Breathtaking Islands of Andaman for a Tranquil Vacay

Havelock Island is one of the largest and most popular islands in Andaman and Nicobar. Havelock Island is a paradise of silky white sand beaches, crystal blue water, rich corals and verdant forests. There is no dearth of beauty on this little island as the reputed and much-loved Radhanagar and Vijaynagar Beaches are also right on its southern shores.

Neill Island is a part of the South Andaman Administrative District and belongs to Ritchie’s Archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. A part of the massive ocean separates it from Ross Island and Havelock Island, Tourists visiting Havelock often make a day-long trip to Neill Island. 

Located just 2 kilometres east of Port Blair is the Ross Island; an island which was once the administrative headquarters of the British, but today is only an uninhabited island that is recognised solely for its beauty and scenic views. Following an earthquake that hit Ross Island in the year 1941, the British left the island and shifted their settlement to Port Blair. 

The Andaman Islands are blessed with some of the most stunning beaches in India. Covered with ash coloured sand and tropical trees; these islands make up for the best places to unwind at. Among the group of about 300 islands, North Bay Island in Andaman is most preferred by tourists for its breathtaking coral reefs and exhilarating adventure activities. 

Little Andaman, a beautiful island with crystal blue waters and clear sand beaches all around, is the fourth largest island of Andaman. The island is home to an extensive rainforest and rare species of marine turtle. If you explore enough, you could also come across some breathtaking waterfalls. This mesmerizing Little Andaman is a traveller's paradise with numerous hotel stay options by the beach.

Long Island is a small island in Andaman mostly recognized for village tourism. It is famous for its untouched white sand beaches, dense natural vegetation that forms the tropical forests and its marine life. The untouched scenery and exquisite beauty of Long Island attract tourists with an eye for beauty and a sense of adventure. 

Baratang Island is a beautiful little island in the North and Middle Andaman Administrative district and is situated about 100 kilometres away from the capital city of Port Blair by road. It is not explored as much as the other islands of this union territory of India and hence, is a delight for the offbeat traveller. 

Diglipur, a large island located in the North Andaman area, is an ecological paradise. The island houses rows of tropical forests, mangroves, and lovely beaches rich in exotic marine life. Kalipur Beach, Ross & Smith Islands, Ramnagar Beach, and Pathi Level Beach are all located in Diglipur, which makes it a favourite destination among tourists. 

Located about 135 kilometres to the northeast of Port Blair, Barren Island is situated at the intersection of the seismically active Indian and Burmese plates and is 1.8 million years old. It is home to the only active volcano in the Indian subcontinent. As the name suggests, the island is largely uninhabited, thanks to the volcano eruptions that take place here at frequent intervals. 

Years before Cellular Jail was constructed, Viper Island was used by the British to keep the freedom fighters in exile. You can still see the remains of the jail which was built in 1867 by the British. The island is breath-taking and serene and got its name from the vessel in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to Andaman and Nicobar in 1789. 

Jolly Buoy is home to a rich diversity of corals, marine life, and myriad shades of blue and is the most famous island in the archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar. It is a part of Mahatma Gandhi National Park and thus displays a rich variety of underwater life. The clean and serene water with white sand beaches make it one of the most preferred vacation destination in the south. 

Located at a distance of 20 km from Diglipur and 35 km from Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands, Twin Islands are a gorgeous pair of islands that belong to the South Andaman administrative district. The twin islands of Ross and Smith are joined together by a narrow sand bar, making them a single entity. 

Located on the western side of the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Narcondam Island is a very tiny volcanic island which is still inhabited and is lately turning out to be a top tourist destination. Sprawling over a small 6.8 square kilometres, the island’s highest point is 710 m and it is formed of very igneous rock- andesite. 

Also known as the Little Neil Island, Rose Island is one of the most gorgeous and uninhabited islands of the Andaman Islands. Located at a distance of 40 kms from Port Blair, Rose Island belongs to the South Andaman administrative district. It also has a lighthouse installed at the top of a hillock which attracts tourist attention.

The Avis Island Beach is a public island beach for individuals wishing to spend some time away from crowds and in their own solitary company. Avis Island is an uninhabited beach, which automatically makes activity on the beach lesser and the beach itself more isolated. 

One of the numerous exquisite but uninhabited islands of Andaman and Nicobar, Guitar Island is as beautiful and rewarding a destination as one can be. With brilliant blue water all around and tropical greens inside, this island makes for a stunning day trip from the main island. Out of the 572 pristine islands of Andaman and Nicobar, 38 are forever and permanently uninhabited.

Red Skin Island is one of the 15 beaches found inside the Marine National Park of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It may be considered an alternative to Jolly Buoy Island as they are adjacent to each other. This island is a promised relaxed journey on a beach that is paradise alike. The picturesque beach and adjoining forest make for a picture-perfect holiday that attracts tourists yearly. 

Parrot Island, a peculiar sort of home to thousands of fluttering parrots, looks like a whole new empire of wilderness born out of the salty waters of the Indian Ocean. Every day, hosts of green parrots arrive at the island as a part of their daily ritual, which is a spectacle to behold. Once in a while, we come across something so beautiful yet bizarre, exquisite yet inexplicable, that we find no words to quite describe it.

Rutland, lined with virgin beaches, is one of the lesser visited of all the islands located in the southern part of Great Andaman archipelago. The pristine beach, lined with mangrove forests and coral reefs is a great place to connect with nature and relax.

Located 26 km from the capital, Port Blair, Cinque Island is an inhabited isolated part of the Andaman Archipelago. It is nestled between Passage and Duncan Island towards the north side. The island is further divided into North and South Cinque Islands. The islands are collectively a part of Wandoor Marine National Park, or more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

One of the many beautiful yet secluded islands of Nicobar archipelago, Katchal Island is a destination that combines a hair-raising past and an abundant beauty waiting to be explored. Between Andaman and Nicobar, talks about the latter is mostly overshadowed by its more popular and much more visited neighbour. Thus the stunning beauty of the pristine Nicobar Islands stays hidden from the world at large mostly.