ISLAND VACATIONS IN INDIA

Islands in India

India is surrounded by Arabian sea in the southwest , Indian ocean in the south and the Bay of Bengal in the south-east. As such India offers an exciting option for tourists looking forward to spend a holiday in the tranquil atmosphere of bewitchingly beautiful islands. Major islands in India are - Andaman and Nicobar islands near Bay of Bengal and Lakshwdeep surrounded by the Arabian sea. A trip two any of these islands is sure to creata a memory for lifetime.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands
An archipelago of 572 islands, Andaman and Nicobar islands are not entirely inhabited. Only 36 islands house people while the rest uninhabited. The islands in the Andaman group includes the North, Middle, South, Little Andamans and the Richies archipelago whereas the Nicobar group consists of the Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Katchal and Chowra.

Getting to Andaman and Nicobar
The Andaman and the Nicobar islands are connected to the rest of India by air and by sea. Indian airlines have specificflights that connect Port Blair (capital of the islands) to Chennai tand Kolkata while Jet airways operate daily flights from Chennai. The ship also connects Port Blair to Chennai and Kolkata apart from Vishakhapatnam. However the journey is long and is highly dependent on weather and sea conditions.Commuting within Port Blair is not a problem as touris taxis are available and other vehicles are also given on hire . The best time for a visit is from November to May.

In Andaman and Nicobar
For a tourist visiting Port Blair, the Cellular Jail provides a peek into the bleak and oppressive past when prisoners were tormented and humiliated in this Jail. The history of 'Kala Pani'(as it was commonly called) is shown through a light and sound show. The Samudrika Marine museum is an abode to amazingly beautiful fishes andalso displays models and pictures of tribal people. The lifestyle of the original trbes of the islands can also be seen in the collections of the Anthropological museum. Apart from these other place worth visiting in Port Blair is the small zoo and forest museum.

Close to Port Blair are the Cinque Island, Rutland Island, Snake Island and the Havelock Island. These islands offer excallent diving opportunity for both amateur divers and experienced divers. Ross island was once the main centre for British from where they ruled the islands. The buildings, though in shambles, are visited frequently. Mount Harriot the highest point on the island that provides a complete view of the island, is also a trekking route.The Andamans have long and beautiful sandy beaches where visitors can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of earth. The visitors are not encouraged to visit the Nicobar islands.


Lakshdweep Islands
Formerly known as the Laccadives islands, Lakshdweep is the perfect place for a holiday in an island. Though a group of 36 islands, the Lakshdweep like the Andaman and Nicobar islands, are not entirely inhabited. Out of 36, only ten of them have people stayiing on them and only six of these are open for tourists (Kalpeni, Kavaratti,Minicoy, Kadmat, Agatti and Bangaram). Foreign tourists have access to only three of these islands- Kadmat, Agatti and Bangaram.

Getting to Lakshwadeep
As similar to Port Blair, Lakshdweep is connected to the rest of country by air and sea. Indian airlines flight connect Agatti (that has the only airport of Lakshdweep) to Kochi.

In Lakshdweep
Lakshdweep is the only coral island of India with long sandy beaches. The beautiful Bangaram island has a resort that is the only sign of habitation in an uninhabited island. Bangaram and the other islands offer immense oppoortunity for water sports like angling, swimming,snorkelling, lagoon cruise and scuba diving. Kavaratti is popular for its beautiful calm lagoon that provides an excellent opportunity for water sports while Minicoyhas one of the biggest lagoons in the islands.

Lakshdweep is not only a prefered destination for adventourous tourist, rather it is equally popular with tourists who want to get away from the cacophony and tensions of city life and spend a tranquil and relaxing vacation amidst natural beauty.


Majuli River Island
The largest freshwater island in Asia and second largest in world, the Majuli river island is in river Brahmaputra in the state of Assam. The island is connected to the town of Jorhat via ferry. Though it is difficult to trace the history of the river island, still it is known for its association with Hindu god Krishna who is said to have spent a portion of his life here. Majuli has remained the cultural capital for the Assamese civilisation.Though the island is virtually cut off from the mainland, tourists are visiting the island in an increasing number. Majuli is known for its monasteries, exqusitely beautiful pottery items and most of all the rare varieties of migratory birds that come to the island every year. The best time to pay visit to this island is between October to March when a number of musi and dance festivals are also organised.