About

About This Destination

Sri Vijaya Puram — formerly known as Port Blair — is the capital city of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Renamed by the Government of India in September 2024 to shed its colonial legacy, the new name honors the maritime power of the ancient Srivijaya Empire and the region's role in India's freedom struggle.

Located on South Andaman Island, the city sits where the Bay of Bengal meets the Andaman Sea, roughly 1,190 km from Chennai and 1,255 km from Kolkata. It serves as the gateway to the entire Andaman archipelago — every flight, ferry, and cruise into the islands routes through here first.

Beyond being an entry point, Sri Vijaya Puram carries deep historical weight. It's home to the Cellular Jail, where the British exiled freedom fighters including Veer Savarkar, and it's the site where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose first hoisted the Indian tricolor on liberated soil in 1943.

Explore

Highlights

1Cellular Jail National Memorial — a colonial-era prison turned museum, with a moving light and sound show narrating India's independence struggle

2Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) — ruins of a former British administrative headquarters, now reclaimed by nature and roaming deer

3Corbyn's Cove Beach — a palm-fringed beach close to the city, popular for a quick swim or evening walk

4Chatham Saw Mill — one of Asia's oldest and largest sawmills, with a small museum on the islands' timber history

5Samudrika Naval Marine Museum — run by the Indian Navy, covering Andaman's marine biodiversity and tribal heritage

6Anthropological Museum — insight into the indigenous tribes of the Andaman Islands, including the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese

Travel

How to Reach

By Air

Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) connects Sri Vijaya Puram to major Indian cities including Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Flight time from Chennai or Kolkata is around 2 hours. This is the fastest and most common way to reach the islands.

By Sea

Passenger ships operate from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam to Sri Vijaya Puram, run by the Shipping Corporation of India. The journey takes 3–4 days depending on weather and route, making it a slower but scenic and budget-friendly alternative to flying.

Getting Around the Islands

Once in Sri Vijaya Puram, inter-island ferries (government and private) connect you to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep), and other islands. Auto-rickshaws, taxis, and rental scooters are the standard way to get around the city itself.

Plan Ahead

How to Plan Your Trip

1. Decide your travel window Book for October–May. December–January is peak season with the best weather but higher prices; September and May offer good weather with fewer crowds and lower rates.

2. Book flights early Flights to IXZ from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bengaluru fill up fast during peak season and winter holidays. Book 4–6 weeks in advance for better fares.

3. Sort your permits (foreign nationals only) Indian citizens need no permit. Foreign nationals get a free Restricted Area Permit (RAP) on arrival, valid for 30 days — no advance application needed for most nationalities.

4. Plan your island-hopping route A typical 6-day itinerary:

Day 1–2: Sri Vijaya Puram — Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Corbyn's Cove
Day 3–4: Havelock Island — Radhanagar Beach, snorkeling, scuba diving
Day 5: Neil Island — Bharatpur and Laxmanpur beaches
Day 6: Return to Sri Vijaya Puram for departure

5. Book inter-island ferries in advance Government (A&N Administration) and private ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika) connect the islands. Private ferries are faster and more comfortable; book online 1–2 weeks ahead during peak season.

6. Budget for the trip

Budget traveler: ₹4,000–6,000/day (stays, local ferries, street food)
Mid-range: ₹7,000–12,000/day (resorts, private ferries, water sports)
Luxury: ₹15,000+/day (premium resorts, private transfers)

7. Pack smart Light cottons, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a light rain jacket (even outside monsoon), and a power bank — network and charging points are limited on remote islands.

Tips

Know Before Visiting

Permits: Indian nationals don't need a permit to visit Sri Vijaya Puram or most tourist islands. Foreign nationals require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), typically issued on arrival at the airport or seaport, valid for 30 days.
Best time to visit: October to May offers the best weather — dry, sunny, and ideal for water activities. Avoid the monsoon months (June–September) when heavy rain disrupts ferry schedules.
Currency and connectivity: Indian Rupee is the only accepted currency; ATMs are available in the city but scarce on remote islands. Mobile network coverage (BSNL, Airtel, Jio) is reliable in Sri Vijaya Puram but patchy on outer islands.
Restricted zones: The Jarawa Tribal Reserve is off-limits to tourists — photography or interaction with tribal communities is illegal and strictly enforced.
Alcohol and ID: Carry a valid photo ID at all times; it's checked at ferry counters and some tourist sites.
Health precautions: Carry basic medication; multi-speciality hospitals exist in Sri Vijaya Puram, but medical facilities are limited on smaller islands.

At a Glance

General Information

Also known as: Port Blair (former name)
State/UT: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Union Territory)
Location: South Andaman Island, Bay of Bengal
Distance from Chennai: ~1,190 km (2 hrs by air)
Distance from Kolkata: ~1,255 km (2 hrs by air)
Languages spoken: Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu
Currency: Indian Rupee (₹)
Time zone: IST (UTC +5:30)
Best time to visit: October to May
Nearest airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ)
STD code: 03192
Ideal trip duration: 5–7 days (city + nearby islands)

Discover

Best Places to Visit in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair)

1. Cellular Jail National Memorial

A colonial-era prison built by the British to exile India's freedom fighters, including Veer Savarkar. Today it stands as a national memorial, with a moving light and sound show every evening that narrates the story of India's independence struggle.

2. Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep)

Once the administrative headquarters of the British in the Andamans, Ross Island is now a quiet, atmospheric ruin — old ballrooms and bungalows reclaimed by giant banyan roots, with spotted deer roaming freely. A short ferry ride from Sri Vijaya Puram harbor makes it an easy half-day trip.

3. Corbyn's Cove Beach

A calm, palm-fringed beach just 8 km from the city center, popular for a quick swim, jet-skiing, or a relaxed evening walk by the water. Its proximity to the city makes it one of the most visited beaches in Sri Vijaya Puram.

4. Chatham Saw Mill

One of the oldest and largest sawmills in Asia, dating back to the early 1900s. A small on-site museum walks visitors through the islands' timber industry and its role during the colonial era.

5. Samudrika Naval Marine Museum

Maintained by the Indian Navy, this museum offers a fascinating look at Andaman's marine biodiversity, coral and shell collections, and the culture of the region's indigenous tribes — a great stop for families and first-time visitors.

6. Anthropological Museum

A compact but insightful museum documenting the history and lifestyle of the Andaman Islands' indigenous tribes, including the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and the famously isolated Sentinelese.

7. Mount Harriet National Park

The highest peak in South Andaman, offering scenic trekking trails through dense forest and panoramic views over the Bay of Bengal — a favorite for trekkers and nature photographers alike.

8. Viper Island

A lesser-visited historical site featuring the ruins of an old British-era jail, once used to punish and execute prisoners. Accessible by boat, it offers a quieter, more reflective alternative to the Cellular Jail.

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Did You Know

Interesting Facts

Sri Vijaya Puram was officially renamed from Port Blair on September 13, 2024, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The name "Srivijaya" references a maritime empire based in Sumatra that once held influence across Southeast Asia — invoking the region's historic role in Indian Ocean trade.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise over 572 islands, though only a small fraction are inhabited or open to tourists.

Over 86% of the territory is covered in tropical rainforest.

The Sentinelese, an indigenous tribe on North Sentinel Island, remain one of the last uncontacted peoples on Earth and are protected by law from all outside contact.

Cellular Jail's architecture followed a "pentagonal" design, allowing guards to monitor multiple wings from a central watchtower.

The islands were briefly occupied by Japan during World War II.

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