Seven Best Places to Visit on The Andaman and Nicobar Islands

BY Daniel Hales

Imagine having just had the trip of a lifetime with a luxury holiday to India, taking in everything from Bollywood to Bengal tigers in this most incredibly beautiful, diverse and, quite frankly, mesmerising country.

Now imagine going from tigers to islands and topping it off by stripping everything back and relaxing in unadulterated, blissful Paradise.

Nothing but the white sand between your toes, the gentle lapping of the turquoise waves and the warmth of the sun on your skin as you read a book, go diving or take a gentle walk along a secluded beach.

That’s what you’ll get with a luxury holiday to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands – and we’ve cherry-picked seven of the best places to visit.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands - Luxury Holiday Location

Havelock Island

Yonder’s Andaman hotels are located on Havelock Island, and for good reason. The Andamans are famous for their beaches that appear to come straight off the set of Cast Away, and the crème de la crème are on Havelock Island.

So much so, that one of its beaches – Radhanagar Beach or Beach No. 7 – was named the best beach in Asia by TIME magazine in 2004. Its perfect beaches are the perfect place to bask in nature’s glory as well as enjoy a spot of scuba diving or elephant riding.

Neil Island

Neil Island is famous for its secluded white beaches, lush rainforests and incredible opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling among its beautiful coral reefs.

If you’re less inclined to partake in diving, you can enjoy the reefs a peaceful glass bottom boat ride and recover from your less-than-strenuous day by enjoying the stunning sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Luxury Beach In The Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Port Blair

Port Blair, on the southern tip of the mainland, is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and home to one of the archipelago’s main tourist attractions (other than pristine beaches). It was a colonial prison where many political prisoners were sent during India’s struggle for independence and is now a poignant national memorial monument.

Port Blair also has some fantastic seafood on offer and is a great base from which to explore other islands, such as Ross Island, Carbyn’s Cove Beach and the Mount Harriet National Park.

Ross Island

A short ferry ride away from Port Blair lies Ross Island (now renamed as the Netaji Shubash Chandra Bose Dweep). It’s famous for its colonial ruins, which gives the place a different dynamic compared to other Andaman islands and bringing the possibility of exploring some history into your Andaman adventure.

Luxury Beach Holiday Andaman Islands

Baratang Island

A luxury holiday to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands inevitably brings with it a sense of real adventure.

The Andamans are covered in secluded beaches, bursting with wildlife and they’re even home to native tribes. And, while the specific islands inhabited by protected tribes are off-limits to tourists, Baratang offers that sense of exotic adventure in abundance.

Whether you’re diving at its secluded beaches, floating down its mangrove creeks by boat, or exploring its limestone caves, mud volcanoes and tropical rainforests, you’ll find yourself completely immersed in nature.

The Great Nicobar Island

The Great Nicobar Island is the largest of the Nicobar Islands, covering 1,045 square kilometres. However, it is sparsely populated and is covered in rich tropical rainforest, teeming with indigenous wildlife and is also home to the native Shompen tribe.

The island was severely impacted by the 2004 tsunami but has recovered and is a fantastic destination for wildlife lovers. It’s home to a hugely diverse range of flora and fauna, including the crab-eating macaque, Nicobar megapode, serpent eagle, saltwater crocodile and a number of marine turtles.

Rangat

Rangat is another favourite for wildlife-lovers, thanks in large part to its famous Cuthbert Bay Beach.

Cuthbert Bay Beach is famous for its golden sands, but even more so for its sea turtles. Various species, including the olive ridley sea turtle and green sea turtle, come here to nest and the wildlife sanctuary provides a fantastic place from which to see them without disturbing them.

YONDER SUGGESTIONS

Yonder specialises in luxury holidays in India, including bespoke itineries to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This includes our Islands and Tigers itinery which gives you the perfect blend of culture and relaxation.

We also have access to some of the best accommodation on offer on the islands including the Jalakara private hotel and Barefoot at Havelock. Both located on Havelock Island which feature some of the best beaches in Asia.

If island life is what you’re looking for you may also want to take a look at our Life’s a Beach collection. Featuring the best islands and beaches in Asia it will give you plenty of inspiration which can then be created into your perfect tailor made holiday.

All Yonder itineraries are crafted on a tailor-made, one-off basis, so you can be sure that your holiday will be as individual as you are.