CELLULAR JAIL – NATIONAL MEMORIAL
The Cellular Jail, a national memorial, is located at Port Blair which stood as a mute witness to the most brutal and barbaric atrocities meted out to national freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this jail. The jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name ‘Cellular' because it was entirely made up of individual cells for solitary confinement. It originally was a seven-block structure with three stories and a central tower acting as its fulcrum comprising of honeycomb like corridors. This jail, now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom-loving people draws everyone down memory lane to the years of freedom struggle. Jail Museum opens from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 1:30 pm to 4:45 pm on all days, except national holidays.
SON-ET-LUMIERE (SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW)
The Sound and Light show in the Cellular Jail narrates the saga of the Indian freedom struggle. The sound and light effect brings to life the brutal and barbaric atrocities piled on the freedom fighters deported to these islands and incarcerated in the small cells of this jail. This show is very popular among the tourists visiting these islands. Timing: Two Hindi shows on all days at 6:00 pm and at 7:15 pm except on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. The second show is in English at 7:15 pm.
SUBASH CHANDRA BOSE ISLAND (ROSS ISLAND)
This small island, spanning less than a square kilometer stands right across Port Blair. This island served as the capital to the British from 1858 to 1941, when the Japanese occupied it and converted it to a ‘POW site'. This island homes the ruins of a church, the Chief Commissioner's house, the Cathedral and graveyard of the Britishers and few other important landmarks which today is hugged by wild wines, huge roots and trunks of century-old trees. To reach Ross Island, private ferries are available from Aberdeen Jetty except on Wednesdays.
SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW
This show narrating the history of India can be seen on all days except Wednesday at 5.30 pm. Tickets (comprising of tickets for the boat, show, as well as entry to Ross Island) are available on a first-come-first-serve basis from the reception counter of the Directorate of Tourism from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm on the same day. Rates of tickets are Rs. 250/- (adult), Rs. 150/- (Children between 5 - 12 Years)
ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Anthropological Museum in Port Blair, inaugurated in the year 1975-76, is an ethnographic museum. It showcases the four Negrito Tribes of the Andaman - the Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese and the Onges and two Mongoloid Tribes of the Nicobar - the Nicobarese and the Shompens. This museum is closed on Mondays and Govt. Holidays.
Timings: 09:00 AM to 01.00 PM and 01.30 PM to 04.30 PM.
Timings: 09:00 AM to 01.00 PM and 01.30 PM to 04.30 PM.
FISHERIES MUSEUM
This museum is situated adjacent to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Port Blair, which exhibits species of marine life endemic to the islands and found in the Indo-Pacific waters and the Bay of Bengal. It is closed on Mondays/Public Holidays/Second Saturdays.
Timings: 09:00 AM to 01.00 PM and 02.00 PM to 04.45 PM.
Timings: 09:00 AM to 01.00 PM and 02.00 PM to 04.45 PM.
SAMUDRIKA (NAVAL MARINE MUSEUM)
Situated opposite Andaman Teal House, Delanipur, Port Blair, this museum creates awareness on various aspects of the oceanic environment and houses a vast collection of cells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes of the sea, found around the islands. The museum is closed on Mondays and Holidays.
Timings: 09:00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 02.00 PM to 05.00 PM.
Timings: 09:00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 02.00 PM to 05.00 PM.
ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA MUSEUM
Situated near Andaman Teal House, this museum exhibits several varieties of sponges, corals, butterflies, centipedes etc. It is open on all working days except Mondays and Govt. Holidays.
Timings: 08:30 AM to 05.00 PM
Timings: 08:30 AM to 05.00 PM
CORBYN’S COVE BEACH
Corbyn's Cove Beach- the coconut-palm fringed beach, located six kilometers away from Port Blair town is ideal for swimming and sun-basking. Facilities like changing rooms, adventure water sports are available here. Historical remains like Japanese Bunkers can also be seen on the way to this beach. The Snake Island situated just across the beach is popular for scuba diving.
NORTH BAY ISLAND
Here, you can find the iconic lighthouse of North bay that appears on every 20 rupees Indian currency note. North Bay beach which is located to the north of Port Blair provides snorkelling opportunities around its fringing coral reefs. Ferry service takes you from Aberdeen Jetty across North Bay and brings you back after a three-hour stay. The corals at North Bay are spread over a large area. During snorkelling, one can spot many species of fish, lobsters and even clams on the coral reef. Sea walk is the latest addition of facilities here that helps you watch underwater life.
CHIDIYATAPU
Chidiyatappu is the southernmost tip of South Andaman Island situated at a distance of 28 Kms from Port Blair. Frequent bus services are available from Port Blair to here. It is famous for bird watching, sunset view, panoramic scenic beauties, and presenting a myriad of colours of the ocean. Safety place boards are erected in Chidiyatappu to help aid in Swimming. The biological park at Chidiyatappu is the added attraction.
MUNDAPAHAR BEACH AND MUNDAPAHAR TREK ROUTE
This eco-friendly beach with facilities like the changing rooms that are maintained by the forest department is one of the most sought after picnic destinations in South Andaman. There is a beautiful trek route of around 1.5 kms passing through the green canopied forest, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the neighbouring islands with a truly surprising view of Cinque island at the rear end of the trek. This of one of the most recommended treks in South Andaman.
RAJIV GANDHI WATER SPORTS COMPLEX
This water sports complex, the first of its kind in India, offers aqua-sports facilities including safe water sports and adventure water sports within a single water sports complex. In the safe water sports complex, paddle-boats, row-boats, glass-bottom and bumper boats are available, whereas, in the adventure sport front, Jet Ski, parasailing, banana boats, speed boats, etc are offered. This complex also offers open-air eateries. The spectacle of the marina park that surrounds the complex is an enchanting addition.
CHATHAM SAW MILL
The Chatham saw mill is one of the oldest saw mills in Asia. It is built on a tiny island and connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is a storehouse for timber varieties like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin wood etc. Chatham Island has the second largest wharf among these islands. where island-mainland ships can dock. Within the sawmill compound is a museum showcasing the various timber wealth of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The museum offers an insight into the forest activities through scale models and display decorative pieces made of Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, Satin wood etc. Closed on Sundays and Industrial Holidays.
Timings: 10.00 AM to 2.00 PM
Timings: 10.00 AM to 2.00 PM
SAGARIKA – COTTAGE INDUSTRIES EMPORIUM
This Emporium exhibits a spectrum of artifacts made of mother pearl, sea shells, coconut shells and local wood products. Miniatures of Nicobari canoes, palm mats for floors, tables, furniture etc. are exhibited which are also for sale. It is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Timings: 8.45 AM to 6.45 PM
Timings: 8.45 AM to 6.45 PM
SCIENCE CENTRE
The Science Centre, situated five kilometers from Port Blair town, has an Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gallery with interactive exhibits depicting the genesis of the islands, volcanic activities, science of oceans, fun science gallery, modern technology gallery, Taramandal (Portable planetarium), and an in-house butterfly corner. It is closed on all Mondays and Public Holidays.
Timings: 10.00 AM to 5.30 PM
Timings: 10.00 AM to 5.30 PM
GANDHI PARK
This beautiful park at Port Blair has facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports and a nature trail around the lake, a garden, restaurants and historic remains like a Japanese temple as well as a bunker. The erstwhile Dilthaman tank, which was the only source of drinking water for Port Blair and the area around, has been developed as Gandhi Park in an unbelievably short time of 13 days. It is open every day.
MOUNT HARRIET
Mount Harriet, 55 Kms by road/ 15 Kms by ferry or trek from Port Blair was the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during the British Raj period. This place is ideal for a fascinating overview of the nearby islands and the sea. It is the highest peak in the South Andamans (365 mts. high). At Mount Harriet, there is a Forest Guest House where tourists can rest up and refresh themselves.
MADHUBAN
One can visit Madhuban from Mount Harriet by trekking through the jungle approximately covering 16 Kms. Exotic endemic birds, butterflies are interesting sights of this wilderness trek.
SIPPIGHAT AGRICULTURAL FARM
This Govt. agricultural farm is located 14 kms west of Port Blair covering an area of 80 acres. Spices like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and coconut are the major products cultivated here.
CINQUE ISLAND
(26 KMS BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR)
(26 KMS BY SEA FROM PORT BLAIR)
A sanctuary with rare corals and underwater marine life, Cinque Island has fine sandy beaches and a sand–bar connecting North and South Cinque Islands and the tropical rainforest. There is no scheduled ferry service to Cinque Island. Chartered boats of the permitted category are allowed from Port Blair and Wandoor. To visit, one may contact private boat operators in Port Blair to hire a boat with due permission from the Forest Department.
