The Andaman Islands are indeed the perfect destination for solo travel! A calm and Peaceful Environment, tranquillity of blue waters, with greenery all around and wildlife to explore, it certainly provides the perfect setting for self-discovery. As a great poet once said about his love for nature, “The spirit will rise while you go asleep! You will be washed by the Spring of Life! When you get lost in the beauty of nature, you will grow very close to yourself!”
Natural Beauty certainly affects you like no other! It soothes you from within! It is why we plan solo vacations to take a break from stressful situations. Family outings refresh you, but sometimes you just need to be alone. You need some time to spend only with yourself! You need to meditate and do some self-exploration.
The Andaman Islands are the ideal set-up for soul searching! It is an archipelago of 572 beautiful islands, but only 9 islands are open for tourists. Though it is a popular tourist destination, one can find some very beautiful unexplored spots where one can think and enjoy the company of solitude!
So dear friend, close your eyes and see the magic unfold! With the 360-degree breathtaking view of shining blue waters and gleaming white sand surrounded by dense green Tropical forests, you get lost in the picturesque scene! It is the beauty of a solo trip! You will not be alone, you know! Try to feel it! You will feel the cool breeze walking hand in hand with you!
It is at this time you forget everything and hear just the whispering of the waves! You can feel everything and observe everything as differently as you can without anybody disturbing your soliloquy! You can see the love affair of the white sand with the blue waters, the beauty of silence in the rainforests, and the kaleidoscopic world of the coral reefs down under! It is an experience to treasure safely in your heart!
Port Blair: The Veritable Garden of Eden!
Indeed, Port Blair is where you would reach to begin your tryst with adventure. It is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and rightly called the ‘Veritable Garden of Edens’! Here you will get the first glimpse of the pristine glory! If you have not seen an island before, this is the place.
Clean Beaches with blue waters render a delightful streak down your heart! The hotels are clean and hygienic complete with all basic amenities. The hotel staff is humble and helpful. So even your family can be tension-free about your Andaman solo trip!
If you wish to seep in the beauty of the beaches, Ross Island and North Bay are less than 5 km from Port Blair. Ross Island has its name carved in History for having the remains of the oldest colony of British India, the Penal Colony! So you can get a feel of that era! If you are yearning for some nature lovers, you can sail away to the beautiful North Bay.
Here you can get the sight of the coral reefs! The marine life underwater is also a joy to watch! If you are getting homesick, it is a great way to change your mood!
Hmmm! Feeling hungry? You can enjoy a multi-cuisine meal at Port Blair. However, understandably seafood dominates the menu. You can enjoy mouth-watering lobsters and prawns, and the all-popular dessert ‘Royal Falooda’ is a universal favorite! You have Aberdeen Bazaar, a market where you can shop for T.Shirts, Hats, jewelry, and lovable, Souvenirs. However, resist your temptations because you have to reserve your energy, for the real adventure has not begun yet! You have to return to this base, so you can leave some spots untouched for the last sight-seeing, Goodbye Kiss!
The various attractions of Port Blair are: –
- The Cellular Jail (‘Kala Pani’ of British India)
- Corbyn Cove Beach (shallow beach with eating joints and shops)
- Anthropological Museums (information about Local Tribes)
Havelock: The Pride of the Andamans!
Havelock Islands! The most popular tourist destination among all the Andaman Islands, and you cannot miss it for anything! It is no less than bliss for Solo travelers because the stay is economical and the food is also not very expensive. The 73 km journey by sea route is also immensely delightful. The ferry has a cafeteria, AC Rooms, and soulful music! But you know, when you have the alluring scenes of the blue sea, cool breeze blowing, and light music in the background, who needs an enclosed AC room to cover the journey, sleeping?
It is the time when you begin to feel the joy of Independence! It takes about 5 hours or even 2 days to reach Havelock! But when you touch the blissful land, you are spellbound by the alluring beauty!
It is not for nothing that Havelock Island has attained such popularity! It is the haven of pristine beaches like Radhanagar Beach, Kalapathar Beach, and Elephant Beach. Here you can get bikes on rent, and a bicycle ride is the best way to explore the island! This way, you can explore the unexplored also, and who knows, tomorrow, you may be telling the world about it! With glowing blue waters and white sand, Radhanagar Beach is ranked the seventh-best beach in the world!
Water Sports like Scuba Diving and Snorkelling can be one of the most thrilling activities of your life! For this different Andaman tour packages are available at nominal rates! You can witness the mesmerizing world of the coral reefs and the wondrous marine life! It is a great liberating experience!
What makes your heart away is Kalapathar Beach! It is quite far from the town, so it is not crowded! You can do whatever you like on the turquoise blue waters with silver streaks. You can take selfies, stand upside down or run from one end to another without anyone there to stop you! You can freely enjoy this moment to travel alone! Not to forget, it is also a moment to make new friends! Many tourists from diverse cultures visit the islands and you can find good friends in them! The must-see places in Havelock are: –
- Radhanagar Beach
- Govind Nagar Beach
- Kalapathar Beach
- Vijay Nagar Beach
- Elephant Beach
- Coral Reefs
- Water Sports
Neil Island: The Treasure Island!
Yes, it is a Treasure Island in the real sense, a hidden gem! Spread over an area of just 13.7 square km, Neil Island is the perfect place to enjoy solo vacations! The harmony of the white sand, shimmering green sea, and rich green tropical trees leave you speechless! The island has a magnificent variety of flora and fauna, which adds to the beauty of the place! It is where you can give your senses a break and absorb the rich shades of heavenly bliss!
You can sit down and feel the magic around you! You can try water sports like Scuba Diving and Sea Walking here also. And you can never have enough of the vibrant coral reefs! You can continue your bicycle ride here also and explore the amazing villages of the Andaman Islands and learn about the natives out there! The various attractions to see are: –
- The Bharatpur Beach
- Laxmanpur Beach
- The Sitapur Beach
- Howrah Bridge
- Water Sports
Diglipur: Exploring the Unexplored!
Approximately 300 km from Port Blair, Diglipur is the largest town in the Andaman Islands! Being far from the rest of the tourist spots, it has remained untouched by the commercial eye! So here you find a beautiful mix of small-town life and natural beauty! It is another place to spend in peace and get a feel of the culture of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands! You can experience infinite natural spectacles like Swiftlets Nesting, National Parks, and Saltwater Crocodiles!
It is also the location for ‘Alfred Caves’ 41 limestone caves located 20 km from Diglipur. These caves change their color during Monsoon. You have to reach these caves through a dense Mangrove. Not only this, but you can also get an experience for ‘Swiftlets Nesting’! The rare edible nests are also auctioned after the birds leave them!
Saddle Peak: Trekking on the Path of Nature!
The Saddle Peak National Park is another place to feel the joy of single travel! Have you gone trekking before? If not, this is the moment to experience it! And if you have trekked before, the solitude of the National Park and the rich biodiversity would allure you to climb 732 meters and see the breathtaking visuals of the Andaman Islands from the top!
You can also see the magical view of the rising sun if you set off early! The route is through a forest, but nothing to worry about, it is not dangerous! With rare birds, peacocks, and rabbits, you can experience serene bliss here!
Safety Tips: Enjoy ….but Carefully!
- Carry your Aadhaar Card or National Identity Certificate with you.
- Crime rate is low in the Andaman Islands but lock your backpack properly to be secure!
- Do not take photos inside the Tribal Reserve Areas.
- Do not stay on the beaches at Night.
- Learn bargaining, for the auto riders often overcharge.
Conclusion
Single Vacations are perfect to calm down. It gives your stressful nerves much-needed rest. The cluttering in your mind gets cleared, and you are at peace with yourself! The beaches provide the best environment to heal you from within and natural beauty refreshes you. So, Christmas is coming and so is the New Year 2023, pick up your backpack and get set to drench in the splash of love!