Suresh Kumar
28-05-2025
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Top Museums to Visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

When most tourists imagine the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, they are transported to images of blue seas, white beaches, and tropical peace. But beneath all this peaceful loveliness is a rich and largely hidden history, to be unearthed in the different museums spread across these islands. From colonial days to indigenous tribes, from ocean discoverers to the fight for Indian independence, the museums are a cultural plunge deeper than any Nemo Beach Havelock.

A history buff, an investigative wanderer, or just one seeking an escape from the afternoon sun, seeing the legendary museum of Andaman and Nicobar will give you a completely new idea about this paradise.

Let's take a peek into the best museums that turn the Andaman not just a beach lover's paradise, but a history buff's paradise.

1. Cellular Jail National Memorial – The Pride and Pain of Andaman

Beyond question, the Cellular Jail is the most popular museum of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Popularly referred to as "Kala Pani," this British prison in Port Blair is an emotional recall of India's struggle for independence. It is not a jail; it's an emotion. It was constructed by the British in 1906, and it was home to some of the most courageous freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar and Batukeshwar Dutt.

Now, the Cellular Jail is a museum and national memorial to the atrocities and martyrdom of freedom fighters exiled to this location. The cells are tales of bravery in resistance, torture, and resilience.

What to Expect:

Evening Light and Sound show, in a chronological manner, narrates the plight of the prisoners.
Historic galleries with photos, models, and old documents.
A peaceful garden for quiet contemplation.

This museum brings history alive, but lets you live it. Passing by the Cellular Jail, and if one were ever to travel to the Andamans at all, would be like leaving the soul behind.

2. Samudrika Naval Marine Museum – The Maritime Heritage of the Islands

Situated in Port Blair, the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum is another famous museum of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands that is worthy of your attention and time. Governed by the Indian Navy, this museum provides the complete picture of the marine ecosystem, tribal life, geography, and archaeology of the islands.

Whereas all other museums specialise in one category, Samudrika is a one-stop shop to learn about the whole identity of the islands. It has coral reefs to tribal artefacts.

What to Watch Out For:

Detailed information regarding five departments: marine life, tribes, history, geography, and archaeology.
The skeleton of a blue whale is many feet high at the entrance.
Intricate corals, shells, and sea fossils.
A glimpse into the way of life of tribal communities such as the Jarwas, Onges, and Sentinalese.

This museum is perfect for school groups, families, and travellers who would love to know what makes the Andamans so ecologically and culturally distinctive.

3. Anthropological Museum – Dip into Tribal Life

If you were ever intrigued about the original Andaman and Nicobar Islanders, then Port Blair's Anthropological Museum will catch your attention. One of the Andaman and Nicobar museums, this is entirely dedicated to the different tribes that inhabit the islands.

It was founded in 1975 by the Anthropological Survey of India. The museum gives us an insight into the lives of tribes such as the Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges, Shompens, and Sentinalese.

What to See:

Life-size replicas of tribal houses and equipment.
Tribal artefacts such as bows, arrows, fishing gear, and kitchen utensils.
Rare photographs and documents chronicling the origin and present status of the tribes.
A small souvenir shop with tribal handicrafts.

What is special about this museum is its ability to transport you to a world untouched by modern civilisation. It provides you with a chance to understand the diversity of human richness coexisting with nature in these islands.

4. Fisheries Museum – A Treat for Ocean Lovers

Alongside Rajiv Gandhi water sports in Andaman Complex, Port Blair, lies the Fisheries Museum, a heaven for fans of marine biodiversity. Although less renowned than the Cellular Jail, it is undoubtedly a renowned Andaman and Nicobar museum among scientists and aquatic life fans.

Administered by the Department of Fisheries, the museum accommodates more than 350 species of sea creatures in the surrounding seas.

What to See:

Specimens of fish, crabs, lobsters, sea cucumbers, and others are preserved.
Educational exhibits on fishing methods employed by residents.
Commercial fisheries and environmentally friendly fishery information.

This museum is not all about looking at specimens, but also learning how marine resources help the island's economy and culture.

5. Forest Museum – The Green Heart of the Islands

Operated and owned by the Forest Department, the Haddo Forest Museum (Port Blair) emphasises the significance of wood-based industries and forestry in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It may not be the first destination on the minds of travellers, but it certainly is one of the best museums of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for nature enthusiasts.

The museum showcases the different species of plant life in the islands, specifically the species of wood like Padauk, Gurjan, and Satinwood.

Things to See:

Breathtakingly beautiful pieces of wood objects and wood craftsmanship.
Information about forest and island ecosystem conservation.
Timber processing techniques and forest products exhibitions.

A must-see for nature lovers and people interested in exploring the natural wealth of the region beyond the coral reefs and the beach.

6. Science Centre – For Curious Minds

The Science Centre at Goodwill Estate, Port Blair, is a heaven for students, a science enthusiast's paradise, and a family destination. It is not as historically significant as the other museums, but it is a famous museum of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands because of its interactive learning and innovative exhibits.

What to Expect:

Engrossing science presentations on oceanography, volcanoes, and optical illusions.
3D models illustrating scientific concepts.
Children's playground for learning games.

Perfect for a half-day visit, especially if you are visiting with kids. It adds a playful touch to the otherwise nature and heritage-oriented museums of the Andamans.

7. Kalapani Museum – A Personal Touch to Colonial History

Kalapani Museum is a privately run museum located in Garacharma, Port Blair. Despite being newer and smaller than government museums, it's becoming an iconic and famous museum of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to its attention to detail and curation excellence.

The museum consists of multiple sections on:

The First War of Independence (1857)
Colonial invasion and penal settlement
Life in the Cellular Jail
Freedom movement in the Andaman

What to Expect:

Detailed narration accompanied by guided tours.
Rare records, antique photographs, and historical maps.
Miniature models and audio-visual presentations.

Kalapani Museum presents to you an intimate view of political detainees' plight and travails and colonial history. It's particularly poignant for one interested in unaccounted pages of the Indian freedom struggle.

Why Visiting These Museums Matters

Andaman is not just a place; it's a layered narrative of old tribes, sea marvels, colonial brutality, and natural variety. Visiting the world-famous museum of Andaman and Nicobar is not just a tourist outing—it's discovering the earth beneath your feet and the water before your eyes.

Each of the museums here is a window into a unique aspect of the island's personality:

Cellular Jail for its depth of emotion.
Anthropological Museum for anthropological richness.
Naval Marine Museum (Samudrika) for a holistic understanding.
Fisheries and Forest Museums for eco-consciousness.
Kalapani Museum for narration by curation.

Andaman Museum Visiting Tips

Plan Ahead: A few museums, such as the Cellular Jail, need timed visits for the Light and Sound show.
Cluster Visits: Most Port Blair museums are in the vicinity of each other and can be visited within a day.
Respect Local Cultures: Tribal displays are fascinating, sure, but remember they're real communities with rich histories. Be inquisitive and respectful.
Photography Rules: Some museums don't allow any photography, especially around tribal displays. Always check the signs or ask a staff member.

Final Thoughts

A visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands would be incomplete without getting itself in its rich history and varied biodiversity. The famous museum of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the silent teller of tales that span centuries but are really very contemporary in their setting.

So the next time you're basking on Radhanagar Beach or snorkelling in Neil Island, don't forget that there's another Andaman to be discovered—one of stories chiselled into stone, etched on portraits, and buried in the serene passageways of its museums.

Your tan from the beach will eventually wash off, but the learning and wisdom you take away from these museums? That will remain with you for eternity.

Frequently asked Question(FAQs)

Which museum is good in Port Blair?

Some of the best-known museums of Port Blair are the Cellular Jail National Memorial, Anthropological Museum, Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, and the Forest Museum.

Which is the famous monument in the Andaman?

Cellular Jail is the most notable landmark of Port Blair, and by extension, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first point of call for any visiting dignitary to the Islands is the Martyrs Memorial within the Jail.

Which place in the Andaman is converted into a museum?

It's a very moving experience to see the Cellular Jail Museum in Andaman. The museum is divided into various galleries, each addressing different facets of the history of the jail and the freedom movement.