Few mins away from touristy Havelock is this little island called Neil. This Island has an area of 13.7 square kilometers only. Given the flat landscape and the small area, Neil can be bicycled around with minimal effort. This island is relatively cheaper compared to its neighbouring Havelock Island.
Cost:
Ferry tickets- From Port Blair to Neil: Rs 300
Stay – there are plenty of eco huts ranging from Rs 300 to 500.(Sunrise cafe – Rs 500, Garden View –Rs 300, Kalapani – Rs 500)
Transport – Rs 100 per day to rent a cycle, local bus tickets cost you around Rs 7. Cabs and auto rickshaws are available too, they charge anywhere between Rs100 to 200 to take you around.
Food – Rs 100 to 200 for a basic meal. There are a few small restaurants in the town square which offer you a sumptuous fish meal for 150 bucks.
Activities- Rs 3000 for Scuba Diving, you can get it done cheaper in Havelock Island. Glass bottom boat ride will take you around and show you corals for anywhere between Rs 500 and 1000 depending upon the length and distance of the ride. You are free to snorkel anywhere so I went down Sitapur beach and beach no.3 to snorkel.
Ferries from Port Blair to Neil leave at around 6, 8 and 11 am approximately. I was there 2 hours in advance to book the ticket. It took me almost an hour and a half to reach Neil from Port Blair. Since it was a Sunday afternoon most businesses were shut, I found a cab guy who took me from the jetty to the end of Sitapur for Rs 200. By the way, few Eco huts rent out bicycles, so do get one if you are traveling light. Sitapur was a nice little end of the world, the Eco huts I stayed in was called sunrise. Friendly people, cheap huts and good food were the highlights of this place. Hanging out outside my hut on my hammock was my favorite pastime.
A short walk away from this hut is Sitapur beach. If you like to snorkel, ask the hotel guy, he will tell you few spots. I went snorkeling in the afternoon, the water was clear and I got to see some marine life. Later that evening, I had dinner at Garden View. The people there are friendly and the food was nice.
Day 2:
I woke up early that morning and went down to the beach to watch the sunrise, it was dark and empty. I walked further down the beach for some solitude. The sun finally came up sending chills down my body and suddenly out of nowhere there were tempo travelers loaded with tourists who came to watch the sunrise. Neil can get touristy at times.
Later that day I went scuba diving, it was my first time. I was initially nervous but my instructor put me at ease. For the first time I realised that there is a whole different world underwater, it is peaceful, serene and thrilling, you never know what you can expect. The world just got more beautiful after this amazing experience.
Day 3:
Went for a swim in the morning in Beach no.3. It was a bright and pleasant day, the weather was perfect for a walk in the woods. A little ahead from the power station is a road on to the left that leads you to a small village, ask a local from the village the way to the "jungle" and they will guide you. While I walked through the woods I felt disconnected from civilization, all I could hear is the crackling sound of the dried leaves on the forest floor and the chirping of the birds as I walked through quite a dense forest coupled with mangroves. At a distance I could hear the sea roar. The sun was glistening through the canopy of trees. There was so much peace in those woods.
Tip: Tag a local around to explore these woods further, they know the place well.
Day 4:
After returning my bicycle, I took a local bus to the jetty, bought my return ferry tickets and left for Port Blair.
There are few other spots like the sunset point and coral point in Neil Island, I had covered it last time I was in Neil. Natural Bridge is worth seeing too.
Neil indeed was an exotic place, turquoise water, green forests and friendly people. It is slightly expensive as compared to the rest of India but if you do come to Andaman and Nicobar islands, Neil Island is worth a visit.