Most Andaman tourism is centered around beach hopping, water sports, and exploring attractions in Port Blair. But, there is more to this beautiful archipelago than the typical island activities and experiences. In search of mainstream experiences, a lot of people miss out on the local pulse of the Andamans that offers them an up and close experience of the island.
A visit to Radhnagar beach or exploring Cellular Jail Museum are perfectly fine for the first-time visitors. However, those who seek offbeat experiences must know beyond the “touristy activities”. This is why this blog has a list of activities that helps you explore Andaman from a local lens. On your journey, you gain a new and fresh perspective about island life and return home with an immersive experience.
Andaman Trip: Local Experiences to Enjoy in Andamans
Here are the top seven local encounters to enjoy on your Andaman trip beyond the tried and tested activities:
1. Choose a Homestay Over Hotel
If you are curious to know about the lives of locals in Andamans, always choose a homestay over a hotel. While a curated hotel stay offers immense comfort and convenience, there is something uniquely special about a homestay. Firstly, a homestay in Andamans provides a “home away from home” experience. Unlike the curated amenities and service of a hotel or resort, you get to stay with the homeowner who becomes your host. Choosing a homestay allows you to learn about local experiences and do sightseeing from a local’s perspective. You get to enjoy freshly prepared home cooked meals, and learn about local communities. The locals of Andamans would happily share the island’s history, culture, and unique lifestyle of their respective communities. Just be respectful and polite while asking questions.
2. Explore Markets & Shop Like a Local
Where most Andaman travel itineraries restrict people from beach to hotel and hotel to beach, give yourself space to shop like a local. Shopping in Andaman adds to your local island experiences. You can buy fresh and organic fruits, veggies, fish and prawns for your home-cooked meals. Other than fresh produce, Andaman has government-operated emporiums, boutique stores, and street/ beach stalls from where you can buy souvenirs and handmade products. The most famous store in Andaman is Sagarika Emporium (Port Blair) which has a beautiful collection of jute products, spices, clothes, handicrafts, wooden items, wall decor and so on. Also, explore the Aberdeen Bazaar in Port Blair which is a buzzing street market. It is one of the oldest shopping spots in Andamans. At this market, you can check out apparel, tribal jewellery, sea shells items, etc.
Timings of Sagarika Emporium, Port Blair: 9 AM to 7 PM (Sundays Closed)
Timings of Aberdeen Bazaar: 11 AM to 8:30 PM
3. Relish Delicious Andamanese Cuisine
Learn about Andamanese cuisine, its history, use of ingredients and preparation methods from a local. Try local dishes such as Andaman fish curry, Andaman chicken roast, prawns and barbecued lobster. They are the star dishes of Andamanese cuisine. The Andamanese food is also influenced by the South Indian and Bengali cuisines. You will taste the use of coconut, spices, curry leaves, mustard seeds, rice, and fish in their food. You can also take Andaman cooking classes to get hands-on experience and learn about the culinary arts. Or simply request your host (at your homestay) to teach you a local preparation with easily accessible ingredients. This will be a gratifying experience that will teach you about how to cook local dishes, and also educate about decades-old culinary traditions.
4. Go for Game Fishing
Game fishing has been gaining prominence in the Andaman Islands. It is also slowly but steadily gaining the attention of anglers and fishing enthusiasts. Game fishing or blue-water fishing is a recreational activity. Sports fishing is conducted in large water bodies such as the sea or ocean, instead of small lakes or rivers. The chase and excitement of catching a large fish is amazing and fills you with immense joy. Don’t forget to click a photo with your catch. Most importantly, you can enjoy it as a group activity with your friends. With just the right amount of time and patience, you might be able to catch and release fishes like a pro.
On your game fishing tour, you will be taught techniques like popping, jigging and trolling. Try your luck and you might catch Blue or Black Marlin, Dog Tooth Tuna, Dorado, King Mackerel or Great Trevally. There are game fishing tournaments as well as events in which you can take part or add game fishing in your Andaman tour packages.
Best Months for Game Fishing in Andamans: October to May
Best Places for Games Fishing in Andamans: Port Blair, Havelock Island, Cinque Island, Invisible Bank, Mayabunder, Hut Bay.
5. Rent and Ride a Scooty/ Bike in Andamans
Cabs, buses, and ferries are most commonly used modes of transportation for commuting. However, to enjoy a joyride, ditch the cab or bus and rent a scooty or a bike to observe the local island life. Andaman Islands like Neil (Shaheed Dweep) is small and a beautiful island and can be easily explored on a scooty. Even in the capital city Port Blair you can easily rent a scooter from Junglighat or Aberdeen Bazaar. Make sure the scooty’s petrol tank is full, if you are planning to explore secluded or isolated destinations.
With a rented bike or scooty, discover the local and offbeaten sights of Andamans at your own pace. The two-wheelers are anyway easier to park and navigate in traffic (if there’s any) than a car.
Note: Please ensure that you possess a valid driving license. Also keep the vehicle’s insurance and a receipt of safety deposit with you. If you are exploring Andamans the very first time on a scooty, it is best to travel in a group.
Cost of Rented Scooty – INR 500 to INR 1000 (based on the scooty/ bike model such as Honda Activa or Yamaha FZ)
6. Spend Time at Mount Harriet National Park
Officially known as Mount Manipur National Park, Mount Harriet National Park was established in 1969 in the Andaman Islands. Before being a national park, this place was a significant location in World War II and was used by the Japanese. Take a walk around and you will find reminiscences of the past in this national park. Apart from history, you will surely enjoy trekking on trails. Take a binocular with you for bird watching. And with a tiny camera fee, enjoy a photography session, along with nature viewing. You will find rare and endemic species of birds in this park, namely Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Boobook, etc. The reptiles mostly include lizards and snakes. There is also a children’s play area where you can take your tiny tots for entertainment.
How to Reach: The park can be reached from Port Blair by Bambooflat Jetty. From Bambooflat Jetty, travel 6 km more to reach the Park’s entrance.
Address: Hope Town, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Entry Fee: Adults: INR 25 and Children INR 10; Foreigners INR 250 and Children INR 10
7. Take Part in Andaman’s Conservation Initiatives
Local NGOs, social groups and the government run various conservation projects and programmes to promote sustainability and eco-tourism in Andamans. These conservation initiatives are taken to protect the flora and fauna, replenish marine life, restore biodiversity, and safeguard interest of local communities. You too, can be a part of local programmes and contribute towards conservation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This could include maintaining the beaches, learning about coral reef restoration, educating tourists about mindful tourism, etc.
These were the seven activities you should have in Andaman Islands beyond the typical touristy encounters. Some of the travel experiences are already there in an Andaman travel itinerary. For others, simply place a customisation request.
