If you plan a trip to Andaman and want to explore more than just the beaches, you’ve come to the right place. The Andaman Islands are renowned for their stunning beaches, but it offers so much more to explore beyond the white sandy shores. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking to immerse yourself in the local way of life, this guide lists the 19 best activities to do beyond the beaches, uncovering the hidden gems of the Andamans.
19 Activities to do at the Andaman Islands (Beyond the Beaches)
Table of Contents
1. Dolphins Spotting
If you’re taking an early morning or evening ferry, spotting dolphins in the Andaman Sea is very likely. We were lucky to spot them twice on our Diglipur and Port Blair journey. We saw them once quite close to our ferry, but it was a bit further away the other time. Seeing them frolicking in their natural habitat gave us untold joy. If you’re lucky, you might also see the dolphins.
2. Waterfalls & River Pools
The Kalpong River, the only river in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, forms a series of clear water pools during the summer season. These crystal-clear pools are perfect for swimming. We highly recommend you go with a local person from Diglipur for the Kalpong River Waterfall. At least try to go until the second large pool area.
- Contact of a local auto driver, Jayanth (who is also familiar with the route): +919476096177, speaks Hindi
3. Island Hopping
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an archipelago of 572 islands, of which 550 are in the Andaman group, and 22 are in the Nicobar group. Some islands are not inhabited, and others are restricted to visitors. Here are a few islands popularly visited by tourists on their Andaman trip.
- Ross Island, Port Blair
- Havelock Island or Swaraj Dweep
- Neil Island or Shaheed Dweep
- Baratang Island
- Red Skin Island
- Jolly Buoy Island
- Ross & Smith Island, Diglipur
- Long Island
- Little Andaman
4. Jarawa Tribes
Between the Jirkatang check post and Baratang lies the forest where about 750-1000 Jarawa tribal people reside. This tribe is said to have been inhabitants of Andaman for over 55,000 years. It is a protected area that respects the tribal people. The Government has passed strict regulations in this regard. Vehicles are allowed to pass this area only at certain times of the day, accompanied by a convoy, and cannot stop midway.
The tribal people reside deep in the forests, and you can find them on the side of the road if you are lucky. They are self-sufficient for the most part. However, the government supplies rations and amenities to them upon request. Some members of the tribe can communicate in Hindi.
We were lucky to see some members of the Jarawa tribe during our journey. However, government regulations strictly prohibit photographing them or stopping vehicles on the highway in the protected area.
5. Birdwatching at Andamans
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is home to 9 National parks. It is considered a paradise of biological diversity. A total of 280 species of birds are found in A & N Islands belonging to 56 families. Though the A & N Islands form only 0.25% of the landmass of India, they support 12% of the endemic avifauna. You can see or hear different species of birds and animals just by walking or traveling on the roads. These islands are a haven, especially for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Saddle Peak National Park is one of the best places to go bird watching in Andaman.
6. Explore the Caves
The Baratang Limestone Cave and the Alfred Caves are the two significant cave systems in the Andamans. Among the two, the Baratang Limestone Cave is frequented by tourists. You can hop on a boat from the Baratang Jetty or Nilambur Jetty to reach the entrance to the limestone caves. You must walk through the mangroves to see the stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The rocks shimmer brightly in many places. Some of the most notable cave formations include the shapes of an eagle claw, a sinkhole, a crocodile head, and a baby elephant.
Alfred Caves is a series of 42 caves, of which only 28 are allowed for visitors. It is located at Ramnagar, near Diglipur. You have to trek through the jungles to reach the cave entrance. A forest official will guide you in exploring the caves. If you’re visiting during the breeding time of Swetlet or Hawabill between January and June, you can see their eggs and their nest built from their saliva. The caves are very narrow in some parts and are home to several bat colonies.
7. Saddle Peak Hike
Standing at 732 m, the Saddle Peak is the tallest point in the Andaman Islands. It is nestled in the midst of the Saddle Peak National Park. If you are a hiking enthusiast, consider undertaking this beautiful hike. It is a trek of beginner to moderate level difficulty. Refer to the Saddle Peak hiking guide for more information about the hike.
8. Turtle Nestling
Kalipur Beach near Diglipur is an ideal turtle nesting ground and is the only beach of its kind that four species of sea turtles – Olive Ridley, Leather Back, Hawksbill, and Green Turtles, call home. The nestling happens between November and March. Hundreds of turtle eggs are collected, segregated, protected, and left on the shores by the forest department once the hatching is done. We were lucky to spot a small turtle at Kalipur Beach wash ashore in May. Ramnagar Beach is also famous for tortoise nestling.
9. Mud Volcano
A mud volcano is created by natural gasses emitted by decaying organic matter underground. As the gas pushes the mud containing rock fragments upwards, it deposits and hardens on the ground. Mud volcanoes are not true igneous volcanoes as they do not produce lava and are not necessarily driven by magmatic activity. They may range in size from merely 1 or 700 m in height and 1m to 10 km wide. Smaller mud volcanoes are sometimes referred to as mud pots.
Mud Volcanoes can be seen in two places in Andaman: Shyam Nagar (close to Diglipur) and Baratang. While the one at Baratang is frequently visited by tourists, the mud volcano at Shyam Nagar is huge and rarely visited by tourists.
10. Mangrove Tours
A & N Islands is home to numerous mangrove forests. Many mangrove trees can be seen right along the shores. Baratang Island also offers mangrove tours for visitors. The tour starts and ends at the Baratang Island Jetty or Nilambur Jetty. When you are on the boat, you will be surrounded by dense mangroves. It is scenic, and many tourists combine the mangrove tour with the mud volcano and limestone caves.
11. 20 RS Viewpoint
20 Rs Viewpoint is a beginner-friendly hike overlooking the popular North Bay lighthouse. The 20 Rupee viewpoint is located in Mount Manipur in Harriet National Park. This is named as the spot was featured at the back of the old ₹20 Indian currency note.
To visit this place, take a ferry from Chatham Jetty to the Bamboo Flats Jetty. Cars and two-wheelers can be transported via ferry. If you don’t have a separate vehicle, you can walk to the viewpoint from the jetty or hop on a shared jeep to the Manipur National Park.
Manipur National Park hosts many hiking activities and is dotted with numerous viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the island. The area is also rich in flora and fauna.
- Manipur National Park Entry Fee: INR 50 for Indian adults, Free for Indian children up to 12 years of age. INR 500 for foreign adults and INR 200 for foreign children.
- Timings: 7 AM – 4:15 PM
- Additional fees are payable for camera and parking
You can also check out Munda Pahad viewpoint, known for its breathtaking views. A short hike from the Munda Pahad beach will lead you to the viewpoint. Refer to the Munda Pahad viewpoint guide for more information.
12. Stargazing at Andamans
Andaman has low levels of light pollution and is, hence, one of the best places in India where you can see the Milky Way, constellations, shooting stars, and many more. You can see stars scattered along the sky like tiny diamonds close to the new moon day. The views of the night skies in the Andamans are sure to take your breath away. Stargazing in the Andamans is a life-changing experience for everyone, especially those interested in astronomy. Many stargazing events are organized by Indian astronomy enthusiasts in Andamans. A few of the organizers include Bhava Nandhi and Anurag Karekar.
13. Watersports
Do not forget your snorkeling gear when you visit Andamans. The turquoise blue canvas of the sea is painted with bright coral reefs, multicolored fishes, and numerous plants. Snorkeling can be done on most of the islands in Andamans. Be careful of jellyfish stings, and watch out for sign boards for crocodile sightings. You can also rent scuba-diving gear for a fee at many beaches. A guide will accompany you into the deep water, even if you’re unfamiliar with swimming.
14. Scuba Diving And Snorkeling
Located in the middle of the Indian subcontinent and South Asian countries, the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands is home to numerous breathtaking underwater species of flora and fauna. Scuba diving and snorkeling lets you see these beautiful plants, fishes, and corals up close. There are many reefs and diving spots on the island. With so many popular diving schools, Andaman is one of the best diving spots in India. You can opt for free diving or scuba-diving courses and get yourself certified. The best seasons for diving are between March and May.
15. Scenic Motorbike Rides
No matter which part of Andaman or the island you visit, you can rent a motorbike and visit the far corners. The roads are scenic, dotted by village houses, tall trees, local farm cultivations, livestock, etc. From Kalipur to Munda Pahar to Neil and Havelock islands, the offbeat routes are still mostly untouched by tourists.
16. Water Sports & Activities
Beyond scuba diving and snorkeling, there are many fun water sports and adventure activities in Andaman, like parasailing, jet boating, etc. Here are some of the best beaches for numerous water activities.
- North Bay, Port Blair
- Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Port Blair
- Elephant Beach, Swaraj Dweep
- Bharatpur Beach, Shaheed Dweep
17. India’s Only Active Volcano
Barren Island in the Andaman archipelago contains the only active volcano in India. Private tours are arranged from Havelock to view the volcano. Although access to the island is prohibited, you can watch the eruption from the waters at a distance. There is also a diving spot close to the Barren Islands. Andaman Aquaholics is a company that arranges tours to the island. Narcondam Island on the Nicobar group of islands has a dormant volcano.
18. Natural Bridges
There are a couple of stunning natural bridges on Neil Island. Also known as Howrah bridges by the locals, these are one-of-a-kind bridges throughout India. They are located on Lakshmanpur Beach 2, and you have to walk on a rocky coral beach to see the natural bridges during a low tide early in the morning. It is a must-visit attraction on Neil Island.
19. Historic Monuments
Andaman and Nicobar Islands contain so much historic significance. It was ruled by the British and Japanese until 30th December 1943, when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag at Port Blair and proclaimed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the first Indian territory to be liberated from British rule. The Japanese bunker from World War 2 can be seen at several places in Port Blair. The Cellular Jail is a national memorial that is a somber reminder of India’s struggle for independence. Refer to the cellular jail blog to know more about the significant monument.
If you find this blog to be useful, comment below and share it with your friends and family. This will motivate us to create more helpful content like this one.
For more such hidden gems, offbeat activities, hiking guides, travel tips, and hacks, destination guides, inspiration, and more, subscribe to the newsletter and follow us on social media – Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
