HAVELOCK ISLAND:
is 57 km from Port Blair and offers a mind-blowing vista of white sand, turquoise waters and dark pinkish red coral reefs. There is plenty of marine life: dolphins, turtles and very large fish. The waters here are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. There are also elephants in the deep forests. Havelock has the two most popular beaches: Vijaynagar and Radha Nagar, the last being rated as best in Asia by Time. The government offers tented accommodation on the Radha Nagar beach at moderate rates.

NEIL ISLAND:
is 36 km east of Port Blair and offers a vista of green forests and sandy beaches. It is ideal for camping and offers excellent snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. The Tourism Directorate has a 24-room guesthouse here. The government has identified about 9.2 hectares on this island... for the development of eco-tourism.

LONG ISLAND:
is 82 km from Port Blair and has a beautiful beach at the Lalaji Bay. There is plenty of greenery too with forests and coconut plantations.

BARATANG ISLAND:
is about a three hour drive from Port Blair. It has limestone caves and the rare mud volcano, mangrove-frilled creeks and beautiful sandy beaches. Nilambur is the main town. While here, head for the Baludera beach.

RANGAT:
is about 90 km by sea and 170 km by road. The Cuthbert Bay beach over here is a nesting ground for turtles

.DIGLIPU:
R is in the North Andamans and boasts of the 732-metre high Saddle Peak, the highest point in the islands. Tourists can hire equipment to undertake a trek to the peak. Ross and Smith Islands are joined by a bewitching sand bar. They are 45 minutes away from Diglipur. Directorate of Tourism, A offers island camping at Smith island during the tourist season.

LITTLE ANDAMAN ISLAND:
has a white surf, whispering waves, the Butler Bay and a scenic waterfall, waterfall in the Andaman and Nicobar islar It is home to the Onge tribe, the Nicobares: and to settlers from erstwhile East Pakistan. An elephant safari and a cruise along creeks and lagoons are available. Being developed by the Andaman and Nicobar Forest Plantatin Development Corportation, it is well connected to Port Blair by boat.

BARREN ISLAND:
is famous for its live volcano, said to be the country's only active one. The volcano last erupted in 1995. The island's uniqueness is the presence of wild goats, which survive by drinking salt water.

MAYABUNDER :
is in the north of Middle Andaman. It has a mix of cultures as residents can trace their ancestry to settlers from erstwhile Burma, East Pakistan and ex-convicts. The beaches at AVIS ISLAND and the Karmatang beach are a big draw. Karmatang beach is also a turtle nesting ground.

HOW TO GO:
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration's Directorate of Shipping Services operates inter-island passenger-cum-cargo ferries/vehicle ferries from Port Blair. The Directorate of Civil Aviation operates chopper services. Daily bus services run from Port Blair to Rangat and Mayabunder, leaving Central Bus Stand, Port Blair, between 4.30 am and 11.30 am.

WHERE TO STAY:
As the capital city, Port Blair has hotels and restaurants that cater to all budgets - room rents range from Rs 5,500 to Rs 2,200 to Rs 500. Other conveniences, such as telephone booths and Internet cafes, also abound all over the city. The Port Blair Municipal Council runs three guesthouses, where budget accommodation is available. All hotels offer offseason fare at discounted rates. The recommended period of visit is October to May. Information on hotels, category-wise, can be obtained from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration's