Andaman–Nicobar: A Journey of Sea, Forests and Mysteries That the Eyes Can Never Forget

A journey to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is not merely tourism; it is an experience that slowly settles deep within the mind—woven with the endless blue waves of the sea, the damp fragrance of dense rainforests, the mysterious presence of ancient tribes, and the colorful world hidden beneath the ocean.

When the aircraft begins circling above Port Blair, the vast expanse of deep blue sea spreading below, dotted with scattered green islands, appears like a painter’s imagination brought to life. It feels as if nature has crafted one of its most beautiful masterpieces here and simply left it untouched. Every island of Andaman and Nicobar tells a different story—some of history, some of adventure, and some of the vibrant world concealed beneath the sea.

Early in the morning, when the convoy of vehicles moves together along the forest road, the dense rainforest on both sides becomes so thick that sunlight barely touches the ground. The air carries the scent of damp soil and fallen leaves, and at moments it feels as though the forest itself is watching you.

An unspoken attraction of this journey is the possibility that somewhere along the road the people of the Jarawa tribe might appear. They live almost completely isolated from modern civilization, and their way of life has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. Occasionally, a few figures suddenly emerge at the edge of the forest—barefoot, holding bows and arrows, silently observing the passing vehicles. The moment creates a strange mixture of thrill and mystery, as if one has glimpsed people from another era.

Upon reaching Baratang, another extraordinary natural wonder awaits—the Limestone Caves. Even the journey to these caves is memorable, as one must travel through mangrove forests by boat. The boat glides slowly through waters tangled with mangrove roots, while the bending branches above create the illusion of a natural tunnel.

Inside the caves, the hanging limestone formations have been sculpted over thousands of years. Some resemble sacred Shivlings, some appear like frozen streams of waterfalls. Quietly, patiently, nature has transformed stone into sculptures through the passage of time.

Yet, in such journeys, adventure can suddenly turn into fear. After exploring the caves, when we returned to the parking area and the driver started the car, something unexpected happened. Suddenly, around eight to ten Jarawa men and women emerged from the forest and surrounded our vehicle. They encircled the car and began trying to open the trunk and the doors. Within moments, the atmosphere became tense.

In panic, the driver made a mistake and opened the window beside him. Instantly, one of them struck his hand with a sharp object. It was a terrifying moment—the dense jungle outside, the tribal group surrounding the car, and all of us trapped inside. Fortunately, the driver quickly accelerated the vehicle and managed to escape. Even today, remembering that incident sends a shiver down the spine. The forests of Andaman are not only beautiful—they are mysterious and sometimes dangerous as well.

Another face of the Andaman journey reveals itself beneath the sea. At Neil Island (now officially known as Shaheed Dweep), I experienced scuba diving for the first time. Initially, the instructors gave us detailed training on land—explaining underwater hand signals, breathing techniques, and safety rules. After that, we were taken several kilometers into the sea by boat.

When I slowly descended into the water wearing the oxygen cylinder and mask, the world above gradually faded away, and a completely new world unfolded before my eyes.

At nearly forty feet below the surface, it felt as though I had entered a vibrant underwater city. Coral gardens spread around like living landscapes. Thousands of fish in shades of red, yellow, blue, and purple swam past the body with effortless grace. Some came so close that it felt as if they could be touched simply by extending a hand.

The coral structures themselves appeared in astonishing forms—some like honeycombs, some like cauliflower, some patterned like leopard skin, and some resembling the intricate structure of the human brain. Within that silent underwater world, only the sound of one’s own breathing could be heard, while a living, colorful universe stretched in every direction. The experience was so thrilling that time seemed to lose meaning. Yet later, one realizes that it was also an act of courage, because the depths of the ocean are always uncertain.

Elephant Beach, located on Havelock Island, is another unforgettable destination in the Andamans. Reaching it requires traveling by sea. The sand here is dazzling white, and the water is so transparent that the corals beneath can be seen clearly. In some places, broken fragments of dead coral appear along the seabed, which one must carefully cross while moving forward in the water.

There, while walking through the shallow sea, I even experienced the delight of holding a starfish in my hand—like holding a living star from the ocean itself.

In Port Blair, another fascinating marine adventure is Sea Walking, also known as Helmet Diving. In this activity, a specially designed helmet is placed on the head, and one descends directly to the seabed. The helmet is heavy, but fresh air is constantly supplied from above, allowing you to walk along the ocean floor while observing fish and corals from an incredibly close distance. Walking through that quiet underwater realm feels as though one has stepped onto another planet.

In recent years, another exciting attraction has been introduced near Elephant Island—the semi-submarine experience. This vessel remains half above the water and half below it. Through the glass chamber in its lower section, the underwater world becomes clearly visible. As the boat slowly moves forward, colorful fish, coral reefs, and marine plants glide past the windows. It feels as if one is seated inside a gigantic natural aquarium, watching the life of the ocean unfold.

The journey to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is unique because it presents multiple forms of nature in one place—dense forests, mysterious tribes, historical memories, white sandy beaches, and the astonishing biological world hidden beneath the sea. This is not merely a journey to see; it is a journey to feel.

At times the fear of the jungle transforms into thrill, and at times the depths of the ocean become a source of wonder. And when the airplane finally flies back over those islands during the return journey, one thought lingers in the mind—that if nature has created a paradise somewhere on earth, a fragment of it surely resides among the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.