mangroove ecosystem which not only appeals the eco-friendly tourists but also attracts the general eye. The best beaches of Mayabunder are Avis Island which is a 30 minute boat ride from Mayabunder and Karmatang which is 13 kms away from Mayabunder. Karmatang is also a turtle nesting ground and if one is visiting during the December – February season, this very interesting national geographic scene could be witnesses live! Kalighat creek, situated on the way to Mayabunder from Diglipur is an interesting place to visit.


Little Andaman

Little Andaman is situated at the southern end of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands opposite the Great Andaman Island. It is the fourth largest island of the archipelago. The Duncan Passage separates Little Andaman from Rutland Bay of Great Andaman. A major part of Little Andaman was affected badly by the Tsunami in the year 2004. The island is still recovering from the loss.

Little Andaman has an evergreen rain forest which paves way for a very rich biodiversity. There are two waterfalls in the island – White Surf waterfall which is 6.5 kms from Hut Bay Jetty and the Whisper Wave which is 20 kms from the same. It also involves a 4 km trek through the rain forest. On the way to White Surf waterfalls, elephant safari can be enjoyed. One can also visit the Elephant lumbering sites and the elephant calves training sites. Also, Little Andaman is famous for Red Oil Palm Plantation and has a large area under the plantation regime. Both these places can be visited on the way to White Surf and Butler Bay.


Barren Island

139 kms by sea from Port Blair. The only active volcano in India is located in Barren Island. The volcano erupted twice in recent past, once in 1991 and again in 1994-95, after remaining dormant for about 177 years. This island is about 3 kms in diameter, and has a big crater of the volcano, about half kilometer away from the shore. The island can be visited by chartered boats only with the permission of Forest Department.


Cinque Island

Cinque island is divided into North and South Cinque which are connected together by a sandbar giving the whole island a spectacular look. It is a part of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (popularly known as Wandoor Marine National Park) along with 15 other islands and islets of the Labyrinthine Island Group. It has absolutely no human habitation but is amazingly rich in flora and fauna making it an ideal place for eco- tourism.

Cinque Island has been declared a sanctuary as it houses an enormous variety of coral reefs, sea weeds, colorful fishes, shells, starfish, sea anemones, salt-water crocodile, turtles and water snakes. It is surrounded by coral reef gardens that extend to a few hundred meters into the deep sea. Also, it offers activities like Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Game Fishing & camping. It has been claimed that waters around Cinque island have a visibility range of upto 80 feet!

The island is situated 26 kms from Port Blair and is accessible through almost all major islands by boat. However, no scheduled ferry services are available for the place. One will have to hire a chartered boat of permitted category. Visiting Cinque Island requires permission from the Forest Department which can be availed without much hassle. But, night stay permissions are seldom granted for the place.


North Passage Island

North Passage Island is a very sparsely inhabited place in Andaman Islands, yet a very pretty one with tourists visiting primarily for savoring a secluded beach. 95% of the landmass is designated as ‘Reserved Forest’. The island is most famous for Merk Bay, a shallow beach with coral, white sand. The best part about this place is the ‘playful dolphins’. They show up quite often and watching them lost in their own railleries could be great fun. It is also an ideal place for Snorkelling, Sun Bathing & Swimming. Diving options are not available. The only inhabitants of this island are the members of Forest Department and the people who look after the coconut plantation. Might as well be a single digit number! Otherwise, it a small island around 9 kms long and 3 kms wide at the maximum.

It is 70 kms by sea from Port Blair. Regular boat services are not available for transportation. Boats have to be hired from Long Island or Yeretta Jetty in Rangat to reach Merk Bay. One word of caution would be that there are no accommodation facilities available at North Passage island and hence, a day trip is the best one could do. Keeping some packed food and drinking water could be handy and is hence advised.


Long Island

As soon as you arrive on Long Island you will know it is different from any other island you have visited. At first, it seems a pretty workaday sort of place. People will be going about their business at the jetty and there are no rickshaws lining up to pick up tourists! Just step away from the jetty, though, and the special quality of the island will become immediately apparent. No traffic noise! There are 2 rickshaw trucks and about 5 motorbikes and no other motor vehicles on the whole island. So everybody walks, and as they pass they will smile and greet you with a “Namaste”. Local children know at least 2 words in English: “One Photo”. But no-one will try to sell you anything.

The island has an electoral roll of about 2000 inhabitants, probably only about 750 live on Long Island full-time, and they survive by fishing, growing vegetables and doing casual work where they can.The island has a school, police station, health centre and a bazaar with a number of shops selling basic essentials. There are 3 restaurants serving basic thalis, snacks and chai, and the place comes to life in the early evening.

Long Island is a beautiful, unspoilt island, with varied walks around the beaches, village and forests, and one of the loveliest beaches in the Andaman Islands, Lalaji Bay. You can reach Lalaji by walking through the forest (1.5 – 2 hours), going along the shore at low tide, or by boat. Apart from local fishermen, you will find the beach pretty well deserted most of the time. There is good snorkelling from Lalaji or from the beach close to Blue Planet.