Andaman Islands airport name. Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Middle and North Andamans

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Andaman Islands located in the waters Indian Ocean , between and . This fashionable resort is a picturesque archipelago with a total area of ​​just over four thousand square kilometers.

Peculiarities

The administrative center of the archipelago is the city of Port Blair, which is home to only 100 thousand people. Thanks to convenient geographical location and mild climate, the Andaman Islands short term turned from a provincial British colony into one of the most successful resorts in India. White sand, bright green palm trees and small shells weird shape, are business card this exotic paradise. Largely due to the fact that the resort is as close as possible to the best European examples, it loses its national Indian flavor, which can only be seen in the architecture of a few temples scattered throughout the archipelago. In general, the Andaman Islands are a great holiday destination in India, as evidenced by the great popularity of the Indian resort among the numerous tourists who flock to the shores of the Andaman Sea every year.

general information

The Andaman Islands, of which there are 204, cover an area of ​​6408 sq. km. The population is 343,125 people, of which only 500 remain indigenous people.

A brief excursion into history

For a long time, these lands were inhabited by local Aboriginal tribes, known to the world like the people of the Great Andamans. It is curious that today about five hundred indigenous people live on the islands. They live far from the coast, in the thicket of ever-green jungle and avoid the numerous tourists who have chosen the sunny coast of the archipelago. The Aborigines hunt and engage in agriculture and fishing. If they wish, curious tourists manage to look at the life and everyday life of the indigenous population, but this happens extremely rarely, since the locals are good at hiding from prying eyes.

Climate

The best weather are established between January and mid-May. Also this best time for diving. At this time of year it is sunny and the sea is calm. Monsoons usually begin from the end of May and last until the end of July - this is the most unfavorable time, when it is windy, high waves rise in the sea and low underwater visibility. Heavy rainfall is possible from August to November, but diving is good during this period.

How to get there

From Moscow and other regions of Russia, the Andaman Islands can be reached through Delhi, Bangkok and other major cities. Budget flights from Kolkata, Chennai, Madras fly to the local Port Blair airport.

Transport

Passenger ferries are the only relatively inexpensive way to travel between the islands. It is better to reserve seats in advance. Renting a shuttle helicopter or seaplane is very expensive, but such a service is also possible. Auto-rickshaws are usually available for transportation on the islands; taxis are available only in Port Blair.

Resorts

The most popular resorts The Andaman Islands include the beach areas of Viper Island, Port Blair, Bird Island, Karmatong, as well as Diglipur and Havelock Islands. The resort area is dominated by lush, green vegetation, and the coastline is replete with wide sandy beaches with unusually clear water. Along coastline there are luxury hotels with large territory and lots of entertainment. Tourist infrastructure This fashionable resort in India has excellent conditions for a varied holiday, as a result of which there are simply no bad, and therefore cheap, hotels on the archipelago.

Accommodation

There are many hotels of different categories in the islands, which are managed by Andaman & Nicobar Tourism.

Kitchen

The Andaman Islands have an abundance of fish products; you can try the dishes in the gourmet restaurants of Port Blair or local cafes. The restaurants have higher prices than local cafes, but the food is worth it.

Shopping

The Andaman Islands are famous for their beaches and diving expeditions, but shopping here is also a lot of fun. In the mall and other places in Port Blair, you can find a variety of shells, mother-of-pearl jewelry and coral souvenirs. You can buy straw hats, various handicrafts, beaded jewelry, and bamboo crafts. You should definitely ask for a receipt from the seller to avoid problems with the purchased product.

Precautionary measures

Andaman Islands – safe place, but you should not take photographs or try to contact the local aborigines. North Sentinel Island is home to local aborigines who reject contact with other people.

Published Fly Hunt Mon, 14/04/2014 - 12:24

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The Andaman Islands are a small archipelago between Myanmar (Burma) and India, located in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago is part of the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In its own way total area The islands cover more than 6,400 square kilometers, and the population of the islands is about 350 thousand people.

The main city, as well as the center of the Andaman Islands, is the city of Port Blair, which is home to more than 100 thousand people. Back in 1789, the Andaman Islands were conquered by Great Britain under the command of Lieutenant Blair, after whom the city was named. The conquerors later faced numerous uprisings local residents islands, as a result, the British began exiling Indian prisoners here from 1858 to 1952.

Until now, the main population of the Andaman Islands are people from India, while the indigenous - Andaman - population makes up a tiny part. By the very beginning of the 20th century, there were about five thousand aborigines on the islands, but today there are about a hundred of them.

Among the attractions of the islands, the capital Port Blair is definitely worth noting. Here, right in the city center, there is a large Diving Center, with enough reasonable prices. Also, the Water Entertainment Center is located here, as well as great amount establishments for active recreation.

Trekking and snorkeling, as well as many other types of diving, are popular in the Andaman Islands. In Port Blair there is an excellent Anthropological Museum, the exhibits of which are dedicated to the life of local tribes. Here you can also visit the Forest Museum, as well as Maritime Museum. Of particular interest is the building of the ancient Prison, which today houses the Museum.

Photos of the Andaman Islands

Sights of the Andaman Islands

Not far from the capital - Port Blair - you can find the magnificent Corbin Beach, which is rightfully considered one of the most best beaches in the country. There is another Center right on the beach aquatic species sports, and in addition, here you can sit in a cozy Restaurant. On Corbin beach there is also a Hotel where you can relax for a couple of days, and very close to the beach you can swim to the small coral island of Zmeiny - the best place for diving.


It is worth noting the so-called “Bird Island", which is located thirty kilometers from Port Blair. In fact, this is a small fishing village, shrouded in jungle and located not far from a huge and beautiful bay, where you can see rare shell beaches.

A small quiet island not far from Port Blair, Viper Island, is also definitely worth a visit. The island got its name thanks to the ship of the same name "Viper", which crashed here. It was on this ship that English Lieutenant Archibald Blair first arrived at the Andaman Islands. The island has amazing sandy beaches, while the land is quite lush with vegetation.

It is also worth visiting Havelock Island, located fifty kilometers from Port Blair. Here you can enjoy snow-white beaches, as well as majestic coral reefs. Havelock Island has amazingly clear sea water, where standing in it you can see a lot of marine life without any equipment! Dolphins and turtles swim here, all kinds of fish - this is an unforgettable experience.


It is Havelock that is rightfully considered the most great place to observe marine inhabitants, and some land animals, such as elephants, also live in the forests of the island. The island has a good diving center.

Karmatang Beach is located quite far from Port Blair, but this is a place that is also definitely worth a visit. This is where large turtles lay their young. It is worth noting the Diglipur Island, which is famous all over the world for its fantastic marine flora and fauna. Numerous plants also grow here orange groves. The island is also famous for the only river in all the Andaman Islands, the Kaplong River.

India, Andaman islands, India

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The Andaman Islands are located between the seas of the Indian Ocean - Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. IN Andaman archipelago includes 550 islands, of which only 26 are inhabited; only 9 islands are open to tourists.

How to get to the Andaman Islands

The archipelago is located 1000 kilometers from east coast India and belongs to South-East Asia. You can get to the Andaman Islands by plane from Kolkata. From Delhi to the islands you can only get through Calcutta. Planes land in the capital of Andaman - Port Blair. From Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam, you can travel to Port Blair by boat (about 60 hours, which takes 4 days).

Since the territory of the archipelago is a protected area, a permit is required to visit it. Those flying to the islands by plane will be able to obtain such permission at the Port Blair airport. If you decide to sail to the islands by ship, you will have to take care of permission at the embassy (upon obtaining a visa) or at the port of departure. The permit is issued for a period of 30 days. Your permit will be checked when visiting all islands, when checking into a hotel - contact important document carefully.

Sights of the Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands - divine nature, exotic flora and fauna, coral reefs, jungles, in the thickets of which the indigenous islanders are hiding - peoples who have not been touched by civilization.

In 1789, British colonialists landed on the Indian islands inhabited by ancient peoples. They built a prison on this land, which functioned until the mid-20th century. The buildings and premises of the prison are today declared a historical monument. It is located in the capital Port Blair.

The islands have many luxurious sandy beaches and diving spots. Popular places holidays in the archipelago - Corbin Bay, islands: Chirya Tapu, Viper Island, Havelock, Karmatang, Diglipur, Ramnagar beach, Corbin beach, Mahamta Gandhi Sea Beach.

The best time to visit the Andaman Islands is from October to May, and the best time for divers is from mid-January to mid-May. The worst time for such a trip - with strong winds, rain and poor visibility - is from the end of May to the end of June.

John, G4IRN will be active from Andaman Islands, IOTA AS - 001, 23 February - 5 March 2018 as VU4G.
QTH - Sea Princess Resort, Port Blair, Andaman Island, Andaman Islands.
Latest DX spots VU4G
QTH locator - NK61ho.
It will operate on the bands 40 - 17m.
QSL via G4IRN, ClubLog OQRS, LOTW.
Address for QSL direct:
JOHN WARBURTON, 31 GREENWOOD ROAD, THAMES DITTON, KT7 0DU, England.

VU4G. Sea Princess Resort, Andaman Islands. QSL.

Holidays in the Andaman Islands - return to nature

If there are still places on our planet where no human has set foot, then they can be found on the Andaman Islands. The archipelago is located in the Bay of Bengal between India and Myanmar, is part of India and is part of the union formation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Of more than two hundred small islands, only 36 have been developed.

Pristine nature is represented by endless tropical forests covering more than 90% of the territory. Rich ecosystem, secluded lagoons with emerald water, cleanest beaches with golden sand - isn't this heaven on earth! Jacques-Yves Cousteau himself admired the local nature and eloquently described it in his memoirs.

The archipelago has a warm tropical climate, with an average temperature of 26°C. The season of heavy tropical rains can be found here in the summer months, so it is better not to take risks and not plan your vacation for this time. Tourist season with the most favorable climate lasts from October to April.


Andaman Islands. Photo by Jordan Sadler.

Primitive tribes and colonization

According to research, even in ancient times, descendants of primitive people. By the way, on many isolated islands, direct descendants of those same settlers still live, whose way of life has not changed at all since the times of the primitive system.

He was the first to speak about islands inhabited by strange tribes. famous navigator Marco Polo. Moreover, in his stories, the traveler called the islanders nothing less than cannibals, which for a long time repulsed the desire of his contemporaries and subsequent generations to visit the remote group of islands.

This continued until the Englishman Archibald Blair arrived on the island in 1789, who immediately registered the lands as English possessions. The enterprising lieutenant founded the first stronghold - Port Blair, which later became the largest city and capital of the archipelago. Today, the city is home to approximately 100 thousand people, most of whom are Indians.

Due to unusual climatic conditions The British immediately took a dislike to the islands, and used the new colony solely for the exile of prisoners. In memory of those times, prison buildings remained - one of the few man-made monuments in the Andamans.

During the Second World War, part of the islands was occupied by Japan, which, however, very quickly abandoned the territory. And since 1950, the archipelago completely came under the control of India, soon after which it acquired the status of a nature reserve.



Kollinpur Beach, Andaman Islands. Photo by Abkhranil Neogi.

Development of tourism in the Andamans

Poorly developed on the islands travel business: The Indian government is in no hurry to sacrifice such a rare treasure for monetary gain. And this is only for the better, because there are not many places left on earth where you can hide from the boring urbanization and truly relax. Andamans is not for those who are used to service at every turn and first-class living conditions. This is a place for true connoisseurs of the exotic who want to completely immerse themselves in the authentic world of island life.

Another explanation for the fact that the islands are not at all popular among tourists is the need to obtain special permission to visit the territory, which has the status of a nature reserve. In addition, Russian citizens need to obtain a visa to travel to India. As for the permit, this is a far-fetched obstacle, because the document does not need to be specially prepared somewhere on your own; it is issued to all tourists right at the airport upon arrival.

It is also believed that the supposed road to the islands is expensive and confusing. But in fact, getting here is not much more difficult than getting to other island resorts. To do this, you need to fly to India, from where you can get to Port Blair - largest city on the archipelago. This can be done by air or by water.


Fisherman, Andaman Islands. Photo by Tim Scarisbrick.

Who would be interested in a holiday in the Andaman Islands?

As already mentioned, lovers of measured beach holiday They are unlikely to appreciate the local service. But fans of active pastime will definitely be satisfied with the trip.

The Andaman Islands are a favorite destination for divers who come here from all over the world. IN protected place there are no industrial ports, but fishing completely prohibited. Such closedness of the islands to fishing allowed the ecosystem to maintain its original appearance. Thanks to the crystal clear water, you can observe life unhindered underwater world in all its colorful diversity. The favorable season for diving coincides with the tourist season, when there are no storms or downpours.

The protected Andaman Islands are dearly loved by adherents of the now fashionable ecotourism. If you want to relax exclusively in those corners of our planet where there is the least trace of civilization, then the Andamans are simply created for this. There are never crowds of tourists with cameras, noisy musical parties and other attributes of resort towns. The environment on the islands is ideal for yoga, meditation, and other practices that involve unity with nature.

What tourists need to know

Since the entire archipelago is a protected area, this dictates certain rules of behavior for visitors. For example, on the islands it is prohibited to collect shells, pick corals, fish near the shore and engage in spearfishing. Even if you manage to take the coral without anyone noticing, it will be discovered by customs officers during luggage inspection.

Be careful with local cuisine. Indians are big fans of seasonings, to which the body of Europeans is often unusual. Therefore, if you are not a big fan of fiery food, then when ordering dishes it is better to immediately ask for less spices.

When buying souvenirs, you can and should bargain - fortunately, residents of Port Blair and nearby settlements are quite good at English language. To make payments, it is better to get local money immediately upon arrival, since ATMs can only be found in Port Blair.

How to get there? Which country do they belong to? Is it really important to know the answers to these questions when it comes to the absolute paradise from the famous coconut chocolate bar advertisement? well, yes, heaven. . . In which there is absolutely nothing to do. . . :)

Far away... Don't think that we are now trying to dissuade you from visiting the Andaman Islands. Quite the opposite.
Travel for several days by land, water and air, apply for an Indian visa, and then a special permit, manage not to burn on the first day under the cosmically scorching sun... Having smeared yourself with sunscreen, crawl out of the bamboo hut for a couple of hours in the morning and evening... .
And, most blasphemous, forget about. At all. Even the slowest one.

Only in this case does insight come - all the difficulties you have done for the sake of this wonderful moment, the moment of doing nothing. Surrounded by perfectly white sand flour, soothingly crunchy under your feet, the azure surface of the ocean, which due to its transparency is almost invisible while swimming, a delicious coconut that extends your hand every day, and complete peace, so necessary in the frantic rhythm of our daily lives.

Welcome to distant lands - to the Andaman Islands. By the way, you heard right, the Andaman archipelago belongs to India.
Only you can “see” it better from Myanmar. There are about 150 kilometers between them. While the islands are almost one and a half thousand away from their “native” country. For those who are partial to seascapes, endless expanses and the rocking of the ship, this distance is mere nonsense.
Once a week, a ship departs from the port of Kolkata, taking several days to reach its destination. And for those who like to travel by air, of course, the plane is only a couple of hours away.

Whichever option you choose, you cannot avoid queuing to get permission. However, there is no need to worry - it is given to almost everyone. And after the stamp is phlegmatically slapped into the passport, all roads open. On any of the islands of the archipelago. Although no, not just any one. I'm exaggerating. The fact is that out of more than 500, less than 50 are inhabited...
And the rest are untouched corners, where there is simply no fresh water and where, most likely, no human has set foot. Most of the so-called “wild” islands are still inhabited by people who are not familiar with civilization. They say that among them there are direct descendants of primitive people. Although there is no way to verify this - Aboriginal settlements have been declared reservations, which are strictly guarded by the authorities, and visiting them is prohibited.

Interestingly, in Port Blair, the capital of the archipelago, many travel agencies offer excursions to the “wild” islands. This means a dozen pieces of land with several nationalities (Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, etc.), the number of which does not exceed a couple of hundred people. These are aborigine pygmies who became acquainted with the civilized world quite recently, and use only loincloths and bright beads as clothing.

Tourists coming to the islands are allowed to move only a hundred meters away from the boat. Of course, there are no fences. Just outside the designated area, as trip organizers assure, there is a risk of running into trouble. In the access zone Of course, the above-described “wildness” is a rare exception. And you shouldn’t be afraid of them if you are purposefully traveling to islands from the permitted category.

So, 20 ferry minutes from Port Blair, perhaps the most excursion of them is Ross Island. Or “Paris of the East,” as it was pathetically called during the residence of first the French and then the English colonial authorities. It was here that the first correctional settlement for convicts on the archipelago was built. To this day, all that remains of the brick prisons are a few walls artistically overgrown with vines, a church on the top of a hill and an old cemetery adjacent to it. Guests of the island are greeted by the owners of the territory - axis sika deer, who allow themselves to be petted.

Unlike Ross, the neighboring Viper Island much smaller and completely covered in greenery. It received its name in honor of the ship of the same name, which was wrecked here in 1789. It was on it that English Lieutenant Archibald Blair first arrived in the Andamans with the aim of building prisons (one on Ross Island, the other in the capital of the archipelago). On Viper, whipping posts are preserved as relics - evidence of a sad colonial past. Because of them, this place is also called the “island of gallows.” And the path to them from the pier leads along a winding brick path.

The most peaceful of the islands - Nile. The ferry from Port Blair arrives on its shores only three times a week. Its territory is considered an exclusive recreation center for wealthy ecotourists and snorkeling fans. The coral reef here has been preserved in its original form, and the island itself resembles a triangle with several bays and enchanting beaches. You can explore them in a couple of hours by bike.
And to get a feel for the place, it’s better to stay for a week. During this time you can relax and dive. And also eat too much exotic fruits. The Nile, by the way, is called the “food bowl” by the residents of the archipelago. After all, it is from here that the largest quantity of all “Andaman” fruits and vegetables is exported.

But what if this one is small? tropical paradise get bored, welcome to Havelock- the most popular and touristy of all the islands. You can get to it by the same ferry as to the Nile, just get off at the terminus. And from the pier, anyone can drive to the desired location in a matter of minutes. The main attraction of the island is Beach 7, which probably deserves highest rating according to the “Bounty scale”.
A wide lagoon of snow-white sand framed by greenery, the road to which lies through a real a tropical forest, the majestic and calm ocean, and finally the crystal blue sky...

The first days of your stay on Havelock, the surrounding landscapes do not let go of the idea that everything is completely “Photoshopped” of what is happening. Just forty minutes later, and we are on the elephant beach, where, of course, for a fee, you can even swim with a huge animal. A few more kilometers to the south, and we will always encounter dolphins and turtles. Overnight stay is in a bamboo hut with cozy hammocks on the porch. On their roofs, made of palm branches, before dawn, ripe mangoes fall from the trees, which are pleasant to quench your thirst during the day.
Every new day you can visit new beach, scuba dive or snorkel, travel in the jungle. Or just sit on the sand and watch the boats that do not float, but seem to float above clear water.

In pursuit of "shanti"
Many readers may think that the Andamans are an absolute paradise, where you can wander endlessly. Desert, mangroves, ocean, ocean, ocean...
But all this beauty can hardly be called a tourist place in the style of the UAE, Maldives and other popular tourist places. There are no fashionable hotels, pretentious restaurants, nightclubs or any significant architectural landmarks in the Andamans.
People go to the Andaman archipelago, cruising lazily between a “wild” beach and a hut vibrating in the wind. However, in this case, the word “laziness” does not carry a negative connotation. Here, rather, a certain state of “shanti”, harmony of the internal and external world is implied. And if this makes you feel good, then you have found yourself in a place where it is simply good, without any conditionality.

Have you ever wondered what a “bounty” is, other than a chocolate bar? But originally this was the name of a warship that was wrecked off the coast of small islands southeast from New Zealand. The same ones that later became the “Bounty”, a symbol of “heavenly pleasure”...
And if you are ready to travel long and hard to the Andaman Islands in order to slowly and lazily catch the poetry of everyday life on the beach, breathe in the atmosphere of freedom and do “doing nothing,” then you should not put it off until later. Because, most likely, such a trip will turn out to be one of the most interesting adventures on the travel list. And proof of how wonderful it is to laze around in almost heavenly conditions.

 

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