Top 25 Places to Visit in Andaman: The Ultimate Sightseeing Guide

Andaman is far more than just beaches. Across its islands you'll find colonial-era prisons, volcanic landscapes, limestone caves, mangrove creeks, coral reefs, and dense rainforest treks a surprising range of experiences packed into one archipelago. This guide rounds up the 25 places that consistently deliver the best of what Andaman has to offer, organized roughly by region so you can plan your itinerary efficiently rather than zig-zagging across islands, with added context on what to expect, how much time to set aside, and practical tips for each.

Port Blair and Surroundings

1. Cellular Jail National Memorial

The single most important historical site in Andaman, this colonial-era prison once held freedom fighters in brutal conditions, including political prisoners sentenced to harsh labor and solitary confinement during India's independence movement. Walking through the narrow cells, you get a visceral sense of what "Kala Pani" (black water) exile truly meant for those imprisoned here, far from the mainland and cut off from any hope of escape. The evening light and sound show, narrated against the backdrop of the jail itself, recreates this history through dramatic lighting and a moving voiceover, and is widely considered one of the most emotionally resonant experiences in the islands. Plan for about 2-3 hours total an hour for the daytime visit and museum, and roughly 45 minutes to an hour for the evening show, which runs in both Hindi and English on alternating days, so check showtimes in advance.

2. Corbyn's Cove Beach

A convenient, palm-fringed beach just outside Port Blair, roughly a 15-20 minute drive from the city center, making it ideal for a quick visit on the day you land or depart. While it doesn't compare to the dramatic beauty of Havelock or Neil Island's beaches, it offers a relaxed coastal escape with jet skiing, banana boat rides, and a handful of beachside shacks serving coconut water and snacks. It's best treated as a half-day filler activity rather than a primary destination.

3. Anthropological Museum

A compact but informative museum detailing the lifestyle, culture, and history of Andaman's indigenous tribes, including the Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese, and Great Andamanese communities. Exhibits cover traditional tools, hunting methods, clothing, and social structures, offering valuable context before or after visiting other parts of the islands. It's a low-cost, low-time-commitment stop usually about 30-45 minutes but adds meaningful depth to your understanding of the islands beyond their natural beauty.

4. Samudrika Naval Marine Museum

Run by the Indian Navy, this museum covers the marine biodiversity, geography, and ecology of the Andaman Islands, including extensive shell collections, coral specimens, and information panels on the region's unique ecosystem. It's a good rainy-day option or an educational stop for families traveling with children, typically taking around 45 minutes to explore thoroughly.

5. Chidiya Tapu

Known as Andaman's "sunset point," this serene spot roughly 25 kilometers south of Port Blair offers birdwatching opportunities in the early morning and one of the most reliably beautiful sunset views in the region come evening. The biological park here is also worth a stop for those interested in regional flora and fauna. Many travelers combine an early dinner or snack stop here with the sunset viewing, making it a relaxed way to close out a day in Port Blair.

6. Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep)

Once the administrative headquarters of the British in Andaman, complete with a church, bakery, printing press, and residential quarters, this island is now a fascinating mix of crumbling colonial-era ruins overtaken by sprawling tree roots, alongside resident deer and peacocks roaming freely through the ruins. The eerie, overgrown atmosphere makes it one of the most photogenic and atmospheric stops on this list. A guided walk through the island takes about 1.5-2 hours, and it's most commonly combined with North Bay Island as part of a single boat excursion package from Port Blair.

7. North Bay Island

Famous for its coral reefs, North Bay is a popular spot for snorkeling, sea walking, and glass-bottom boat rides that let non-swimmers view marine life without getting in the water. Water sport operators here are well-established, and the island is easily combined with Ross Island in a single day trip via a shared boat ticket, making for an efficient half-day itinerary out of Port Blair.

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

8. Radhanagar Beach

Repeatedly ranked among Asia's best beaches, this is the crown jewel of Havelock, known for its powdery, almost-white sand and layered turquoise waters that shift in color through the day. Sunset here draws sizeable crowds who gather along the shoreline to watch the sky turn through shades of orange and pink, and while it can get busy, the sheer scale of the beach means it rarely feels overly cramped. Early mornings offer a strikingly different, peaceful version of the same beach, ideal for those wanting a quieter experience.

9. Elephant Beach

The hub for water sports and beginner-friendly snorkeling, reachable either by a 20-minute boat ride or a roughly 40-minute forest trek from the main jetty area, the latter of which can get muddy and is best attempted in proper footwear. The coral formations just offshore make it accessible for first-time snorkelers, and the beach is regularly used for jet skiing, banana boat rides, and sea walking, making it a full day's worth of activity for travelers who want more than just lounging on sand.

10. Kalapathar Beach

A quieter, lesser-crowded alternative to Radhanagar, known for its distinctive dark rocky outcrops scattered along the shoreline, scenic coconut groves, and a noticeably more peaceful atmosphere even during peak season. It's a good choice for travelers who've already experienced Radhanagar and want a calmer, more contemplative stretch of coastline, particularly nice for sunrise.

11. Havelock's Dive Sites (Lighthouse, Dixon's Pinnacle, Nemo Reef)

Havelock is widely regarded as Andaman's scuba diving capital, with dive sites suited to both complete beginners doing their first try-dive and certified advanced divers chasing deeper reef systems. Lighthouse is popular for beginner dives owing to its shallow depth and calm conditions, while Dixon's Pinnacle and Nemo Reef offer richer coral formations and a higher chance of spotting larger marine life like reef sharks and rays for more experienced divers. Most dive centers offer both single dives and multi-dive certification packages (like PADI Open Water), so it's worth deciding in advance whether you want a one-off experience or a proper certification.

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

12. Bharatpur Beach

Known for calm, shallow waters that make it one of the safest and most beginner-friendly beaches for swimming, along with glass-bottom boat rides over nearby coral reefs that are particularly good for families or those not comfortable snorkeling directly.

13. Laxmanpur Beach

Famous for sunset views and the natural rock formation locally nicknamed "Howrah Bridge" due to its arch-like shape, visible most clearly during low tide. Laxmanpur No. 1 is the more popular and developed stretch with a handful of beachside cafes, while Laxmanpur No. 2 tends to be quieter.

14. Sitapur Beach (Sunrise Beach)

A quieter, slightly wilder beach on the island's eastern side, best visited at sunrise when the early light hits the water in a way that's noticeably different from the more commonly photographed western-facing beaches. The coastline here is less manicured, appealing to travelers looking for a rawer, more natural setting.

15. Natural Bridge Rock Formation

A striking coral rock formation shaped by years of wave erosion, best visited during low tide when the full arch structure becomes visible and walkable. It's a relatively short, easy walk from the main road and a popular spot for photography, though tide timings should be checked in advance to avoid missing the formation underwater.

Baratang Island

16. Limestone Caves

Reached via a scenic boat ride through dense mangrove creeks followed by a short trek through forest terrain, these caves feature dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations built up over thousands of years. The journey itself winding through narrow mangrove channels is often considered as memorable as the caves themselves, offering glimpses of the region's unique coastal ecosystem along the way.

17. Mud Volcano

A unique natural phenomenon found near Baratang, where bubbling mud volcanoes slowly release gas and mud from beneath the earth's surface, offering a rare glimpse into the island's unusual underlying geology. It's a quick, low-effort stop typically combined with the limestone caves and Parrot Island as part of a single full-day Baratang excursion from Port Blair.

18. Parrot Island

Best visited around dusk, this small mangrove island becomes home to thousands of parakeets that flock in dramatic, swirling numbers as they return to roost for the night, creating a memorable natural spectacle that's particularly rewarding for birdwatchers and photographers.

Diglipur and the Northern Islands

19. Saddle Peak National Park

Home to Andaman's highest point at roughly 730 meters, this trek takes visitors through dense rainforest, past varied vegetation zones, and rewards the effort with sweeping views over the surrounding islands and coastline from the summit. The trek typically takes 4-6 hours round trip, requires a permit and often a guide, and is best attempted by travelers with reasonable fitness levels and proper trekking shoes.

20. Ross and Smith Islands

Two islands connected by a natural sandbar that becomes fully walkable at low tide, offering a rare and genuinely photogenic experience of walking between two separate islands on a thin strip of sand with water on either side. The beaches here are also notably less crowded than those further south, given the remoteness of the Diglipur region.

21. Kalipur Beach

A known nesting site for olive ridley and leatherback turtles during specific months (typically December through February), offering a unique wildlife viewing opportunity for travelers visiting during this window. Outside of nesting season, it remains a quiet, scenic beach worth a visit for its relative seclusion.

Other Notable Islands

22. Long Island and Lalaji Bay Beach

An offbeat destination reachable by boat followed by a short forest walk, rewarding visitors with a secluded, largely untouched beach experience. The extra effort required to reach it naturally filters out casual tourists, making it appealing for travelers who've already covered the more accessible islands and want something quieter.

23. Jolly Buoy Island

Part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, known for exceptional coral reefs and remarkably clear waters ideal for snorkeling. Access is seasonal (typically closed during monsoon months) and visitor numbers are regulated daily to protect the fragile ecosystem, so it's worth checking availability and booking through authorized operators in advance.

24. Rutland Island

A less-visited island known for excellent diving conditions, including some dive sites considered comparable to Havelock's best, but with noticeably fewer divers in the water at any given time. It offers a more remote, peaceful atmosphere for those who want quality diving without the crowds.

25. Mount Harriet National Park

Located near Port Blair, accessible via a short ferry crossing followed by a drive, this is one of the best spots for trekking and panoramic views, particularly at sunrise, when the surrounding islands and sea are often visible through early morning mist. It offers a good introduction to Andaman's rainforest ecosystem without venturing too far from the capital, making it a convenient addition to a Port Blair-based itinerary.

How to Use This List

Trying to cover all 25 in a single trip isn't realistic unless you have two weeks or more. For a 5-day trip, prioritize Port Blair's historical sites, Havelock's beaches and diving, and one or two spots on Neil Island. For a 7-day trip, you can comfortably add Baratang's caves and mud volcano, plus a more relaxed pace across the southern islands. Anything beyond that Diglipur, Long Island, Rutland Island, Jolly Buoy is best reserved for travelers with 10+ days or those returning for a second, more offbeat trip after having covered the highlights already on a first visit.

The Bottom Line

Andaman rewards travelers who go beyond just beach-hopping. Mixing historical sites like Cellular Jail and Ross Island with natural wonders like Baratang's mud volcano and Saddle Peak's rainforest trek, alongside a thoughtful selection of beaches across Havelock, Neil, and the northern islands, gives a far richer sense of what this archipelago holds beyond the postcard-perfect shores it's best known for.