The gateway to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Andaman Sea, Port Blair is the capital of the Union Territory located in the Bay of Bengal. Located on the Southern Andaman Island, Port Blair is at the very heart of tourism in the Andamans. Greatly connected with the mainland of India, Port Blair is also the center of finance, culture, and other major activities prevailing in the Union Territory.
Be it sightseeing, interactions with the prevailing local tribes, knowledge of the history of the area, or water sports in Andaman, Port Blair is truly the heart of all that makes Andaman a true tropical destination worth exploring any time of the year.
Surrounded by the rugged yet beautiful coastlines, and tropical yet mesmerizing forests, Port Blair is a culmination of not just the most beautiful of sceneries, but also of various cultures. Bengalis, Tamils, Telugus, Nicobarese, and Burmese are the main inhabitants of the capital, with Bengali being the most spoken language, followed closely by Hindi.
Major things to do in Port Blair includes the name sightseeing at Cellular Jail, birdwatching at Chidiya Tapu, and shopping at Aberdeen Market, and must visit places near Port Blair are Havelock Island, Ross Island, Corbyn’s Cove, and Viper Island.
Andaman Islands are accessible by air and boat. There are regular flight from Chennai and Kolkata. The island can also be reached by waterways.
By Air: Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair is well-connected to Kolkata and Chennai airports. Air India, Spice Jet, Jet Konnect, Spice Jet and GoAir are some of the available flight services.
By Sea: There are regular ship services leaving from Chennai, Kolkata, and Vishakhapatnam to Port Blair. There are 2 ships – MV Nancowry and MV Swarajdweep – from Chennai and the MV Nicobar and MV Akbar from Kolkata. The journey takes 50-60 hours approximately to reach its destination.
There are inter-connectivity options to reach different islands on Andaman. Directorate of Shipping Services, A & N Administration operates regular ferry services from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair in the inter-island and foreshore sectors connecting all populated island/tourist places.
One can enjoy the tropical monsoon climate at Port Blair throughout the year, which makes the city an all season visit. If you are visiting the city during summers, you can indulge in water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, etc. Winters are also one of the best times to visit Andaman and Nicobar Island. The climate is not unbearably cold, but it is quite pleasant, so you can stay outdoors and indulge in sightseeing and visit various other islands around Port Blair.