A short flight from Calcutta by air (it is also connected by flights from Delhi and Madras) is PORT BLAIR, capital of the Andaman Islands.Though travel is restricted here, those islands open to tourism, with their lovely beaches and coral beds, are a traveller’s delight. On Port Blair, the Cellular Jail and Anthropological Museum merit a visit. Excursions can be taken by motor launch to the islands of Wandoor and Jolly Buoy and to the bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo

The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands consisting of about 293 islands (39 of which are inhabited) is situated in the Bay of Bengal. Andaman group of islands consists of North Andaman, Middle Andaman. South Andaman and Little Andaman besides many smaller islands.Nicobar group of islands comprises Great Nicobar, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Katchal and Chowra. The headquarters of this Union Territory is at Port Blair, situated in South Andaman Island.The topography of the islands is hilly & they abound in evergreen forests.Timber is plentiful and of a vast variety. The white sandy beaches have a back drop of luxuriant greenery & in the clear blue waters of the lagoons enclosed by coral reefs is an underwater world full of fish of every possible variety

GENERAL INFORMATION
Area : 8248 sq.kms. (Andaman- 6408, Nicober- 1841 sq.kms.).
Altitude : Varies from sea-level to 732 metres.(Highest Point- Saddle Peak).
Temperature : Mean minimum 23 deg C, Mean maximum 30 deg C.
Rainfall : 3000 mms (May to Mid-September & November to January).
Relative Humidity: 70% to 90%.
Forest cover : 86%.
Best Season : October to April.
Clothings : Cottons throughout the year.
Languages Spoken : Nicobari, Bengali, Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Hindi, English.
ISD Code : +91-3192 (STD 03192).

ENTRY FORMALITIES
Foreigners : Foreign tourists need a special permit to visit the Andaman Islands. This can be obtained from Indian Missions abroad or the immigration authorities in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras or on arrival at Port Blair Airport. It can also be obtained from The Director, Ministry of Home Affairs (ANL Division), Government of India, 2nd Floor, North Block, New Delhi- 110 001, through Indian Missions at least 3 months in advance. Foreign Nationals are not allowed to visit Nicobar Islands.
This permit is valid for Port Blair Municipal Area; Havelock Islands; Long; Neil Islands; Mayabunder; Diglipur; Rangat for a period of one month where night halt is permitted. However only a day's visit is allowed to places like Jolly Buoy; South Cinque; Red Skin; Moun Hariet and Madhuban.

Indians: Indian nationals need no special permits to visit Andamans. However, permits are required to visit Nicobar islands, issued by The Deputy Commissioner, Andamans at Port Blair.

PLACES OF INTREST

CELLULAR JAIL
The Bastille of India Where India's freedom fighters were incarcerated;

Anthropological Museum; MARINE MUSEUM; Cottage Industries Museum; Mini Zoo; CHATHAM SAW MILL; Corbyn's Cove Beach; Marine Park, Viper Island, Sippighat water Sports Complex.