There is something special about the Andaman Islands. The breezy emerald beaches? Thailand has it. The countless string of islands? We have the Maldives for that. Then, what is so special about Andaman that makes you to embark on Andaman tour packages? A sense of serenity that lingers in the air, the untrackable ethnic history of the locals, the legends enveloping the now-touristy shipwrecks and ruins, and of course the otherworldly islands make this destination irresistible for travellers and culture buffs alike.

Fuelling the’ curiosity, what we have seen and will ever see is only a small portion of the 36/572 islands that are open for travellers’ access. That indeed says enough about the destination – Andaman probably has a whole lot of islands, ethnicities, rainforests, animal species and mysteries that are yet to unfold (and there is a good chance they’ll stay safe and get lost in the depths of time).

From pearly white beaches to adrenaline-inducing watersport hubs, we handpick the best places you should visit on your first trip to Andaman.

Best places to visit in Andaman

1. Havelock Islands

Havelock Islands is one of the best places to visit in Andaman and by far the most popular of all. Radhanagar and Elephant beaches are the go-to beaches in Havelock with a number of tourist activities to resort to, while Kala Pathar and Vijay Nagar beaches are relatively less crowded.

Location: 70 km from Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar islands 744211

Places to visit:

Radhanagar beach
Elephant beach
Govind Nagar beach
Kala Pathar beach
Vijay Nagar beach

2. Port Blair

If you have ever been to Andaman or are planning to visit, you might have heard of Cellular Jail National Memorial. A former British prison that is now open to tourists interested in history, several beaches, a naval museum, a beautiful national park, and also a snake-filled island are a few of the many fabulous attractions in Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Location: South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar islands 744101

Places to visit:

Cellular jail
Samudrika naval marine museum
Viper island
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose island
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

3. Ross Island

For a place which was wrecked by invasions and earthquake, Ross island is still a beautiful piece of art that shines in all its former glory. Click away all the photos you want and stay back to soak up the calm, serene vibes this place holds.

Location: 2km east of Port Blair, Aerial Bay islands

Places to visit:

Marina park
North Bay island
Barren island
Mount Harriet National Park

Also Read: 8 islands you should visit before they vanish

4. Corbyn’s Cove Beach

Swaying coconut trees and an ultra-calming atmosphere makes the Corbyn’s Cove beach a place to just kick back and unwind. If you are into adventures and need to pump up some adrenaline, Corbyn’s Cove offers that too! Get up close with the vibrant marine life and the luscious coral reefs by scuba diving in the beach.

Location: North and Middle Andaman district

Places to visit:

Lalaji beach
Long island beach

5. Radhanagar Beach

Radhanagar beach teems with travellers as it has a soothing atmosphere coupled with a picture-perfect beach. Sunbathe and relax all day, but do not leave yet, as Radhanagar beach is home to many diving schools with seasoned trainers where you can get guided diving lessons. If you want to avoid tourist crowds, you can visit the nearby beaches like the Kala Pathar beach.

Location: Havelock Islands

Places to visit:

Diving schools
Sea Link adventures
Kala Pathar beach

6. Neil Island

From bucket list adventures like scuba diving to less-preferred activities like sea walking, the islands of Andaman have got it all, and Neil Island is no exception. With friendly locals and amazing traditional restaurants, Neil island is the perfect escape where you get pretty much everything without moving around much.

Location: 36 km from Port Blair, South Andaman

Places to visit:

Laxmanpur beach
Natural beach
Sitapur beach

Also Read: Spend your next holiday in these beautiful islands of Paradise

7. Wandoor Beach

If you are into secluded getaways where you can break free from crowds and the rest of the world, visit the small village of Wandoor in South Andaman. For some reason, it looks detached from the rest of the islands by its slow pace. You can also look at crossing some of your bucket list items such as parasailing, snorkelling, and surfing to name a few.

Location: Wandoor village, South Andaman

Places to visit:

Jolly Buoy island
Red Skin island
Chidiya Tapu beach
Lacadives diving spot
Parasailing spot

8. Elephant Beach

Elephant Beach is a place you should definitely visit on your first trip to Andaman. Situated very close to Havelock, the beach is easily accessible from the main areas of Andaman and the coral reefs found here are second to none. Swim with them and you’ll know.

Location: Havelock Islands

Places to visit:

Mangrove forest
Dolphin spotting tours
Govind Nagar beach
Kala Pathar beach

9. Limestone Caves and Mud Volcanoes

If everywhere else in Andaman is just the sun, the sand and the sea, Baratang island is the rock, the caves and the volcanoes. This place is a must-visit, because, where else can you find a volcano filled with plain mud? The limestone caves, on the other hand, are residual sediment rocks which have formed a beautiful pattern over time.

Location: Baratang island

Places to visit:

Mud Volcanoes
Guitar island

Also Read: Top five islands for your next tropical vacation

10. Howrah Bridge

A bridge formed by rocks, beautiful, beautiful sunset views, and of course the typical beach — all these work in offering a fulfilling day trip in Andaman. Go ahead and explore the nearby beaches, you may even end up in a more paradisiacal location for watching the sun set.