With summer around the corner, the traveller in me stirred, restless for a new adventure. But, with four of us in the family—each with different interests—choosing a destination was no easy task. My better half enjoys laid-back vacations, while the kids crave adventure, and I take the middle path. After much deliberation, we found the perfect compromise: the Andamans. To bring our dream trip to life, we entrusted Sensational Odyssey, which carefully curated our itinerary to strike the ideal balance between relaxation and adventure.
Day 1 - Port Blair & Veer Savarkar Jail
Thus, our journey began. Opting for comfort over an early start, we took a midday flight from Bangalore to Port Blair. The airport, named after Veer Savarkar, a freedom fighter who made immense sacrifices for India’s independence, was a fitting first impression of the Andamans. The moment I saw his statue outside, I instinctively saluted him in my mind.
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| Veer Savarkar Statue |
As we stepped out of the small, shell-shaped defence airport,
a warm sea breeze greeted us. Our travel partner’s agent was already waiting, ready to escort us to the iconic Cellular Jail, a national monument.
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| Shell-shaped airport, Port Blair |
After a hearty lunch, we set out to explore the infamous prison, also known as Kala Paani. It is indeed a place of pilgrimage for all the patriots. The place was bustling with visitors, yet a solemn air lingered in its corridors. From history lessons, I had always known Andaman as a land of punishment, a place where freedom fighters were exiled and subjected to unspeakable hardships. Standing here, that history felt more real than ever.
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| Cellular Jail (Kaala Pani) |
Near the entrance, a small museum displayed haunting photographs and accounts of the prisoners' intolerable experiences. Each exhibit told a story of resilience and sacrifice, making us pause and reflect on the price of freedom.
As we stepped into the premises of the Cellular Jail, we were greeted by a sprawling banyan tree—its roots grounded in silence, its branches seemingly reaching out to the past. It has stood as a mute witness to the most brutal and barbaric atrocities meted out to our freedom fighters. It set the tone for what was to come.
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| Banyan Tree in the Jail Complex |
Our tour began at the gallows, a chilling reminder of the brutal punishments meted out to those who dared to dream of a free India. The sight of the noose and the wooden platform beneath it sent a shiver down my spine. A heavy silence hung in the air.
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| Jail Corridor |
We then moved toward the prison cells. Identical, cold, and desolate, each one wore a look of quiet despair. It felt as though the very bricks were murmuring stories of pain, isolation, and unbroken resolve. These were not just cells—they were silent storytellers of a dark but defining era.
The cell that drew us the most was that of Veer Savarkar. At the entrance, a board detailed his imprisonment and contribution to India’s freedom struggle. Inside, we found two poignant photographs—one from his days in confinement and another, an older portrait. A simple bedsheet, bowl, and plate—his belongings from that time—lay preserved, quietly reminding us of the harsh realities of prison life. I stood still for a moment, saluted him, and walked out, carrying a deep sense of respect.
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| Inside Veer Savarkar's cell |
Post the cell tour, we visited the in-house museum. It featured life-size representations of prisoners, shackled with different types of handcuffs and leg irons. We saw displays of punishment attire and the kinds of forced labour assigned to inmates. Each exhibit brought us face-to-face with the cruelty and endurance of those imprisoned here.
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| A gunny bag dress, which is supposed to increase body heat and cause discomfort |
As dusk fell and the clock struck 6, the 'light and sound' show began. It was a breathtaking tribute to India’s freedom struggle—narrating the sacrifices and dreams of countless heroes through music, narration, and dramatic visuals. As the show ended, I found my eyes moist, my heart full—swelling with pride, pain, and patriotism.
This visit wasn’t just a tour—it was a powerful reminder of the cost of our freedom, and the resilience of those who fought for it. If you ever find yourself in the Andamans, a visit to the Cellular Jail is not just recommended—it’s essential.
Day 2 - Havelock Island
We woke up fresh and recharged, ready for our next adventure—Havelock Island, now officially known as Swaraj Dweep. There was a buzz of excitement as we headed to the jetty, where our cruise awaited. Like clockwork, all tourists were dropped off much in advance and made to wait until the cruise arrived. The anticipation only added to the thrill.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cruise made its appearance. The journey itself was a treat—an hour and a half of gliding across the sea, watching waves dance alongside us. It was the kind of ride that makes you forget time.
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| Cruise ride to Havelock Island |
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| Does this ring a bell? Yes, the same lighthouse that is printed on our 20-rupee note. |
As the shores of Havelock slowly came into view, our excitement peaked. We were welcomed by our travel partners and escorted to our hotel for a quick rest before setting out again.
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| Jetty @Havelock |
Our destination was one of the most spectacular beaches in the Andaman Islands—Radhanagar Beach. Often hailed as the crown jewel of Havelock, Radhanagar Beach was ranked the best beach in Asia and the 7th best in the world by Time Magazine in 2004. With its expansive coastline hugged by lush tropical forests, it felt like stepping into a dream.
As we walked along the soft white sands, we passed several photo shoots in progress—especially of newlyweds capturing their perfect moments. Cupid indeed was at work.
While walking, something artistic on the sand caught my eye. Tiny sand balls arranged in intricate spiral patterns were scattered across the beach.
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| Artwork by crabs on the Radhanagar beach |
I paused and watched closely—these were created by small sand-bubbler crabs. Emerging from their burrows, they sift the sand through their mouthparts to extract microscopic food particles, leaving behind neat little balls of cleaned sand. It was mesmerising to watch them at work—a true marvel of nature.
Soon, we were in the water, letting the waves wash over us as we laughed and played like children. The ocean was alive, crashing into us with joyful energy, and we matched its spirit with our own.
As the day drew to a close, the sky transformed into a masterpiece. The sun turned into a glowing orange orb, slowly dipping into the sea. The sky erupted into a riot of colours—blue, grey, gold, lavender, and soft pink. It was a sunset I’ll never forget.
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| Sunset @ Radhanagar beach |
The waves calmed, and the day came to an end. But the memories? They lingered and left footprints in our hearts.
Day 3
Taking the Plunge: My First Scuba Diving Experience in Havelock
This day was the most exciting of our entire trip as I was going to scuba dive for the very first time, along with the boys! While they were bubbling with excitement, I must admit—I was a bit nervous. But my willpower overpowered the nervousness. We put on our diving gear and walked towards the sea. The dive instructor greeted us, patiently explaining the rules and guiding us through a 15-20 minute training session. Before I knew it, we were boarding a boat, heading out to deeper waters for the real deal.
As I strapped the oxygen cylinder onto my back and fitted the mask onto my face, my heart began to pound. I watched as the boys jumped in first, one by one, disappearing into the blue below. And then—it was my turn. I took a deep breath and plunged into the water, summoning every bit of courage I had. What followed in the next half hour was nothing short of magical.
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| Scuba diving @ Havelock |
Beneath the surface, an entirely different world opened up. Vibrant coral reefs stretched out like underwater gardens, and schools of colourful fish danced around us in perfect harmony. Sea creatures glided gracefully at different depths, going about their lives in peaceful rhythm. It was silent, surreal, and incredibly humbling.
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| Fascinating Nemo fish |
In that tranquil, otherworldly space, a deep sense of gratitude filled my heart—for the beauty I was witnessing, for the courage I found within myself, and for the chance to experience this breathtaking underwater universe.
No words can truly capture what I saw or felt beneath the waves. But that thirty-minute underwater experience will be etched in my memory forever.
We had two more beach visits planned for the same day, Kalapathar and Elephanta beach. Post breakfast, we set out towards Kalapathar Beach, one of the many scenic gems of Havelock Island.
Kalapathar Beach
This beach offered a picturesque stretch of white sand, beautifully contrasted by large black rocks that lined the shore. The turquoise-blue water was mesmerizing, a visual treat that calmed the senses.
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| Kalapathar Beach |
Though the beach itself was relatively small, it exuded a quiet charm and serenity that made us want to stay longer. It was the kind of place where time stands still, perfect for a peaceful, unhurried stroll or simply soaking in the natural beauty.
We captured some lovely moments here—both in our cameras and in our hearts. As much as my mind lingered, wanting to stay and savour the place a little longer, we had to move on. Our next destination, Elephanta Beach, awaited us, and it was still a bit of a drive away.
Elephanta Beach
Elephanta Beach is one of the major attractions of Havelock Island, known for its vibrant marine life and thrilling water sports. To reach the beach, we boarded a ferry that took about twenty minutes, offering scenic views along the way.
As we arrived, we were greeted by clean, inviting shores and shallow waters teeming with bright coral reefs. The place buzzed with energy—there were plenty of water sports to choose from, including kayaking, banana boat rides, parasailing, and more. We couldn’t resist the excitement and tried a couple of them, adding a dose of adventure to our day.
While exploring the shore, the boys stumbled upon some fascinating marine creatures.
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| Those beady eyes of the crab! |
Unlike other beaches where we mostly find empty shells, Elephanta Beach revealed a thriving and diverse ecosystem—it was a delightful surprise.
After soaking in the experiences and marvelling at the beach’s natural beauty, we decided to call it a day and head back to our hotel rooms to relax and reboot.
Day 4 - Neil Island (ShaheedDweep)
Neil was the final island on our itinerary. After breakfast, we found ourselves once again repeating the now-familiar routine—heading to the jetty, enduring a long wait, and boarding the cruise. This time, however, the excitement of ferry travel had slightly faded. The novelty had worn off, and the hour-long journey felt a bit more tiresome than before. But all fatigue melted away as we set foot on Neil Island. We were promptly escorted to our hotel, where we rested briefly before setting out to explore.
Bharatpur Beach
Our first stop on the island was Bharatpur Beach, located just a kilometre from the jetty. It was a pretty white sand beach with calm, shallow water and soft waves gently kissing the shore. The beach had a cheerful, family-friendly atmosphere, with groups wading in the crystal-clear water and children splashing about safely in the shallows.
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| Bharatpur Beach |
The beachside was lively, with several restaurants and souvenir shops adding a splash of color and activity to the scene. We spent a good amount of time simply relaxing, soaking in the calm and carefree vibes of the place. After a leisurely lunch at one of the nearby restaurants, we headed back to our rooms for some rest, allowing ourselves to unwind after another beautiful day by the sea.
Laxmanpur Beach
Laxmanpur Beach is renowned for its breathtaking sunsets, and we were fortunate that it lay just next to our hotel, with direct access from within the premises. This made it perfect for a leisurely evening stroll. The beach was scattered with dead corals, carried ashore by the waves, adding a rugged texture to the serene landscape. We settled into the seats thoughtfully placed by the hotel, ready to bid farewell to the day.
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| Watching sunset @ Laxmanpur Beach |
As the sun began its descent, the sky was set ablaze with fiery hues, casting a magical glow over the sea.
The corals, silhouetted like boulders in the foreground, reflected softly in the water, creating a dramatic and almost surreal scene.
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| Riot of colours |
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| The blue hour silhouette |
After basking in the soothing hues of dusk, we returned to the hotel for a sumptuous dinner, content and grateful for a day filled with nature and quiet reflection.
Day 5: A Morning in Neil: Sitapur and the Natural Bridge
This was the day we were set to return to Port Blair, but before that, I was eager to visit Sitapur Beach to catch the sunrise, followed by a stop at the famous Natural Bridge.
We woke up in the early hours, hoping to witness a stunning sunrise at Sitapur. Unfortunately, our efforts were in vain—the sky was overcast, and the sunrise was hidden behind thick clouds, leaving us disappointed.
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| Sunrise @ Sitapur was marred by dark clouds |
Without wasting much time, we headed straight to the Natural Bridge. As the name suggests, it’s a naturally formed coral bridge. Nature had beautifully decorated it with hanging creepers, giving it a unique charm.
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| Natural Bridge |
Since the tide had gone out early that morning, the sea had pulled back, exposing coral beds and leaving behind numerous small ponds. We had to carefully navigate through them. But these weren’t just puddles—they were full of life. Each one felt like a tiny aquarium, brimming with colourful fish and living corals. The richness of this mini-ecosystem was fascinating and quickly made up for the missed sunrise.
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| Mini aquarium just beneath the water surface |
With the clock ticking, we wrapped up the visit and made our way to the jetty, ready to head back to Port Blair.
Ross Island – The Abandoned Beauty & Chidia Tapu – A Quiet Goodbye
After landing back in Port Blair, we made our way directly to Ross Island via a short ferry ride of about 10–15 minutes. Now officially known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, this abandoned island holds echoes of a bygone era. Once a grand British settlement, the island now lies in ruins, its roofless structures entwined with massive roots and vines, giving it an eerie, almost mythical charm. Amidst the silence, we spotted several deer wandering freely through the ruins, adding to the island’s surreal atmosphere.
From there, we continued to Chidia Tapu, where we were to spend the rest of the day. Known for both its birdlife and sunsets, we hoped to catch at least one of the two. But once again, thick clouds veiled the sky, hiding both the birds and the sunset from view.
The next morning, I took a quiet walk to Chidia Tapu Beach, just a short distance from our stay. The sea was unbelievably calm, more like a serene lake than the open ocean. Several boats were anchored along the shore, creating a postcard-perfect scene that felt like nature’s gentle farewell.
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| Chidia Tapu Beach |
And with that, our wonderful journey came to a close. After a hearty breakfast, we packed our bags and prepared to return home—hearts full and minds refreshed.
This was truly one of the most adventurous trips I’ve had, and I’m already looking forward to my next scuba diving experience!
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