Port Blair is a beautiful scenic capital city of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The city hasstunning beaches and delicious food, and it also offers exciting tours for wildlife enthusiasts. Don’t forget the history of the island too. There are tourist places in plenty but we’ve chosen the top 5 attractions in Port Blair which you must visit when you head to islands.
Cellular Jail
The outer facade of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair
Once a symbol of British oppression on Indian freedom fighters, the Cellular Jail today is a National Monument. Completed in 1906, it was originally a seven-block three-story structure built around a central tower. It consisted of single cells (hence the name Cellular Jail) for solitary confinement only.
The Jail Museum (entry and camera charges apply) remains open on all days except national holidays, from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.45pm. Catch the tales associated with the Jail in the Son-et- Lumiere (entry charges apply; online booking available).
Samudrika
Port Blair has several museums providing information on the local flora and fauna of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Among them, Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum) in the Delanipur area contains a large collection of cells, corals and colourful fishes found in the area. It is open from 9am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 5pm on all days except Mondays and holidays.
Tip: The Fisheries Museum and the Zoological Survey Museum are worth a visit if you are interested in knowing more about the marine flora and fauna.
Anthropological Museum
This ethnographic museum throws light on the four Negrito tribes of the Andaman (Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese and the Onges) and two Mongoloid tribes of the Nicobar (Nicobarese and Shompens). Open from 9am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm on all days except Mondays and government holidays.
Corbyn’s Cove
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Port Blair, Cobyn’s Cove is like a window to the beautiful sea beaches seen in the Andman & Nicobar Islands. Screened by coconut palm trees, the six km beach on the Bay of Bengal is popular for swimming and water sports. Snake Island, opposite to Corbyn’s Cove is a popular with scuba divers. State tourism department runs the Waves Restaurant and Beer Bar here.
Chidiya Tappu
Chidiya Tappu (28km from Port Blair, connected by frequent bus service) is the southern-most tip of the south Andaman Island. Go birdwatching. Enjoy the scenic sea view and the sunset. Take a look at the Biological Park. But do follow the boards indicating the ‘safe areas’ because there are crocodiles around.
Ho w to get to Port Blair: Multiple airlines fly to Port Blair from various metros. The other option to see Port Blair tourist attractions is to take a ship. Ships ply from the mainland (Kolkata, Chennai, Visakhapatnam) to Andaman & Nicobar regularly.
