Near-perfect weather, a touch of history and tonnes of natural beauty – Port Blair should be your calling soon.
Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, is also the largest city in the over 350 islands that make up the archipelago.
It was established as a penal colony during the British Raj. Today, it still shows remnants of its historical past with many monuments from the era still standing tall today. Like many other tourists, you can make it your base when you visit the Andamans next. From here, you can branch out to explore the incredible beauty of the islands.
But if the usual grind of looking at monuments and beaches is not your thing, then you can check out other interesting ways to spend your time in Port Blair:
* Best time to visit:Although Port Blair is an all-season destination, the best time to visit the city is between November and March. But the Chennai to Port Blair flights are heavily booked during this time. You can even book yourself on Kolkata to Port Blair flights. Winter is mild in the islands and the temperature ranges between 15 to 30 Degrees Celsius. This weather is perfect for sightseeing, recreational beach activities or taking nature trails. The summer is hot and lasts till June, with rainfall and thunderstorms lasting from August to October.
* Getting there:Port Blair is air linked with Chennai, Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, and Kolkata. The Chennai Port Blair flights are ones that most tourists opt for, and hence you would be advised to do your bookings in advance if you intend to travel from Chennai. On the sea-front, Andaman is connected to Kolkata, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam. Multiple ferries also operate between Port Blair and all the other islands in the archipelago.
* Explore the unique natural beauty of the islands: The Andamans are a paradise for ecologists, ornithologists and nature lovers; housing over 240 species of birds, nearly 50 species of mammals and 75 species of reptiles and numerous species of insects. Approximately 86% of the Andaman and Nicobar islands are covered by lush tropical rainforests, and it houses around 96 sanctuaries and 9 national parks.
* Learn about tribal life: The Andaman and Nicobar islands are home to some of the oldest tribal societies in the world. Six recognised and distinct tribes inhabit several islands of the archipelago. The five major groups of Andamanese are: the Great Andamanese, traditionally of the Great Andaman archipelago but now living on Strait Island. The Jarawa, traditionally of the southern part of South Andaman Island. The Onge of Little Andaman, and the Sentinelese of North Sentinel Island are some of the documented tribes, of which the Sentinelese are considered one of the last uncontacted humans on the planet. The other tribes have more or less now used to signs of modern life knocking on their doors. You can even hire local tribal guides who will help you learn more about these tribes and experience tribal life firsthand.
Keywords: Chennai Port Blair flights
