50 shades of seas in the Andamans

Tripoto
Photo of 50 shades of seas in the Andamans 1/22 by Tamanna Tripathy
Photo of 50 shades of seas in the Andamans 2/22 by Tamanna Tripathy
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Photo of 50 shades of seas in the Andamans 6/22 by Tamanna Tripathy
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Photo of 50 shades of seas in the Andamans 22/22 by Tamanna Tripathy

50 shades of seas in the Andamans ! Lierally ! For proof - check out the photographs :-)

I am going to write about a trip that was made way back in 2008 but the picturesque memories are fresh as new.

Have you ever met a traveller who does not love the sea? I can almost bet, the answer would be a straight NO. They all love the beaches. But I have met travellers from India, who have an opinion that Indian beaches are not as beautiful as the beach coasts of South East Asia or Europe. They of course, have not made a trip to the Andamans yet.

Beautiful, pristine, clear waters, sometimes blue, sometimes green and sometimes grey - beaches of the Andaman island are surprisingly untouched and deserted. I would call it "nature in its best form" if I may. Some of the popular, not-to-miss places/islands/beaches are : Jolly Bouy island, Havelock island - Radhanag and Elephant beach, Ross Island, Neil Island, North-bay beach, Baratang Island.

How to reach - We took a flight from Kolkata to Port Blair, spent a couple of days in Port Blair. Then we took a ferry to the Havelock islands and spent a couple of days there

Best time - We went in April first week, but it was HOT and HUMID. You might want to go there between November and March to avoid extreme weather

Places to stay - You might not find the luxury chain of hotels in Port Blair / Havelock. But there are quite a few decent ones (look out on travel websites). In havelock, there aren't too many options. Dolphin resort is pretty decent and has a great location. Barefoot is the most popular one.

Must see - Cellular jail. Do not miss the sound and light showYou can also visit - Science center, Anthropological museum, Gandhi Park, Samudrika Marine museum if you have spare time. From port Blair, you can go to visit Ross island, Jolly Buoy island, Wandoor beach,

Once you arrive at Havelock (3 hour ferry from Port Blair) and check-in into a resort/hotel, you can head to Elephant beach. It is a little more crowded than the other beaches. But it is beautiful. There are corals and sea animals very close to the shore. There is option for snorkelling, glass boats etc. and the view inside water is totally worth the effort. Great place to click pictures as well since you'll find shades of blues and greens

Photo of Elephant Beach, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy
Photo of Elephant Beach, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy
Photo of Elephant Beach, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy

Radhanagar beach is ranked as one of the top 7 beaches across the globe by time's magazine. Mesmerizing white sand beach with huge waves. The sunrise/sunset view is to die for. The tranquility of the beach and the intense forest just across the shore takes your breath away. Best thing about it is that it is very clean and all the food shops are outside the beach area

Photo of Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy
Photo of Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy
Photo of Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy

This beach can be visited while staying at Port Blair. One needs to obtain the Forest department pass for a trip to Jolly Buoy island the next morning. The boat to this island leaves Wandoor at around 9 am. The boats usually get crowded with tourists. But the one-hour boat cruise over the beautiful blue waters makes it easierThe Island is amazingly beautiful with turquoise pristine waters surrounding it. Check out the pictures to see how the waters change colors. This is another place for snorkelling. Best thing about this place is that Jolly Buoy is plastic-free and junk-free, thanks to sensible and simple restrictions well enforced by the government

Photo of JOLLY BUOY, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy
Photo of JOLLY BUOY, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy
Photo of JOLLY BUOY, South Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India by Tamanna Tripathy