Known for its legendary beaches, amazing diving and exotic location, the islands of Andaman remain pristine till date. It has still not fallen prey to touristy plunder. The opaque emerald waters surrounded by primeval jungle, mangrove forests, snow-white beaches that melt under flame-and-purple sunsets and more is what defines the place. While the archipelago comprises some 300 islands, only a dozen or so are open to tourists, Havelock by far being the most popular for its beaches and diving.

This winter is the perfect time you should plan a vacation with family or friends to the Andamans. Luckily there are direct flights from Chennai and you can even opt for a ship journey one -way, just for the experience. You need atleast 5 days to actually soak into the beautiful sights and sounds. Once you land in Port Blair, there are quite a few places to visit. It has the famous Cellular Jail. Built in 1906, it is drenched in colonial and political history. Indian freedom fighters were jailed and gruesomely executed by the British in these confines. The overall architecture is fascinating.
The Light and Sound Show in the evening is a must see. Take kids along to Samudrika Marine Museum. If seeing more than 350 varieties of marine life doesn’t fascinate you then Nemo or clown fish surely will. You can see clam shells (their sale is banned), wide varieties of corals and even a complete skeleton of the blue whale at the museum. Another interesting place very close to Port Blair is Corbyn’s Cove. It is just seven kilometers from Port Blair and is the ideal spot for sunbathing and water sports. Lined with coconut and palm trees, the beach is ideal for basking in the sun on hammocks and enjoying water sports in the cerulean waters. The capital is also foodie’s paradise with numerous restaurants serving fresh seafood and other delights.

Just a 20-minute boat ride from Port Blair, visiting Ross Island, feels like discovering a jungle-clad Lost City, à la Angkor Wat, except here the ruins are Victorian English rather than ancient Khmer. The former administrative headquarters for the British in the Andamans, Ross Island in its day was fondly called the ‘Paris of the East’ (along with Pondicherry, Saigon etc etc…), but the cute title, vibrant social scene and tropical gardens were all wiped out by the double whammy of a 1941 earthquake and invasion by the Japanese Spend atleast two days in Port Blair.

Havelock Island

Then move on to the most popular place in Andamans, Havelock island. With snow-white beaches, teal shallows, a coast crammed with beach huts and some of the best diving in South Asia, it has a well-deserved reputation as a backpacker paradise. For many, Havelock is the Andamans, and it’s what lures most tourists across the Bay of Bengal, many of whom are content to stay here for the entirety of their trip. One of India’s prettiest and most famous stretches of sand is Radhanagar in Havelock. It’s a beautiful curve of sugar fronted by perfectly spiraled waves, all backed by native forest. The beach was listed as one of the Top 10 beaches in the world by Time Magazine.  It’s on the northwestern side of the island, about 12km from the jetty. You might definitely end up staying back more than a day in Havelock.

If you still have time head to Diglipur. Those who make it this far north are rewarded with some impressive attractions in the area. It’s a giant outdoor adventure playground designed for nature lovers: home to a world-famous turtle nesting site, Andaman’s highest peak and a network of caves to go with white-sand beaches and some of the best snorkelling in the Andamans. You can also take a trip to the tranquil coastal village of Kalipur.

On the last day of your trip, spend some time at the Aberdeen Bazaar to shop for some souvenirs. Port Blair isn’t exactly a shopper’s paradise. However, trinkets and local stuff like shell, bamboo and coconut are available in plenty. You can also buy pearl jewellery, mats made from local padauk wood and driftwood pieces from the Sagarika Government Emporium.

So what are you waiting for! You know where to head this winters.