36 hours in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Ross Island jetty in Port Blair, Andaman Island. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

In the recent Netflix survival drama Kaala Paani, a mysterious, deadly epidemic grips the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Along with the compelling performances, the locations begged for our attention. From Swaraj Dweep at Radhanagar Beach, Munda Pahad, Chidiya Tapu, Netaji Stadium Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya, to Haddo Port, Collinpur Beach, Corbyn’s Cove Beach and Kala Pathar Beach. To reach all of these places, the first stop is the capital Port Blair.

Port Blair, however, is often thought of as the point that connects one to islands like Havelock Island, Neil Island, etc., but the city packs a punch with a mélange of things to see and do. Therefore, it is advisable to spend at least 36 hours here. We tell you how:

DAY 1

7.30 am: Breakfast at Annapurna

This pure vegetarian South Indian restaurant serves a-la-carte fare that is simple and hearty. Pick from the staples of idli, vada served with sambar and chutney as well as the range of dosas. They also have pancakes if you prefer something nontraditional. Wash it down with filter coffee or masala tea and you are ready for your sojourn.

9 am: Cellular Jail

Arguably one of the most well-known sights in Port Blair, the Cellular Jail is a reminder of the grim past and the struggle of freedom fighters of the country. The three stories structure was built in 1906 by the British and has many uniform tiny and isolated cells that housed freedom fighters who were jailed. There is a special cell here where Veer Sarvarkar stayed as well. There are three light and sound shows that happen in the evening that narrate the somber stories of the jail.

Cellular Jail, Port Blair. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

10.30 am: Government Saw Mill Chatham

Asia’s largest and oldest sawmill built in 1883, on Chatham Islands chronicles the journey of wood that is sorted, cut and made into wooden planks. You can walk around the place and see the process yourself. There are a few information boards that list the different stages of processing. There is also a small Forest Museum on the premises that has some wood carvings, wood furniture and showpieces. A small store also sells wood souvenirs that make for interesting gifts.

Government Saw Mill Chatham, Port Blair. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

11.30 am: Naval Marine Museum Samudrika

A space that is run by the Indian Navy, the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum has five galleries that explain different facets of the island. There are installations on the flora and fauna, ecosystem, tribal communities, and marine life here. An aquarium with corals, shells and local fish is also on site. The skeleton of a massive blue whale is another interesting exhibit here.  A small curio shop sells souvenirs. While you can take photos, please do not use your flash here.

Samudrika Museum. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

1.30 pm: Lunch at Mariposa, Coral Cove

Mariposa offers new age interpretations of world cuisine with a choice of both a buffet spread or an a-la-carte menu. The restaurant has chic décor with European designer furniture, new age lights and travertine walls and an airy al fresco seating area. When here, try the seafood specialties that are made with fresh fish from the region.

3 pm: Nature Park and Interpretation Centre

If you like to understand the local flora of the islands, the Nature Park and Interpretation Centre is the place to see. A walkway that snakes through the space takes you to an extensive display of orchids. There are a variety of orchids on display and interesting information boards too. For instance, did you know that orchids are one of the most diverse flowering species and there are about 30000 variants of the same? Or that the Dendrobium is the largest native species of orchids on the island and has 19 variants with three native to the Andamans? You can also spend some time observing the ocean and its sights from the terraced park space and visit the nursery there.

Nature Park and Interpretation Centre, Port Blair. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

5 pm: Sunset at Corbyn’s Cove beach

A coconut-palm fringed beach, Corbyn’s Cove is known for its adventure water-sports, scuba diving and paragliding activities. It also makes a good place to getaway in the evening as you can see a nice sunset from here. When here you can always find small nibbles at the Waves Restaurant & Beer Bar as well as pick up small souvenirs from the beach stores here.

Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Port Blair. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

6 pm: Flag Point and Marina Walk

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the first Independent Indian Flag in Andamans on 30th December 1943. As an ode to this, there is a Flag Point with a massive flag that celebrates this event. The well-maintained space overlooks the ocean and has instrumental music playing and is a favourite with walkers. The adjoining Marina Park is great for a few photo ops and cooling off for the evening.

Flag Post and Marina, Port Blair. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)

8 pm: Dinner at Amaya, Seashell Port Blair

Touted to be the best sea-facing rooftop lounge resto bar with live music, this is the place to enjoy cocktails, mocktails, barbecues and grills with a view to match. Some of the must try dishes here include the tandoori whole fish, golden fried prawns, chilli fish, a seafood platter, vegetable sizzlers and sizzling hot ice-cream. The Akbari Mughlai marinated chicken roll in roomali roti pairs well with the whiskey sour cocktail.

Amaya Roof Top Lounge SeaShell, Port Blair. (Photo courtesy Amaya)

DAY 2

8 am: Breakfast at Kattapommen - Pure Veg South Indian for breakfast

Start your next day on another south Indian note with a delectable range of freshly prepared, good quality and authentic fare at Hotel Kattabomman. They serve a variety of dosas with three chutneys and sambar, Pongal (made with rice, moong dal and ghee), Idli and Poori Masala, crispy poori with potato mashed masala and vada. Do try their onion uthappam, which is served with tomato, coconut, and mint chutney, a favourite here. There is limited seating so make sure you come early to avoid waiting.

9 am: Chidiya Tapu

This is a destination that is 25 kilometers from the city and is great for bird watching and enjoying nature at its pristine best. While Chidiya Tapu is known for its sunset, it is an avian paradise and houses a biological park of the Andaman Forest department. Make a stop at the beautiful Mundapahad beach that is next to a dense reserved forest. Chidiya Tapu is known for its rich mangrove forests, trekking trails and diverse flora and fauna. The best way to explore this area is to take a guided tour so you can observe all the nuances of the locale.

The endemic Andaman Teal at Chidiya Tapu. (Photo: Bindu Gopal Rao)