Port Blair, located on the south east of SouthAndamanIsland, is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. It is the administrative centre of the islands and the arrival point for tourists coming to the Andamans. Port Blair has about 242 species of birds, 46 species of mammals and 78 species of reptiles (some of them endangered) making it atrue paradise for ecologists and ornithologists. Apart from its picturesque beaches and fascinating marine life, Port Blair also has a handful of tourist attractions like the Cellular Jail, various museums and a mini zoo. The sparkling waters, unpolluted beaches and kaleidoscopic marine life make Port Blair popular for activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing and fishing The population of Port Blair mainly depends on the tourists for their livelihood.
Port Blair is named for Lieutenant Archibald Blair of the British East India Company, who unsuccessfully attempted to establish a colony in 1789. Port Blair was re-established in 1858, as the site for a British penal colony. This was originally on ViperIsland, named after Lieutenant Blair's vessel, The Viper. The convicts, mostly political prisoners, suffered life imprisonment with hard labor under degrading, even cruel conditions. Many were hanged, while others died of disease and starvation.
As the Indian freedom movement continued to grow in the late Nineteenth Century an enormous Cellular Jail was constructed between 1896 and 1906 to house even more Indian convicts, mostly political prisoners, in solitary confinement. It is also known as "Kaala Pani" translated as "Black Waters". For a time during 1943 and 1944, Port Blair was the headquarters of the Indian National Army government under Subhash Chandra Bose.
Although damaged by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, Port Blair survived sufficiently to act as a base for relief efforts in the islands ravaged by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Source: wikipedia
Port Blair experiences a tropical climate with average temperature fluctuating between 23 and 30°C. The average relative humidity is 80%. There are mainly two seasons in these islands - summer and monsoon. The monsoon lasts from May to mid September and November to mid December therefore the best time to visit Port Blair would be between the months December to April with Dec-Jan being the peak tourist season.
Port Blair is the only place on the Andaman Islands where you can find money changing and banking facilities. Cash and travelers cheques can be changed at Port Blair. There are many travel agents and a few banks that offer money changing facilities. Some of the hotels also offer money changing facilities for their guests.
Walking is a good option - Port Blair is a fairly small town .
Auto-rickshaw's are abundant, (bargaining is usually necessary)
Local buses are also an option.
Scooters & motorcycles are available for hire from a few shops around MA Rd. Ask around, and also try your hotel.
Private hire cars are also available for local sightseeing around Port Blair and South Andaman.
Boats are available to destinations like RossIsland. You can also pay the local fishermen to take you on day trips to mangrove creeks (BridgetCreek is nice) or places like Mt Harriet National Park (where you can beach your boat and go birdwatching). Be sure to check with the Forest Deptartment before heading out, as many destinations require permits.
Source: wikipedia
Port Blair is the arrival point for tourists coming to Andaman Islands.
By Air: Traveling by air is the best option to get to Port Blair. The VeerDamodarSavarkarAirport in Port Blair has flights to 3 cities -Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi. Air Deccan, SpiceJet, Indian Airlines and Jet Airways have flights from Kolkata and Chennai. Jet Lite has a direct flight from New Delhi to Port Blair. Currently there are no international flights to Port Blair.
By Sea: Passenger ship services are available from Kolkata and Chennai and less frequently from Vishakapatnam to Port Blair. There are about 3-4 sailings a months from Chennai and Kolkata and about one sailing a month from Vishakapatnam. The schedules are erratic and there may be long delays at the harbours.Check with the Shipping Corporation of India, for the latest schedule.
The journey to Andaman by sea takes about 50-60 hrs hence it is advisable to fly unless you want to sail only for the experience on the sea (tariffs are about the same!)
Cellular Jail: The Cellular Jail, built by the British for over a period of 18 years from 1890 is a reminder of the gloomy past The Jail originally consisted of 7 wings radiating from the central tower, but only 3 remain today. The Cellular Jail houses a museums, a memorial, an art gallery and remains closed on Mondays.
IndianNavyMuseum: also known as the SamudrikaMarineMuseum is maintained by the Indian Navy. The museum has informative displays on marine life (exotic fish, corals, sea shells), pictures of the indigenous tribes and their life styles, information on the history and geography of the island etc.
AnthropologicalMuseum: The museum has an excellent collection of tools, clothing and pictures of the tribal inhabitants of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You can also find reconstructions of the tribal dwellings in the museum. The museum gives an insight into the lifestyle and culture of the local tribes. The museum remains closed on Thursdays.
Corbyn's Cove: is the nearest beach to Port Blair, lined with palms and popular with locals for swimming and picnicking.
Mini Zoo: Situated at Haddo, the mini zoo is a small zoo that houses some rare species of endemic birds and animals like the Nicobar Pigeon, the Andaman Pigand and the rare agile luminous-green Andaman gekko.
A short film is screened here at 10 am and 3 pm.
ForestMuseum and Chatham Saw Mill: 5 kms from Aberdeen Bazaar and located on the ChathamIsland, the saw mill was built by the British in the 19th century and is one of the largest wood processors in Asia. There is a forest museum inside.
Most of the accommodation facilities in Port Blair are found near the MA Rd or the Aberdeen Bazaar. A large variety of star hotels, resorts, guest houses and budget accommodation facilities to suit all pockets can be found in Port Blair, though the prices are slightly on the higher side as compared to the mainland. Budget accommodation can be found at the government-run hotels and guesthouses. However, all the hotels offer off-season fare at discounted rates.
The main shopping and commercial centre at Port Blair is Aberdeen Bazaar. Jewelry, wood-carvings and Port Blair t-shirts are available around Aberdeen Bazaar. You can also pick up multi hues sea shells as souvenirs. You can also shop at the Andaman Handicrafts Emporium.
There is aSound & Light Show, at Cellular Jail which depicts the brutal history of the Jail.Show Timings: .Daily in Hindi at 6 p.m. On Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday in English at 7 p.m. during tourist season (October- May). Language and timings may vary depending on the number of visitors.
Documentary films on Andaman and Nicobar Islands are screened at Andaman Teal House, Megapode Nest, Hornbill Nest once or twice a week.
RossIsland: Once the administrative headquarters of the British, most of RossIsland now lies in ruins. The British era buildings including grand ballrooms and manicured lawns were destroyed in an earthquake in 1941. The island was again damaged in the tsunami in 2004. There is a small museum on the island. The island is now under Naval control. A great 1/2 day trip from Port Blair.
ViperIsland: The Island was named after Lieutenant Blair's vessel, The Viper. See the brick jail and gallows built by the British in 1867.
Wandoor: a relaxed destination in its own right, but known more as the gateway to the MahatmaGandhiMarineNational Park which closed after the 2004 tsunami but has re-opened. A good source of info would be the Anugama Resort which one passes before reaching the Wandoor Jetty. There is a chance for ecotourism on the islands Jolly Buoy and Red Skin which are open during some seasons offering glass bottom boats, scuba diving and snorkeling as a way to see the park's coral reefs and marine life.
North Bay- most accessible snorkeling bay to Port Blair
Chiriya Tapu:a small fishing village with good snorkeling, located at the southern tip of South Andaman. Buses run several times per day from Port Blair and take 1.5 hours, or rent a scooter and drive yourself. The best snorkeling is at a beach about 2km south
CinqueIsland& Mt Harriet are other places of tourist interest near Port Blair.
