There are many awesome places to must see at Port Blair. Here is a list of them -
Cellular Jail
Cellular Jail, located at Port Blair, stood mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this jail. The Jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name ‘Cellular’ because it is entirely made 
up of individual cells for the solitary confinement. It originally was a seven prolonged, puce-coloured building with central-tower acting as its fulcrum and a massive structure comprising honeycomb like corridors. The building was subsequently damaged and presently three out of the seven prongs are intact. The Jail, now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people, has been declared a National Memorial. The Jail Museum here draws your memories back to those years of freedom struggle. Timings for Cellular Jail & Jail Museum: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM to 4:45 PM Monday Closed. Entry Fee: Rs. 5/-, Camera : Rs. 10/-, Video Camera : Rs. 50/- Ph: 03192-230117
Son-et-Lumiere (Sound & Light Show)
The saga of the heroic freedom struggle, brought alive in a moving Son-et-Lumiere, in the Cellular Jail, is very popular among the tourists. Every day, the Hindi show start at 5.30 PM. English show is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6.45 PM. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays the second show at 6.45 PM again is in Hindi. On days of English shows, there could also be a third show in Hindi at 8 PM subject to the minimum prescribed demand. Entry fee for Adult is Rs. 20/- and Child Rs. 10/-.
Ross Island
This small island in less than a sq. km area that stands right across Port Blair, encompassing in a way the entire life of the Andamans. It was once the home of the indigenous tribe – Great Andamanese, whose number dwindled from 5,000 to just 28 within 20 years of the initial British occupation. The Island served as the capital from 1858 till 1941, when the Japanese occupied it and converted it into a PoW site. The ruins of the church and the Chief Commissioner’s house among overcrowding vines and aerial roots are the most evocative of the remains. Private ferries operate from Aberdeen Jetty in Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex at 8.30 am, 10.30 am, 12.30 pm and 2 pm. Service is not available on Wednesdays. The boat will take you across from the Aberdeen Jetty and bring you back after an hour’s stay. Entry ticket : Rs. 20, Camera : Rs. 25, Boat tickets : Rs. 75/-, below 5 Yrs. Free. Ph: 03192-200408.
Viper Island
The Island derives its name from the vessel ‘Viper’ in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to the Islands in 1768 with the purpose of establishing a Penal Settlement. The vessel, it is believed, met with an accident and its wreckage was abandoned near the Island. Gallows built on top of a hillock, visible to all prisoners in the Island, signified death. Sher Ali, the Pathan, guilty of murdering Lord Mayao, was condemned to death and hanged at Viper Island. The Jail at Viper, where prisoners deported from the mainland were confined, was built by the British under the supervision of Major Fort. Work on the prison was started in 1867. Owing to the working conditions, the Jail earned the notorious name Viper Chain Gang Jail. Private ferry operators conduct Harbour Cruise from Aberdeen Jetty connecting Viper Island everyday at 3:00 PM. Ticket Cost : Rs. 75/-.
Anthropological Museum
Started in the year 1975-76, the Anthropological museum in Port Blair is an ethnographic museum. It illustrates the four Negrito Tribes of the Andamans viz. the Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese and the Onges and two Mongoloid tribes of the Nicobar viz. the Nicobarese and the Shompens. Entry Fee: Rs. 10/-, Rs. 3/- for Children. Timings: 8.30 AM to 1.00 PM, 1.30 PM to 4.30 PM. It is closed on Thursdays & Govt. Holidays. Ph: 03192-232291.
Fisheries Museum
Situated near Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Port Blair, it exhibits species of marine life endemic to the Islands and found in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal. It is closed on Mondays and Public holidays/second Saturdays. Timings: 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM, 2.00 PM to 4.45 PM Entry Fee: Adult Rs. 5/-, Child Rs. 3/-, video without focus light : Rs. 35/-. Ph: 03192-231848.
Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum)
Situated opposite to Andaman Teal House Delanipur, Port Blair, this museum is meant to create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment. A good collection of shells, corals and a few species of colorful fishes of the islands are on display. Timings: 9.00 AM-12.00 Noon, 2.00 PM -5.00 PM, Closed on Monday & Holidays. Entry Fee: Rs. 10/-. Ph: 03192-232012 ext. 2437.
Zoological Survey of India Museum
Situated near Andaman Teal House, this museum exhibits several varieties of sponges, corals, butterflies, and centipedes etc. Open on all working days from 9.00 AM till 5.00 PM. Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 9.00 AM to 12.30 PM. Ph: 03192-233148/237582.
Corbyn’s Cove Beach
Corbyn’s Cove Beach, the coconut-palm-fringed beach, ideal for sun basking is 6 km away from Port Blair town. It is the only beach in Port Blair. All facilities like hotel, restaurant, bar, changing room etc. are available near the beach. Historical remains like Japanese bunkers can be seen on the way. The Snake Island, situated just across the beach is famous for Scuba Diving. Tourist Coaches are available from Andaman Teal House to Corbyn’s Cove as a part of conducted tours.
North Bay Beach
North Bay Beach is just north of Port Blair. The beach and the snorkeling opportunities in its fringing coral reefs are the closest ones you will find to Port Blair, and therefore, it gets quite crowded. A ferry (9 AM and 2 PM; 30 minutes) will take you across Aberdeen Jetty and bring you back after a 3 hour stay. The corals at North Bay are rather good and spread over large area. You’re very likely to spot many fish, a lobster or two, or even clams on the coral reef. Snacks and basic meals are available in some shacks on the Beach.
Munda Pahar Beach, Chidiya Tapu
Before the sunset, enjoy a swim at Munda Pahar Beach, which is 1 km ahead of the bus stand at Chidiya Tapu. Frequent bus services are available from Port Blair Bus Terminus to Chidiya Tapu. Tourist Coaches are also available from Andaman Teal House to Chidiya Tapu as part of conducted tours.
Wandoor Beach
Twenty Five Kms. from west of Port Blair is Wandoor Beach famous for swimming & Coral Viewing. One can also go to Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park from Wandoor by boat. Conducted tours are available to Wandoor from Andaman Teal House, Port Blair.
Collinpur Beach
Situated near Tirur, 36 Kms. from Port Blair, this place has a beautiful sandy beach with shallow water. It is suitable for swimming, sun basking and sunset viewing.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor is at a distance of 29 Kms from Port Blair and covers an area of 281.5 Sq. kms. This Marine Park, made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is one of the best found anywhere in the world. Viewing of rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, scuba-diving and snorkeling are lifetime experience for anyone. Private ferry operators arrange conducted tour to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park from Wandoor. Charges for boat journey to the park is Rs. 450/- per head. One needs to take a permit (issued by the Forest Department), and the boat ticket (from private boat operators) avilable at the Reception Counter of Directorate of Tourism, Port Blair from a Single Window before proceeding to Wandoor. Permit Charges are Rs. 50/- for domestic tourist (Rs. 25/- for children) and Rs. 500/- for foreigners. The boat charges are inclusive of ferry charges, glass-bottom boat, and charges at the park, snorkeling equipment, life-jacket and guide-fee. Tourists are allowed to spend 2 ½ hours in Jolly Buoy Island or Red Skin Island as a part of conducted tours. Generally, from December to May, tourists are taken to Jolly Buoy Island and from May to November to Red Skin Island. Timing: 9.00 AM to Jolly Buoy Island, 10.00 AM to Red Skin Island. Camera Charge: Rs. 25/-. It is advised to take packed lunch and water before proceeding to the Marine National Park. Closed on Mondays. Tourist Coaches are available from Andaman Teal House to Wandoor. Regular bus services are also operated from Bus Terminus to Wandoor.
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex
This is the first of its kind in India that offers all possible aqua sports facilities including safe-water sports and adventure- water sports, under one water sports complex. In the safe-water sport complex, paddle-boats, row-boats, glass-bottom boats are available. In the adventure-water sport front, Jet-Ski, Para-sailing, etc are offered. The Marina Park nearby, also houses a memorial of the Battle of Aberdeen fought between the Britishers and Andamanese aboriginals in 1859.
| Type of Activity | Timing | Person | Amount (Rs) | Duration(Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure Water Sports | ||||
| Jet Ski | 10 am to 5 pm | One Person | 550 | 10 |
| Two Person | 750 | 10 | ||
| Safe Water Sports | ||||
| Paddle Boat | 10 AM to 6.30 PM | 2 Seater | 20 | 30 |
| 4 Seater | 30 | 30 | ||
| Bumper Boat | 10 AM to 6.30 PM | One Person | 30 | 10 |
| Rowing Boat | 10 AM to 6.30 PM | Two Person | 20 | 10 |
Sippighat Agricultural Farm
Covering over an area of 80 acres and located 14 Kms. west of Port Blair is a Government farm for cultivation of spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut and pepper etc. The Research and Demonstration farm of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is nearby.
Chidiya Tapu
Chidiya Tapu is the southernmost tip of South Andaman and is 25 Kms. from Port Blair. The lush green mangroves and forests shelter numerous chirping birds. The Sylvan Sands and Munda Pahar Beaches make it an ideal picnic spot. The forest Guest House situated on top of a hillock provides a fabulous view of isolated islands, submerged corals and the breath-taking sunset. A biological park has also recently been opened for tourists. Park entry fee : Adults Rs. 20/-, Children Rs. 10/-, Foreigners Rs. 50/-, Video Camera Rs. 50/- per entry, Video Camera (Commercial) Rs. 500/- per day). Conducted tours are available from Andaman Teal House, Port Blair to Chidiya Tapu. Chidiya Tapu Forest Guest House Ph: 03192-281350.
Mount Harriet
Mount Harriet (55 Kms. by road/15 Kms. by ferry and trek from Port Blair). The summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during British Raj, this place is ideal for fascinating over view of the nearby islands and the sea. It is the highest peak in the South Andamans (365 meters high). Conducted tours to Mt. Harriet are available from Andaman Teal House. Entry fee: Rs. 25/-. Mount Harriet Forest Guest House Ph: 03192-258243.
Madhuban
Madhuban (75 Kms. by road/20 Kms. by ferry and trek road from Port Blair). It is north east of South Andaman. One can visit Madhuban from Mount Harriet by trekking through the jungle approximately covering 16 Kms. Exotic endemic birds, animals, butterflies are interesting sights of the trek.
Chatham Saw Mill
The Chatham Saw Mill is one of the oldest in Asia. It is built on a tiny island and connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is a store house of timber like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin Wood etc. Chatham has the second largest wharf of these islands, where Island-mainland ships can berth. Within the Saw Mill compound, the Forest Department has put up a museum showcasing the varied timber wealth of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The museum offers an insight into forest activities through scale models and display decorative pieces made of Padauk, Marble, Peauma, Gurjan, Satin Wood etc. Entry Fee : Rs. 10/-. Closed on Sundays & Industrial Holidays. Timing : 9.00 AM to 2.00 PM.
Mini Zoo
Mini Zoo is situated at Haddo (Delanipur-Chatham road). It houses some of the endemic birds and animals of these Islands. The zoo is being relocated in the newly opened biological park at Chidiya Tapu (Ph: 03192-281000). Ph: 03192-232816. Timing : 8.00 AM -5.00 PM. Monday closed. Entry Fee : Rs. 2/-
Sagarika – Cottage Industries Emporium
It exhibits a spectrum of artifacts made of mother of pearl, sea shells and local wood products, miniatures of Nicobari canoes, palm mats for floors, tables, furniture etc. Closed on Sundays & public holidays. Timing : 9.00 AM to 7.00 PM. Ph: 03192-234774.
Science Centre
Science Centre, situated 5 Kms. from Port Blair town, has an ‘Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gallery’ with interactive exhibits depicting genesis of the Islands, volcanic activities, science of oceans, fun science gallery, modern technology gallery, Taramandal (portable planetarium), open air science park and an in-house butterfly corner offer a kaleidoscope science spectrum. Open on all days during 10.00AM to 5.30 PM except Mondays & Public Holidays. Entry Fee : Adult : Rs. 10/- Child, Rs. 5/- (below 14 years). Ph: 03192-229034.
Gandhi Park
This beautiful park at Port Blair has facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports, and nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese Temple as well as a bunker. The erstwhile Dilthaman tank, which was the only source of drinking water to Port Blair, and the area around it has been developed as Gandhi Park in an as unbelievably short time of 13 days. Entry Free. Open on all days. Timing: 9.00 AM to 7.30 PM.
