4 Best Sights in Port Blair, India

This is a good place to learn more about the Andaman's history and the lives of the island's native tribal communities. Though the museum itself is a little old-fashioned, the solid exhibits include hunting weapons, instruments, tribal ornaments, and household items. Plan to spend about an hour here.

Port Blair's major tourist attraction is the former jail, built by the British in the early 20th century, in which India's political dissidents were imprisoned during their fight for independence. The jail included seven wings and 698 cells, though several of them were destroyed by Japanese bombing during World War II. Today, the jail museum includes instruments of torture, and a sound and light show that tells the story of India's struggle for independence.

Part of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly Buoy's clear waters are wonderful for snorkeling or gazing at the fish and coral through a glass-bottomed boat; there's also a lovely beach for simply lazing around. The island is accessible to tourists from October to March; for the rest of the year, Red Skin Island in the same park is open instead. To reach Jolly Buoy, take a taxi for 30 minutes to Wandoor and then a half-hour boat ride to the island. Only a limited number of permits are available to Jolly Buoy each day, so check with the Port Blair tourist office the day before you plan to visit. Bring your own snacks and water as there are no facilities on the island, and carrying any sort of plastic is prohibited for environmental reasons.

Just over a mile east of Port Blair lies Ross Island, the administrative center established by the British for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands until it was hit by an earthquake in 1941. Today you can take a half-hour ferry from Aberdeen Jetty to explore the ruins of some of the buildings, including a church and the gardens and ballrooms of the chief commissioner's house. You can also wander in the thick woods that now cover much of the island, inhabited only by deer and peacocks. Plan to spend a few hours strolling. You'll also find bunkers that remain from the Japanese occupation during World War II.