ANDAMAN: More Of This Beauty

Are you a millennial whose Instagram feed is filled with influencers beach hopping in exotic locations with an expensive drink on one hand and camera on the other? So exciting. I’ve come to believe that every soul on earth should visit a beach at least once and surely that memory will be etched in their hearts forever. And since we’re talking about beaches and seas, one shouldn’t forget the home beauty, our Andaman Islands. 

Most of us have either been to this paradise or have planned to get there at some point or the other. However, the tour packages or travel agents have bound us to some cliche yet pretty locations, so, to get you out of your generic itinerary, we have brought to you some beautiful, offbeat destinations for your Andaman visit. 

The Andaman Islands are situated in the northeastern Indian Ocean about 130 km southwest off the coasts of Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady region. They are made of almost 200 islands and are the more explored ones as compared to the Nicobar Islands, which are largely unexplored because of the tribals. After the British colonization and Japanese occupation, the Andaman Islands finally became a part of the independent India in 1947 but were declared a Union Territory in 1956. 

Tourism serves as one of the biggest contributors to the islands’ economy for obvious reasons and the most preferred time of the year to visit this Indian beauty is between October to May leaving just a couple of months of monsoons. The most popular destination is usually Port Blair, the capital of the union territory. So, when you are up for a detour in Andaman, make sure to give these off-beat destinations a try:

BARREN ISLAND 

This island is located approximately at a distance of 135 km from Port Blair and has the only active volcano not just in India but in South Asia. There have been many recorded eruptions in this volcano, and it is a stratovolcano, meaning it has layers of hardened lava and ash. Apart from the volcano, the water surrounding the island is also worth exploring because of the underwater lava formations and coral reefs. As its name suggests, the place is inhabitable and hence no permanent human settlement is feasible here, this island is best suited for tourism and adventurous tourists should take this as a highly recommended spot. 

GUITAR ISLAND

If you are a solo traveller or someone who prefers solitude over socialising, your bucket list should be inclusive of destinations like Guitar Island. The cute name is derived from its guitar-looking shape and even more adorable is the island’s beauty. With turquoise waters and pristine beaches, this island is an untouched paradise. Considered one of the most scenic islands, it is located near Long Island and tourists can take a ferry from Port Blair which is approximately 90 km away. Kayaking in the leisure time can be a very good option for the tourists.

LITTLE ANDAMAN

If you have a knack for surfing, don’t miss this recommendation. 120 km away from Port Blair, this island is heavenly for nature lovers with top-notch surfing spots, dense rainforests and waterfalls. From boating or kayaking amongst the mangroves of Andaman to trekking in the rainforests, this destination is perfect for a 4-day long trip with your friends. A bunch of eco-resorts and guest houses make the island more preferred, renting a scooter is a secret tip. 

We hope that these couple of suggestions make your itinerary-making task a little easier for you.