Port Blair Transportation
By Air transportation
Port blair is connected with Chennai and Calcutta by air. Presently flights are operated by Alliance Air/Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.
Alliance Air: City Office: Middle Point, Port Blair, Tel: 233108 Airport: 232983
Ship transportation
Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Calcutta and Vishakhapatnam and back. There are three to four sailings every month from Calcutta 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 and the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about two to four days.
Local transportation
Port Blair has a local network of buses, taxis and a few auto rickshaws. Buses to key locations are available from the Port Blair bus stand. It is advisable to have own transportation to explore the island. Motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and bicycles are available. Regular ferry services connect Port Blair to near by sight seeing islands and places.
All foreign nationals can stay in the islands for 30 days. This can be extended by another 15 days with permission. They require a permit to stay from the immigration authorities
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
For more futher information including how to get ship ticket and and ship and air fare please visit this page
Government site : http://tourism.andaman.nic.in/travel . tips.htm
Prohibited things:
Foreign nationals may not enter the islands without permit. Do not enter the National Parks without permission nor take pictures of the airport, government, dockyard, defence establishments, naval wharf, Dhanikari Dam and Chatham Saw Mill. Do not Light fire in Protected Areas as it not only destroys forests but also damages wildlife habitat, Do not swim after consuming liquor and also in unsafe water during mansoon.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
How to reach
chidiya tapu Corbyn's Cove
Corbyn's Cove - Indian tourism
Corbyn's Cove is the nearest beach to Port Blair, it is a simply a pleasure to be here. The nearby Snake Island is surrounded by coral reefs. Currents in the water here are pretty strong and swimming can be dangerous.
Sippighat FarmLocated 15 km from Port Blair en route to Wandoor, this Government owned farm is used for research in various kinds of agricultural products. Research predominantly in spices has developed new varieties of cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg and clovesSprawling over an area of 80 acres is a Government farm. Research & Development programmes for cultivation of spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut and pepper are conducted here. Research and Demonstration farm of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is nearby.
Chidiya Tapu (25 kms. from Port Blair) Indian travels
Chidiya Tapu is situated along the southern most tip of South Andaman islannds. This island is full with natural beauty. The lush green mangroves, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the Sylvan Sands and Munda pahar beaches make it an ideal picnic site. The forest guesthouse situated on top of a hillock provides a fabulous view of isolated islands, submerged corals and the breath-taking sunset. Conducted tours are available from Andaman Teal House, Port Blair, a tiny fishing village with mangroves, shell-strewn beaches, sharp rocks and vast coral reefs. South of the island is a beach well known for snorkelling.
Madhuban
Madhuban is some 15kms from Port Blair. It provides a sea beach in front, hills behind and is being used as a training ground for elephants by foresters. Ferries from Phoenix Bay Jetty to Bamboo Flat and a short bus ride gets you to Madhuban a felling area where elephants work alongside men. Private vehicles can be ferried from Chafham jetty to Bamboo Flat, which saves a long drive over poor roads on the route from Port Blair. Madhuban (75 kms. by road/20 kms. by ferry and road from Port Blair)
This place is a trekking area, north east of South Andaman. Exotic endemic birds, animals, butterflies, and elephant lumbering are the most interesting part of the trek.
Mini zoo
Mini zoo forset museum
The small zoo has 200 species of animals and birds which include the Nicobar Pigeon, the Andaman Pigand and the rare agile luminous-green Andaman gekko. A salt-water crocodile farm that breeds and releases crocodiles into the coastal mangrove swamps is a part of the zoo. Near the zoo is the museum maintained and run by the forest department. This unusual museum displays local types of wood used in the timber industry such as padauk which has both light and dark colours present in the same tree, rosewood and marble wood. Lumbering methods are clearly explained here. Mini Zoo Situated at Haddo (Delanipur - Chatham road), it houses some of the rare species of endemic birds and animals found in these islands.
Time: 8.00 AM - 5.00 PM Monday closed.
Entry fee – adult –Rs. 2/-, child – Re.1/-
MhGandhi Marine National Park
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
The park was created 24 May 1983 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 to protect marine life such as the corals and nesting sea turtles prevalent in the area. It is national park of India in Wandoor on the Andaman Islands. Situated 29 km. from Port Blair, the park covers 281.5 km² made up of 15 islands and the open sea creeks running through the area.
This Marine Park made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, 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 Snorkelling are a lifetime experience for anyone.
There is a chance for ecotourism on the islands Jolly Boys and Red Skin which are open during some seasons offering glass bottom boats, scuba diving and snorkeling as a way to see the park's coral reefs and marine life.
Mt Harriet
Mount Harriet
Is a natural spot for persons whi like to view natural beauty it is about 365 m in height which is one of the highest points in South Andaman. A natural trail leads to the summit. Permission to climb the nature trails that weave through dense forest must be obtained from the Chief Wildlife Warden in Haddo.Open to tourists during the day, permission of the warden at Port Blair has to be taken to stay overnight in the forest rest house. Towards the north is the Mt Harriet National Park where one can watch elephants being trained to carry logs. One can take a ferry service or taxi from the Chatnam wharf to Bamboo flat. The summit , 7 km from here is an enjoyable walk but the route is devoid of drinking water. Taxis and jeeps are also available
The Mount Harriet Island National Park is a national park located in Ferrargunj tehsil in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory. The park covers about 46.62 km².
Mt harriet was the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj, this place is an ideal for a nice and fascinating over view of the outer islands and the sea. One can trek upto Madhuban through a nature trail and can find rare endemic birds, animals and butterflies. Conducted tours to Mt. Harriet are available from Andaman Teal House.
Entry fee Rs.10/
Samudrika Marine Museum
Samudrika Marine Museum established in the year 1992
Samudrika’ means pertaining to Sea, the perpetual treasure house of life.
It is run and maintained by the Indian Navy, the marine museum has tanks brimming with exotic fish and coral from the islands' reefs. It was established to give the visitors an insight to the vast marine eco-system. The museum is unique due to the integrated depiction of life forms. It exhibits and explains various strata of oceanic life through Geology, Geography, Habitation and the history of settlement. This wide spectrum covered makes ‘Samudrika’ the star attraction for the visitors in Port Blair
The five sections of this unique museum display history and geography of the Andaman & Nicobar islands. Displays include miniature models of islands, pictures of tribals and their life-style and archaeology.