Neil Island

Neil – the tiny, beautiful island located south of the Andaman Islands, with unexplored coral reefs and brilliant bio-diversity, white sandy beaches, forest and vegetation is one of the best tourist spots in Andaman. At a distance of 37 kms, Neil is one of the closer island destinations to Port Blair. Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) and Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) are part of Ritchie’s Archipelago. Connected by a speedboat from Port Blair daily, it provides an ideal holiday destination for eco-friendly tourists in natural settings. The sea encircling the island is shallow and full of colourful corals.
Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) is also known as the 'Vegetable Bowl' of Andaman as it is here, where the local vegetables are cultivated and supplied to other islands. The settlers named the beaches after the mythical characters of the epic Ramayana like Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Sitapur, Ramnagar etc. and they are especially popular, owing to the hammocks suspended under shady trees. The calm and quiet life on this island moves at its own pace. People are either busy with agricultural or tourism-related activities. The culture is a mix of rural and semi-urban, with tropical living witnessed at its best. The friendly culture encourages the visitors to stay in Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island), which signifies the warmth and friendliness that lingers in this part of Andaman.
The lifestyle here at Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) is not ultra-advanced, nor is it purely tribal. There is a sort of semi-developed flair that dominates this small Island. The population is gracious and welcoming. Attire does not include anything specific that can be tagged with Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) in particular, but this place has been borrowing the fashion trends from Port Blair and Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) lately. Here, we have listed the most popular attractions and things to do on Neil Island:

Attractions

NEIL KENDRA
 
As you disembark from the boat at Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) Jetty and walk towards the market village of Neil Kendra, the beach appears before you in the form of a long arc. Neil Kendra, a gently curving bay of white sand, straddles the jetty, scattered with picturesque wooden fishing boats. Neil Kendra is the heart of the island. On the left side of the jetty is Bharatpur Beach and on the right is Laxmanpur Beach. Our resort Silver Sand Beach Resort is also located at Neil Kendra!

View from Jetty - Neil Kendra
Laxmanpur Beach

LAXMANPUR BEACH
 
The secluded beach of Lakshmanpur lies 2 km north of the Neil Jetty. The beach is a broad spur of white shell sand with shallow water and offers a good snorkelling option. Sunbathing and swimming are other popular activities and one can view spectacular sunsets from here. This rocky beach lies about two kilometers from the jetty with lots of coral formation, ornamental fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, star fish etc. which are best suited for people of scientific temperament. The rocky surface can get slippery and one needs to be on one's guard. The main attraction here is the natural rock formations.

BHARATPUR BEACH
 
Half a kilometer from the jetty, Bharatpur is one of the best beaches in Andaman known for swimming and coral-watching, with a vast sandy stretch. This beach is ideally recommended for youngsters because of activity options. One can hire glass-bottom boats for coral viewing. The Sea around the Jetty area is full of corals with schools of fish swimming around. The colour and form of vegetation along the beach soothes one's senses. Have a great time here.

Bharatpur Beach
Sitapur Beach

SITAPUR BEACH
 
This beach is exposed to the open sea and thus prone to higher tides. It is 5 kilometers to the south and at the tip of the island. This beach is best suited to watch the sunrise with an impressive backdrop of natural vegetation and limestone formations. The journey from the jetty to Sitapur beach itself is refreshing with green fields and a variety of crops and forest trees.

SIR HUGH ROSE ISLAND
 
This tiny island is located at the southern tip of Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) and is locally known as ‘Chhota’ Neil (Small Neil). This island has been declared a wildlife sanctuary and is a turtle-nesting ground. Individuals have to obtain permission from the Deputy Range Officer, Forest Department at Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) to visit this island. Only day visits are permitted.

SIR HUGH ROSE ISLAND CHHOTA NEIL
Natural Rock Formation

NATURAL ROCK FORMATION
 
A natural rock formation in Laxmanpur beach is locally known as the Howrah Bridge. Visit the place during low tide as the retreating sea leaves behind many a secret from its treasure trove.