Some places in India are perfect to visit for relaxation and rejuvenation. Neil Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of them, which continues to amaze the tourists with its raw beauty. It belongs to Ritchie’s Archipelago in the Bay of Bengal in the South Andaman Administrative District. Tourists have to travel to Neil Island from Havelock Island via the ocean and usually spend a day at Neil Island. There are three sandy beaches in Neil Island, namely the Bharatpur Beach, Lakshmanpur Beach, and Sitapur Beach. Most green areas on the Neil island are still conserved and forest encompasses a huge part of the island.
The temperature is slightly higher in the areas where the forest is lost over the years as compared to the region with the forest. Nevertheless, Neil Island is still a formidable supplier of vegetables to various regions of the Andaman Islands. Area-wise, Neil Island is not very large and can be covered over a walk. The three pristine beaches here are very clean and well connected to the main island.
Bharatpur Beach is an exquisite white sand beach located approximately a kilometer away from the jetty. It is one of the best beaches to be visited with family as it is a lagoon and has gentle waves coming towards the shore. The shore is stroked by beautiful clear water, which goes on about 500 m, thereby making it the perfect relaxing spot for tourists. The sunrise is a mystical treat to the eyes as the beach and sky are covered in beautiful hues.
There are also numerous water sports that you can enjoy while you’re at Bharatpur Beach. Glass bottom boat rides, snorkeling, and scuba diving are some of the activities that you can indulge in when you’re at Bharatpur Beach. Once you’re done with all the activities, you can simply grab a good book and retire to a hammock.
There are luxurious hotels nearby, and you can opt for a session of spa or massage in the evening. You can treat yourself to some delicious aquatic treats for dinner. You’ll hear the sound of the waves and feel the tranquility of the beach long after you’ve left the beach, such is the effect the beach has on your senses.
The beach is located about 2 km north of Neil jetty. Its sky-blue clear water and white sand attract tourists who are looking for some tranquility and its shallow waters invite adventure junkies. Snorkeling, sunbathing, and swimming are some of the most common things that tourists enjoy here. Besides the breathtaking view of the sunset at the beach, tourists can also enjoy the natural rock or coral formation.
Located around 4 km south of the Neil island, Sitapur beach offers some of the most magnificent views of the sunrise on the island. It is also rich in vegetation, offers a variety of greenery, and has limestone formations that attract a lot of tourists. The tall coconut and pine trees are a treat for sore eyes and can sometimes protect from the scorching sun while the tourists watch the waves crashing on the beach. While the adults can enjoy some quiet time on the beach, kids can enjoy by indulging in uninterrupted sandcastle building. It is open for visitors till sunset and no entry fee is charged.
Although it is a simple village market, what makes it exceptional is the view it offers. When you see the beach from the market, it tends to look like a long beautiful arc. The market is easy to reach as it is located centrally between Lakshmanpur and Bharatpur beach.
One of the main tourist attractions of Neil island, the natural bridge is naturally formed and is made of rocks and earth. Nature has adorned the bridge with beautiful flowers and creepers. The bridge is also known as Howrah bridge and it attracts a lot of photography enthusiasts with the breathtaking view it offers. Tourists can go beachcombing and enjoy the marine life here.
Scuba diving is one of the most common activities for tourists who visit Neil island. The arrangements for this activity are such that divers of all levels, beginners to experts, are game for exploring the underwater sea world. Arrangements like oxygen cylinders and trained guides make it possible for tourists to take part in deep-sea scuba diving in Neil island. With the help of trained guides, one can see some of the most magnificent views under the sea and explore marine life in its natural habitat.
Neil island is a favorite among tourists for its virgin coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and impressive biodiversity. It is also home to some tropical forests and rich vegetation. In fact, vegetation is found in such abundance that the island is sometimes referred to as the ‘Vegetable bowl’ of the Andamans. The habitants have named the beaches of the Neil island based on characters from the Ramayana. Thus, one can find the popular beaches of the island named Bharatpur, Sitapur, and Laxmanpur.
Although the island is tiny and can be covered in a 2-hour walk, there is a wide range of things that tourists can do here. Sightseeing on Neil island can include visiting places that have natural beauty in abundance. The beaches on the island are so clean that one needs to visit them to experience the breathtaking view.
October to May is considered a better time to visit Neil Island and explore the beautiful Bharatpur Beach, and other beaches on the island. The ideal time to visit the island is October to February, during which the weather is pleasant and one can expect to go sightseeing and also try out numerous water sports. This is the peak tourist season in the Andaman Islands. And the average temperatures during this time range from 14-degree Celsius to 30-degree Celsius. The 10-day Island Tourism Festival is also celebrated during this time.
Summers last from March to May; however, summers are not very hot and one may decide to visit Neil Island during this time. The weather is warm and there is some level of humidity, with the average temperature being around 34 degrees Celsius. However, there is a constant cold breeze, and this keeps the place cool with evenings enjoyable. The monsoon season lasts from June to September and is characterized by moderate to heavy rainfall. There are lush landscapes all over and one truly feels the beauty of nature. However, there are no water sports at this time, and for the adventurous kinds, the number of activities to be enjoyed are less.
There are numerous resorts on Neil Island, including the most popular ones in the whole of the Andaman Islands. The western part of the island is the most densely populated with resorts. There are some resorts in the southern part as well, and only one resort in the central part of the island. The resorts are slightly on the higher end of the tariff scale, and one night in the resorts can cost approximately Rs. 6000.
In addition to these resorts, there are also some budget hotels located on Neil Island. Stay for a night in one of these would cost you between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 4000. During the high tourist season, most of the budget, as well as luxury accommodations, are sold out. Thus, it is suggested to book a resort or hotel for your stay well in advance.
Neil Island is situated approximately 40 km from Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The only 2 ways to reach Neil Islands from other parts of the country and the world are by air and by sea.
Reaching Neil Island by Sea: Cruises are available to Port Blair from major Indian cities like Kolkata and Chennai. The destination of the cruise is Port Blair and from there, tourists can easily reach Neil Island on the ferry.
Reaching Neil Island by Air: Port Blair is a major airport, which has daily flights from Indian as well as international cities. One can easily board a flight to Port Blair from Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bhubaneswar. From Port Blair, one can take a ferry to Neil Island.
There are very few places that are worth numerous visits only because of the natural beauty, and Neil Island is one of them. The pristine beaches covered with white sand and lined with palm trees are rejuvenating and the best spots for a vacation. There are enough activities on the beaches to cover a day in the itinerary. The seafood available here is lip-smacking and fresh, making it a wholesome vacation. Don’t forget to take some souvenirs on the way back home, as the trip to Neil Island is going to bring back a lot of memories, and the souvenirs will definitely bring a smile to your face.
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