To explore the Andaman Islands, you need to arrive at Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly known as Port Blair). As a result, you automatically end up spending at least 1 to 1 ½ days in the city. As for us, we spent one day on the day we arrived and 1 ½ days before leaving the islands. Our overall itinerary, which follows most “package deal itinerary” was Port Blair – Swaraj Dweep – Shaheed Dweep – Port Blair. The only difference is that we spent 1 ½ days in Port Blair after returning from Shaheed Dweep instead of the usual ½ day.
While doing research for our trip, I really wanted us to go to Baratang from Sri Vijaya Puram and check out the limestone caves. It would have given us an opportunity to see the less explored parts of the island. However, while locking down the final itinerary, we decided to drop it since it would be a very long day and given the weather conditions, the kids would not have enjoyed it.
Back to what we actually did 😊
First Leg – We first landed in Sri Vijaya Puram around 11am. Once we settled into our hotel, we decided to have lunch. After lunch, we rested for a bit before heading out. Our first stop was Kala Pani or Cellular Jail. Our guide had already purchased the tickets ahead of time. We went in and looked at the museum before joining the tour. The tour guide walked us around and showed us the different parts of the prison. It was quite a sombre experience. We learnt about its construction, how the various parts were used, some of the more famous rooms within the prison, the names of the freedom fighters who spent time there, etc. We had tickets for the Light and Sound show but it was later in the evening. So, we had to exit and then re-enter at the given time. We left the jail area and proceeded to Corbyn’s Cove Beach.
First impressions of Corbyn’s Cove Beach – not so great. Being a weekend, it was very, very busy. On top of that, due to low tide, there was a lot of muck between the water and the sand. We had a quick snack at one of the shacks. There are a lot of water activities available for those that are interested. We decided to take jet boat ride to Snake Island. Due to our timing, we did not explore activities there. Once the ride ended, we relaxed on the beach before heading back to Kala Pani Jail.
Light and Sound show at Kala Pani Jail – We reached early so we had to wait outside until the previous show ended. We chilled and looked at the stars. Soon we were able to go inside and take our seats. We attended the English version of the show. Absolutely brilliant! We learnt so much about Indian Freedom History during that show. Our tour earlier in the day suddenly took on more importance. I was quite shocked to learn about the details and the treatment of prisoners. Side note – Interestingly, I happened to visit Tasmania two weeks later and there is so much common history between the two countries which fascinated me (will write another post on the Tasmania trip eventually). After the show, the people attending filed out in silence (most of them like me in disbelief). We went back to our hotel, had a late dinner and called it a night. The next morning, we woke up early and headed to the docks to catch a ferry to Swaraj Dweep.
Second Leg – We returned to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) after visiting Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep. It was close to 3 pm by the time we reached our hotel. We had a late lunch and then headed to Chidiya Tapu to watch the sunset. We were a bit exhausted by this time so we decided to skip Munda Pahar beach and view point (the road was undergoing repairs at the time and it just did not seem like a smooth ride there) and went to Chidiya Tapu instead. It was low tide and once again, a wide stretch of mucky beach. While the sun was bright, many people ventured closer to the water but soon were asked to return to the sandy part of the beach. Most of us sat on the retaining wall and watched the beautiful sunset.
After watching the sunset, we headed to Aberdeen Bazaar to do some shopping. To be honest, I was not as impressed as I thought I would be. Perhaps because I had the opportunity to shop at Shaheed Dweep. Nonetheless, there are some nice shops to do last minute souvenir shopping before heading home. After shopping we headed back to the hotel, had our dinner and called it a night.
The next day we decided to check out Jolly Bouy Island (open some months of the year, the rest of the year folks go to Red Skin Island). Right after we decided to cancel the Baratang trip, we purchased the Jolly Bouy Island tickets. We reached Wandoor before the check-in time. We had an opportunity check out the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park museum there before boarding the jetty from there to Jolly Bouy Island. As far as we could tell, only two ferries travel from Wandoor to Jolly Bouy Island every day. The timings are set and are strictly adhered to.
Once you reach Jolly Bouy, you need to take a glass bottom boat from the ferry to reach the island. Here you are given a chance to pay extra money and go on a 20 minute boat ride to see the corals. Although we had been on a couple of glass bottom rides in Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep, we decided to do it once again. The lure of seeing live corals so close was too irresistible. We were not disappointed. After the tour, we got off at the island.
Jolly Bouy Island is a small island where for two hours you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. An amazing experience – silence, beautiful soft sand and just beauty everywhere. Life on a deserted island with 100 new friends 😊 Other than folks trying to make Insta reels, you can just chill and relax or enjoy the shallow water swimming. After the two hours were up, we were called back to the ferry and soon we were back at Wandoor and then back at Sri Vijaya Puram.
Once in Sri Vijaya Puram, we headed to a well known restaurant called Annapurna Cafeteria and had a late lunch. Afterwards, we drove around Sri Vijaya Puram checking out the various view points and tourist spots. Soon it was time to head back to the hotel and call it a night.
The next day, it was time to head home. Thank you Andamans… it was a beautiful vacation!
Wandering Tales Travel Dreams 