Andaman & Nicobar

CELLULAR Jail –National Memorial Lalaji Bay Beach, in Long Island, Rangat falls in Middle Andaman. There are regular boats from Yerrata Jetty in Rangat to Long Island. One way ride takes about 1.5 hrs and goes through beautiful creek making it a memorable journey. Lalaji Bay beach is a beautiful, sandy beach on the west coast of Long Island. One has to take a boat from Rangat jetty to reach here. The boat ride is quite comfortable and takes around 1.5 hrs. The boat cruises through Mangrove creek thus providing equally scenic views around. From Long Island jetty, one has to take a fiber boat to get to the West coast and then walk a few kilometers to reach the beach. The island has a long, sprawling white sandy beach with clear water. One can easily bask in the sun or get immersed in the clean water to give a treat to mind and body.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island This small island, less than a square kilometer stands right across Sri Vijaya Puram. This island served as the capital to the Britishers from 1858 to 1941 when the Japanese occupied it and converted it to a ‘POW site'. This island homes the ruins of the church, Chief Commissioner's house, the Cathedral and graveyard of the Britishers and few other important landmarks which today is hugged by wild wines and huge roots and trunks of century old trees. To reach Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, private ferries are available from Aberdeen Jetty except on Wednesday. Sound & Light show narrating the history can be seen on all days except Wednesday at 5.30 pm. Tickets are available on first come first serve basis from the reception counter of Directorate of Tourism from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm on the same day. Rates of tickets are Rs. 100/- (adult), Rs. 25/- (Children between 5 - 12 Years) (Boat Tickets and Entry Tickets to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island are not included) For further details contact: 232694/244091.

Anthropological Museum The Anthropological museum in Sri Vijaya Puram started in the year 1975-76, is an ethnographic museum. It showcases the four Negrito Tribes of the Andaman viz. the Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese and the Onges and two Mongoloid Tribes of the Nicobar viz. 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.

Fisheries Museum This museum is situated adjacent to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sport Complex, Sri Vijaya Puram, which exhibits species of marine life endemic to the islands and found in the Indo-Pacific 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.

Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum) Situated opposite Andaman Teal House, Delanipur, Sri Vijaya Puram, this museum create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment and houses a vast collection of cells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes of the sea around the islands. Open all days. Timings: 09:00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 02.00 PM to 05.00 PM. Timings: 09:00 AM to 01.00 PM and 01.30 PM to 04.30 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.

Kalapani Museum (Pvt.) Kalapani Museum is unique amongst all museums in Sri Vijaya Puram and is the only private history museum in the country, setup in a three storied building, where history is brought alive through miniature and life size models and dioramas. The museum has a vast collection of rare archival photographs, paintings and artifacts of tribes, history, rare original documents of Colonial and Japanese periods, including many documentaries and films related to the Island and the Indian Freedom Struggle. It takes the visitors on a journey of rediscovery and unfolding the unknown and untold mysteries of the Island. Timings: 09:00 AM to 07:00 PM The Museum is open 7 days a week (No Holidays) For Enquires Call Mob: 9933293061/9933278058, email: mukeshwarlall[at]gmail[dot]com

Carbyn's Cove Beach Corbyn's Cove beach- the coconut-palm fringed beach, six kilometers away from Sri Vijaya Puram town is ideal for swimming and sun-basking. Facilities like hotel, restaurant, bar, changing room, adventure water-sports are available here. Historical remains like Japanese Bunkers can be seen on the way to this beach. The Snake Island situated just across the beach is popular for scuba diving. The Waves Restaurant & Beer Bar run by Tourism department provides delightful cuisine at reasonable rates in a soothing ambience.

North Bay Beach The iconic light house of North bay appears on every 20 rupees Indian currency note. North Bay beach which is north of Sri Vijaya Puram provides snorkeling opportunities around its fringing coral reefs. Private ferry service takes you from Aberdeen Jetty across North Bay and brings back after a three hour stay. The corals at North Bay are spread over a large area. During snorkeling, one can spot many species of fish, lobsters and even clams on the coral reef. Sea walk is the latest addition of facilities there to watch under water life.

Chidiyatappu Chidiyatappu- the southernmost tip of South Andaman Island situated at a distance of 28 Kms from Sri Vijaya Puram. Frequent bus service are available from Sri Vijaya Puram. It is famous for bird watching, sunset view, panoramic scenic beauties, and many colours of oceanic view. Swimming can be done at Chidiyatappu. Safety places boards are erected in Chidiyatappu. But beware of crocodiles. The biological park at Chidiyatappu is the added attraction. There is a Forest Guest House run and maintained by Forest Department, is under Chief Wildlife Warden, Haddo (Phone No. 03192-233549) who can be contacted to reserve accommodation for stay.

Mundapahar Beach and Mundapahar Trek route- Eco-friendly beach facilities including changing room are maintained by forest department. It is one of the most sought after picnic destination in South Andaman. There is a beautiful trek route of around 1.5 kms passing the green canopy forest, breathtaking Panoramic view of neighbouring islands with a surprise amazing view of Cinque island at the rear end of the trek. This of one of the most recommended treks in South Andaman.

Wandoor & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park About 29 Kms. west of Sri Vijaya Puram is the famous Wandoor beach known for scenic beauty and is very popular amongst tourists. The range of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is just across Wandoor Beach. To visit the Marine National Park, boats are available from Wandoor Jetty. Just at the entrance of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, one can visit the state of art world class Marine Interpretation Centre. It has dioramas depiction of marine world and auditorium. The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor is at a distance of 29 Kms from Sri Vijaya Puram and covers an area of 281.5 Sqr. Kms. This Marine Park comprises of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, which is one of the best found anywhere in the world. Viewing of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, scuba diving and snorkeling are a life time experience. Private ferry operators operates conducted tour to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park from Wandoor. One needs to take permit, issued by the Forest Department and the boat ticket from the boat operators which are available at the Reception Counter of Directorate of Tourism from a Single Window before proceeding to Wandoor. Tourists are allowed to spend two and half hours in Jolly Buoy Island or Red Skin Island as a part of conducted tours. Generally, from December to May tourists are taken to Jolly Buoy Island and from May to November to Red Skin Island. It is advised to take packed lunch and water fillings before proceeding to the Marine National Park. Regular bus services are also available from Bus Terminus to Wandoor, from where conducted tours are operated.

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 one water sports complex. In the safe water sports complex paddle-boats, row-boats, glass-bottom and bumper boats are available. In the adventure sport front, Jet Ski, parasailing, banana boats, speed boats are offered. This complex also offers open air eateries. The spectacle of marina park that surrounds the complex is enchanting. The Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex houses a memorial of the ‘Battle of Aberdeen' fought between the Britishers and the Andamanese aboriginals in 1859.

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 Sri Vijaya Puram by a bridge. It is a store house of timber varieties like, Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin wood etc. The Chatham Island has the second largest wharf of these islands where island-mainland ships can berth. Within the saw mill compound is a museum showcasing the various timber wealth of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The museum offers an insight in to forest activities through scale models and display decorative pieces made of Padauk, Marble, Gurjan, Satin wood etc. Closed on Sundays and Industrial Holidays. Forest Museum (Chatham) 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

Science Centre The Science Centre, situated five kms from Sri Vijaya Puram town, has an ‘Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gallery' with interactive exhibits depicting 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

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 Sri Vijaya Puram covering over an area of 80 acres, cultivate spices like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, coconut etc.

Cinque Island A sanctuary with rare corals and under-water marine life, Cinque Island has fine sandy-beach and sand–bar connecting North and South Cinque Islands and tropical rain-forest. There is no scheduled ferry service to Cinque Island. Chartered boats of permitted category are allowed from Sri Vijaya Puram and Wandoor. To visit, one may contact private boat operators in Sri Vijaya Puram to hire a boat with due permission from the Forest Department.

Mount Harriet, 55 Kms by road/ 15 Kms by ferry and trek from Port Blair was the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj. This place is ideal for 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 take rest and refresh themselves.