Port Blair (officially Sri Vijaya Puram) is the capital and largest city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands group, with a population of around 100,000.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Port Blair is an upcoming city not very different from many other smaller Indian cities. It doesn't share the beauty of the rest of the Andamans, although the seaside has been tarted up a bit. It comprises people from all over India and one can imagine it as a mini-India with no conflicts on region and religion. Aside from Cellular Jail, there are quite a few places which include Ross Island, Barren Island (known for the only active volcano) and a few others known for their historical importance. A week's trip can cover the must-see places on the islands.
Auto-rickshaws are abundant, and within town should cost ₹20-40. Auto fare from the airport to Aberdeen Bazaar in the city centre is ₹30. Auto fare from Aberdeen Bazaar to Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex is ₹10. From Aberdeen Bazaar to Marine jetty (from where you get ships to Havelock Islands, Long island, etc.) is also ₹10 (as on March 2010). Tourists can expect to be charged a higher price. The auto-rickshaws will overcharge you if they can see you don't know where you are going or what you are doing. One way of avoiding being fleeced by them is to just climb in the back of the auto-rickshaws and say "Aberdeen Bazaar" for example. Boats are available to destinations like Ross Island.
Anthropological Museum. closed Thursdays and Public Holidays. Interesting anthropological museum which gives the history of the various A&N tribes. Cellular Jail. closed on Mondays. Built by the British to house political prisoners far away from the mainland. All prisoners were kept in isolation cells and subjected to a brutal work regime, with regular whippings and executions. Briefly taken over by the Japanese during WW2, who added torture to the palette. Today, however, the jail has been transformed into an immaculately kept national monument complete with a garden that seems very much at odds with the earlier horrors.
You can also visit the new workshop of Champion Filters Mfg. Co exactly opposite to the third gate of Aberdeen Bazar. The unit here makes polyurethane products for mining sector. The products include Self Cleaning Filters & PolyurethaneScreens Boat tours from Port Blair You would be lured by agents to do a 3 island packaged tour (Ross + North Bay + Viper) in Port Blair for ₹400. The trip starts at 09:00 and ends at 17:00. Complimentary lunch and breakfast is provided by the tour operator. Please don’t fall into that trap. Since, Viper Island has now become a landfill for all the refuse and complete waste of time and money.
Aberdeen Bazar (landmark is the clock tower) is a good place for lodging/accommodation as well as food. Quite a few restaurants are present. 1 Katubomman (Pure Veg.), Aberdeen Bazaar (opposite SBI ATM. 100 yards from Clock Tower, before Gurudwara). Vegetarian South Indian food. (updated Aug 2022) 2 Annaporna Cafeteria, Aberdeen Bazaar (after Hanuman Temple, 200-yards from Clock Tower, Opposite Police Station.), ☏ +91 234199. Pure vegetarian restaurant, offering South and North Indian food. Costly. One of the few places that accept credit cards. (updated Aug 2022) 3 Vegan Creek Pure Veg Restaurant, Rina Road (Aberdeen Bazar, next to Sagarika emporium, inside the Blue Sea Hotel).
Coconut water (daap or naaryal pani) is available everywhere for ₹30-45 (Sep 2023). One green coconut costs ₹30 in front of Cellular jail and they charge ₹40 at North bay island (Sep 2023).
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
Top-rated tours and tickets from €90 — book ahead for the popular ones.
Tours and tickets provided by Viator (a Tripadvisor company). Some links earn Stayonomy a commission.
In Jul, Port Blair typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 30 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-07-27. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy