Posted 27 September 2022 in Travel wanderlust

Five top reasons to plan a Port Blair tour

The capital city of the beautiful and scenic Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Port Blair is not just a point of transit to the other beaches of the archipelago but an ideal vacation spot for tourists to unwind and laze around. With rich culture and traditions, the city has a great history, making it quite popular among history buffs. Port Blair has many tourist attractions that cater to all kinds of travellers, from the adventurous and lazy people to solo souls, groups of friends, families, and even couples and honeymooners.

Read ahead to know the 5 top reasons to plan a Port Blair tour -

1. Cellular Jail

Cellular Jail - popularly known as Kala Pani or black water - is a place of historical importance in India’s freedom struggle. The jail is a testimony to the gruesome treatment that was meted out to India’s freedom fighters and soldiers at the hands of British colonists. Prisoners were subject to solitary confinement as the British government did not want revolutionaries and political prisoners to interact with each other and came up with schemes to overthrow the government.

Today, Cellular Jail is a national museum. A visit to the jail is sure to ignite the spirit of patriotism, anger at the way Indians were treated, and respect for the struggles they went through to give Mother India its freedom. Tourists marvel and are disgusted by the architecture of Cellular Jail, as the prison cells are alarmingly small and congested to torture prisoners and make their stay even more uncomfortable.

The Kala Pani complex has a peepal tree that has borne witness to all the atrocities committed within the walls of the prison. There is a light and sound show which is narrated by the peepal tree, which tells tales of the horror and gives life to the history of the freedom struggle. There are two shows every day and some shows are even held in English for foreigners. The complex also has a museum, photo gallery, and art gallery. Tourists should make sure to not visit Cellular Jail on Mondays, as it is closed for maintenance.

2. Corbyn’s Cove Beach

The crystal clear, sparkling blue waters of Corbyn’s Cove Beach are one of the top reasons to plan a Port Blair tour. Often said to be the cleanest beach on the Andaman Island, it is a wonderful spot to relax and unwind and spend a lazy day feeling the sand between your toes and gazing out into the endless blue expanse. The seawater around Corbyn’s Cove Beach is ideal for a swim. The beach is also a great place to bask in the golden sun and indulge in various water sports like parasailing, jet skis, and speed boat ride.

For underwater enthusiasts, the beach is a great place for scuba diving. The nearby Snake Island has spectacular live corals that are well preserved. The water is pristine, allowing for stunning views of the underwater world and the corals. It is a good option to dive for families who are not visiting the other, more popular islands, and is relatively cheaper in comparison as well.

Corbyn’s Cove Beach opens at 08:00 and closes at 18:00 daily. The nearby Peerless Hotel has a restaurant with a bar that offers spectacular views of the beach. Notably, the beach is 7 km from the centre of Port Blair and it should not take more than 30 min to reach. The beach is a beautiful sight with the clear blue sky, sparkling blue waters, and coconut and palm trees. It is almost like watching a painting featuring an absolute picturesque landscape.

3. Murugan Temple

Murugan Temple is one of the biggest pilgrimage sites on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The temple is a tribute to Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva, and is known for its spectacular Dravidian architecture. Built in 1926, the temple was a gift from the British rulers to the Tamilians in an attempt to win them over. Annually, thousands of tourists and devotees flock to the temple to visit the sanctum during the festivals of Panguni Uthiram, Kanda Shasthi, and Thai Poosam.

Visitors must take a stroll around the vast temple complex and marvel at the stunning Dravidian architecture which is displayed in the gopuram of the temple. There is a beautiful garden on the temple complex, which is very relaxing and calming. Visitors must also taste the delectable and palatable platters that are served around the temple complex. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, the platters serve authentic food from various cultures and are mouthwatering to say the least.

4. Mount Harriet National Park and Madhuban Range

One of the numerous national parks on Andaman Island, Mount Harriet National Park is the highest point of Port Blair. The Madhuban mountain range falls in the national park and offers a beautiful bird’s eye view of the entire city of Port Blair. With lush flora and fauna, the park has beautiful locations for photos. The Madhuban mountain range is a stretch of thick forest and is ideal for trekking.

Adventurous trekkers will get to see tremendous beauty all over the national park as they witness wildflowers in their glory, a rare collection of butterflies, a plethora of birds, and rare creatures. The Madhuban trek is extremely popular among all tourists and is a must-have experience for all adrenaline junkies.

The Madhuban trek starts from the foot of Mount Harriet and goes up to a distance of 16 km, overlooking vast expanses of wilderness. The trek has beautiful panoramic views of the Mount Harriet National Park as it is lined with black stones or Kala Patthar, which also makes the trek slightly difficult. At the end of the trek, visitors end up at a pristine white sand beach with bright blue waters where elephants can be seen engaged in lumbering. Only visitors that are fit and able to do the trek should volunteer as it is not an easy path to climb.

Travellers wanting to do the trek must travel to the Mount Harriet National Park which is 15 km from Port Blair. There are many ferries which ply to the many wharves of the national park, namely Chatham, Junglighat, Viper Island, Hope Town, and Mithakari.

Apart from the Madhuban range, Mount Harriet National Park is a must visit for all nature enthusiasts as it houses a lot of exotic birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The park has many trees and plants, making it an ideal environment for the fauna to thrive in. Travellers who wish to spend a night at the nature park can rent the forest guest house.

5. Japanese Bunkers

Located in Port Blair, Japanese Bunkers are testimony to World War II and the time when a siege on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands was attempted. The Bunkers were constructed by the Japanese army who had invaded the archipelago during World War II. The Bunkers are ancient relics that are an anecdote to the intensive and intimidating war times.

The locals say that more than 300 bunkers were built when the land was under the rule of Japanese, and that almost 2,000 Indian citizens were murdered because of Japanese brutality. Over the years, some of the bunkers have been destroyed and ruined due to the natural calamities that wreaked havoc on the islands. Japanese Bunkers were used to stock lethal and deadly weapons and spy on the enemies. Today, these bunkers are wildly popular and visited by tourists both from India and other parts of the world.

Travel Tips for Port Blair

You must keep the streets clean and dispose of any garbage or plastic item at proper places.

If you want to take part in water activities, then you must have an instructor to take care of your safety.
You will have to purchase tickets for boat rides and island tours.
You can rent scooters and motorcycles to go around the place.

How to reach Port Blair?

Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar airport services the entire Andaman & Nicobar Islands. IndiGo operates daily non-stop flights to Port Blair from the following cities:

Kolkata
Mumbai
Delhi
Chennai
Bengaluru
Hyderabad

Weather in Port Blair

The average temperature in Port Blair is 27.1°C. The temperature in Port Blair varies very little throughout the year.

Best time to visit Port Blair

Every season offers different versions of Port Blair. However, October to April is the peak tourist season. Around this time of the year, Port Blair witnesses mild winters and the temperature ranges from 15°C to 34°C. Also, all water sports and beach activities are open.

For divers, the summer months are most popular, as they are not very hot with temperatures ranging between 28°C and 30°C.

All travellers must be prepared for light rainfall at any time as Port Blair is a tropical city.

Stay in Port Blair

Port Blair has many luxurious and comfortable hotels for travellers to unwind at:

Hotel De Pebbles
Munjoh Island House
Symphony Samudra Beachside Jungle Resort and Spa
Lemon Tree Hotel, Port Blair

Conclusion

Port Blair is indeed a beautiful holiday destination that should be on every traveller’s list. The clear blue sky, sandy beaches, crystal blue waters, and lush greenery are the top reasons to plan a Port Blair tour. This is an ideal vacation spot for the super adventurous people who like to explore and the lazy birds who want to enjoy a hammock, sip coconut water, and just observe Mother Nature.