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Why Visit the Andaman Islands?

Talk about visiting Islands in India, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands instantly pop up as the best option. These Islands are a priceless asset of India. The Andaman Islands form an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal between India to the west and Myanmar to the north and east. Most of these Islands are a Union Territory of India but some of it belongs to Myanmar.

If you are the kind of person who loves adventure, sun, sand and water, then head to the Andaman Islands. You will get all of it in one place and this trip will be a memorable one. The Island has the best art facilities and millions of activities that you can try other than beautiful sightseeing places and much more. Remember, if you are thinking of spending a quiet and peaceful holiday, you better not go to Andaman because this place is solely for adventure seekers and people who are adrenaline addicts. If you are new to these activities, fret not because you will find experienced coaches and great classes to help you get comfortable with the water sports before you try them. Other places that you can see while you are visiting Andamans is Port Blair, Long Island, Havelock Island, Clique Islands, Diglipur, etc.

You can visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands anytime of the year but the best time would be between November to May. People usually avoid going there in monsoon due to high tidal waves, plenty of rain and strong winds. Here is a list of some of the most wild and adventurous water sports in Andaman Islands. Plan your holiday according to your liking and enjoy to the fullest at Andaman.

How to Reach the Andaman Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands shares its beauty with travellers from across the globe. It is known for its white sandy beaches with huge palm trees enhancing its beauty, not to mention its tropical rainforests. It is a place to enjoy diving and snorkelling, but you can do all of that only if you know how to get there.

Well, you can catch a flight from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata or Bangalore to its own airport at Port Blair. It only takes 2 hours to get to Andaman from Chennai and Kolkata and 5 hours from Delhi and Mumbai.

You can also take a ship from Kolkata, Vizag and Chennai which takes a trip 3 to 4 times a month. It can be a long journey taking around 60 to 70 hours before you reach the Island.

10 Water Sports Activities in Andaman Islands That You Must Not Miss

Banana Ride

One of the many great water activities organized in Andaman Island is a Banana Boat Ride. It is a fun sport in which people are towed by a speedboat on a yellow tube shaped like a banana. 3 to 10 people can sit on the boat at one time and enjoy the sport. People enjoy this fun sport because, by the time it ends, they are drenched in water and feel energized. The ride usually lasts for about 10 to 35 minutes.

The famous Banana Boat ride is organized in three places in Andaman and Nicobar Island.

  • The North Bay Island near Port Blair. It is one of the best places to be if you want to enjoy water sport thoroughly.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex at Port Blair. People usually come to this sports complex after visiting the Cellular Jail.
  • Elephant Beach at Havelock Island is called the water sport capital of Andaman. This place is great for a Banana Boat Ride, as the water here is crystal clear. You will fall in love with this beach as soon as you get here.

Scuba Diving

If you want to enjoy the best of water sports you have got to visit Andaman for activities like Scuba Diving. It is one of the most favourite sport among the travellers that come here. As you take a dive deep underneath the cool waters you can see the dense ecosystem of coral reefs which leaves you amazed.

The best places to do Scuba Diving at Andaman are:

  • Near Havelock Island, it is about 50 kms from Port Blair
  • The lighthouse is a huge diving site at Andaman and people love to visit this beautiful place for night time diving although it is open only for people with PADI/SSI certified divers.
  • The aquarium is another great place for scuba diving for amateurs. It is located in the southwest of Havelock and you can see beautiful colourful fishes while you take a dive into the clear blue waters.
  • The Dugongs is another famous place for a great scuba diving experience.
  • Barracuda City is an unexplored destination which is also known as the home of sea turtles in Andaman.
  • Seduction Point is a large rock surrounded by a variety of aquatic life; it is the centre for diving in Andaman.

Parasailing

When talking about water sports one can't leave parasailing behind. It is an incredible water sport for which you don't need to know swimming at all. This sport is a combination of water and air adventure. If you want to try parasailing, all you have to do is to tie yourself behind a boat attached to a canopy and it pulls you with such force that you are lifted up in the air. It is a thrilling sport for people with strong heart and love for adventure. The parasailing ride is usually for about 5 to 10 minutes depending on you.

You can try this superb sport at Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex.

Undersea Walking

Undersea walking is a water sport where you can actually walk under the sea where a glass dome helmet is placed on a person's head and oxygen is fed in it through a tube. You can feel like a part of the sea creatures as you walk among them and devour the beauty of life under water. It is organized at the North Bay near Port Blair and at Elephant Beach in Havelock Island.

It is advised to get a doctor's approval before trying this adventure sport, especially for people suffering from heart problems. Nine people can participate in the sport at a time and a guide stays with them at all times while they are under the sea. It is important for a child between 7 to 15 to be with an adult member of the family during this sport. The cost of the undersea walking is around Rs. 3,500 to 4,000.

Jet Skiing

Jet Skiing is an extreme water sport that is highly popular among water sports lovers. One does not need to be trained before going on a water jet ski. A jet ski is a jet-powered water scooter that is very easy to operate but you can have an instructor with you if you want. This ride makes you feel like a part of a James Bond movie as you crash the waves with high power. This is one sport you will remember all your life.

You can enjoy this sport at the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex.

There are other places where you can try jet skiing like:

  • Carbyn's Cove Beach in Port Blair
  • Water Sports Complex in Port Blair
  • Elephant Beach in Havelock Island
  • North Bay Island
  • Bharatpur Beach in Neil Island

Glass Bottom Boating

If you don't want to get wet and still enjoy the sea, glass bottom boating would be a great activity for you. You can feel the thrill of scuba diving and snorkelling without having to go under the sea. This activity relaxes you as you sit on a beautiful glass bottom boat and cruise over the water. You can explore the beauty of marine life through the glass and enjoy the sun at the same time. Around 4 to 6 people can sit on this boat at a time and sail over the water and uncover the beauty beneath the sea. You can board this high-speed boat at the sports complex and start your adventurous journey into the sea.

Seaplane Ride

The first commercial seaplane ride in India started in Andaman and Nicobar Island in 2011. While sitting on this beautiful plane you fly between Port Blair and Havelock Island. It also takes you over the Barren Island where you can see the aerial view of India's only active volcano. You will also see the Cellular Jail, Ross Island, North Bay Island, Mount Harriet while on this ride. It takes about 25 minutes to reach Havelock Island from Port Blair on the plane.

The plane has large windows for the passengers to give them a fantastic view of the scenic beauty of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The plane starts from Port Blair from the Pawan Hans Helicopter Base and lands on the water dromme in the sea near the Shore of Havelock and Diglipur Islands. The passengers walk up to the plane on floating pontoons in the water dromme. The whole experience is quite thrilling for people of all ages especially the kids. You can take this plane ride at 8:15 AM, 9:45 AM and 3:30 PM.

Sport Fishing Or Angling

If you love fishing you will love this activity on your trip to the Andaman Island. It is one of the most popular water activities here. Most of these trips start in the afternoon, you fish all day and at the end of the day you take your win at home and eat it if you like. There are a variety of fish found under the sea in and around Andaman Island. Some of these fishes are around 100lbs and 3 meters long. You can find Black & Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Yellow Fin Tuna and many more during this fishing trip.

The boats provided for fishing are specially built with powered 225HP Mercury Optimax OBMs and it fitted with an on - deck chair for you to sit and relax while you catch some great fish. It also has 2 air-conditioned cabins and a toilet for your comfort. These boats are also equipped with all the equipment necessary for trolling, popping and jigging although most experienced anglers prefer to bring their own equipment. The best place to experience this sport is at Shyam Nagar, Havelock Island for Rs.13,000.

Kayaking

Kayaking is another great water sport activity which you can enjoy in Andaman. It is done on Havelock Island which is the largest Island here and is famous for Kayaking. All you need is a couple of paddies and a kayak and you can be off on the water. You can get trained for kayaking near the Havelock Island Jetty with the help of trained coaches.

Mangrove Kayaking

Mangrove Kayaking is another form of Kayaking which you will love. If you want to experience something different, you should try mangrove kayaking for sure. 1 or 2 people can sit on a kayak at the same time and take a trip between the mangrove ecosystem of Havelock Island and enjoy the sounds of beautiful birds and calm waters. Andaman is famous for its mangroves and you will be travelling amongst them during this activity. You will be amazed to see the number of sturdy trees and shrubs thriving in saltwater and adding beauty to the environment in a unique way.

Benefits of Water Sports

Sports, in general, is extremely good for health and when it comes to water sport, it has its own benefits. Water sports are popular for the adrenaline rush while you get yourself a great tan. The best part of indulging into water sports is that you are out in the open, breathing the fresh air in and it keeps you feeling energized.

  • It decreases the risk of developing chronic disease because it works on each part of your body, it burns calories in a natural way and increases your metabolism due to which your immunity against chronic diseases improves naturally.

  • It decreases the risk of Diabetes and Chronic Heart Disease as water sports helps you to do light exercise like floating in the water to lower your stress level and keeps a check on your heart.

  • Water sports is good for people suffering with arthritis as the fluidity of water is good for achy joints. Sports like snorkelling and swimming helps you by making you use your joints; hydrotherapy is a well-known treatment for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

  • It also helps in improving bone density, sports like canoeing, water bikes and paddling helps in bone density improvement.

  • Water sport is also good for a person's mental health. The tranquility of water reduces stress and depression as well enhances a person's mood.

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Holidaying at Andaman & Nicobar

Andaman & Nicobar is a popular tourist destination for Indians and a lot of people visit the place to blow off steam and get away from their normal lives. Plan a detailed itinerary before visiting so that you can make the most out of your trip. Make sure to have enough time to enjoy some of the water sports mentioned above to make it a memorable vacation. Last, of all, don't forget to click a lot of pictures!