How does paradise look like? No one would know! However, if you imagine well, and visit the beaches of Neil island in Andaman, you might well feel like being in the paradise! Our winter sojourn in the island last year is still fresh in my mind. What’s great about the beaches in Neil island is that all the beaches are different, and have a character of their own. From a rocky Lakshmanpur beach to a sandy Sitapur beach, to a shallow Bharatpur beach, one can have a different charm everyday.
Neil Island in a nutshell:
Though Andaman and Nicobar are a group of 572 islands, only 38 are inhabited. Out of these, only three islands are popular among tourists, and feature in regular tour packages. These are Port Blair, Havelock (now, Swaraj) and Neil (now, Shaheed) islands. On our Andaman trip last year, Neil island was our third destination after visiting Port Blair and Havelock. And believe me, we were on for a pleasant surprise big time!
Yes, Neil island in Andaman is all about beaches, different kinds of beaches. The whole island spanning only about 14 sq. km, it’s indeed a beach lover’s paradise. If beaches of Havelock island are spectacular, the beaches of Neil island have very unique features. One of the things that I liked about the beaches of Neil island is that they are not commercialized. I felt that peaceful vibe while visiting these beaches.
{If you love beaches, do check out these great beaches: Goa beaches ||| Odisha beaches}
Names in Neil island:
Neil island got its name from a British officer, James Neill. However, recently, it has been renamed as Shaheed Dweep to honour the freedom fighters of India. Since people still generally call it Neil island, I’m using this name in this article.
Further, did you notice the names of villages and beaches on the Neil island in Andaman? The five villages are: Laksmanpur and Neil Kendra in east, Bharatpur in north, and Ramnagar and Sitapur in south-east. For convenience, I have cut-out a google map of the island with all the beaches; please have a look below. Only except Neil Kendra, each of the other four villages have their own beaches.
Interestingly, all the beaches are named after the legendary characters from the Hindu scripture- Ramayana! Ever wondered, why is it so? Being curious, I searched for the answer online, but got not much information, except for one website.
The site mentions that it’s believed that Hanuman found sanjeevani (a life saving medicine) here to save Lakshman, Lord Ram’s brother. Thus came the name, Laksmanpur beach. And maybe, the other beaches followed suit. But there’s no other significant information about it. So, I’m not sure if there’s much reliability of the information. If you have any idea, please let me know in the comments section.
Villages and people:
Neil island is so small that there are only five villages with a little over 3000 inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants (Bangladeshi Hindus) came from Bangladesh during the 1971 war. During partition of Pakistan and Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), a large number of Hindus migrated to Andaman. Since these islands were mostly uninhabited then, the Indian government allowed them to settle here. Today, you will notice most of them engaged in tourism and hospitality industry.
Cherished memories of Neil island
When we landed in Andaman for the first time, we explored some of the most spectacular beaches in India. First few days, we visited Port Blair and Havelock islands. On both the islands, we were treated with the most spectacular beach scenes. So, on our last leg of the Andaman trip, I was skeptical of what would be in store for us in Neil island. Would they really match the beaches like Radhanagar and Kalapatthar beaches in Havelock!?
With these thoughts in mind, we arrived in Neil island. Little did we know what a pleasant surprise waited us! From Havelock island, we reached Neil island by a private ferry late in the afternoon. Through prior research, we had planned to witness the most gorgeous sunset on Lakshmanpur beach. Afterwards, we visited the other major beaches in Neil island. I must say, these are among the best beaches, and the most interesting ones in India. In fact, they reminded me of the beaches of Thailand, especially in Phuket on the other side of Andaman sea.
Since Neil island is the smallest among the main touristy islands in Andaman, one can easily visit all the beaches. Besides, since these are not overtly commercial, one can have the peace of mind while enjoying the gorgeous views. My most cherished memories of Neil island in Andaman include a gorgeous sunset, the unique natural bridge and swimming in the shallow waters. As it was end of December, the sun was not too hard on the skin. So, we could wander around outdoors through out the day.
Best Beaches in Neil Island, Andaman
Though there are a number of beaches in Neil island in Andaman, I would pick the best three. These are, Lakshmanpur beaches- 1 & 2, and Bharatpur beach. I pick these three as they have unique features, and are different from each other. However, I wouldn’t forget to mention Ramnagar and Sitapur beaches too.
So, here’s our experience and tips on the best beaches in Neil island in Andaman.
1. Lakshmanpur Beach-1
After arriving at the Neil jetty, we checked in at a resort near the Lakshmanpur beach-1. We chose this resort especially because it was at a walkable distance from from the beach. Without wasting too much time, we headed straight to witness the famous sunset of Lakshmanpur beach.
The Lakshmanpur sunset:
The walk up to Lakshmanpur beach-1 was lovely, passing through thin habitation amongst thick vegetation. As we neared the beach, the vegetation actually thickened even more, became almost like a forest. Coming out of the forest, the serene beach was in front of us with hundreds of visitors waiting for the sunset. And the sunset didn’t disappoint. Slowly and steadily, the sun went down the horizon of Neil island emanating gorgeous colours over the Andaman sea.
Lakshmanpur beach-1, an inverted V-shaped beach has one side largely rocky, and the other side completely sandy. Having tall trees and the forest by the beach, Lakshmanpur beach-1 offers a triple-bonanza. This partially rocky, partially sandy beach felt much like Om beach in coastal Karnataka, I felt.
Lakshmanpur beach-1 market:
After enjoying a gorgeous sunset, we spent some time taking a stroll on the sandy side of the beach. When we looked for some food at the beach, there was none to be found. But walking a little towards the forest, we saw a little beach-market abuzz with visitors.
We had some snacks, shopped a few souvenirs, and soaked in the market vibes. At the market, we met this sweet couple running a souvenir shop. They belong to another island, but have set up this shop here because of the tourist inflow. It was heartening to know that the local government has provided them with special training to make these souvenirs, and sell them to the tourists for earning their livelihoods.
2. Lakshmanpur Beach-2
What a unique beach, this Lakshmanpur beach-2! When we reached there in the morning, the beach was nowhere to be seen! On asking a local vendor, we realized that we had to climb a stair to reach the other side where the beach hid. Since there were quite a few things to explore on the beach, we hired a local guide.
The first thing I noticed were the interesting plants with pineapple like fruits! The local guide told its name- Pandanus. I think, it’s some variety of kevda plant that we find in mainland India. Another interesting thing I noticed was the mango trees had fruits on them in December! As per the guide, unlike mainland India, mango trees bear fruit twice in Neil island, and Andaman in general.
Later on the beach, we found a lot more interesting plant species. Plus, the living corals and the dead corals. The rock bridge, and Nemo fish. I must say, this is the most interesting beach (if you can call it one) I have ever visited.
Natural bridge, a popular interesting rock formation:
Our guide hurried us a bit to reach the rock-bridge without wasting any time. Because, as the day grows, the high tides bring the sea up, and one can not walk up to the rock-bridge. Beneath our feet was the beach, all rocks, made of dead corals. So, walking over them was not at all easy. Nonetheless, a 10-minute hard walk took us to the interesting natural rock formation that looks like a bridge.
The natural bridge on Lakshmanpur beach in Neil island is one of the most iconic landmarks from Andaman. What’s interesting, the guide told us, is that it’s formed by two living corals! It must be the result of millions of years of the nature at work. And yes, it was amusing to walk through this natural bridge.
Exploring the coral reefs:
On the other side of the natural bridge, on the sea floor, one can see a great variety of living corals and little marine lives. Though the guide actually told us their names, we hardly remember any of them. The few names I remember are, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumber, dugongs, sea grass, etc. Now, the reader might be a little curious to know more about the coral reefs.
Coral reefs are an astoundingly diverse and complex ecosystem beneath the sea surface. If you have ever done snorkeling or scuba diving, you must have seen these colourful reefs. Just a few days ago, I had had a scuba diving experience, and was in awe to see them live. Seeing them on TV and seeing them live in front of your eyes are absolutely different experiences. Since I’m no expert in coral reefs, here’s a good link to learn more: Coral Reef Ecosystems.
Nemo’s house:
After visiting the natural bridge side of the beach, the guide took us to a very interesting place. On the other side of Lakshmanpur beach-2, among the exposed circular coral reef lives a little nemo fish. The guide told us that the fish doesn’t leave that place, and has made it her home, sweet home. The little orange coloured fish with strikes of black and grey, looked beautiful. Later, a bit of research online led me to know that it’s called the Ocellaris Clown Fish.
3. Bharatpur Beach
Of all the beaches I have visited in India, I found Bharatpur beach in Neil island to be the most suitable for swimming. Besides, the thick vegetative cover very close to the beach makes it one of the most enjoyable. I love the trees close to the beach because I can see the turquoise blue water up-close even while sitting in the shades. In order to reach the beach, one has to walk a bit from the drop-off point. However, there are these small shops on both sides of the road that make the walk enjoyable.
As soon as we reached the beach, we got into our swim wears. It was amazing how shallow was the water at the beach! We could easily walk up to 100 meters into water with water below our waist level! And we could actually go farther, though we chose not to. We really enjoyed the swim in the soft sunshine. Unlike other beaches in Andaman, Bharatpur beach in Neil island has good after-bath facilities.
After taking bath, we did take a stroll on the beach and took scores of pictures. The Neil jetty just beside the beach adds a lot of interesting elements for photography. Hundreds of small fishing boats hang around on the shores. Walking up to the fishing village and watching the fishermen engaged in their daily routine was a good experience too.
Two offbeat beaches in Neil island
Apart from the three beaches I have featured above, there are two more good beaches in Neil island in Andaman. Sitapur beach and Ram Nagar beach, though lovely in their own ways, are quite typical of Andaman beaches.
Ram Nagar beach: It’s an offbeat destination. If you are looking for solitude, this is the beach for you. However, it’s not good for swimming due to sharp coral reefs; good for snorkeling though.
Sitapur beach: A few kilometers from Ram Nagar beach, on the same route is Sitapur beach, another offbeat destination. Like Ram Nagar beach, swimming here isn’t easy since the current is a bit stronger than desired. But the beach is good for snorkeling and scuba diving. Further, since it’s towards south-east side of the island, one can witness a lovely sunrise on this beach.
Neil Island, Andaman: Travel Tips
Best time to visit:
Neil island in Andaman is as tropical as it gets. So, there’s hardly any winter season. But the months from November to February are relatively pleasant. Thus, it’s good to plan during these months. Besides, one should especially avoid the monsoon months of June to September. Because strong winds, high tides, and heavy rains can keep one inside only. Though we were there in December, we couldn’t visit one island due to strong winds, and high tides!
How to reach:
- In order to visit Neil island, one has to first reach Port Blair, the capital of Andaman. There are flights from major Indian cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. Else, one can take a cruise ship from Chennai/ Kolkata.
- From Port Blair, there are regular ferry services to Neil island; both government and private. However, tickets for government ferry are available only offline. So, it’s difficult to get one. On the other hand, there a number of private ferry services. Popular ferry services are Marcuzz, Green Ocean, Nautika, and ITT Majestic. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Neil island.
- If you are visiting Havelock island in Andaman first, you can take a ferry from there to reach Neil island as well.
How to get around:
Since beaches in Neil island in Andaman are so close to each other, one can actually cycle around. But the tropical heat is generally a problem all the time. So, taking an auto-rickshaw is fine. Cabs/ taxis are a bit expensive, but because distances are not long, it’s okay.
Where to stay:
Some budget stay options: Emerald Gecko || Blue Lagoon Resort || Hotel Coral Inn || Neil Banjara || Kevin’s Bread & Breakfast || Blue Sea Hotels.
We stayed at Neil Banjara, and found it quite good. The rooms were comfortable, and it wasn’t far from Lakshmanpur beach-1.
Where to eat:
There are not many stand-alone cafes and restaurants in Neil island. So, it’s better to eat at the hotel/ resort that you are staying at. Since most of the hotels and restaurants are owned and managed by Bengalis, one would find Bengali cuisine dominating the food scene in Neil island in Andaman.
A few suggestions: Vibes and Dives || Dugong by Seashells || Sunset cafe || Beachcomber cafe || Bayview Bistro || Avisa || The Island Spices.
Final Thoughts
Though there are some good beaches in mainland India, none compares with the ones in Andaman, especially Havelock or Neil island. The turquoise blue water of beaches in Andaman is just unmatchable. I can only think of the beaches of Thailand in the same Andaman sea, comparable to the beaches of Neil island. Besides, they are not-so crowded, and have great vegetative cover by them. What else one needs for a great beach experience!
If I compare only beaches of Andaman- Havelock with those of Neil island, Havelock will win, overall. But they are getting crowded by the day. For a more offbeat experience, beaches of Neil island are better. Further, as I shared above, beaches of Neil island have more interesting features than Havelock.
Someday, when we go back to Andaman, we would love to revisit Neil island. Instead of exploring places, we would like to lazy around on its beaches, especially in Lakshmanpur and Bharatpur.
Tatiana
Oh wow, I had no idea there are such great beaches on Adaman islands! Looks like it was an awesome trip, I’m glad you got to visit! 🙂
stampedmoments
Hi Tatiana!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, Andaman has the best beaches in India.
If you are a beach lover, you should plan for a visit, if/ when you are in India.
Cheers!