When it comes to planning a trip to a far-away island, an island away from the hustles of daily lives, green forests, blue sea with white sand and splendid sunshine, the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands trip should be in your mind first. Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise a total of 572 islands, of which only 37 are inhabited.  Only a few of these islands are open to general tourists while access to the others is prohibited. The Andaman Islands are almost 1400 kilometres off the east coast of India, amongst the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal and are collectively known as a union territory.

Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman Islands and one of the key tourist attractions of the place. It attracts a huge number of tourists due to its picturesque landscapes, adventure activities and aesthetic sceneries. Clear turquoise blue waters splashing across the glistening and shimmering sand beaches, well-spread, peaceful and awe-inspiring beaches, stunning coral reefs, along with a historical attachment to India’s pre-Independence phase and the presence of unique ethnic cultures of various ancient tribes make the islands a popular and attractive tourist spot in the country.

The Andaman Islands are a true form of the word “tropical paradise” with vivid rainforests spread across the islands that are enriched with a diverse range of flora and fauna. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands trip should be on the bucket list of several people as it is famous for its beauty and several tourist spots and attractions all across the accessible islands. Port Blair forms the gateway to the archipelago and forms the central part of the Andaman Tour packages. Different islands can be accessed through daily ferry services available from the city.

If you are planning for a trip to the Andaman Islands, here is a list of the top 10 adventure activities you can take part in, and the top Andaman tourist places that you must surely consider visiting and experiencing while on a visit to this slice of paradise.

1. Scuba Diving at the Havelock Islands

One of the key attractions of the Andaman Islands is underwater diving at one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. The Elephant Beach in Havelock Islands, along with the Jolly Bouy Islands, Neil Island and the Red Skin Islands are the key attractions for people who want to see the amazing creations of nature underwater and go scuba diving. It is an experience that no one should miss and anyone who visits the Andamans must surely try this, at least once in his/her life time. It is also one of the major inclusions in most Andaman tour packages.

2. A range of water activities

The islands are famous for a range of water activities and sporting facilities that tourists can enjoy and experience. Swimming, snorkeling, jet-skiing, and banana boat riding are the most common water activities in the Andaman Islands. The most popular destination for snorkeling is the Jolly Bouy Island in Port Blair and the Elephant Beach in the Havelock Islands. The North Bay (Coral Islands) is also famous for snorkeling, swimming and trekking activities.

3. Parasailing

One of the biggest attractions in the Andaman tour packages is parasailing at the Islands. It is one of the most thrilling and adventurous activities in the islands and has become immensely popular among tourists. Flying over the calm blue waters is surely a memorable experience that most people would absolutely love.

4. Underwater walking

The Andaman and the Nicobar Islands trip boasts of scenic landscapes and a beautiful display of diverse marine life. Explore the spectacular scenes of diverse marine life, coral reefs, and underwater flora and fauna by indulging in an activity like walking on the ocean bed wearing special helmets.

5. Chidyatapu Trek

From the magnificent coastline of Port Blair, travel to the Munda Pahad Beach and take a trek up the Munda Pahad hill. Enjoy some scenic beauty and get an opportunity of watching migrating birds and getting into the mood of the beautiful landscape and the beautiful sunset across the horizon.

6. Beach bumming

The Andaman Islands have several extremely beautiful, unique and peaceful beaches that can be ideal destinations for people looking to spend some leisure time at peace, relaxing under the sun and the cool ocean breeze. Radharaman Beach and Corbyn’s Cove Beach are the most popular tourist destinations for people looking to spend some relaxing time and sunbathing at a peaceful and quiet vicinity. Wandoor Beach is another beach where people visit to observe the Tsunami affected areas.

7. Get in touch with history at Port Blair

The city stands to the central point of the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands trip and has a rich historical association with it. It is the point where most of the other Andaman tourist places are accessed from. Museum trails to witness several ethnicities of the islands, including histories of Andamanese tribes, the Central Jail, earlier known as the “Kaala Paani, which used to be one of the most infamous prisons during the pre-independence period and several other historical monuments.

8. Mangrove Kayaking at the Havelocks

Get an unadulterated view of the more undeciphered parts of the Havelock Islands, paddle through the rich and green mangrove forests and get a view of rich biodiversity and peaceful backwaters of the Andaman Sea.

9. Explore the beaches

Sitapur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach, Kalapathar Beach and Bharatpur Beach in Neil Islands are some of the most popular and most visited beaches in the islands. Andaman tour packages from Bangalore usually include a visit to several beaches. These are the main attractions of the tour, so don’t miss out on them.

10. Island Hopping

Havelocks, including Neil Island and the Ross Islands off Port Blair, has some of the most popular destinations and can be an exciting destination as day-trips. Island hopping through several islands, including the less frequented Virgin Island Cinque, can make for an adventurous day’s plan during your trip.

The Andaman and the Nicobar Islands trip is one of the most unique and memorable experiences a person can have and everyone must at least visit the location once in their lifetimes to experience something inexplicable. The best time to visit the islands is between October and March. So if you are planning for the Andaman tour, book your itinerary, pack your bags and get ready to experience the memories of a lifetime.