Neil Island: A Hidden Paradise in Andaman That You Must Visit

Neil Island

📍 Neil Island Jetty, Andaman and Nicobar IslandsView map ›

🗓 Best Time To Visit:October to February

⏰ Open Hours:24 hours

🏄 Things To Do:Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Beach Trekking, Bird-Watching

💰 Budget:N/A

🧳 Traveller Types:Families, Solo Travelers, Adventure Enthusiasts, Nature Lovers

📍 Known For:Natural Rock Bridge, Beautiful Beaches, Rich Marine Life, Unspoiled Coral Reefs

🚉 Distances:39 km from Port Blair Airport, 42 km from Port Blair City

🦜 Wildlife:Home to a variety of birds including parakeets, drongos, and doves

🏖 Beaches:Laxmanpur Beach, Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach

🏝 Accessibility:Accessible by boats and ferries from Port Blair and Havelock Island

💡 Tips:Carry sunblock and hats for protection against sun, Shoes recommended for walking on the coral beach

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a tropical island that is untouched by the crowds and chaos of the mainland? A place where you can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature, and indulge in some exciting and adventurous activities? If yes, then Neil Island is the perfect destination for you.

Neil Island is a small but stunning island in the Andaman archipelago, located about 40 km from Port Blair. It is one of the least explored and most pristine islands in Andaman, and offers a range of attractions and experiences for travelers of all kinds. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, Neil Island has something for everyone.

In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about Neil Island tourism, and help you plan and book the best vacation on this hidden paradise.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the amazing world of Neil Island.

Why Visit Neil Island?

Neil Island is a place that will make you fall in love with its natural beauty, its friendly people, and its laid-back atmosphere. Here are some of the reasons why you should visit Neil Island:

Pristine and Serene Beaches:

Neil Island has some of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in Andaman, where you can relax, swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the views of the turquoise sea and the green hills. Some of the popular beaches on Neil Island are Bharatpur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach, Sitapur Beach, and Ram Nagar Beach. Each beach has its own charm and character, and offers different activities and facilities for the visitors.

Rich and Diverse Marine Life:

Neil Island is a paradise for marine lovers, as it boasts of a rich and diverse marine life that can be explored through scuba diving, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat ride, and other activities. You can see a variety of colorful fishes, corals, turtles, dolphins, and even sharks in the waters around Neil Island. You can also visit the Coral Point, where you can witness the amazing coral formations and the marine ecosystem.

Friendly and Hospitable Locals:

Neil Island is home to a small and friendly community of locals, who are always ready to welcome and help the visitors. You can interact with them, learn about their culture and traditions, and enjoy their hospitality and warmth. You can also taste some of the delicious local cuisines, such as seafood, coconut, and fruits, that are prepared with fresh and organic ingredients.

Laid-back and Relaxing Vibe:

Neil Island is a place where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of the mainland, and enjoy a laid-back and relaxing vibe. The island has a slow and peaceful pace of life, where you can unwind and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. You can also indulge in some relaxing activities, such as yoga, spa, meditation, and massage, that will make you feel refreshed and energized.

Affordable and Comfortable Accommodation Options:

Neil Island has a range of accommodation options that suit every budget and preference. You can choose from resorts, hotels, cottages, homestays, and camps, that offer comfortable and cozy rooms, with modern amenities and services. You can also enjoy the views of the sea, the garden, or the hills from your accommodation, and experience the natural beauty of Neil Island.

How to Reach Neil Island?

Neil Island is easily accessible from Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the main gateway to the archipelago. You can reach Port Blair by flight or by ship from various cities in India, such as Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, etc.

From Port Blair, you have two options to reach Neil Island: by ferry or by cruise. Here are the details of each option:

By Ferry:

Ferry is the most common and economical way to reach Neil Island from Port Blair. There are regular government and private ferries that operate between Port Blair and Neil Island, and take about 2 hours to cover the distance. The ferry timings and availability vary depending on the season, weather, and demand, so it is advisable to book your tickets in advance.

You can book your tickets online or offline, through the official websites or the authorized agents. The ferry tickets cost around Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 per person, depending on the class and the operator.

By Cruise:

Cruise is a more luxurious and comfortable way to reach Neil Island from Port Blair. There are a few cruise operators that offer premium services and facilities, such as air-conditioned cabins, entertainment, food, and beverages, to the passengers. The cruise takes about 1.5 hours to reach Neil Island, and offers a scenic and enjoyable journey. The cruise timings and availability depend on the operator and the schedule, so it is advisable to book your tickets in advance. You can book your tickets online or offline, through the official websites or the authorized agents. The cruise tickets cost around Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2500 per person, depending on the operator and the package.

Here are some tips and advice on how to book and travel to Neil Island:

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit Neil Island is from October to May, when the weather is pleasant and the sea is calm. This is also the peak season for tourism, so you can expect more crowds and higher prices. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy some discounts, you can visit Neil Island from June to September, when the weather is rainy and the sea is rough. This is also the off-season for tourism, so you can expect less crowds and lower prices.

Best Places to Book:

The best places to book your tickets to Neil Island are the official websites or the authorized agents of the ferry or cruise operators. You can also book your tickets through some of the reputed and reliable travel companies, such as Tripoto, that offer hassle-free and convenient booking services. You can also compare the prices, timings, and availability of different operators and choose the best option for you.

Best Deals and Discounts:

The best deals and discounts for your tickets to Neil Island are available during the off-season, when the demand is low and the supply is high. You can also avail some discounts and offers if you book your tickets in advance, or if you book your tickets in bulk. You can also look for some coupons and vouchers that can help you save some money on your tickets.

Luggage and Documents Required:

The luggage and documents required for your travel to Neil Island are the same as for any other domestic travel in India. You can carry a maximum of 25 kg of luggage per person, and you need to have a valid photo ID proof, such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, etc. You also need to have a printout or a soft copy of your ticket confirmation, and a COVID-19 negative test report, if applicable.

What to Do on Neil Island?

Neil Island is a place where you can do a lot of things, or nothing at all. It depends on your mood and preference. You can explore the island, enjoy the activities, or just relax and soak in the ambiance. Here are some of the best things to do on Neil Island:

Explore the Beaches:

Bharatpur Beach: Bharatpur Beach is the closest beach to the jetty, and the most crowded beach on Neil Island. It is a white sand beach, with shallow and clear water, and a coral reef. It is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat ride. You can also find some shops, stalls, and restaurants near the beach.

Laxmanpur Beach: Laxmanpur Beach is a long and wide beach, with white sand, blue water, and a rocky shore. It is ideal for walking, sunbathing, and watching the sunset. You can also find some coral formations and shells on the beach, and some cafes and shacks nearby.

Sitapur Beach: Sitapur Beach is a small and secluded beach, with golden sand, green water, and a cliff. It is ideal for relaxing, swimming, and watching the sunrise. You can also enjoy the views of the natural bridge and the lighthouse from the beach, and some snacks and drinks from the vendors.

Ram Nagar Beach: Ram Nagar Beach is a remote and quiet beach, with black sand, clear water, and a forest. It is ideal for snorkeling, fishing, and camping. You can also spot some wildlife and birds on the beach, and some huts and cottages for accommodation.

Enjoy the Activities:

Neil Island is a paradise for adventure lovers, as it offers a range of activities and experiences that will thrill and delight you. Some of the popular activities on Neil Island are:

Scuba Diving: Scuba diving is one of the best ways to explore the underwater world of Neil Island, and see the amazing marine life and coral reefs. You can choose from different dive sites, such as Margherita’s Mischief, Bus Stop, and Junction, and dive with professional instructors and guides.

You can also get a certificate and a photo of your dive, and rent or buy the equipment and accessories. The cost of scuba diving ranges from Rs. 3500 to Rs. 6000 per person, depending on the dive site and the operator.

Snorkeling: Snorkeling is another way to enjoy the beauty and diversity of the marine life and coral reefs on Neil Island, without going too deep into the water. You can snorkel at any of the beaches on Neil Island, or take a boat ride to some of the snorkeling spots, such as Neil’s Cove, Kala Patthar, and Natural Bridge. You can also rent or buy the snorkeling gear and accessories, and get guidance and assistance from the staff. The cost of snorkeling ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1500 per person, depending on the snorkeling spot and the operator.

Glass-Bottom Boat Ride: Glass-bottom boat ride is a fun and easy way to see the marine life and coral reefs on Neil Island, without getting wet or wearing any gear. You can take a glass-bottom boat ride from Bharatpur Beach, and see the colorful fishes, corals, turtles, and other creatures through the glass bottom of the boat. You can also take photos and videos of the underwater scenery, and enjoy the views of the island and the sea. The cost of glass-bottom boat ride is Rs. 500 per person, for a 30-minute ride.

Cycling: Cycling is a great way to explore the island, and enjoy the views of the beaches, the fields, the villages, and the hills. You can rent a cycle from any of the shops or hotels on Neil Island, and ride along the roads and trails that connect the different parts of the island. You can also stop at any of the attractions or points of interest, and interact with the locals and the nature. The cost of renting a cycle is Rs. 100 per hour, or Rs. 500 per day.

Yoga, Spa, Meditation, and Massage: If you want to relax and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul, you can indulge in some of the wellness and holistic activities on Neil Island, such as yoga, spa, meditation, and massage. You can join a yoga class, or practice on your own, at any of the beaches or resorts on Neil Island, and learn the techniques and benefits of yoga.

You can also visit a spa, or book a massage, at any of the resorts or hotels on Neil Island, and enjoy the treatments and therapies that will soothe and heal you. You can also meditate, or practice mindfulness, at any of the peaceful and serene spots on Neil Island, and experience the calmness and clarity of your mind. The cost of these activities varies depending on the service and the provider.

Where to Stay on Neil Island?

Summer Sands Beach Resort:

Summer Sands Beach Resort is one of the best and most luxurious resorts on Neil Island, located on the Laxmanpur Beach. It offers spacious and elegant rooms, villas, and suites, with air-conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, minibar, and balcony. It also has a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, a spa, a gym, and a conference hall. It also organizes various activities and events for the guests, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, cycling, yoga, etc. The cost of staying at Summer Sands Beach Resort ranges from Rs. 8000 to Rs. 15000 per night, depending on the room type and the season.

Tango Beach Resort:

Tango Beach Resort is another excellent and affordable resort on Neil Island, located on the Bharatpur Beach. It offers cozy and comfortable rooms, cottages, and bungalows, with air-conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, and balcony. It also has a restaurant, a café, a garden, and a playground. It also arranges various activities and tours for the guests, such as glass-bottom boat ride, sightseeing, camping, etc. The cost of staying at Tango Beach Resort ranges from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 6000 per night, depending on the room type and the season.

Pearl Park Beach Resort:

Pearl Park Beach Resort is a charming and budget-friendly resort on Neil Island, located on the Sitapur Beach. It offers simple and clean rooms, huts, and tents, with fan, TV, and Wi-Fi. It also has a restaurant, a lounge, a library, and a terrace. It also provides various facilities and services for the guests, such as laundry, car rental, bike rental, etc. The cost of staying at Pearl Park Beach Resort ranges from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000 per night, depending on the room type and the season.

Sea Shell Neil: Sea Shell Neil is a modern and stylish hotel on Neil Island, located on the Ram Nagar Beach. It offers deluxe and premium rooms, with air-conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, minibar, and balcony. It also has a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and a garden. It also offers various amenities and conveniences for the guests, such as room service, airport transfer, travel desk, etc. The cost of staying at Sea Shell Neil ranges from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10000 per night, depending on the room type and the season.

Some Tips and Advice for Travellers

Here are some tips and advice on how to choose and book the best accommodation option for you on Neil Island:

Best Time to Book:

The best time to book your accommodation on Neil Island is as early as possible, especially if you are planning to visit during the peak season, when the demand is high and the availability is low. You can also book your accommodation during the off-season, when the supply is high and the demand is low, and enjoy some discounts and offers.

Best Deals and Discounts:

The best deals and discounts for your accommodation on Neil Island are available on the official websites or the authorized agents of the resorts or hotels. You can also book your accommodation through some of the reputed and reliable travel companies, such as Tripoto, that offer hassle-free and convenient booking services. You can also compare the prices, ratings, and reviews of different accommodation options and choose the best one for you.

Best Cancellation and Refund Policies:

The best cancellation and refund policies for your accommodation on Neil Island are the ones that are flexible and fair, and allow you to cancel or modify your booking without any penalty or charge, in case of any unforeseen circumstances or changes in your plan. You should also check the terms and conditions of the cancellation and refund policies before booking your accommodation, and make sure that you are aware of the deadlines and the procedures.

Neil Island is a hidden paradise in Andaman that you must visit if you are looking for a vacation that is relaxing, refreshing, and rewarding. It is a place where you can enjoy the best of nature, culture, and adventure, and create some unforgettable memories.

We hope that this guide has helped you to discover why you should visit Neil Island, how to reach it, what to do there, and where to stay. We also hope that you have found our tips and advice useful and helpful.

Now, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets, pack your bags, and get ready to explore the amazing Neil Island. We are sure that you will have a wonderful time there, and we would love to hear from you about your experience.

If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. We would be happy to answer them and assist you.

Thank you for reading this article, and we hope to see you soon on Neil Island. Happy travels!

Neil Island Reviews

Priyanka Kori

153 Followers

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For a person who connects more to the mountains than beaches it is a little difficult to fall head over heels for an island. But believe me Neil will make you fall in love with it in the first sight itself. Neil islandsis one of the islands in the southern part of the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands in India. Reaching there: The only airport in Andaman is situated in the capital city Port Blair. It can be reached by flights via delhi, chennai and kolkata. Once in port blair make your way towards the jetty. There are only 2 departures per day to go to Neil. A private cruise departing around 7:30am and a government ferry that leaves around 2pm. The government ferry is almost booked always because of cheaper rates and locals getting first preference. The cruise is therefore the best option. Tickets per person start around 700-1200 depending if you travel, economy, upper economy or premier class. It is around an hour and a half journey from port Blair to Neil. The cruise is fully air conditioned with canteen and restroom facilities and doesnt even make you feel sea sick. So be assured its going to be a smooth ride. 1: Small island : less people With the total length of the island being 14kms and a population of about 2k this is the place you would want to be to find that inner peace. The sun rises on one side and sets at the other side of it. You can hire a scooty or a bike and ride through the entire island twice or thrice daily. Being samller in size and lesser known than havelock, it sees comparatively less tourists 2: No mobile networks, no wifi, no cable tv-It actually takes you back in time Bsnl is the only operator which gives you ntework on this island. At times airtel as well will allow you to make and recieve calls. But all your 3G and 4G data packs wont work here so all that Instagram boomerangs and facebook check ins will have to wait. The only channel that comes on the TV is Doordarshan and maybe another one or two. So only a few handful people own a TV on the island. They still have a Panchayat, an active post office, a primary health care center and a typical village market where people sit under the banyan tree and actually talk to each other. 3: The day starts at 6am and ends by 8pm. All the shops and eateries will open by 6-7am. People here get up as the sun rises and go back home as it sets. So the main market will shut down by 8pm so make sure you take everything that you need till then. Some restaurants stay open till 10pm max. So back to age where the sunrise and sunset schedules your day and not the clocks. 4: No fancy restaurants, no petrol pumps There are only 3-4 big resorts at both ends of the island that have proper restaurants somewhat fancyish. Other than that there are only small eateries and shacks,some of whom serve the most amazing meals. There is no petrol pump on the island. Fuel is available in 1 litre bottles in almost all shops. So make sure to keep your tank full before sunset, because after the shops close its really difficult to find fuel. 5: Amazingly sweet and honest people Like when i dropped my wallet on the road while riding the bike, A car followed me a good 300-400 hundred meters to return it. Once late at night when the scooty ran out of fuel so we left it in the main market and a local guy dropped us in our hotel for free. After reaching we realised that we kept the helmet and sunglasses on the handle itself. We went back there in the afternoon to find both of them still present. Every random person you smile and wave at will wave back with a bigger smile. Two of the many examples why i fell in love with these people almost instantly. 6: One of the best corals in the country. I guess not only Neil but the entire Andaman and Nicobar islands have the best corals. So all you scuba lovers, this is the place to be. An amazing variety of fishes, clear visibility under water and colourful corals will want you to never come up. There are a number of shops which will even help you do a course in scuba diving, it is after all the island's most famous and favourite water sport. 7. Clean beaches, blue waters. The beaches are super clean and almost have white sand, which makes up for some amazing pictures. The sea is different shades of bright blue and green. And towards the shore the water is almost transparent allowing you to see the beautiful corals. One can spend hours just laying on the beach listening to the waves and watching the stars. 8: Beautiful roads with tall trees lining both the sides. Even on a busy evening,being on the road feels sooo peaceful. With trees lined on both the sides and birds chirping continuosly, you just cant get enough walks and strolls on them throught the day and night. The roads are well maintained and beautiful. 9: Blue sea resturant This one little shack is unlike the ones you have ever visited. Right at the entrance, the skull of a blue whale welcomes you. Hippie is the word that comes to your mind when you see the place. With small lights, shells and blue whale bones making up for wall hangings as decor. Run by a sweet bengali couple, the first conversation they have with you will be about the skull. You need to go to this place for the best sea food in the world, like literally. But you should go and give your order 3-4 hours prior so that they can catch and cook fresh sea food for you. It is very famous amongst the foreign nationals. And this is the only place on the island that stays open till 1-2am, till the costumers dont leave. Go their for some amazing grilled fish, crab curries and nutella pancakes and to make friends from other countries. 10: Everything is dirt cheap. We stayed in a room with shared bathrooms that cost us 400 bucks per day, that is even less than your Starbucks coffee. Breakfast cost for 2 people- 70-80₹ Activa on rent- 300₹ a day, petrol-80₹ per bottle Snacks- 30-40₹ Lunch and dinner for 2- 250-300₹ depending on where you eat and what you eat. (Cost for Seafood will obviously be more) Milk and milk products are expensive because the island does not have its own milk production and have to import all of it from port blair. Also carry your own alcohol, very difficult to find it here. So instead of saving for Maldives and Mauritius, visit this little island in your homeland and give it a chance to enchant you with its beauty. Go there before it gets famous ,crowded and loses itscharm.

Ginny Bansal

872 Followers

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Day 5: Neil Island We got up completely geared up to explore this pristine island. We started off with a special on request breakfast as there were few guests. The staff at the reception informed that a day was good enough to roam around Neil Island. We chalked out the four places that we had to visit: Bharatpur Beach, Natural Bridge, Sitapur beach and Laxmanpur beach.We headed to Bharatpur beach firstly as we were informed that adventure activities close by 12. We reached there and surprisingly all the water based activities were closed for the day as the water was being cleaned and the visibility was not good enough for glass bottom boats, snorkeling etc. At this point I breathed a sigh of relief thinking thankfully I did scuba in Havelock. We started off with some shopping besides the beach there were shell plates, beautiful coasters with shells insides, tried out hand at blowing the Conch Shell , also got to know as how to test the difference between a real pearl and an artificial one. This was like knowledge directly from the experts, you scratch the pearl on mirror, if it leaves a mark then its real else it’s fake. After this we resumed with our coconut drinking session, sipping on freshness and energy for the next adventure. Bharatpur beach is completely white sands, where you can actually walk on the dead corals, it seems like where sand, water and sky; it is a view to watch out for. You have to see it to believe it; we walked and walked till the point tides started getting high, it was time for the next place.The next we went to Natural bridge; I had seen this place in the documentary and was pretty excited to see it as it was difficult to believe that such a place exists where the rocks have actually placed themselves in such a manner thus forming a natural bridge . It is sea facing though the place is not very clean but you see different corals and other little insects. The place is a definite watch out; see it to believe it. The best part about all these places is you don’t pay an unnecessary entry charge for any of them. All you have to do is get down to the place and enjoy it.P.S: If you are going with this expectation that you will line up things to do, It’s a strict No. Andamans is all about the spirit, wallpaper beauty anywhere and everywhere , the feel of the place is good enough to keep you happy and high( you don’t even need Alcohol for it.)Next we went to Sitapur Beach, this beach was the most silent one with actually no one around Probably we went in the afternoon that is why but it was only me and my husband on the whole beach front to cherish those moments and observe a fisherman doing his daily task of catching the fish on order to earn his livelihood. You realize that life’s best moments are when you watch out something without really judging anything. The kind of silence and contentment on his face made me believe that life is a little more beautiful in small cities than the big towns which are nothing but just rushing to one place and another.And the last spot for the Neil Island, Laxmanpur Beach. This beach is famous for its sunset. Perfect weather and good company makes it even more a beautiful place. There was a lil market with few stalls with beautiful products. I bought a shell plate with a stand which was made out of one single piece of wood without any joints. An antique which you will find only in the Andamans. There were people in large number to catch the glimpse of the beautiful sunset. When I observe these people the only common thing is everybody is glued to their phone even when there is no network. The sunsets by around 5 and it’s the most surreal thing you will see, it seems like the sun is going down in the water. It’s a sight to store in your eyes and keep it in the best memory folder. The sunsets and the people stock up at the tea shop for Chai and Pakoras. With a view like this and chai to sip on and those tasty pakora to satisfy your hunger pangs, do we really need anything else from life. Well, I wish we humans had that kind of contentment. We don’t. We rushed back to the hotel and crash in the bed and dream about the Neil memories. Day 6

Subhrajyoti Parida

409 Followers

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As we sailed on the Coastal Cruise ship from Havelock Island on 15/12/2014, the scenic memories of the blue & pristine beaches kept on resonating in our minds. We had a feeling of an ultimate bliss at that time, but we never knew what more beautiful & exciting was kept in store for us in Neil Island, untill the next day i.e, on 16/12/2014. We docked after sailing for 45 mins. in Neil Island. It was about 4 in the afternoon, but this tiny island being on the far east of the Indian territory, Sun was fast setting down on the westen horizon. So we hurridly set off to our pre-booked resort located near to the Lakshmapur Beach, the Pearl Park Beach Resort (booked through makemytrip.com), so that we don't miss the splendid sun set in the Bay of Bengal. Unfortunately, after checking in to the resort, by the time we got ready and reached the spot just in the backyard of the resort, we were disappointed to find the western horizon completely covered by clouds and the Sun was hardly visible through those clouds.So, we had to satisfy ourselves with our personal photoshoot in the beach with the reddish western horizon as the backdrop.Even after nightfall, we preferred to stay there in the beach to spend some quiet time between us. After an hour or so, we finished up our dinner and hit the bed by 10pm.The next day, we woke up early and in casual attire, we went for a stroll in the beach nearby to enjoy the scenery early morning. The sea water appeared normal but the moment sun rays illuminated the beach, the water started to turn blue gradually and soon it turned turquoise. The sand was as usual white. We captured some of the scenic moments there and returned to our resorts after nearly 2 hours.Post breakfast we hired an autorickshaw, who readily agreed to take us a full day sightseeing in the island after some bargaining (courtesy : my dear wifey). The first place to visit is the very popular 'Howrah Bridge', as called locally by the dominant Bengali population settled here since many generations. It is actually a natural rock formation that resembles a bridge and is quite prominent once the tides recede overnight. Due to high tides in the night and its withdrawl in the day time, sea waves leave behind countless pools of clear water in the rocky beaches of Laxmanpur wherein variety of colourful marine life like star fish, sea cucumber, corals, sea horses etc., can be seen. It was truly a fabulous experience.We walked for nearly 200 mtrs on the rocky beach to reach the local 'Howrah Bridge' which was really a wonderful rock formation. There were other beautiful and intricate features around, which Mother Nature had made over millions of years. We had long hours of photo session there, and thereafter, moved to our next site in the island.

Sinjini

87 Followers

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Day 2 : Neil Island Places of interest : Bharatpur Beach , Laxamanpur Beach, Natural Bridge. How to reach : 2 hour cruise trip from Port Blair to Neil island I would like to add a word of caution for people who experience sea sickness or motion sickness: please don’t forget to carry your anti-vomiting meds along with you, because you can’t be too sure of the weather and the Ocean. But Neil Island is a beauty in itself and it is sure to carry you off your feet, with its charm. As soon as you land, you can take a while to admire the breathtaking view of the pristine blue water that surrounds you from all sides . I had pre-booked my stay at the ‘ Tango beach resort’ , which is right in front of the Laxmanpurbeach and you are privileged enough to get a view of the Sea and the beach from your cottage itself. In the later part of the day I had a thrilling experience, which came in the form of a glass bottomed boat or popularly known as the ‘Glass boat’ . It is sort of a ferry with a capacity to accommodate around 9 people at a time , and it takes you away from the Bharatpur beachto a point in the sea,where the water is around 40-45 ft deep . The motive of the glass bottom is to allow to get a glimpse of the oceanic life under water. Although it can be a bit scary for some to be sitting on a small ferry in the middle of the sea, amidst huge waves and strong winds , the view of the underwater world is sure to catch your breath away!! I personally caught a glimpse of some beautiful coral reefs, a shoal of yellow fish playing around the reef, lots of jelly fish(some even came on to our boat) , and many other nameless creatures .

Postcard Chronicles

1167 Followers

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As I was soaking in the stunning visual in front of me, I heard a voice asking me whether he could occupy the vacant seat next to me. He was tall, broad shouldered guy with a mop of dark hair and scythe shaped eyebrows that were offset by a boyish grin. He was sporting a Ryan Gosling beard that had a tinge of salt and pepper style. To top it all he had a husky voice. He must be in late thirties, and he looked handsome AF. I swear men when they age, they tend to become smarter and dapper. The initial courtesy exchanges were the conversation starters, after which topics easily flowed between us when we found out we liked some of the same books. We talked about movies, politics and most importantly travel. He worked with a major travel giant in UK and had travelled to some 30 countries and he was planning to stay in the island for good 3 months. My travel aspirations grew higher hearing his stories. The 3 hours cruise ride flew in a jiffy or that’s what it felt like. Finally I bid bye to him and took a rick to my resort. It struck to me then that neither of us asked names nor exchanged numbers. Getting Stranded With the entire day in hand, I started exploring the island. It was remote, scenic and exotic making it the prefect destination for my birthday. As the day passed by, the stormy weather from Chennai had followed me all the way to Andaman. Clearly the weather Gods couldn’t believe that I was finally enjoying the day so they had decided to put on a show. Which started as mild rainfall transformed into a never-ending downpour, armed with strong winds and heavy tides (Perks of having your birthday in December).