Port Blair

Location: East coast of South Andaman Island
Climate:
Summers: 30⁰ C (Maximum), 28⁰ C (Minimum)
Winters: 23⁰ C (Maximum), 22⁰ C (Minimum)
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Nearest Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport
Must Visits: Cellular Jail, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Havelock Island, Museums, Sippighat Farm, Mount Harriet, Ross Island, Gandhi Park
Language Spoken: Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Nicobarese, English
STD Code: 03192

The hilly city of Port Blair is a perfect example of natural and scenic beauty. The capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair lies on the east coast of south Andaman Island covering the largest area in the district. Also known as Emerald Islands, Port Blair is the headquarters of the Indian district of south Andaman and Tri service command and serves as one of the bases for the Indian Coastal Guards. Port Blair is a heaven for ecologists and ornithologists as it is a home to over 242 species of birds, 78 species of reptiles, and 46 species of mammals, residing in the dense forests surrounded by mangroves. Apart from rich wildlife, the city proffers delightful views of beautiful tropical flowers and colorful butterflies.

Port Blair was established as a penal colony on Chatham Island by the Bengal government in 1789. The site was named as Port Blair in honor of Lieutenant Archibald Blair of the British East India Company. But in 1791, this colony moved to the northeast portion of the Andaman and was renamed as Port Cornwallis inspired by Admiral William Cornwallis. The colony witnessed many deaths due to some diseases and thus the government decided to cease it in 1796. Due to the increased number of rebellions during the British rule, construction began in 1857 to renovate Port Blair. With the rise in the Indian freedom struggle, a cellular jail was built in 1896-1906 for the Indian convicts, popularly known as Kala Pani. Port Blair became the headquarters of the Azad Hind Government under the leadership of Subhash Chandra Bose for the period 1943-1944.

The most fascinating and must-visit tourist attractions in Port Blair comprise of Cellular Jail, Havelock Island, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Gandhi Park, Sippighat Farm, Collinpur, Madhuban, Wandoor, Mount Harriet, Mini Zoo, Ross Island, and Anthropological Museum. The island provides a perfect vision of the British architecture. One can take a fascinating walk through the ruined bungalows, clubs, churches, dungeons, etc. to explore and feel the tremendous heritage. Carry your binoculars to the Ross Island to view beautiful and spectacular diversity of birds, particularly in the mornings. Though Indians can experience the magnificent beauty of Port Blair without any permit, foreigners require a special authorized permit. Come and experience heaven on earth at Port Blair, rather than looking for shopping memorabilia and other souvenirs.

Best Time To Visit Port Blair
Port Blair, also known as Emerald Islands, is strategically positioned on the east coast of south Andaman Island. Not just the honeymooners and the tourists, even budding ornithologists and ecologists head out to this splendid place

History Of Port Blair
The hilly city of Port Blair is the best example of scenic beauty coalesced with striking history. Established during the reign of British rule in India, the place serves as the major attraction of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With the amalgam

How To Reach Port Blair
A former colonial island and the capital of Andaman archipelagos, Port Blair is a beautiful isle surrounded by languid turquoise colored waters of Bay of Bengal and by several other smaller islands in the area.

Places To Visit In Port Blair
Get geared up to experience a great vacation in this tropical paradise, posited a little outside the map of India. With warm sunny weathers, breezy coconut palms, great beaches and water thrills, the island is a perfect place to relax

Shopping In Port Blair
The pristine blue waters of sandy beaches coupled with lush greenery that is found everywhere makes the city of Port Blair truly distinct and unique. An amazing collection of marine species and coral beds thrive inside the beaches