NEIL (SHAHEED DWEEP) – Andaman Travel Guide Part 3
NEIL (SHAHEED DWEEP) - Andaman Travel Guide Part 3
Table of Content
- WHAT TO EXPECT AT NEIL ISLAND
- HOW TO REACH NEIL ISLAND?
- GOVERNMENT FERRY TIMING AT NEIL ISLAND
- ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS ON NEIL
- BUDGET ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS ON NEIL ISLAND
- BHARATPUR BEACH NEIL ISLAND
- LAXMANPUR BEACH NEIL ISLAND
- SITAPUR BEACH NEIL ISLAND
- SCUBA DIVING AT NEIL ISLAND
- NEIL ISLAND OR HAVELOCK
- NATURAL ROCK OR NATURAL CORAL BRIDGE
Neil Island is one of the many beautiful islands in the Andaman Archipelago. Currently, it is known as Shaheed Dweep after PM Shri Narendra Modi renamed Neil Island to Shaheed Dweep on the 30th of December 2018. The island is located about 37 km by sea route from Port Blair and is one of the major attractions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The island has breath-taking coral reefs, thick tropical forests, and magnificent bio-diversity that is worthy of visiting. If you are planning a trip to the Andaman Islands then you must visit Neil Island and explore the stunning beauty that this island has to offer. The people of this island are very friendly and welcoming, you are sure to enjoy yourself on this amazing island. This island has the most enchanting beaches in the entire Andaman Islands; most of the tourists miss out on this island due to the overshadowing of the Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep). Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) is alluring and nature here is at its utmost beauty. The network at Shaheed Dweep is not very good just like any other place in the Andaman Archipelago. With its laid-back vibe, this hidden gem is a perfect place for you, if you are planning for a serene trip.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT NEIL ISLAND
Neil Island is a thinly populated village and the people who live here lead a very simple life. The facilities available in Neil are comparatively lesser than what is in Havelock or Port Blair. Even though accommodations of all categories are available here do not expect the facilities like that of five-star properties because this place is developing and almost all of the products are transported from Port Blair. The basic amenities such as transportation, restaurants, and accommodations are available. Internet Connectivity is poor compared to the other islands; internet connection will automatically shut down when you reach the island. Basic first aid medical needs and facilities are available but the main health center is located in Port Blair only. So if you are a person who is under medication it advisable to carry all your medicines.
The Shaheed Dweep aka Neil Island can be reached via sea only. There are Government ferries and private ferries that are available, you can choose as per your preference.
BY GOVERNMENT FERRY
Regular Government ferry services are available from Port Blair to Neil Island and vice-versa. The sailing schedules for these ferries are published in the Administrative News of Andamans daily. The government ferry tickets have to be booked in advance only and the tickets are subject to availability. If you wish to take a government ferry you will have to book your tickets manually at the STARS counter by standing in a queue and you will have to book the tickets 3 days before your trip. You can request your tour agent to book your tickets in advance but you will be charged extra for it.
BY PRIVATE FERRY
Private luxury cruises are plying from Port Blair Phoenix Bay Harbor for Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) daily. There are also cruises from Neil Island (Swaraj Dweep) to reach Havelock (Shaheed Dweep). Tickets for these cruises can be booked with ease. All the ferries and cruises that function to Shaheed Dweep are available from both Port Blair and Swaraj Dweep.
CRUISE OPERATORS
Sea Link Cruise, Makruzz, Green Ocean Cruise and ITT Majestic.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS ON NEIL
There are few properties on the island that offer hotels and resorts for accommodations. They are well equipped with basic amenities and well maintained.
RESTAURANTS
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) has plenty of restaurants offering great foods of both pure vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines. Do not miss out on the variety of seafood at the restaurants and food joints as the Andamans is a paradise for seafood lovers. Also there many beach-side cafes, you can stop by at a café for a snack or a drink and spend time with your loved ones in the amazing ambiance that surrounds.
TRAVEL WITHIN SHAHEED DWEEP
When you are in the Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) and want to travel within the island you can hire cab services or two-wheelers. Auto-rickshaws are also available for inbound transfers. Cycling is another option that you can go for; it is a good choice to take bicycles if you want to explore the island. Hire a bicycle and go about discovering the beauty of this quaint island.
HAVELOCK VS NEIL ISLAND
Havelock is the most visited island in the entire Andaman Archipelago and houses the famous Radhanagar and Elephant beaches. This island is pretty crowded and has almost all the facilities available in Port Blair. Whereas in Neil Island; people do not visit this place often compared to Havelock. Until today few parts of Neil are still unexplored and untouched by man. The island is pristine, serene and thinly populated which makes it a great spot for travelers looking for a peaceful trip with seclusion. Often most of the beaches in Neil are not much crowded sometimes even isolated. The cellular network is extremely weak here and is ideal for people who want to connect with nature without human interference.
WHO CAN VISIT NEIL ISLAND AND WHO CAN AVOID
Honeymoon couples and people looking forward to spending time away from the crowd can visit Neil to enjoy and take pleasure in the beauty of nature here and nothing else can plan for a two night stay. There is another option, you can go on a day trip to Neil and return to Port Blair. If you have a have major difficulty in walking long-distances then you should avoid Neil because the main attraction of Neil is The Natural Rock Formation. It needs a long walk through a rocky patch of trekking trail. In addition to that, the jetty of Neil Island is about 1 Kilometer long and vehicles are not allowed inside the jetty. So, when you come down from the cruise, you will have to walk on a long jetty to board the waiting vehicles.
BHARATPUR BEACH
Bharatpur Beach is the most prominent beach in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) and also the most visited one too. It is situated about half a kilometer from the island and is ideal for leisurely spending your evenings, swimming, or coral viewing. Bharatpur beach is the only hub for water sport activities in Shaheed Dweep.
Bharatpur Beach at Neil Island offers you water activities such as Jet Ski, Banana and Speed Boat Rides, Glass-Bottom Boat Rides, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving. You can indulge yourself in whichever activity that excites you and have a fun-filled day at Bharatpur Beach. There are eateries and food shacks that are set up on the beach from where you can pick up some snacks also try the refreshing tender coconut water. There are proper changing rooms and washroom facilities at the beach that are maintained neatly. You can shop at the stores that are set up at the beach and take walks along the coastline. It is best to visit this beach during the day around 8 AM if you want to indulge in the water sport.
ACTIVITY TO DO AT BHARATPUR BEACH
Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming, Glass-bottom boat rides, and speed boat rides.
WHO CAN VISIT
Bharatpur Beach can be visited by everyone. It is both kids and senior citizen-friendly.
LAXMANPUR BEACH
Laxmanpur Beach is a stunning beach that is clean and tidy with crystal clear waters. Laxmanpur beach has the best sunset viewpoint in the entire Andaman Islands without a doubt. This beach located about 2 km away from Neil Jetty. This beach is mostly visited for the clear waters and striking sunset view.
You cannot go swimming on this beach as the shore is rocky and dead corals are scattered around. The shore is full of colorful dead corals and shells but unfortunately, you are not allowed to take them along with you. The beach gets pretty crowded during the sunset time, you can move a few meters away from the crowd to spend some time in seclusion. Eateries are available near the beach where you can purchase some tasty snacks. At Laxmanpur beach parking spaces are available where you can park your vehicles and walk to the beach.
This beach closes down after the sunset when it starts getting dark due to the high tides that occur during the nights. You can visit the beach during the mornings as well; the beach will hardly have people around and you can take long walks or read some books or just admire the beautiful landscape of this beach in solace. Laxmanpur is a heavenly place for the ones who love photography, carry your kit and capture the charming sunset view and the nature that surrounds.
HOW TO REACH LAXMANPUR BEACH
This beach is located about 2 km away from Neil Jetty. You can either directly get off from the Jetty or take a taxi to reach the beach.
THINGS TO DO IN LAXMANPUR BEACH NO 1
Watching the breathtaking sunset view is the most famous thing to do at this beach. You can relax, read and indulge in some nature photography and munch some great food from around.
WHO CAN VISIT
This beach can be visited by everyone. If you have an infant with you it is better to visit the beach during the day leave before sunset.
SITAPUR BEACH
Sitapur Beach is another beautiful beach in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). This beach is located 5 km to the South and is at the tip of this island. Sitapur beach is popular for its iconic sunrise that will stun you as it is primarily famous for sunrise. High tides are a common sight at the Sitapur beach since the beach is exposed to open sea. This serene and clean beach will amaze you its charm, the shade of the skies changing from orange to lilac is a gorgeous sight that you should not miss.
You can take a dip or two on the beach but the currents are wild and the tides might get high anytime so it is advisable to avoid swimming at this beach. Jump out of your beds early in the morning and take walk at this beach and enjoy the beauty of the sun as it rises and the color tones of skies as it reflects on the water below. It is a great place for you to introspect and unwind yourself amid nature.
HOW TO REACH SITAPUR BEACH AT NEIL ISLAND
This beach is located 5 km away from the min market you can take a cab or an auto-rickshaw ride to reach the beach. You can even trek to the beach if you want to.
THINGS TO DO AT SITAPUR BEACH
This beach is famous for its iconic sunrise view. You can enjoy the scenic sunrise, relax, meditate and take a light swim on this beach.
WHO CAN VISIT SITAPUR BEACH
Sitapur Beach can be visited by everyone. This beach is both kids and senior citizen-friendly.
NATURAL ROCK
Neil Island is famous for its natural rock formation. A natural bridge structure of dead corals stands beautifully in the Beach no. 2. This attraction is locally called as the Howrah Bridge. The attraction is a natural wonder that was formed by corals over the years and attracts people from all walks of life. The USP of this location is the magnificent natural rock formation. You will have to walk on a wet, rocky path that has dead corals scattered around, it is very tricky and slippery so do wear a good pair of footwear when you visit this place.
The place is best visited when the tides are low, for clear visibility. You spot different species of fish at tiny ponds that are created the sea during low tides. You can spot crabs, sea urchins, colorful corals, starfishes, sea cucumbers and sometimes tiny octopuses as well. It is a beautiful place to take some great pictures of this Howrah Bridge and the beach. Guides are available at the beach you can opt for one if you prefer. Do visit this surreal place and see what nature can create and have a great experience for a lifetime.
HOW TO REACH NATURAL ROCK FORMATION
This place is located 3kms away from the jetty you can take an auto-rickshaw or a taxi ride to reach the beach. On reaching the beach you will have to take a walk of about 200 meters from the shore to see the bridge.
THINGS TO DO AT NATURAL ROCK IN NEIL ISLAND
The iconic bridge has a variety of corals scattered in the shore that’s great for photography, the variety of aquatic life found in the naturally formed pools all over the dead corals can be seen as well.
WHO CAN VISIT THIS PLACE
This place is not suitable for kids and elders as the pathway toward the bridge is slippery and rocky which will be difficult for them to cross. Though it depends from person to person. You can give it a try though.
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