BEACH

5 Reasons Why Andaman Islands Are More than Just a Beach Destination

MakeMyTrip Holidays

Last updated: Feb 2, 2023

Escaping to the gentle ocean breeze undeniably brings an end to your everyday woes! While sun-kissed beaches with soft sands and sparkling waters seem like a perfect retreat, there is still a hankering for more. The Andaman archipelago in the Indian Ocean offers a tropical oasis with exotic mangrove forests and incredible biodiversity, and the cluster of islands here not only offers some of the most scenic beaches, but a plethora of marine activities to de-stress you to the fullest. Check out these amazing things to do during your holiday in the Andaman Islands:

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Scuba Diving

radhanagar-beach-andaman-island

The most visited island in the Andaman archipelago is the Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), featuring one of the world’s best-rated beaches – Radhanagar Beach. Even if you are not a professional swimmer, you can easily indulge in the unique under-water activities here. Havelock Island being a major scuba diving centre, the diving centres here are either certified by PADI or SSI offering leading-edge gear.

You will be getting a training for about 10-15 minutes before the final dive which lasts for about an hour. While there are so many fantastic scuba diving spots around this island, the Aquarium is a fantastic choice for first timers with a steady current. Located about 12 km from the island, this diving spot measuring 8-14 metres deep, with crystal clear waters that open you up to its colourful habitat of hard corals and shoals of butterfly fish.

While all these sites are perfect during the day, how about an exciting scuba dive at night? The Lighthouse point with the depth ranging from 6-20 metres is the only spot around the island that lets you do this. As you plunge into the waters at night, the colourful soft and hard corals along with the schools of Humpback Parrotfish, Lionfish and many other sea animals would surely mesmerise you.

Standup Paddling

The pristine Radhanagar Beach is also a great spot for numerous exciting water sports. If surfing seems too tough and you still want to glide through the water, paddleboarding is surprisingly a fun alternative. Similar to kayaking and surfing, paddleboarding is mostly done while standing and it doesn’t require a wave to push you ahead. The calm and shallow water of the ocean is idyllic for this activity.

While standup paddling may seem easy, you need to keep in mind not to push the paddle too much. Grip the paddle firmly and pull it towards your body. You wouldn’t realize how quick you will move from one part of the ocean to the next. Moreover, there would be instructors who would guide you through the complete activity.

Read More: 10 Fascinating Facts You Didn't Know About Andaman Islands

Snorkelling

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No trip to Andamans is complete without a visit to Elephant Beach. About 2 km away from the famed Radhanagar Beach, you can trek through the dense jungle to reach this beach or head to the Havelock Island Jetty and take a boat.  This dynamic beach is widely popular for snorkelling and other aquatic adventures. Unlike scuba diving, snorkelling is more relaxed, and you won’t have to carry a lot of gear. Just off the picturesque white sand, the gleaming turquoise water with colourful marine life and stunning coral reefs would simply overwhelm you. Put on the snorkeling mask, get in the water and feast your eyes upon the schools of Hogfish and Leafy Sea Dragon. The best time to visit the Elephant Beach would be during the summer, as the monsoon makes it inaccessible. 

Seafood Like No Other

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No matter where you are in Andaman Islands – be it Havelock Island, Neil Island or Port Blair, you can’t really miss out on the delicious seafood. With an array of restaurants serving dishes prepared with freshly caught prawns, crabs, fish and lobsters, you will be satiated to the brim. The traditional Andamani Fish Curry would tease your taste buds like never before! When you are in Port Blair, do enjoy this delectable dish at New Lighthouse Restaurant.

Read More: 10 Free Things to Do in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Cafés to Chill in

While the fantastic water adventures in Havelock Island will make your mornings eventful, you can keep the afternoons and evenings to soak in its serene, laidback ambience. Do head to Anju Coco Resto for a fulfilling lunch. Drop off your shoes at the entrance, be welcomed into its cozy ambience, and try out the barbecued fish along with some exotic concoctions. Later in the evening, head to an eat-out with a twist – A Beachside Café, about 2 km away from Anju Coco Resto. If you are visiting Andaman Islands with your significant other, the both of you should just reserve a table for a romantic candlelit dinner at this café. This perfect beachside setting with delicious food and some red wine would make for a memorable evening for the both of you.

Now that you know what the Andaman Islands offer, pick any of the exciting MakeMyTrip packages to enjoy some of the best watersport adventures in India.

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