Floating across the Bay of Bengal, this port city in the Andaman archipelago is a beautiful tourist destination. This port city is the major centre in island. There are a variety of attractions in and around Port Blair. Port Blair is famous for diving, snorkeling and glass bottom boat trips offering the sight of beautiful coralline and marine life. Nearby Port Blair is the historically important Viper and Ross islands. Some of the must visit place in Port Blair are:
Cellular Jail
Cellular Jail, located at Port Blair is a silent witness of the harassment on the freedom fighters, who were put in this jail. Cellular Jail was a seven pronged, puce-coloured building with central tower acting as its fulcrum and a massive structure comprising hexagonal shaped corridors. The building was damaged and now three out of the seven prongs are intact. The Jail is now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people. It has been declared as a National Memorial.
This place has great historical significance. The patriots who raised their voice against the British Raj were sent to this Jail, where many of them were tortured to death. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag to proclaim Independence on 30th December 1943 at a place near this Jail.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor is located at a distance of 29 Km from Port Blair is one of the best park in the whole world. . This park covering an area of 281.5 Square Km. is made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is a wonderful place to visit. Unlike other parks Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park offers you an amazing sight of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats. One can also enjoy SCUBA diving and Snorkeling here. Visiting this park is a unforgettable experience.
Gandhi Park
Gandhi Park situated at Port Blair offers a variety of entertainment options for the visitors. This Park has facilities for exciting amusement rides, water sports, nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese Temple as well as a bunker. The erstwhile Dilthaman tank, the one and only source of drinking water to Port Blair, and the areas around it is situated in Gandhi Park. This tank has been developed very fast within just 13 days.
Sippighat Farm
Sprawling over an area of 80 acres this is a Government farm for the Research & Development programmes for cultivation of spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut and pepper. Research and Demonstration farm of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is located nearby.
Chidiya Tapu
Chidiya Tapu at the southernmost tip of South Andaman is an ideal picnic spot with breathtaking beauty of lush green mangroves, Munda pahar beaches, forest cover with numerous chirping birds and the Sylvan Sands. The forest guesthouse situated on top of the hillock offers the magnificent sight of isolated islands and submerged corals. You can also see the mesmerising view of sunset from here.
Collinpur
Located at a distance of 36 km from Port Blair Collinpur is a shallow sandy beach. This is the best place to relax viewing the amazing sunset. You can also enjoy swimming and sun basking here.
Madhuban
Madhuban situated north east of south Andaman is a favorite haunt of adventure lovers. This is a popular trekking area. During trekking you can enjoy the sight of exotic endemic birds, animals, butterflies, and elephants. Trekking in this wonderful place is a lifetime experience.
Mount Harriet
Mount Harriet, the highest peak in the South Andamans holds a glorious past. This place was the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj. This is an ideal location for a nice and fascinating overview of the outer islands and the sea.This place also offers exciting trekking opportunities. You can can trek upto Madhuban through a nature trail and can find rare endemic birds, animals and butterflies.
Mini Zoo
Mini Zoo Situated at Haddo is another place to visit. This Zoo has a collection of some of the rare species of endemic birds and animals found in these islands.
Corbyn’s Cove Tourism Complex
This is one of the most picturesque sea-beaches in here. This beach offers you wonderful opportunities for sea bathing and sun-basking. The Waves Restaurant, The Peerless Resort nearby and the Hornbill Nest Guest House at a stone's throw are some other most visited places in here. Nest Guest House provide a kaleidoscopic view of the blue water front.
