Things to do in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Things to do in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, an archipelago of 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal, is India's tropical island paradise — home to some of Asia's finest beaches, world-class diving and snorkeling in pristine coral reefs, dense tropical rainforests, and some of the world's last surviving isolated indigenous tribes. Port Blair, the capital, is home to the historic Cellular Jail — a sobering reminder of India's freedom struggle — while the turquoise waters and white sand beaches of Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) Islands consistently rank among the world's best beaches. The marine biodiversity, including sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, and rare endemic bird species, make the Andamans a dream destination for divers and nature lovers.
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2–4 hours per dive session
Scuba Diving
Dive into the Andaman's extraordinary underwater world — rated among Asia's top 5 dive destinations. Explore coral gardens teeming with reef fish, sea turtles, manta rays, white-tip reef sharks, lionfish, moray eels, and macro life around dive sites like Barracuda City, the Wall, Aquarium, and the famous WWII-era wreck dives near Havelock Island.
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1–3 hours
Snorkeling
Snorkel in the crystal-clear shallows of Elephant Beach (Havelock), Jolly Buoy Island, and Red Skin Island — pristine coral reef ecosystems accessible to non-swimmers in just 1–3 metres of water, teeming with clownfish (Nemo), parrotfish, sea turtles, and vibrant hard and soft corals.
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1–2 hours
Glass Bottom Boat Ride
View the underwater coral world without getting wet — glass-bottom boats at North Bay Island (near Port Blair) and Elephant Beach allow visitors to see colourful reef fish, sea anemones, sea turtles, and living coral through glass panels in the boat's floor.
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45–60 minutes (in water)
Sea Walk
Walk on the ocean floor at 5–7 metres depth wearing a helmet-like diving bell (no swimming or diving skills required) at North Bay Island or Havelock — a unique experience of observing marine life at eye level, hand-feeding reef fish, and walking among corals without any training or equipment expertise.
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2–3 hours (includes evening show)
Historical Cellular Jail Tour
Visit the Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) — the notorious colonial prison in Port Blair where British authorities incarcerated Indian independence fighters. The radial seven-wing structure (1906) is now a national memorial. The evening sound and light show narrating the stories of imprisoned freedom fighters is profoundly moving.
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1–2 days per island
Island Hopping
Island-hop between the Andaman's diverse islands by government ferry or private speedboat — Neil Island (coral reefs and laid-back beaches), Ross Island (abandoned British capital being reclaimed by jungle), Baratang Island (limestone caves and mangrove creeks), and Little Andaman (most remote; bioluminescent plankton beaches) each offer unique experiences.