Port Blair is the gateway to the Andaman Islands, but that’s not all it’s good for; this city offers one of the best combinations of history, culture, and nature, from the walls of Cellular Jail to museums that hold displays of marine life.
Mix that with good food and great sunset points, and you have a vacation built for all types of people . This guide walks you through the top things to do in Port Blair, whether you have a free evening between ferries or a full weekend to explore.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Port Blair?
If you only have time for a shortlist, start here. These are the best things to do in Port Blair that most first-time visitors build their days around.
Walk Through Cellular Jail
Built between 1896 and 1906, Cellular Jail once held freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar in near-total isolation, which is why the islands were called Kala Pani. Today it stands as a national memorial, and walking through its corridors and central watchtower is one of the most affecting things to do in Port Blair.
- Cost: Around Rs 30 for entry, with extra charges for cameras
- Timings: 9 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays, with a lunch break from 12:30 to 1:30 pm
- Don't miss: The gallows and the small museum documenting the freedom struggle
Tribe Travel Tip: Carry a physical photo ID. Some counters ask for it before issuing tickets, especially for the evening show.
Take the Ross Island and North Bay Boat Combo
Ross Island, now officially called Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, was once the British administrative headquarters and was known as the Paris of the East. Its ballroom, church and old bakery now sit tangled in giant tree roots, which makes for an eerie and beautiful walk. Most boats club this with North Bay Island, where you can try snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride over the coral.
Cost: Ferry tickets run around Rs 75 to 100, with Ross Island entry around Rs 50 for adults
Timings: Ferries run through the day from around 8:30 am, with the last one near 4:30 pm
Don't miss: The overgrown ballroom and church ruins on Ross Island, and snorkelling over the reef at North Bay
Stop | Known for | Good for |
Ross Island | Colonial ruins, deer, peacocks | History lovers, photography |
North Bay Island | Coral reefs, snorkeling, sea walking | Adventure and first time snorkelers |
Spend a Few Hours at Corbyn's Cove Beach
Just 7 to 8 km from Aberdeen Bazaar, Corbyn's Cove is the easiest beach to reach without planning a whole day around it. It has calm water, jet skiing, and a row of Japanese-era WWII bunkers nearby worth a quick look.
Cost: Free entry; you pay only for water sports or parking
Timings: Open from sunrise to after sunset, with water sports usually running 9 am to 5 pm
Don't miss: The WWII bunkers along the approach road, easy to walk past without noticing
Visit Samudrika Naval Marine Museum
Run by the Indian Navy, this museum in Delanipur is a good primer before you head to the reefs, with displays of shells, corals and local marine life.
Cost: A nominal entry fee, usually a few rupees per person
Timings: 9 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 5 pm, closed on Mondays
Don't miss: The coral and shell galleries, which make the reefs at North Bay easier to appreciate afterwards
What Are the Best Offbeat Things to Do in Port Blair?
Once you have covered the essentials, Port Blair still has quieter corners that most visitors skip. These offbeat things to do in Port Blair reward a little extra effort and usually come with far fewer crowds.
- Mount Harriet National Park: The highest point in South Andaman, with a forest trail and a viewpoint that looks straight across at Ross Island
- Viper Island: An old penal outpost with crumbling gallows ruins, quieter and less visited than Ross Island
- Munda Pahad Trek at Chidiya Tapu: A 1.5 km coastal trail through dense forest, best attempted with a guide or in a small group
- Mangrove Creek Rides: Slow boat rides through the mangroves near Sippighat, good for spotting birds away from the main tourist route
Tribe Travel Tip: Mount Harriet and Viper Island both need a short ferry crossing, so plan them alongside Ross Island rather than as a separate day out.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Port Blair in the Evening?
Evenings in Port Blair slow down fast, and that is part of the charm. For things to do in Port Blair in the evening, head toward the coast as the light turns gold.
Chidiya Tapu, the city's well-known sunset point, is about 25 to 30 km south and is worth the drive. The beach and its Biological Park sit at the southern tip of South Andaman, and the sky over the Bay of Bengal turns shades of gold and crimson here that photographers travel across the islands to catch.
- Best window: Arrive by 4 pm to settle in before the sky changes
- Also do: A short walk through the Biological Park or some casual birdwatching, since the area is home to sea eagles, parakeets and emerald doves
What Are the Best Things to Do in Port Blair at Night?
Port Blair is not built for late nights, but there are still a few things to do in Port Blair at night that fit naturally after dinner.
The Light and Sound Show at Cellular Jail is the standout. Told through the voice of an old Peepal tree, the 45-minute show narrates the freedom struggle and the dark history behind the jail's walls, playing in English and Hindi on alternate slots between roughly 5:50 pm and 8 pm.
- Cost: Around Rs 300 to 400 per person, separate from the daytime entry ticket
- Book ahead: Tickets can sell out in peak season, so reserve a day or two in advance
After the show, Aberdeen Bazaar stays open for a bit longer, with small stalls selling local snacks, seashell curios and Andaman spices. A handful of seafood restaurants near the harbour also keep a relaxed dinner crowd going well into the night.
What Are the Best Romantic Things to Do in Port Blair?
For couples, Port Blair works better as a slow-paced escape than a checklist. These romantic things to do in Port Blair lean into that pace.
- Sunset at Chidiya Tapu: Quieter than Corbyn's Cove, with fewer crowds and better light for a walk along the shore
- Evening Walk at Corbyn's Cove: The palm-lined promenade near the water is a simple, easy way to close out the day together
- Candlelight Dinners: Several beachside resorts near Corbyn's Cove and Haddo set up private dinners on request
- Ross and North Bay Combo: A slower version of the standard boat day, with time built in for photos among the ruins rather than rushing between stops
Tribe Travel Tip: If you are planning a honeymoon visit, ask your resort about a private sunset cruise around North Bay instead of joining a shared boat. It costs more, but you get to set the pace.
When Should You Plan Your Port Blair Holiday?
Andaman’s weather should be a big part of your consideration when planning your vacation.
Here’s what you can expect from each season:
Season | Months | What you can expect |
Winter | November to February | Driest, clearest skies, best for Chidiya Tapu and treks |
Summer | March to May | Warm and humid, still good for water activities |
Monsoon | June to September | Frequent rain, rough seas, some ferries and boat rides get cancelled |
Tribe Travel Tip: If sunsets and clear underwater visibility matter most to you, aim for the November to February window.
Let Holiday Tribe Plan Your Port Blair Escape
Port Blair isn’t a place you should treat as just an entry point; it holds some of the best attractions in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Just two or three days here can cover history, reefs and a proper sunset view.
If you’re planning on visiting Port Blair or its neighbours, Holiday Tribe can help you with customised Andaman travel packages that cover everything you want to see along with stays, transfers and optional flight add-ons. Get in touch with our advisors to start planning today!
