Chartering the Andaman Islands - Thailand & Burma

The climate is moderate with heavy rain from June to September during the South West monsoon. The temperature range is 26-33°C From December to February, strong north easterly trade winds bring some rain. The best time of year to visit the Andamans is in March & April.

The main town is Port Blair which is a natural deep water harbour on South Andaman Islands. Recommended cruising grounds are :-

1 - Ritchies Archipelago, consisting of: Neill, Havelock; Peel; Wilson; John Lawrence; Henry; Inglis; Outram; South, Middle and North Button Islands. Havelock is the main island with lovely long white sand beaches it has a selection of budget hotels, restaurants and bars for tourists. Most of the other islands are deserted. The Button Islands are well worth visiting. South Button Island has the best coral reef for snorkeling in the Andaman Islands. The coral gardens on the north and east side of the islands are shallow enough to snorkel on, the diversity and density of the coral is quite amazing and the reef fish are bright and lively. You will see turtles and Juvenile Barracuda. Take the kayaks and explore the rivers that meander through the mangrove forest that make up most of Henry Lawrence Island. Inglis is a low flat island ringed by a magnificent beach.

2 - There are numerous good dive sites; if you are lucky you may see a shark but they are shy and avoid humans. The fishing is great, catch giant trevally, garoupa, tuna, Spanish mackerel, marlin and many other species in these waters.

3 - South & North Cinque islands are 25 miles South of Port Blair. These islands are spectacularly beautiful.

4 - For the more adventurous there is Barren Island, 45 miles east of Ritchie’s Archipelago. Barren Island is a live volcano that last erupted in 2004/5, for safety reasons landing is prohibited. There is good fishing around the Island. There is wall diving on the drop off into the deep ocean.

5 - Narcondum Island is 70 miles north of Barren Island and 145 miles from Port Blair. Narcondum is an extinct volcano. The Island rises steeply out of the deep ocean to a height of 710 metres. The south west and east side of the island rise vertically out of the sea to a height of a 100 metres which helps to give the feeling that this is one of the most remote locations in the world. The slopes are green with vegetation and large forest trees grow on the slopes right up to the summit. Narcondum is a favourite with sports fishermen and divers. You will see large numbers of giant Manta Ray cruising close to the surface. The only human habitation is a small police post, manned by friendly young policemen at the head of a lovely black sand beach on the north east side of the island. We traded soft drinks for fresh coconut juice and jackfruit cut straight from the tree.

6 - The southernmost island is Little Andaman Island. The indigenous population are friendly Mongoloid “Nicobarese” tribe, added to which are settlors from Bengal and Tamil Nadhu. Little Andaman Island has lovely long beaches, it is flat and low lying, the vegetation is a mix of virgin forest, coconut and palm oil plantation.

7 - The west side of the Andaman Islands is more remote and battered by the south west monsoon. The Homfray Strait that separates south and middle Andaman Islands is navigable and provides access to Interview Island and South & North Reef Islands.

8 - The earthquake and subsequent Tsunami on 26 December ’04 caused a lot of damage and destruction which is still being repaired today. The plate that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands sits on tilted as a result of the earthquake and the Nicobar Islands in the South are approximately 2-3 feel lower whereas as in the North, North Andaman is 1-2 feet higher.

9 - Mayabunder and Digilipur is a romantic destination on North Andaman Island. The beaches are a favourite nesting ground for turtles during the winter months. Visit Ross & Smith Islands, the sunset view from here is a treat to watch.