Standing in virgin isolation east of the Indian mainland is Port Blair. A breathtaking sea front, endless miles of soft white sand under your feet, swaying coconut palms, a beautiful blue sky smiling at you and a gentle breeze ruffling your hair?a holiday in Port Blair promises you this and more. You could call this beautiful and secluded capital, one of the world?s best kept secrets, after the Da Vinci Code of course!

A tropical paradise, the Island attracts many honeymooners. A turquoise blue sea, lush green spread and ethereal tranquility will all be trademarks of your stay here. You can go scuba diving or snorkelling into the deep waters of the sea, explore the infinite marine life, roam evergreen forests and deserted beaches, and see history upclose.
History
There is no documented history for the islands. There was a Portuguese settlement here in the early 2nd century, which explains the country?s influence in the Nicobarese language. The islands were a familiar trade route for most traders headed to the Far East.

The harbour town of Port Blair, the main entry point to the islands, was discovered way back in 1788 by a young British officer named Archibald Blair. He named it Port Cornwallis, which was later renamed after him.

Aboriginal tribes now referred to as the Jarawas have continued inhabiting the islands from prehistoric times. A subject of intense curiosity, these tribes and their location are now under serious threat of exploitation. Consignments of bananas, coconuts and papayas are sent in regularly and even air-dropped into the forests to help them survive.

How to Reach
Air
Port Blair is connected to Chennai and Portblair by air.

Sea
There is a regular passenger ship service from Port Blair to Chennai, Portblair and Visakhapatnam (less frequent than to the other two cities). The journey takes about 50 to 60 hours (three days).
Religious Places
There are a lot of temples dotting the city landscape. The MuruganTemple, Ganesh Temple and the Radha Govind temples are among the oldest and the most popular temples in this island city. Of the dozen mosques, the Masjid at Aberdeen and the Mazhaar near Cardyns Cove see lots of followers. The Gol Ghar, the Marthoma Church and the Christ Church are some of the popular Christian churches in Port Blair.

Quick Escapes
Viper Island
Infamous for convicts who were jailed here, it is near Haddo Wharf, at the mouth of the Port Blair Harbour. The gallows atop its hillocks was where hardened criminals and revolutionaries were housed before the commissioning of the Cellular Jail. To get there, board the ship that sets sail from the Water Sports Complex Jetty at 3 pm.

Ross Island
The island is a 20-minute boat ride from Aberdeen Jetty. It was the capital during the Raj days, and now stands guard to the harbour. There are historical ruins along the beach and a beautiful tropical forest. The Indian Navy has set up a museum Smritika that depicts the history of the island.

Ross Island is open to tourists during the day. Boats leave from the Phoenix Bay Jetty at 8.30 am, 10.30 am, and 12.30 pm. There is an entry fee of Rs. 20 per person.

Wandoor
Located 29 km from Port Blair this island is home to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. A stunning group of 15 islands make up the 280 sq km Park rich in corals, fish, sea turtles and other sea creatures. It?s an excellent place to explore the hidden wealth of the marine park, get chased by dolphins and experience the beauty of the corals under the sea. The best time to visit is between December and April. Get a permit from the Wildlife Warden?s office near the Wandoor Jetty. Buses will get you here from Port Blair.

Chidiyatapu
Located at the southern most tip of South Andaman, some 30 km from Port Blair, this is a lush mangrove forest with an amazingly large number of birds, all chirping at full volume. The Munda Pahar beach is an ideal picnic area. The forest guest house up on a hillock provides fabulous views of isolated islands and submerged corals.

Cinque Island
It is hailed as one of the best diving destinations for its clear water with visibility levels of up to 80 feet. It is the best place to view a large variety of marine life and black corals. Uninhabited, Cinuque is about 2 hours by boat from Chidiyatapu.

Havelock Island: Some 4 hours (54 km) from Port Blair, Havelock offers the best diving and snorkelling sites, great sandy beaches and plenty of forests. The most well developed of all the islands, Havelock has a laid-back holiday feel to it. It has plenty of hotels and restaurants and there are buses as well as bikes on hire to take you to places within the island. Ferries ply between Havelock and Port Blair

Neil Island
Come here if you want quiet beaches, green paddy fields, and snorkelling. There are ferries from Port Blair.