- Updated March 5, 2026
- Shefali Hardas
Anthropological Museum
Near Tourism Office, Phoenix Bay, Port Blair
Don’t Rush Your Visit
The Anthropological Museum offers deep insights into the tribal cultures of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. With rare artifacts, photographs, and detailed exhibits on tribes like the Jarawas and Sentinalese, it’s worth setting aside at least an hour. Take your time, it’s one of the few places where you can truly understand the islands’ indigenous heritage.
Don’t Rush Your Visit
The Anthropological Museum offers deep insights into the tribal cultures of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. With rare artifacts, photographs, and detailed exhibits on tribes like the Jarawas and Sentinalese, it’s worth setting aside at least an hour. Take your time, it’s one of the few places where you can truly understand the islands’ indigenous heritage.
About Anthropological Museum
Museums? During my Andaman vacation – are you sure? We are positive. Even if you and your friends are not history buffs, we recommend a visit. The museums in the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are bearers of its rich history.
- One such museum that is famous for displaying the unique facets of the Andamans is the Anthropological Museum, also known as the Zonal Anthropological Museum.
- This is one of the best museums in Andamans, and is situated in the capital town of Port Blair.
- It was established in 1975 to help chronicle the lives of indigenous tribal communities of Andaman Islands.
- While the museum comes under the auspices of the Anthropological Survey of India, it’s currently maintained by the forest department of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
This museum in Port Blair has various exhibits chronicling the lives and times of the Paleolithic islanders and communities of the Andaman Islands. These six native tribes include Onges. Sentinelese, Jarawas, Great Andamanese, Shompens and Nicobarese. The tribes are also further classified into Negrito Tribes including Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese, Onges, and two Mongoloid tribes of Nicobar.
Even today, the island’s local tribes maintain limited contact with the outside world and one needs special permission from local authorities to even visit these communities. Yet thanks to this museum you can learn about their way of life even if you can’t visit the tribal areas.
How To Reach Zonal Anthropological Museum Port Blair
Once you land in Veer Savarkar International Airport in the capital city of Port Blair, you can take a local bus, taxi or auto and head towards MG Road or Middle Point, which is near the museum. For added convenience, bike rentals are the best option, allowing you to explore nearby attractions at your own pace. The museum is around 2 km from Aberdeen Bazaar and 3 km from the Port Blair airport, making it a short and easy commute.
If you’re in Havelock Island or Neil Island and want to explore the Zonal Anthropological Museum in Port Blair, you’ll first need to book a ferry from Havelock to Port Blair or Neil to Port Blair.
Read More: Best Time to Visit Port Blair
Fee: Starts from Rs.500/-
Timing: 24 hours
G2A Tips: Rental bikes are the most convenient way to travel inside city. They’re affordable, flexible, and allow you to explore at your own pace. Just remember to carry your driving license and fuel up before heading out.
Things To Explore at the Anthropological Museum in Port Blair
This well maintained museum has lots to offer tourists. The ambiance of the museum complete with the many relics help you better understand tribal life.
1. Each section of the museum has diverse articrafts and tools which give tourists a realistic glimpse into the primordial era in the Andamans.
2. The most interesting of these are the Shamanic sculptures displayed here which speak of the beliefs and rituals of the main tribes native to the Andamans.
3. There is also a skull displayed here that was recovered from the reclusive Sentinelese tribe.
4. In addition, Jarawa Chest guards with geometrical patterns called ‘Kedad’ are also displayed here. These were worn during hunts or raids and speak of the courage of the Jarawa tribes.
5. A section of the museum is dedicated to Mongoloid tribes, Nicobarese and Shompens.
6. What will leave you most surprised is the craftsmanship of these indigenous tribes. This is seen in the handicrafts, arts, ornaments, clay jewellery, crafts, weapons made by them.
7. The clothes and apparels worn by the tribes are also on display in the museum. Interestingly the clothes are gender neutral, indicating that gender norms were not as rigid in tribal areas.
8. The vast in-house library should be your next haunt.This library has literature that helps tourists expand their knowledge of the tribes.
9. The museum also has a souvenir shop in the museum premises. Apart from journals you can also buy other small relics here that throw light upon the island’s native tribes and their unique practices.
Things to Do Around Anthropological Museum
- Samudrika Naval Marine Museum – which has the skeletal remains of a blue whale along with plenty of other marine attractions.
- Fisheries Museum – This is a must-visit for its wide array of marine life on display.
- Andaman Water Sports Complex – Here you can try different water sports under expert guidance.
- Cellular Jail – To better understand the history of the Indian freedom struggle and the island, a visit to the Cellular Jail in Port Blair is highly recommended by the G2A team.
- Forest Museum in Chatham Saw Mill– This museum offers a treasure trove of information on the Andaman forests and trees that grow here.
- Zoological garden or Mini Zoo – this spot is close to the Forest Museum and offers a lot of educational fun for children and adults as you learn more about animals and their habitats.
Read More: Things to Do in Port Blair
Visitor Information
Cost
For Foreigners
Timing
Closed on
Address
Extra Cost
Frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours?
It’s usually open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, the entry fee is nominal, usually around ₹10 - ₹30 for Indian nationals and slightly more for foreign visitors.
Is photography allowed inside the museum?
Photography is not allowed inside the museum to preserve the integrity of the artifacts and displays.
How long does a visit typically take?
Most visitors spend about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on interest. Those curious about tribal history may take longer.
Is the museum suitable for kids and students?
Yes, it’s an educational experience for all ages, especially students interested in history, anthropology, or tribal cultures.
Shefali Hardas
Other Guides
Want to go to the Andaman Islands? Read our travel guide for details about how to reach Port Blair and other islands of the Andamans. Get information on Port Blair’s best things to do, recommended places to visit, and hotels.
Planning a trip to Havelock Island? Our guide covers how to get there, the best beaches to visit, top water sports, and recommended places to stay for an unforgettable Andaman experience.
Visiting Neil Island? Check our travel guide for how to reach, must-visit beaches, top activities, and the best hotels to make the most of your laid-back island vacation.
Experiences in Port Blair
Nearby Attractions in Port Blair
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