The capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair serves as a prominent tourist destination across India. Bounded by tropical forests and a rugged coastline, the city is best known for its coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and colonial architecture. Port Blair is particularly famous for its Cellular Jail, where thousands of patriots and freedom fighters of India were held captive by the British in the pre-independence era. The city has a population of only 1 lakh, majority of which comprises Hindus. The most common languages spoken here are Bengali, Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu.
Things to do in Port Blair
Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or an adventure enthusiast, Port Blair has a handful of activities for all to enjoy. Take a guided tour of the historic Cellular Jail and spend the evening hearing the narratives about India’s heroic freedom struggle in veteran actor Om Puri’s voice as you attend the Light and Sound Show. Head to the breathtakingly beautiful Corbyn’s Cove Beach, or gear up for an experience of a lifetime as you indulge in underwater activities like scuba diving, sea walking, or jet-skiing in North Bay Island.
Tourist attractions in Port Blair
The major tourist attractions in Port Blair include Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, Zonal Anthropological Museum, Forest Museum, Ramakrishna Mission, Chidiya Tapu, Ross Island, Viper Island, and Jolly Buoy Island. One can also go on a road trip to explore the Mud Volcano and Limestone Caves in Baratang. Other prominent places worth visiting are Havelock and Neil Island.
Places to shop in Port Blair
You can shop for a variety of clothes, jewellery, handicrafts, artefacts, home furnishings, and souvenirs from the major marketplaces in the city, such as Oasis Plaza, Koya Haji Shopping Complex, and Aberdeen Market. All goods and products are reasonably priced. However, you can always brush up your bargaining skills to get the best deals.
Best time to visit
October to February is a great time to explore Port Blair and its surroundings.
Modes of transport
Buses and auto-rickshaws are easily accessible. Private cars and tourist buses are the best options if you want to tour around the city. Launch boats are the only means of travelling to the islands surrounding Port Blair.
Weather in Port Blair
Although the average temperature in Port Blair ranges between 23 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius throughout the year, summers (March to June) are quite humid and warm whereas winters (December to February) are pleasantly cold. The city experiences moderate to heavy rainfall in monsoon, between July and September.
Airport in Port Blair
Port Blair Airport is a single terminal airport serving domestic flights between Port Blair and other major cities in India. To find out more about IndiGo flights from this airport, visit the IndiGo portal.