Have you been recently in Andaman islands?
Replies: 4 - Last Post: Feb 1, 2013 10:57 PM Last Post By: old_india_hand
jump to
Have you been recently in Andaman islands?
i am going andaman islands in beginning of April for 1 week...I hope it's a good idea... Actually it's a dream from long time to go there (i don't remember how this dream came to me... it's a dream !!) but now, i wonder where to stay, in which island to go (havelock, neil or in the north of the main island ?) ... I like the indian way of life (just before going Andaman, i will be in Varanasi then Kolkata and it's not the first time for me in these cities...) but in Andaman, i would like rest, bath in the blue sea, snorkelling, perhaps diving, good indian food, beers, and indian people of course... Will i find all these things on Andaman islands.. ?
Feelings from recent experiences there are welcome !
thanks
Dom
1
Hi Dom,Just returned from month in Andamans. Like you, it came to me in a dream - next morning even found a sale for tickets from Chennai via Jet airways. Don't stay in Port Blair! The LP guide lists times the ferry departs - and don't pay auto rickshaw more than 100 rupies (offer 70).
We stayed in Havelock. Plenty of accom., especially by April. It's more expensive than mainland, so bargain hard! Don't know your budget, but there's huts for 200 - 300 Rs. Nicer rooms with private bath & TV for 1000Rs ( by the way, this was high season at Christmas can do better).
Try Sunrise - and don't let those guys get you for more! There's some good places next door, too. The bonus is Sunrise is right on the beach. The sea is a calm, turquoise blue. Lots of travelers to hang out with, and it has a very cool, low key vibe - great place to relax after travel in the mainland. You can take the local bus for 9 Rs to beach 7 (catch it from near the market). Food is very good - try Lee Meridian German Bakery for excellent western food; Fat Martins for Indian; or Dive India for food & company (all on beach 5). Snorkeling is not so great as it's shallow, but you can arrange to go on fishing boat with other travelers (bargain)!
Overall, we liked it! Safe traveling.
4
With only one week !Consider some days at Dreamland, Number 7 Beach on Havelock (because # 7 is one the world’s great beaches),
and some days at Pearl Park on Neil (because Neil village is still a local’s place),
or some days at Long Island, because you may be the only tourist on the island, eat in the village - no beer on this island.
Beaches # 2, 3 and 5 on the eastern side of Havelock are a tourist ghetto.
In April 2010 there was one salt water crocodile close to # 7 beach that took away an American. The body was recovered.
With more time add North Andaman, Pristine at the beach and Diglipur town for when the beach becomes a yawn.
