Adventure Beyond the Beaches: Exploring the Wild Side of the Andamans

The Andamans aren’t just about sun and sand – the interiors hide dense tropical forests, winding mangrove creeks, and mysterious limestone caves. If you’re an adventure seeker, step away from the coastline.

Baratang Island – Into the Limestone Caves

Baratang Island – a 3-hour drive from Port Blair – is the gateway to the limestone caves. The drive itself is an experience: crossing tidal creeks via small ferry boats, passing through Jarawa reserve areas (don’t stop or click photos). Once at Baratang, a short boat ride through mangrove forests takes you to the cave entrance. Inside, stalactites and stalagmites form incredible shapes – like nature’s own cathedral. It’s damp, dark, and utterly captivating.

Trek to Elephant Beach

Trek to Elephant Beach – instead of the usual boat ride, I chose the 1.5-hour jungle trek from Havelock’s eastern side. The trail winds through thick canopies, with giant ferns and the occasional monitor lizard crossing your path. You emerge onto a secluded stretch of white sand, far from the boat crowds – a perfect reward for the sweat.

Mangrove Kayaking

Mangrove kayaking is another underrated activity. In Port Blair’s Chidiyatapu, you can paddle through narrow channels, spotting kingfishers, herons, and even saltwater crocodiles basking on the banks (keep your distance!). The silence of the mangroves, broken only by the dip of your paddle, is meditative.

Mount Harriet Trek

For serious trekkers, Mount Harriet (the highest peak in South Andaman) offers a steep climb with panoramic views of the surrounding islands. The trail is well-marked but challenging – wear good shoes and carry water.

Mud Volcano in Baratang

I also visited the Mud Volcano in Baratang – a bubbly, grey mud pit that erupts sporadically, another geological oddity of these islands.

These experiences taught me that the Andamans are more than a beach destination – they are a living, breathing ecosystem. Each trek, each paddle, each cave exploration adds a new layer to your understanding of this extraordinary archipelago.

— Brought to you by The Kite Journeys – explore more at
thekitejourneys.com

Andaman Cuisine: A Delicious Taste of the Islands

Andaman cuisine is a delicious melting pot – Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Kerala influences mixed with local ingredients. Seafood dominates, and if you’re a fish lover, you’re in for a treat.

Must-Try Dishes

• Grilled Tiger Prawns: Marinated in a spicy masala, charred over coconut-shell fire – tender, smoky, and succulent. The best I had was at a roadside stall in Havelock called Bamboo Hut – ₹400 for a plate of six jumbo prawns.
• Andaman Fish Curry: A coconut-based, tangy gravy with local red snapper or tuna. Eaten with steamed rice, it’s comfort food at its finest.
• Crab Masala: Mud crabs caught from the mangroves, cooked in a thick onion-tomato gravy. Messy to eat but bursting with flavour.
• Chilli Squid: Crispy, spicy, and perfect with beer – a popular bar snack.

Where to Eat

• Port Blair: New Lighthouse Restaurant – rooftop dining with a view, serving excellent thalis. Anmol Restaurant for North Indian and Chinese.
• Havelock: Fat Martin’s – famous for its fish and chips and banana leaf meals. Full Moon Café – laid-back, wood-fired pizzas and fresh juices.
• Neil: Dugong Café – a tiny place run by a local family; their coconut-curried lobster is legendary.

Don’t miss fresh coconut water – sold everywhere for ₹30–₹50 – and the local tender palm sap, a slightly fermented sweet drink called toddy. For breakfast, try puttu (steamed rice cakes) with banana and chutney – a Tamil-style specialty.

Vegetarian Options

Vegetarians won’t starve – most places offer paneer, mushroom, and veg curries, though the selection is limited. I’d recommend stocking up on fruits – pineapples, papayas, and watermelons are abundant and incredibly sweet.

A Local Food Experience

One pro tip: eat at the fish market in Port Blair early morning – you can buy fresh catch and get it cooked at nearby stalls for a nominal fee. It’s the freshest meal you’ll ever have.

Food in the Andamans tells a story of trade winds, migration, and adaptation. Every meal is a flavourful reminder that you’re on the edge of India, where the ocean provides and the people share generously.

— Brought to you by The Kite Journeys – explore more at
thekitejourneys.com