Top 5 Reasons Why You Must Visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Andamans is fast catching up with the famous tourist destinations of the country. Even though we generally associate Goa with beaches in India, it is actually Andaman and Nicobar Islands that truly give you the wonderful experience of beaches and vast oceans. Andamans lies in the south-east part of India. It is a group of islands that includes 572 islands out of which only 36 are inhabited. The rest of the 536 islands are uninhabited and are reserved forests.
I have lived in the islands since last 3 years and in these three years, I have totally fallen in love with the place. It has been a life-changing experience for me and I adore the islands for these.
If I have to tell somebody the main reasons to visit this group of islands, I can go on and on but for this post, I would keep it to the top 5 reasons.
- Beautiful beaches – Not many people know that Andamans is home to many amazing beaches that give the experience of nature at its best. Also, not many know that Radhanagar Beach of Havelock Islands, Andamans is named as the world’s seventh best and Asia’s best beach by the renowned Time magazine. Not just Havelock, almost every island in Andamans has a beach worth visiting.
- Crystal clear sea water – This is the thing that sets Andamans apart from other famous Indian coastal areas. Andamans offers you the crystal clear water. In some beaches, the water is so transparent that you can see your feet clearly in the water. It is not a densely populated area and thus the beaches and the oceans are quite clean here.
- Rich marine life – Andamans offers a great scope in diving deep into the oceanic marine life. You can go for scuba diving at Havelock Island and snorkel at Wandoor beach, Havelock Island, and Neil Island. There are few other water sports that can be experienced in Havelock beach. I once went for snorkeling at Neil Island and I call it the best experience of my life so far. Floating on the sea and watching the colorful fish, corals and marine life deep down the sea is definitely a must do activity in Andamans.
- Numerous islands to choose from – One can actually do an island hip-hoping in Andamans if one wishes to. There are about 10s of islands that tourists can visit. Some of the common and the most beautiful ones are Ross and Smith Island, Havelock Island, Neil Island, Hut Bay Island, Campbell Bay Island, Avis Island and many more. While some may think that all islands are same, as a resident and as an ardent traveler I must say I have never found two identical or rather similar islands. For me, every island has a different beauty and has its own charm.
- Warm-hearted people – This is so unlike any other tourist destination in India. People in Andamans do not represent any particular religion, region, language or caste. There are people of all religions and regions living in perfect harmony. Which is why even though people here different languages like Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi and Bengali, Hindi is widely spoken and is the common language of this place? Almost everyone knows Hindi. People are kind-hearted and once you are here, you know you are in a safe place.
Andaman and Nicobar islands is a wonderful place to visit. Not only because of the beauty that this place beholds but also because of the different perspective it offers to you. On half of the islands, there is no internet and at many places, your phone would not get network access.
People who cannot imagine their lives without internet or phone must come here and see how trivial this technology is and how big life otherwise is.
My three-year stay in Andamans has taught me that a human being basically needs very little to survive. We have deliberately increased our needs and consequently complicated our lives. If you think you need a vacation to uncomplicated and simplify your life, come to Andamans. 🙂
About Author
Surabhi Surendra lives in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and blogs at Know Andamans. Subscribe to her blog to get her ebook ‘10 Must Do Things in Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ for free! You can also connect with her on Facebook.
While the Andaman islands and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal have become a renowned tourist attraction today, at one time they were used as a settlement for punishing Indian convicts.
Andaman islands are an amazing destination…there is nothing more exotic than going to Andaman & Nicobar.
Andaman islands are surely an amazing destination. Apart from Havelock, Neil and port blair there are number of other destination which are amazing here. One of the best place to relax and rejuvenate from chaotic lifestyle.
I never knew Andaman to be so amazing to look at. Thank you so much for the details mentioned here. I would be glad to know more about Andaman Islands.
thanks Barbara….