The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a special cluster of jewels in India’s crown. With natural beauty stretching for miles, the glinting ripples of crystal clear water, the mysteries of the world underwater and the peace and serenity in the vast openness that surrounds you, this is certainly an ideal destination for a family vacation.
One of the best places to enjoy Sun and sand – (Picture credit: pexels-jess-loiterton)
Planning your trip:
Make sure you’re on top of your bookings when planning a trip to the Andamans. Of course, this involves determining whether you are travelling by yourself, with friends or family, and with or without children. Each travel dynamic has its own set of travel guidelines and planning timelines. Some useful tips, while booking is:
- Get mid-week tickets: Everybody is aiming for a long weekend getaway so flight tickets or hotel bookings are always going to be a struggle. Instead, opt for a mid-week booking, which is not only more likely to be available in more than one option, but will likely be lighter on your wallet as well.
- Vacation Time for Kids: If you’re travelling with kids, then plan your trip around their school vacations. There are three primary vacation options, namely, the summer holidays, Christmas vacation around December-January, and a Diwali break around October and November. Choose your tickets in a way that give your kids a couple of days to get back into school mode before their vacation ends.
- Early Birds: Remember, if you book your trip early, it’s likely you will have more flight and hotel room options. It’s always good to plan ahead. If you have a certain number of days on leave, book in between those days, in case you need to adjust your booking one or two days back and forth.
ever enjoyed sunset like this ? – (picutre credit : pexels-asad)
Best Time to go:
Summer
Summer in the Andamans begins in April and lasts till June, with warm but pleasant weather. This is the ideal time of the year for scuba diving, snorkelling, boat rides or trekking.
Winter
Tourist season oscillates between summer and winter, but winter is certainly more popular because of the pleasant and enjoyable weather. With temperatures ranging between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, winters are considered to be the best time to visit the Andamans for the best of indoor and outdoor holiday fun.
Monsoon
Now while water sports and underwater exploration may not be the highlight of this season, the monsoons are actually a beautiful thing to witness in the Andamans. The temperature drops to a comfortable chill and makes for great warm drinks and yummy hot snacks. This is a good time to visit for cosy, romantic getaways, and indoor fun with friends.
Read Further: Discover the Best Time to Embark on an Indian Journey
No matter what the weather is, chilling by the shore is just peaceful – (picture credits: ravigopal-unsplash)
Where to stay:
There is a vast range of hotels, resorts, homestays and AIRBNBs available that suits every budget and vacation preference. Whether it’s the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa or Barefoot at Havelock, you are certainly going to find a place of your liking to stay in.
The island has many unique stays – (picture credit: Barefoot_tripadvsior)
Things to do and place to visit:
Scuba Diving
Imagine an entire universe like no other, with colourful corals, strikingly patterned fish, a seabed of lush gardens and underwater foliage, surrounded by an undisturbed Bluegreen blanket of water. That’s what scuba diving feels like in the Andamans. Avail of a long line of silver shores, crashed into by playful ocean waves, and dive into this bedazzling world, with the many scuba diving schools around. And when you’re done delving deep underwater, you can bask under the sun and enjoy some delicious sea fare.
Dolphin Glass Bottom Boat
Want to see what’s underneath but not keen on getting wet? Not a problem. Try an Andaman Dolphin Glass Bottom Boat Ride, which lets you watch the underwater beauties that lie below sea level from the comfort of a cabin with a glass bottom! It’s the only one of its kind in India, in Port Blair (the only other one being in Australia). You’ll be gliding over the sea, without the wetsuit and flippers, and can rest at ease while the marine life below comes alive and glistens under the sunny sky. This ride is suitable for all age groups and is a great activity to do with your family.
Glass bottom boats are a thrilling adventure – (picture credit: pixabay)
Limestone Caves
Looking for something a little more educational for the kids, while still making it an adventure? Try the beautiful limestone caves in the Andamans. Limestone, a sedimentary rock formed at the bottom of the sea, is formed over millions of years, with compressed deposits of marine life, shells, corals and skeletons. They turn into unique and quite beautiful shapes that can be marvelled at in the limestone caves. The caves are lined with stalactites and stalagmites that have stood guard for millions of years.
Chidiya Tapu Biological Park
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast and more particular a birdwatching nut, then head over to Chidiya Tapu. Not only does it boast a spectacular sunset from along the coastline, but is also is home to over 40 varieties of regional birds. The Chidiya Tapu Biological Park was established in 2001, and houses a wide range of flora and fauna, working toward conservation and research of endemic and endangered species of plants and animals of the Islands.
a red-whiskered bulbul is not easy to spot in Andamans – (picture credit: Bishnu Sarangi)
How to get there:
Since the Andamans are islands, the two ways to get there are by sea or air. The airport is at Port Blair and is accessible by air from various major cities in India including Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam. If you want to travel by sea, you would have to sail from the ports of either Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam. The journey would take about 3 to 4 days.
also never forget to make most of the time – (picture credit: Somchai Sumnow_pixabay)
Keep in mind
Some important tips that will ensure your vacation is fully enjoyable include:
- Get a weather forecast for your period of stay in the Andamans before travelling there.
- Pre-book a local tour guide who speaks the local language as well as your preferred language, who can take you around.
- Always keep your luggage and travel documents locked and your IDs with you.
- Plan your trip in advance and save money.
- Observe the local dressing and social etiquettes, especially in the less commercial areas.
Feel the magic of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands deep within you, with spectacular sunsets, underwater treasures, rich historical landmarks and awesome fun! Perfect for a family vacation, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a cluster of stunning views and unforgettable memories, with only more to discover and enjoy, the next time you visit!
Check Out: Traveling to India from Australia Information
About Joynel Vaz
They say, "Curiosity killed the cat". But it only helped Joy grow. If there's anything that Joy is proud about, it's his beer belly, his unrelenting love for food and his bicycle rides. Our money will always be on him if he gets in an eating competition. We feel that Joynel's love for offbeat destinations come from his ability to quietly go about his work. He might not know where he is going, but he always keeps a watchful eye on his guests and knows their whereabouts.
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