Attractive Tourist Places of Port Blair

Port Blair tourist place is off India's mainland, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Let us inform you that apart from being the base of the Indian Navy in Port Blair, it is also the headquarters of South Andaman. Port Blair has received recognition for the INS Jarawa of the Indian Navy and the first tri-command of the Armed Forces of India. There is also an old historical Cellular Jail in Port Blair. Explain that Port Blair is the main entrance to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Port Blair attracts tourists due to its attractive tourist places and natural beauty. If you want more information about the Attractive Tourist Places of Port Blair, read our article thoroughly.

History of Port Blair

Port Blair, with its silvery sandy beaches and rich historical heritage, is the gateway to the picturesque Andaman and Nicobar Islands. An ideal tourist hub, Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, offers many eco-friendly beach resorts along its winding coastline. There are opportunities for boat trips, swimming, scuba diving, sea cruises, and exciting excursions. Aberdeen Bazaar is central to the city and is its cultural center. Most restaurants and hotels are located in the vicinity of this area. All entrances and exits from Port Blair lead to this bazaar. The central bus station is to the west of the bazaar, and the airport is to the southwest. The main passenger ferry pier, Phoenix Bay, is located about a kilometer northwest. According to the Anthropological Survey of India, the people who lived there initially came from a city in North Africa about 40,000 years ago. According to modern history, Port Blair was formed by the Bengal government in 1789 as a penal colony on Chatham Island, which is located in the southeast region of the Andaman. Later, the penal colony was moved to the northeastern region of the Andaman and renamed Port Cornwallis to honor Admiral William Cornwallis. But, the constant deaths and diseases made it a dead state here. Due to the urgent need, the British government immediately ordered the construction of a prison for the prisoners, who were prominently Indian freedom fighters and political figures.

The jail was named Cellular Jail, aka Kala Pani. The capital of the Andaman Islands is Port Blair, which is located on the island of South Andaman. It is the largest settlement in the Union Territory, with about one hundred thousand people. The city was founded in 1789 by Lieutenant Archibald Blair, who chose this place for the ships of the East India Company. At the end of the 19th century, the most sinister prison in India was built here, where political prisoners were kept, in particular, famous fighters for the independence of India. The prison operated until 1945. Currently, the building houses a commemorative memorial and hosts a light and music show.The city and its environs have hotels built near the sea. It should, however, be understood that a full-fledged beach holiday is hardly possible there since hotels are designed mainly for the Indian market, and Indian tourists are not used to swimming or sunbathing on the beach. Your appearance in a bathing suit will be considered, to put it mildly, indecent. The most famous beach is Corbin Beach, located in the bay of the same name, about seven kilometers from the city, the stunningly beautiful Wandur Beach, from where boats leave for the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

Tourist Places of Port Blair

The city has several marine national parks and museums to protect the island's marines. Out of all these, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is the oldest. The footpath along the sea is a perfect choice for those who love long walks. Another exciting feature of the city is the golgappa sellers sitting everywhere on the sides of the roads and streets. The dish is very different from what is served in northern India. Here it is served with spicy mashed potatoes, onions, and spicy sauce. The beautiful panoramic islands in and around the city impress you and give you a pleasant experience. There are several beaches where island festivals are organized by the authorities to promote tourism in Andaman and Nicobar.

National Marine Park

The National Marine Park comprises a stretch of the open sea, bays, and 15 small and large islands. Here you can admire rare corals, underwater flora, and fauna on glass-bottom boats and go diving and snorkeling. Private ferry operators provide excursions to the National Marine Park. Mahatma Gandhi of Vandur. The tour program also includes a two-and-a-half-hour stay on Jolly Buoy Island or Red Skin Island. Before you go on a tour of the park, it is recommended to take a ready-made lunch with you. National Marine Park. Mahatma Gandhi was created to protect marine life, especially sea turtles and corals.

Chatham Saw Mill

Chatham Saw Mill is one of Port Blair's significant attractions, dating back to the 19th century. The Chatham Saw Mill is the largest and oldest sawmill in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Chatham Saw Mill is known for its export of timber. Tourists visiting Port Blair visit Chatham Saw Mill. A museum is built inside the Chatham Saw Mill, which offers a glimpse into the history of Chatham Island and provides detailed information on the geology, geography, and biodiversity associated with the island.

Chidia Tapu

Chidiya Island is a small but attractive island included in the attractions of Port Blair. Please tell me that it is also known as Bird Island. Chidiya Tapu is a natural and beautiful island in Andaman, famous for colorful birds and gorgeous sunrise and sunset views. Chidiya Tapu is known for its lush green meadows and equatorial forests, such as bird watching, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea walking, and boating. Andaman Bird Island or Chidia Tapu is a veritable carpet of dense mangrove forests home to numerous species of birds. This eco-park is located on the southernmost tip of South Andaman Island, the archipelago's capital. Buses run regularly from Port Blair to Chidia Tapu. This place is not only a paradise for bird watchers but also a popular spot for picnics, hiking trails, and incredible sunset views. The Chidia Tapu Biological Park, with rich and diverse flora and fauna, is worth visiting. One of the main attractions of Chidia Tapu is the sunset point. There are magnificent views of the setting sun as it plunges into the Bay of Bengal. Chidia Tapu also has a mini zoo worth visiting. Visiting Cellular Jail is like re-watching all the old patriotic Indian classic films, especially Kala Pani. If you remember the history, you can assume that the prison will be dark and gloomy, but now the complex you enter is a bright, sunlit courtyard.

Mount Harriet National Park

Mount Harriet housing the highest peak in South Andaman, this place provides an ideal vantage point for the nearby islands and the sea. The park is spread over 42.62 sq km and shelters diverse flora and fauna, including birds like Andaman treepie, Sunda teal, Nicobar megapode, Nicobar parakeet, Andaman black woodpecker, black-naped tern, etc.

The Cellular Jail

The Cellular Jail at Port Blair is where Indians who fought for freedom against the British were deported and imprisoned in inhumane conditions. This colonial prison, which is today a national memorial, was built in 1906. It is called a cell because it was designed in such a way that it contained only individual cells intended for solitary confinement. Initially, the building consisted of seven buildings, in the center of which there was a tower with a large bell guarded by guards. The cases were arranged like the spokes of a bicycle, and each case's facade faced the other's back wall so that the prisoners could not communicate with each other. Of the seven buildings, only three remain today. The rest were converted into a hospital and government offices. In the cell where the freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was kept, his rough blanket, bowl, bare bed, etc., are kept, showing the conditions in which the prisoners lived. From his cell, there was a view of the courtyard with the gallows, where prisoners sentenced to death were executed.
Now this prison is the most important place for those who want to comprehend that dark period in the history of India and pay tribute to the martyrs who suffered there.

Fisheries Museum

The Fisheries Museum lies close to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports complex and is one of the most popular attractions in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is known for housing over 350 species of marine life in the Asia-Pacific region. The museum also houses animals like crabs, sharks, starfish, and massive table corals. Other interesting sights are life-size displays of a sawfish and dolphin, and the skeleton of a sperm whale believed to be one of the giant-toothed whales.

Baratang Island

Situated between South and Middle Andaman, this island has beautiful beaches, mangroves, mud volcanoes, and limestone caves. It is possible to inspect the caves only with the permission of the Baratanga Forest Department and only accompanied by local instructors. The limestone caves are about a half-hour boat ride from Baratang Island across the wide strait that leads to the Nayader Jetty Pier and another 1.5 km on foot through the rainforest. The boat route between these caves and the Baratang Jetty pier passes through a narrow strait among the mangroves. Massive sedimentary limestone formations can be seen in the caves, some of which hang from above while others grow from the ground. It is noteworthy that these caves are constantly changing in shape and size! The mud volcano, formed by natural gases released from the breakdown of organic matter underground, can be reached by several roads leading from the Nilambur Jetty Wharf. As the gas pushes up the mud, it solidifies on the earth's surface, gradually forming a miniature volcano with a mud crater. Far from the Baratang Jetty pier, there is another small uninhabited island called Parrot Island. It is best to visit it in the evenings to see how thousands of parrots flock here.

Port Blair's famous Neil Island

Port Blair's famous Neil Island is a significant part of the South Andaman Administrative District, located in the Bay of Bengal near the Richie Archipelago. However, due to a part of the vast ocean, it is separated from Ross Island and Havelock Island. Let us tell you that tourists visiting Havelock Island often like to spend a day on Neeli Island. The three sandy beaches of Neil Island, Bharatpur, Sitapur, and Laxmanpur are its most prominent attractions.

Activities in your Amazing Tour of Port Blair

Water Sports and Boat Rides

If you are a fan of water activity, then you will get the best experience of your life in Andaman. Coral Safari does parasailing in the water sports complex. Apart from this, one can enjoy Glass Boat Ride by Port Blair Andaman Dolphin, a luxury speed boat. Especially if you are with family, then it is best for you. With this glass boat, you can see the marine life very closely without getting into the water.

Famous Food of Port Blair

Port Blair is known for its beautiful islands, beaches, and seafood. After tasting the Seafood of Port Blair, you will be left licking your fingers. Let us tell you that you will find vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in the local cuisine of Port Blair. Port Blair resorts offers you a choice of Indian, Chinese, and a few other cuisines. The tourists like the fruits of Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Guava, and Coconut in Port Blair.

Spa & Relax

People come on holidays to relieve their tiredness, and a spa is the best way to eliminate your tiredness. Here in Port Blair, you will find excellent options for a spa. If you want to relieve your tiredness in a relaxing and luxurious way, then at The Little Birdy, you will find a variety of massages.

Yoga

This place can also prove to be a paradise for yoga lovers. In the lap of nature, you can enjoy a yoga session with the help of the best trainer at Myoho yoga studio. Along with this, they also give you tea and snacks to refresh you.

Candid Photographer

Often it is challenging for the couple how their photo will come together. In such a situation, they stop the people walking around and ask them to take a couple of photos, but your problem will be solved here. You will get tons of options for a candid photo shoot in Andaman. You can make these moments memorable by the photographer by capturing them in the camera forever.

Shopping In Port Blair

Tourists visiting Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) prefer to shop from here. For shopping, you will get to see small shops on every corner. You can shop freely from places like Shopping Center, Handicraft Emporium, Sea Beach Market, Aberdeen Market, Government Emporium, Anoop Eco Arts, Golghar, Junglighat, Prem Nagar, and Dalnipur. Let us tell you that Port Blair is the busiest city from where you can enjoy shopping. From here, you can shop for shell jewelry, bamboo mats, souvenirs, wooden utensils and showpieces, home decor items, bracelets, rings, necklaces, pearls, oysters, reeds, etc.

Arts And Crafts

Following are some famous art and crafts of this beautiful region.

• Cane And Bamboo Arts
• Sea Shell Crafts
• Wood Products Crafts
• Coconut Shell Products
• Crossbows Crafts
• Popular Palm Mats Crafts

The best time to visit Port Blair

Winter is the best time for tourists to visit the Andaman Islands - from November to mid-May, from December to March, tourists visit in large numbers. At the same time, it frequently rains during the monsoon season from June to September. Andaman celebrates Christmas and New Year with great pomp and enthusiasm, so if you do not want to miss this sight, plan your holidays at the right time.

How to Reach Port Blair?

By air is the best option to reach Port Blair. Veer Savarkar International Airport, located in Port Blair, is well connected to the Indian cities of Kolkata and Chennai. You can choose this airport to go to Port Blair. From the airport, you can travel around the city of Port Blair with the help of local means that run here.

By plane. The nearest airport to Port Blair is Veer Savarkar International Airport, situated on the Lamba line. This airport is well connected to other major cities of India, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

By ship. For here, ships make sails from Chennai, Vizag, and Kolkata. There are usually 3-4 sales monthly, which is quite normal. However, you only need to note that the ship's journey is very long.

By train. There is no way to reach Port Blair by train anywhere in India. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are remote places, so direct rail transport facilities are unavailable from India.

By bus. Though it would be challenging to reach Port Blair by road, Rangat, Baratang Island, and Diglipur are some places that are well connected by buses. They are a better option to reach different parts of Andaman. Some private buses also ply within the area.

Conclusion

With its breathtaking beauty, boundless serenity, and water activities, the Attractive Tourist Places of Port Blair takes you on a beautiful journey of adventure. Influenced by all these things, tourists come here yearly for a holiday. If you are thinking of making your vacation memorable, visiting this beautiful island first must come to Port Blair, the capital of Andaman from any country. The marine life here is very famous among the people, in which you can enjoy water activities and see the life of aquatic animals very closely.
Apart from this, in Port Blair, you will also find beautiful places. If put in one line, Port Blair gives you a great glimpse of the whole of Andaman.