The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal spread across the Indian Peninsula on the western side of the country. Most of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are part of the Union Territory of India. A small number of islands on the Northern side belong to Burma. The Andaman Islands & Nicobar number around 550.

Andaman Islands, India. (Photo credit: Wikimedia).

The white sandy island beaches of the Andaman Islands are famous among tourists. Being remote islands, there is not much pollution or crowds at these islands. The Andaman Islands are famous for adventure sports. Scuba diving and snorkeling are famous among tourists to the Andaman Islands. You get a rare glimpse of marine life here in Andaman. You can go inside the deep forests of Andaman in trekking groups.

Humans do not inhabit the majority of the Andaman Islands in India. Twenty-six islands have human settlements. Historical evidence suggests human settlement in the Andaman Islands for the last 2200 years.

The cellular jails in Port Blair were used during the Indian freedom struggle for the imprisonment of freedom fighters there. The Japanese invaded the Andaman Islands during World War II.

Andaman is rich in flora with its deep forests, famous for timber. Around 200 Timber varieties are found in Andaman & Nicobar. Havelock Island has a Sanctuary for saltwater crocodiles. Be aware of crocodiles wandering outside the sanctuary!

Interview Island has a wildlife sanctuary with many animals. The Andaman Islands have a sizable bird population. Edible-nest swiftlet is found in some of the Andaman’s caves.

Barren Island is an uninhabited island with an active volcano, which last erupted in 2017.

How do I Get to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands?

Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. There are regular flights to Port Blair from Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Kolkata in West Bengal. Ships also service from these two metropolitan cities of India to Port Blair.

Passenger ferries connect the islands. Catamaran services are also available to travel between islands.

Once inside an island, you can hire a taxi, auto-rickshaw, motorbike, or scooter.