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For the beach-lover...

R. Balaji

About 1,100 km east of Chennai in the Bay of Bengal lies the archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar islands -- a Union Territory, formerly a penal settlement and now a major tourist destination. Almost equi-distant from Chennai and Calcutta, the islands offer a wide range of tourist attractions catering to varied tastes.

Apart from Port Blair, the main port of call, it is on the numerous other islands that the tourist gets a taste of the treat Nature has in store. With more than 85 per cent of the landmass under forest cover, a few hundred islands -- most of them unpopul ated -- and a rich variety of flora and marine life and beaches as yet untainted by `development', the islands are a must-visit for the Nature-lover.

Two of the islands, Havelock and Jolly Buoy, are samples of the natural wealth hoarded by the islands. One with beach resorts, which provide the comforts of home and the more spartan tent or thatched-cottage accommodation, and the other situated in a mar ine reserve. Tent-type accommodation can cost between Rs 150 and Rs 500 while the cottages come for Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000.

A trip to Havelock Island is a treat for those interested in beachcombing, sunbathing, snorkeling, surf-riding, swimming and sunset or sunrise-watching.

For a trip to the island, mechanised launches or the larger ferry, M.V. Ramanujam, are available. The latter is a better option. The 20-year-old vessel, originally a car-ferry plying in the North Seas, covers the distance in four hours at a sedate 7.5 kn ots. Certainly not for those in a hurry, but in the absence of a faster option, tourists can sit back and relax on the way.

The passage, past thickly-forested islands and solitary beaches, can best be enjoyed from the deck. The ferries are in common use by both the tourists and the islanders and for local cargo movement.

At Havelock jetty, a bus awaits the tourists to carry them to one of the handful of beach resorts. Prominent ones include the Dolphin Yatri Nivas, a beach-resort run by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO), or priv ate outfits such as the Jungle Resort.

The Dolphin Resort allows tourists to laze on the beach and soak in the sunshine. The tree-lined beaches, with the coastal forests extending within a few feet of the water-line, also offer a lot of shade. However, this secluded beach is ideal for those w ho prefer to stay above the water-line. The water is strewn with corals, sadly, most of them bleached.

On the other side of the island is the popular Radha Nagar beach, also called `Beach 7' -- a number designated by the Forest Department which controls the island. A must-visit for those who love to get their feet wet. This beach offers a great view of th e sunset and is ideal for swimming. Tent-type accommodation is available here, while further down is a private resort with cottages.

Movement from one beach to another could be a problem. You can either wait for the resort-run bus to shuttle you from one beach to the other in the afternoon, or hire a two-wheeler at the jetty.

With timber being a major industry, can elephants be far away? Close to the jetty, you can see elephants shifting timber. The locals believe they are the legendary elephants of Peepal Dera. The same ones that featured on the National Geographic and are b elieved to have broken the myth that elephants do not swim in the sea.

The Jolly Buoy island is a part of the 281-sq km Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park which includes 14 islands and 150 species of corals. Of these, two islands, Red Skin Island and Jolly Buoy, are open to tourists. It is a great spot for those into snork eling, coral viewing or just plain sea-swimming. The less adventurous can do their coral gazing from glass-bottomed boats.

A short-ride to Wandoor from Port Blair, and thence by mechanised launch, takes you to Jolly Buoy island. The one-hour ride takes you past densely-forested, small islets.

Fact file

How to get there:

By air: Indian Airlines operates flights to Port Blair from Calcutta and Chennai.

By ship: Ships are available from Chennai, Calcutta and Vishakapatnam to Port Blair.

How to get around:

Havelock island: Daily boat services are available from Port Blair to Havelock, 54 km away. Ferry tickets can be bought at the Phoenix Bay Jetty and Chatham Jetty in Port Blair.

Jolly Buoy Island: Boat services are available from Wandoor.

Conducted tours by the Directorate of Tourism are also available.

For Bookings contact:

Andaman Teal House,

Delanipur,

Port Blair.

Ph: (03192) 34060; 34061.

Picture: Jolly Buoy Island.

Picture by R. Balaji