Hidden in the glinting marriage of the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal lies India's most enchanting secret—The Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This breathtaking archipelago, an Indian union territory, is made up of 572 idyllic islands, each one a glowing jewel with its own geography, history, and enchantment. Scattered like pieces of a tattered puzzle, these islands encircle the sea, speaking of tropical effulgence, rich biodiversity, and timeless heritage.

Almost every time that we dream of this distant paradise, that ancient question recurs: How many islands form the Andaman and Nicobar chain? The answer—572—is not just a number; it's proof of the spread and mystery of the place. But since these 572 do indeed exist around, only 38 are populated, the rest left alone and nestled in pure natural splendor.

The archipelago is further split into some of the larger aggregations of islands: Great Andaman, Little Andaman, Ritchie's Archipelago, the East Volcano Islands, and the Sentinel Islands. Each has a distinct individual character, ecology, and charm. The Great Andaman group is not only the largest but the most famous, where the capital city, Port Blair, a lively town and gateway to this tropical paradise, lies. Great Andaman has the majority of the area's luxury beaches and perfect water sport locations, and hence has emerged as a tourist destination and place for adventure enthusiasts in general.

Little Andaman, lesser known but no less magical, is farther south, while Ritchie's Archipelago grabs the limelight with the likes of Havelock Island (properly Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), and Wilson Island—places that have come to be identified with pristine sands, turquoise-blue seas, and rainbow-hued coral reefs.

For ocean biodiversity enthusiasts, the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve in the Great Nicobar island is a goldmine of nature. It is one of the finest conservation reserves in India, with uncommon flora and fauna on the surface and marine life.

And then there are the Sentinel Islands occupied by the indigenous Sentinelese, one of the last uncontacted tribes in the whole world. They are out of bounds for modern civilization and are protected by stringent laws to keep them secluded.

Whatever it is that fascinates you—explorations of the deep sea, unmapped territory, ancient tribes and colonial history—the Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide an experience with multiple dimensions. This island group is not merely a destination for tourists—it is an adventure into the last great frontier of natural wonders and cultural diversity in our universe.

Islands to visit in Andaman and Nicobar

Wondering about the places not to miss? Here's a comprehensive guide.

1. Havelock Island

One of the islands in Andaman and Nicobar, Havelock receives the most tourists. Havelock Island, which is 39 kilometres to the northeast of Port Blair and covers an area of 113 square kilometres, offers the ideal Andaman beach vacation.

This welcoming and magnificent island's white sand beaches are surrounded by rain-fed forests, making them one of India's most picturesque travel destinations. Along with Kalapather and Vijaynagar Beach, Havelock Island also includes the well-known Elephant Beach and Radhanagar Beach.

Havelock Island offers captivating adventure activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, and trekking in addition to its exceptional ambience and hypnotic serenity. Havelock Island is the ideal holiday spot for those seeking a trip to nature's lap and is equipped with several leisurely amenities.

Getting there

Government ferries link Havelock Island with Port Blair's Phoenix Bay Jetty. Each day, private luxurious boats also transport guests to Havelock. In Havelock, local transportation options include taxis, auto rickshaws, buses, and motorbikes.

On Havelock Island, the STS Department has also launched two AC Deluxe buses for local transportation. There are also seaplane and helicopter services between Havelock and Port Blair.

Activities and Sights

The most popular Andaman attractions may be found on the island of Havelock, which is home to beautiful beaches including Radhanagar, Vijaynagar, Elephant, and Kalapather. Beachcombing, scuba diving, sunbathing, sea walks, snorkelling, bird-watching, climbing, sailing, and kayaking are a few of the best activities to do on Havelock Island.

Best time for a Visit

The best time to visit Andaman is between October and February. During this period, mostly honeymooners may be seen visiting the island.

During these months, the temperature varies between 15 and 34 degrees Celsius. Conversely, the summer months, i.e., March to May on Havelock Island are perfect for participating in a variety of water sports like diving and snorkelling.

2. Neil Island

Neil Island, which is northeast of Port Blair, is known as the "Vegetable Bowl of Andaman" because of the farming methods used there.

It is an extensive and pristine Andaman island and is bestowed with stunning scenery, making it the ideal place for a vacation. This island is nothing less than an empyrean for travellers looking to relax after a busy day.

It is a visual pleasure due to the turquoise water and lush vegetation. Do not miss out on experiencing Neil Island's magnificent reefs and corals.

Getting There

Private boats operated by the government depart for Neil Island every day from the Phoenix Bay dock in Port Blair. It takes 55 minutes on average to go to Neil Island from Port Blair.

Activities and Sights

The Island combines adventure, luxury, privacy, and beauty all in one. Scuba diving at the Jetty area and Laxmanpur beach, swimming and snorkelling at beaches in Sitapur, cycling, game fishing, and glass-bottom boating are among the popular ones.

Best time for a Visit

Neil Island has a tropical environment, so October to May are ideal for vacations centred on sightseeing and water sports.

Try to arrange a trip to Neil Island in January so that you can attend Subhash Mela, which is held to commemorate Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birthday. The event's main attractions include a flower show, a vegetable exhibition, a healthy baby contest, handicraft stalls, and food stalls.

3. Baratang Island

Baratang Island, one of the islands in Andaman and Nicobar which is around 100 km from Port Blair, is an undiscovered gem full of natural wonders and pure beauty.

This must-see location is covered with lush mangrove forests and luscious green meadows. Incredible but unnoticed location, the spectacular limestone caves, and intriguing mud volcanoes are only a couple of the unusual and fascinating sights found on Baratang Island.

Getting There

A car ferry will take you across the creek to get to Baratang, which is around 100 kilometres from Port Blair along the big Andaman truck road.

Government buses are available from Mohanpura Bus Terminus, and private buses and taxis are also available; you will be picked up straight from the chosen locations or from Veer Savarkar International Airport. Both of these modes of transportation are ways to get to the island.

Activities and Sights

Be prepared for lush mangroves, jetty rides, exotic birds, tranquil beaches, and cluster-phobic caves all around you. Visitors to Baratang Island have a lot to do there. You can visit Parrot Island to watch the parrots, tour the Limestone Caves, and examine the Mud Volcano.

Best time for a Visit

Baratang Island is thought to be best visited from November to February. The sea is navigable and suitable for outdoor activities like trekking, water activities, and sightseeing during this time of year.

4. Rangat Island

Rangat, one of the islands in Andaman and Nicobar is famous for its clean beaches, waterfalls, and magical islands.

The Aamkunj Beach, which is great for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing, is one of Rangat's top attractions. The beach is developed distinctively, with environmentally friendly structures including eco-cottages and groves that are named after the native flora.

Another eco-tourism location near Rangat that's great for picnics is Moricedera. A beautiful freshwater creek that runs through the location acts as a natural swimming pool.

The largest mangrove nature walkway in India, Dhaninallah Mangrove Nature Walkway, is located about 20 kilometres from Rangat. Yerrata Creek and Yerrata Mangrove Park are other places of interest near Rangat.

Getting there

Ferries from Long Island, Havelock, and Neil connect Rangat to Port Blair.

There are boats to Rangat four to five days a week. Between Port Blair to Rangat, there are buses available. It takes roughly 6-7 hours to get there. 

Activities and Sights

Rangat is a great place for picnics and sunbathing. A variety of mangroves can be seen in locations like Yerrata. Expect a beach vacation that is eco-friendly here.

Best time for a Visit

Rangat is best visited between December and March. The temperature is pleasant, ranging from 23 to 30 degrees Celsius.

5. Ross Island

When in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, you should visit Ross Island, which is a spectacular location.

If you want to make a day of it by spending hours exploring its historical significance, this is a great spot to visit. The remnants of the British-era structures can still be found on Ross Island, which served as the colony's administrative centre.

To preserve the spirit of the past, the tourism agency has today's state-of-the-art light and sound performance on display for visitors to the Island.

Getting there

Ross Island can be reached easily through many ferries that depart from Marine Park in Port Blair. Since ferries operate from 7 am to 3 pm, it is advisable to travel to the entire Island in a single day by taking the morning ferry and returning in the afternoon.

Activities and Sights

Ross Island is now a popular tourist site where visitors may explore the ruins and bask in the splendour of bygone days.

Best time for a Visit

The months of November till February are the ideal times to explore Ross Island. These months are the greatest for visiting and exploring the island because the weather is at its finest for sightseeing and other water sports during this time of year.

6. Little Andaman

Even though Little Andaman is the least inhabited of the big islands, it is a must-see location among the islands in Andaman and Nicobar.

A relaxing sail ferry journey and quick helicopter ride will take you to this getaway to explore its pure natural charms and for some beach sports like surfing if you want to escape the cliché tourist attractions in Andaman Island. This island is reportedly one of India's top spots for surfing.

This stunning short getaway location is rich in flora and fauna and is well renowned for its Red Oil Palm Plantation, which spans a sizable region. Also, Whisper Wave and White Surf waterfalls are the two main tourist attractions of Little Andaman.

Getting there

Ferry and helicopter are the two modes of transportation that connect to Little Andaman. A ferry ride is ideal for you if you want to forget all sense of reality and cruise through the open air and ocean. If you're in a time capsule, it's easy to get to the Island via air.

Best time for a visit

The Little Andaman is thought to be best visited from November to February as the sea is navigable and suitable for water sports during this time of year.

Every traveller is attracted by its unique and beautiful cove. Here, you can have one of the best surfing experiences

Conclusion

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have earned the title of an environment-friendly tourist destination.

The Andaman Islands' evergreen tropical rain forests, serpentine mangrove-lined streams, stunning silver sand beaches, and abundant marine life, including rare plant species, animals, corals, and more, offer visitors an unforgettable experience and serve as a tourist paradise.

The water activities, beach resorts, and outdoor adventures like hiking, nature trails, island camping, scuba diving, etc. offer a ton of opportunities to appreciate nature. Along with the answer to how many islands are there in Andaman and Nicobar, this post gives you ample reasons as to why you should visit this nature's paradise.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

How many islands are in Andaman Nicobar?

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands consist of some 572 islands. Out of them, only 38 islands are inhabited perpetually. The group is divided into two, namely, Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands.

Who are the 21 Andaman Islands named after?

Param Vir Chakra awardees this group of islands is closely linked to the great Indian freedom struggle and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. In this regard, recently, 21 unnamed islands have been named after Param Vir Chakra awardees.

How many islands are there in Andaman alone?

Indian archipelago consists of over 300 islands in Andamans alone, and the rest 272 islands make up the Nicobar Islands. Indigenous tribes have been living on some parts of these islands since about 2,000 years ago.