Why Celebrate New Year In Andaman And Nicobar? Memorable Two in One | Incredible Nature And Island Tourism Festival

Andaman Nicobar Islands

The Andaman & Nicobar group of islands are a group of scenic islands nestled in the eastern part of Bay of Bengal. Altogether there are some 572 islands, tiny islets and rocks - some inhabited and some not -all with rolling terrain, with ridges and spurs all over with subterranean inlets and creeks due to underwater gorges. Forming a long and disjointed chain of islands in an arc formation, they are about 800 km long. Coral reefs are abundant and encircle the islands all over. Because of the available geological data, it is presumed that these islands could have been connected to Burma and Sumatra. The Cape Negris is supposed to have been connected to South part of Burma to Achin Head (Cape Pedro) in Andalas (Sumatra).

Andaman Nicobar Islands

These Islands were shrouded in mystery for centuries because of their inaccessibility. These are the paragon of beauty and present a landscape full with scenic and picturesque extravaganza. These islands shimmer like emeralds in the Bay of Bengal. The dense forest which cover these islands and the innumerable exotic flowers and birds create a highly poetic and romantic atmosphere. "Here the white beaches on the edge of a meandering coastline have palm trees that sway to the rhythm of the Sea. 
The beat of tribal drums haunt the stillness and technicolor fish steer their way through crystal clear water." This addition of strangeness to beauty which is responsible for creating the infinite romantic impact may be described in the following famous lines of John Keats. "Charmed magic casement opening on the foam Of perilous seas in fair lands forlorn." 

I would suggest spending at least 8 days reaching on 30th of December 2013. 

Why?

Because enjoy for 4 days including New Year Eve on 31st night, followed by these unforgettable activities and finally exposing to a great cultural explosion of “Island Tourism Festival” starting from 5th January. Wow! What a lifetime opportunity to celebrate New Year week! 
Have you ever heard your own heart thumping with mad excitement and felt blood rush in your own years? When it is just you and your adrenaline competing with nature to give you the best thrill ever? Yes. It is possible here in this small archipelago. No one else. Just you and the nature. 
Go to the world of ‘Adventure Sports’ at Andamans. Take a deep sea plunge or venture on the surface, be sure to quench that adventure thirst on the breathtaking blue waters.

My first diving in Andaman Nicobar Islands

Scuba Diving 

In Andamans islands are the place in India which offers best Scuba Diving. You can take it up just for adventure, or get trained as a certified scuba diver or a sidestep sea diver, satisfy your penchant for underwater photography or simply enjoy the exotic marine life. Whatever the heart wants!
And, you need not be a swimmer to take the plunge!
Havelock is the place to go Scuba Diving in Andamans. However, new dive centers have come up at Long Island and Neil Island too. 

Snorkeling

Contrary to deep sea diving and scuba diving, snorkeling is a water activity done on the surface. Like scuba diving, it also doesn’t require swimming skills. Simply float on the water surface with your eye gear on and enjoy the mesmerizing underwater treat to the eyes that nature offers.
North Bay near Port Blair is most popular for snorkeling though quite a few places offer snorkeling opportunities.

Angling

Better known as game fishing, is a very popular sport in here. The largely unexplored water masses in and around Andamans have made the experiences all the more maverick. Sometimes, making a good catch could be a great achievement and a memory. Just imagine – the boat, the high sea, the fishes and you! 

Active volcano in Barren Island

Active Volcano

There is a thing about nature’s wrath. After the fury subsides, it becomes all the more interesting. Yes! Andaman Island also has an active volcano. ‘Barren Island’ has erupted twice in the last two decades after being dormant for about 177 years.

Creeks

Amidst the dense mangrove forests, run streaks of waters forming creeks. Just as beautiful as the beaches, these creeks are a good place for trekking activities. You could also relish the flora and fauna, the beautiful wildlife of Andamans while paying a visit to these creeks.
Baratang has some of the most beautiful creeks.

Ross Island Andaman

Ross Island

Visiting Ross Island feels like discovering a jungle-clad Lost City, à la Angkor Wat, where the ruins happen to be Victorian English rather than ancient Khmer. The former administrative headquarters for the British in the Andamans, Ross Island is an essential half-day trip from Port Blair. In its day, little Ross was fondly called the ‘Paris of the East’ (along with Pondicherry, Saigon etc…).

Corbyn's Cove Andaman

Corbyn's Cove

4Kms east of the airport and 7Kms south of the town, is the nearest beach to Port Blair - a small curve of sand backed by palms. It's popular for swimming, sunset-viewing and lazing around, and is packed with picnicking locals on Sunday and holidays.

Viper Island

The afternoon boat trip to Viper Island is worthwhile to see the sobering remains of the ochre-colored brick jail and the gallows built by the British in 1867. The formidable name comes from a wrecked 19th-century British trading ship nearby

Tribal | Jarawa women of Andaman

The mysterious and oldest tribes of the world in Andaman 

They live in protected area and you are not allowed to visit those areas or meet them unless you take a permission from the administration

Island Tourism Festival

The Island Tourism Festival is the annual cultural event organized for promotion of tourism and entertainment for islanders. The main events are held at Port Blair. However, small program, as a part of festival are also organized in other places like Wimberlygunj, Wandoor, Neil, Havelock, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Hut Bay, Car Nicobar, Kamorta ,Campbell Bay etc. 

During the festival, the main venue - ITF ground swells with people from all walks of the life and tourists. The highlight of the festival at ITF ground is the exhibition depicting sale of general merchandise, food stalls, and stalls of interest to tourists, Floating Restaurant etc. The main focal point, however, is the performance of mainland artists especially reputed music bands, Bollywood singers, dancers, performers etc. Artists of East Zone, South Zone Cultural Centers are also invited by the Art and Culture department and performed simultaneously in outlying islands. Hasya kavisammelan (Humor poetry) is also organized by the official language department to delight the crowd. To accommodate crowd throngs up for mega shows alternate venues are set up at Netaji stadium Port Blair also. 

Where to stay?

Though there are many resorts and hotels, I would recommend 
Barefoot at Havelock (Havelock Island)
Sea Princess Port Blair (Port Blair) 
Munjoh Ocean Resort (Havelock Island)
For more hotels, read reviews and select 

How to reach

By ship  
Ship services are available to Port Blair regularly from Chennai, Kolkatta and Visakhapatnam and back. There are three to four sailing's every month from Calcutta and Chennai to Port Blair and vice-versa. There is a sailing from vishakhapatnam once in a month. The voyage takes about three days and the ship normally berth at Port Blair for about two days.
By air
 Airway is the best option to reach Port Blair. Air India, Jet Airways, Jetlite and IndiGo are the major airlines operating in the city. Regular and scheduled Jetlite flights are operated from New Delhi via Kolkata to serve the tourist demands. Indian Airlines flights takes only 2 hrs to reach Port Blair from Kolkata and around 2 hours and 5 minutes from Chennai.

Entry Formalities for foreigners

All foreign nationals can stay in the islands for 30 days. This can be extended by 15 days with permission. They require a permit to stay, which can easily be obtained on arrival at Port Blair (either by air or sea) from the immigration authorities. 
In addition permits can also be obtained from:

• Indian Mission Overseas,
• Foreigners Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata.
• The immigration authorities at the airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta.