Planning a trip to Andaman but want to explore more than Havelock and Neil Islands? This guide will help you discover the hidden gems with stays, transport recommendations too so the only thing left for you would be to book the tickets! āļø
If you have doubts regarding general Andaman trip then you can read my Ultimate Andaman Travel Guide which answers all your questions. I am so excited for you to #ExploreIndianIslands !
Andaman Islands will wow you with it's natural beauty no matter which place you visit but you would be surprised to know that apart from the pristine blue beaches, it offers picturesque treks, unexplored caves and much more!
Want to know which Island I am talking about which offers all this?
It's Diglipur, North Andaman š
How to reach this offbeat island?
Diglipur Island is around 290 km by road and 180 km by sea from Port Blair.
Budget Friendly Way To Reach:
By Bus:
Many government and private busses run between Port Blair and Diglipur Island daily. For govt buses, you will have to buy tickets in advance from Port Blair bus stop at Aberdeen Bazaar. It will take around 10 hours to reach Diglipur from Port Blair. Price Range between Rs 250-500 (they may vary)
By Boat:
There are government ferries which operate on specific days which can be confirmed at jetty points in port blair.
You can also hire a private cab to reach Diglipur while exploring all the places in between. It would be costlier than the above mentioned options.
Hidden Gems in and around this island
Since this island is quite far from Port Blair, not many people visit it and hence it can be safe to say that these places are truly less explored. Please respect nature and the locals and please don't throw trash. Keep the beauty of these places intact and leave them cleaner than you found them :)
I would recommend to always hire a guide as they would help you explore the place better.
Alfred Caves: A cluster of 42 caves which you can explore after a short hike in the jungle. The trekking part in the caves is however difficult so always have a guide with you. Also, you require special permission to visit here.
Ross & Smith Islands: Twin Island with white sandy beach, totally worth it !
Shyam Nagar for Mud Volcano: One of nature's wonder to witness in India!
Kalipur Beach for turtle nesting: December to May is the ideal time to visit.
Saddle Peak National Park for trekkers: It's the highest point in Andaman and you can see the only river which Andaman has here, Kalpong.
Craegy Island : Near kalipur beach, a beautiful hidden beach to spend time with nature!
Lamia Bay Beach
You would require special permission to visit these places which can be arranged by your agent if you book through them or you can know about it from Port Blair itself before booking your bus/ferry.
Transport Options in Diglipur
Since it's not a touristy area, there are quite few local buses which operate at certain frequencies and although they are cheap, they are often crowded and if missed, can hamper your plans.
So it's always recommended to hire a two wheeler from the market area or a car with driver to enjoy your time here.
Best Time To Visit Diglipur Island
The ideal time to visit would be during winters i.e between October to April when the sun isn't too harsh and also it's the season of turtle nesting so you can witness it too.
Where to stay and ideal number of days to explore
The best place to stay is the Pristine Beach Resort in Kalipur.
There are some government stay options too like the Turtle Resort and APWD Guest House. Book your stays in advance to confirm your booking and to get the best rates.
I would recommend you stay 2-3 days to peacefully enjoy all that this island has to offer.
Additional Tips:
Since this is not a popular tourist island, the network might be a little patchy and it would not be as safe as the other islands. However, the locals are pretty good and you should always have a guide with you who would always keep your best interest in mind while you enjoy your adventurous vacation!
These are some numbers which you should know :
Tourist Information Centre: 03192-232694 / 232747
Police: 100
Fire: 101
Ambulance: 03192232102
Disaster: 1070/03192238881
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