Port Blair

Port Blair was renamed Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024. It is the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and its only major town. The Veer Savarkar International Airport and the main ferry jetties are here. It is about 1,190 km from Chennai and 1,255 km from Kolkata. So almost every Andaman trip begins and ends here. The main sights are the Cellular Jail national memorial and its evening show. You can also take the boat trip to Ross Island, and visit the Samudrika Naval Maritime Museum and Corbyn's Cove beach. Day trips go south to Chidiya Tapu and north to Baratang. Ferries to Havelock and Neil leave from Phoenix Bay. Government tickets are sold at the counter there, and you can book private catamarans ahead. The town has the widest choice of hotels, banks and ATMs in the islands, so withdraw cash here before you move on. One full day covers the main sights. In the monsoon, it is wise to keep a spare night before a flight home.