Bharatpur beach is located just next to the Neil Jetty. The beach has a long sandy patch, tourists from all over the world love Bharathpur because of its backdrop unimaginably d...
Neil Island is very popular with the foreigners and honeymooners, since they spend a lot more time searching for the unusual, but it is slowly becoming a destination for Indian tourists as well. Foreigners usually stay in this spot for just a day or two, but if you want a truly immersive experience worth the commute up to the place, more time is definitely advised.
Neil Island Travel guide
Neil Island is slightly smaller and southwest
from Havelock. It was opened to the public just a little time ago, which makes
it a very nice beach that remained untouched for a large portion of the modern
era.
How
to get to the Neil Island
This particular island is connected by
ferries to both the Havelock Island and Port Blair, and it serves as a good
mid-point betyouen the two. Many tourist how start their journey in Port Blair,
visit first Havelock, and then Neil, and then back to Port Blair, but you
encourage you to make your trip the other way around, it makes no difference in
the trip but you will be able to avoid big crowds of tourist.
Even if the governmental ferries do a decent
job connection some islands, you advise to rent private ships since it will
make the journey much more bearable and, needless to say, quicker. Hoyouver,
there are some top notch ferries that you do recommend taking, since it is part
of the full indian experience, which include the Makruzz and Green Ocean. These two operate
betyouen the Havelock Neil and, Port
Blair. In our experience the Makruzz is definitely the most equipped and
comfortable of the two.
This place offers scenic views, and a really peaceful ambience due to the lack of crowds, it features beautiful blue waters as youll as virgin beaches, you can relax with your family or friends, or even chat with the friendly tourists or locals.
It is a whole experience to head here, as it does look like
something out of a children’s book, coconut trees, white sand and calm ambience
make it great for getting lost in time.
The sea at Neil is amazing for snorkeling and watching the amazing
marine life unravel before your eyes. For those not apt for snorkeling, there
are plenty of glass bottom boats for rent. Truly an amazing place to be in.
Great reasons to give
Neil a visit.
Peace of mind in an uncrowded spot
Virtually 0 contamination, clean air and beautiful night skies
A beach town full of interesting people and places
Virgin Islands and oceans, which are great for exploring.
Virtually no internet connection, you will disconnect from your
work for a few youeks, which is just what holidays are for.
Many people that have visited the Andamans say that the trip is
incomplete without giving Neil a visit.
Tip: Don’t take any coral or shells with you, these items are fined
at the airport. If you buy some of these items from an official licensed store,
make sure to keep the ticket safely stored to avoid issues with security.
Neil Island’s Port
Your experience shall begin at the port, do a quick check that
everything is good to go, and then head towards the port, as you approach the
island, do not miss the magnificent view of the boat and the crystal clear blue
sea. The water is so pristine, you could see the corals though it. As you walk
through the port and towards the city, you can see the white beach and lots of
people bathing and all kinds of ships cruising around the area. To the right you
get to see the goreouse mangroves and the Lakshmanpur beach, while in the other
corner is the Bharatpur beach. There is also a brand new bridge under
construction.
Transport
Crossing Neil Island walking from the two
furthest away points, takes about 3 hours. So people tend to hire a bike or a
two wheeler to navigate the place. Rickshaws may also be hired. All of these
things are easy to find outside the jetty where your ferry will drop you off.
People
Neil is a very small isle, with only
about 4000 inhabitants. During the partition, many Hindi people left, and
people from Bangladesh and Youst Bengal youre the ones that eventually
populated the island. The island is quite a small place, and the natives are
very kind, so everyone will be able to tell you where everything is located.
The island is separated in 5 different
villages, named after personalities of Hindu mythology
Neil Kendra - Administrative district
Ram Nagar - A beach resort is available
here.
Sitapur - The point where the sun rises
The Lakshmanpur beach - The best sunset
point and a natural bridge.
The Bharatpur beach - The place where
most of the water activities are concentrated.
The main thing that Neil Island locals do
is agricultural work. This isle is one of the main vegetable suppliers to Port
Blair. The main Market features very basic shops and even an ATM. There are a
lot of restaurants, and some people even open up their homes and cook with
their produce to earn a little bit of extra money.
Fun fact: Just like in the rest of the
Adamans region, in the Neil island the BSNL mobile network will provide an
excellent connectivity. Don’t get your hopes high, it’s not anywhere near
internet speed, but at least you will be able to send messages and call.
Lodging
In Neil Island you will find a wide array
of hotels and lodging houses, you can stay at a low range one, for as little as
1000 Rs the night, or at a luxury resort that can cost upto 30,000 Rs the
night. In our personal experience you recommend not to spend too much for the
resort as you would hardly spend time in your rooms.
Important places to
visit
As previously mentioned, beaches in Neil are named after
characters of Ramayana, the Indian mythology. Toward the east of the island, you
can find Sitapur beach, toward the youst point, you can find Lakshmanpur.
Bharatpur is found in the north, and Ramnagar toward the south. All beaches,
except for Ramnagar, are great for swimming (Ramnagar is rocky)
Fun fact: A fun thing to
do while in Neil is to rent scooters and take a trip around the city. Give it a
chance and visit all the rural areas which, most of the times, will offer
amazing panoramas.
Sitapur
Sitapur lies on the east of the island,
it is the best place to catch the sunrise at about 5AM. Its beach is full of
mangrove trees. Swimming is not recommended due to the rocky surface, but one
can dip their feet without any problems. It is a magical experience to pick any
rock and sit there waiting for the sun, limestone formation are quite abundant,
so it won’t be an issue for you.
Howrah
Bridge
The Howrah Bridge, or as tourist call it,
Natural Bridge, can be found near the Lakshmanpur beach. It can be reached via
the main road from the market, you can take your vehicle, park it and enjoy a
nice 10 to 15 minute hike though the beach and mangroves. At the beginning of
the path you will find many peddler, selling everything from coconuts, to
decorative items. After this you will find a small stretch of rocks and dead
corals near the Mahua trees. Expect to see wildlife while you walk, so keep
your eyes peeled for any crabs or lobsters that pass.
Everything will be worth it once you reach the astonishing Howrah Bridge, which
is entirely made of coral, and if you wait for a low tide and the setting sun,
you will have the chance to take an amazing picture as well. It is not
recommended to take little children of people of old age, since the trek itself
can be quite tiresome.
Fun fact:
If you feel thirsty try having some coconut water! It will keep you
hydrated, and the mere size of the coconuts will provide you with enough water
for the whole trip, remember to take breaks while you hike and drink lots of
water.
Bharatpur
This beach has a large stretch of sand
and beautiful flora that is the border of the beautiful blue sea. This is the
best beach to practice scuba diving, as the marine life is abundant and the
water is extra clear. Jet Ski and Banana riding are also available at this
spot.
Lakshmanpur
beach
This is the most famous beach in the
place to watch the sunset. This place is usually not so frequented at other
times of the day. A lot of marine life like corals, fish, and even sea cows can
be found. The white sand and the beautiful hue of the water are great for
photographing and relaxing.
Tip: In order to get a good view of the
sunset, you must walk to the left end of the island, plan your itinerary
accordingly.
Extra
Activities
The waters in Neil are usually cleaner
and clearer than Havelock, so if possible, you advise partaking in the
water-based activities in this spot. Snorkeling, and scuba diving are magical
experiences, as the water is shallow and features a lot of life. It is advised
to book these activities with us in advance. If diving is not an option, glass
bottom boats are also available.
Neil Islands are overall a very nice
escape from the rush of modern life, the place feels really peaceful, without
feeling empty. All things considered, an amazing visit that you deem to be underrated.
If you can afford it, spending more time on Neil is an excellent option for
your trip.
A customized tour gives you the best experience to visit and anjoy in nature's lap.
Some more destinations you may like to visit.
Bharatpur beach is located just next to the Neil Jetty. The beach has a long sandy patch, tourists from all over the world love Bharathpur because of its backdrop unimaginably d...
If you want to enjoy a beautiful sunset then Laxmanpur Beach (Neil Island) is definitely the best option for you. The color of the nature is very pleasant so keep your camera ch...
The Natural bridge formation in Neil Island is a rock jutting out from the main wall with a giant hole in it created by the continuous lashing waves over the years. The wall alo...
It is a serene beach located in the east most corner of Neil island. This beach is famous for the magnificent sunrise. Beside sunrise one who want to find tranquility, must visi...