This little tranquil island derived its name from the vessel ‘Viper’ in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to the islands in 1789. He arrived here for establishing a penal settlement. It is believed that the vessel met with an accident and its remains were found near this island. The island is one of the islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands groups that are a part of the Indian subcontinent. The site was known during the British colonial rule. They used this place as a jail where they imprisoned convicts and political prisoners. With a lot to see, Viper Island has become a popular tourist destination in the Indian union territory.
Viper Island is the proof of countless sufferings the freedom fighters had to go through. Convicts were put in fetters and forced to work on the island. Known freedom fighters including Nanigopal, Nandlal Pulindas Sher Ali, and many more were imprisoned on this island. You can still see the ruins of the jail and gallows on Viper Island.
If you are a true nature lover and want the much-needed ‘me-time’ surrounded by nature out there, then there is a long list of things that you can do and see. Trust us, the list is more than just lazing around in the beaches, soaking in their natural beauty and appreciate the greenery. You can spend your day sunbathing, swimming, and a lot more.
Best time to visit Viper Island
The island has a pleasant and humid atmosphere throughout the year. However, you can visit this amazing place between the months of November and February. During this time, the humidity is almost zero.
Top places in and around Viper Island
Viper Island attracts tourists from all across the world. Ranging from a jail to the modern water parks, the island offers a wide variety of places for you to have a memorable trip. We provide here the details of the ten most interesting spots to go to when you plan a Viper Island tour.
The Jail
This is one of the most important places on the island. Forming an integral part in the history of India, it is now in ruins. Britishers used this place during their colonial rule to imprison convicts and political prisoners. Because of its incapacity to hold the number of freedom struggle participants, this use of this jail was stopped. Thus, another jail was constructed known as Cellular Jail.
Water Sports Complex
Located in Viper Island, the Water Sports Complex is a key attraction among the tourists. It offers a variety of water rides that let the visitors enjoy the whole day. You can have a fun-filled time here and create unforgettable memories.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
In order to protect the aquatic flora and fauna of the Andaman Islands, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park was constructed, and it is a big attraction in Viper Island. The place offers adventurous activities like scuba diving and snorkeling that are among the favorites among the tourists visiting the island.
Anthropological Museum
It is an essential part of tourism in Viper Island. This museum is under the control of the Anthropological Survey of India. You can see here a wide variety of Andamese tribal weapons and other traditional things. The museum is a great place to visit if you are interested in knowing about the cultures, traditions, artifacts, and the livelihoods of the tribes and people living on these islands.
Forest Museum
Travellers visiting the Andaman Islands include this museum as well in their itinerary. This museum is under the control of the Forest Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You can see here various artifacts made of timber, gurjan, padauk, oak, and satin wood. The museum was built significantly to make people aware of the forests and their importance.
Marine Park and Aquarium
Next to the famous Water Sports Complex, Marine Park and Aquarium is a major attraction that is a popular picnic spot. Surrounded by trees and plants, the place allows people to enjoy nature while they spend good quality time with their loved ones. Amazing all the visitors, the aquarium showcases some of the best flora and fauna found around the Andaman Islands.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Havelock Island in Andaman Islands promises an extraordinary diving experience for certified divers as well as beginners. Thanks to the preserved marine life and live corals around the shore and beyond. The shoreline of the island offers crystal clear, blue waters. Its rich population of corals is sure to take away your breath! The medium water currents and safe depth offer an optimal underwater adventure. To tick a memorable underwater experience off your bucket list, choose Havelock Island as your next travel destination. The corals are well-preserved and in abundance here. The waters are clear enough for an excellent view of the underwater world.
When it comes to bachelor celebrations like friends outing or bachelorette parties, then Andaman Islands is undoubtedly the one-stop destination for you. This Indian union territory has everything to make your special time even more fantastic- the white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, pleasant surroundings, and to top it all, cool people in stylish swimwear. Partying with your BFFs is definitely a treasured experience here!
Smith Island
If you crave sunny skies, white silky sand beaches, azure waters and swaying trees, then Smith Island is the best travel destination for you in India. It is off the tourist trail probably because of its remoteness from the rest of the Andaman Islands. But you can reach Diglipur Island via road (Andaman Trunk Road) from Port Blair or by a ten-hour voyage through ferries or seaplanes. The best part is that most of the time, you can cherish the whole sight by yourself as the island is seldom crowded. The beach is surrounded by tropical forests, and the inner islands are a preferred place for nature trail hiking.
Barren Island
As the island comes under the restricted zone, you have to take a special permit to visit there. However, no one is allowed to land on the island. No night stay is permitted as well. So you have to plan for an early morning trip to the island. You can start your journey at 3 am or 4 am. It takes nearly four to five hours to reach the island. Tourists travel via ships and get the whole enthralling feeling of the island without even getting down. One can visit the island by chartered boats only with the approval of the forest department and after getting necessary permits as well.
Neil Island
Looking for surreal natural surprises? Your search ends at Neil Island! You are asking us why? Let us tell you why- thriving biodiversity, unexploited coral reefs, white sandy beaches, adventurous experiences, a notable population of birds and animal life, etc. are a few reasons among numerous of them. Some of the prettiest beaches in Andamans are located in Neil Island. The scenic beaches boast of white sands and uninterrupted views of the clear blue skies. During monsoon, the sight changes entirely as the sky becomes way too dramatic.
These were some of the major attractions in and around Viper Islands. Here, you can witness a deep history of the Indian subcontinent. The Jail reflects an extremely relevant history, especially the freedom struggle. Now you know what the best places to visit are when you plan your trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands on your next vacation.
Located near the Port Blair, Viper Island was the location of old jail used by the British for keeping political prisoners and harbour convicts. The island is exceptionally exquisite and tranquil. The name of this island is kept after the name of the vessel in which Lt. Archibald Blair came to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the year 1789. This beautiful island is swarmed by tourists as it serves a wonderful amalgamation of historically significant elements and arresting grandeur of nature. Therefore, Viper Island is no less than an empyrean for both the lovers of history and nature admirers.
Things to do in Viper Island
To make your trip memorable and exciting, there is a lot do in Viper Island. You can take a walk to the ruins of the jail that was built by the Britishers. The Jail has historic importance to Indians and you can learn about each and every bit here. You can also explore the island on foot and witness views of the neighboring islands, ocean, and the harbor.
Andaman Islands, the most beautiful Indian union territory, are majorly popular among couples and families. But solo travellers also deserve to surround themselves with its splendor of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and blue skies. Comprising nearly a total of 600 islands, only a few are open for tourists in the little paradise of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Tips to explore Viper Island
The best time to visit the island is from October to May. Let’s get ready to dive into this amazing jewel of Bay of Bengal! Get set go for an ultimate solo backpacking journey!
When you are having a vacation in Viper Island, follow the tips mentioned below for a fun and safe trip:
How to reach Viper Island?
Situated inside the Port Blair harbor, you can reach Viper Island via boat in twenty minutes. It is approachable via road and sea from Port Blair city. Including the time taken to cross the stretch of sea, it takes nearly 45 minutes to reach Viper Island via road. The journey can be started from the Phoenix Bay jetty that takes about 20 minutes to reach Harbor Cruise. The cruise plies to and fro from the jetty. It also gives a tour of various points of the harbor and makes a trip to Viper Island.
Capturing memories with their soulmate when they are starting a new journey of their life is what every couple desires to do. But if you want to make this an incredible and once in a lifetime experience for both of you, then you can also go for a pre-wedding shoot in Viper Island. Can anything ever beat the natural splendor of this island that comprises white land and blue water backdrop? You can plan your pre-wedding shoot in the exotic beach of Viper Island to have the most fun-filled time of your life.
Quaint beaches, crystal clear blue water, and rich history make Andaman Islands the best choice for a relaxed, fun-filled vacation. Whether you want to go for long treks, sunbathe or enjoy deep-sea diving, this little paradise has something for everyone. There is a lot to explore and we are there to help you in designing your itinerary.
Make sure you have pre-bookings for your trip to Viper Island. Otherwise, there may be on-spot issues in searching so many things. Therefore, making reservations from a local tour operating company is highly recommended. Andaman Island Travels is the most reliable name on the whole island as it is committed to customise holiday packages as per its clients’ requirements. Save yourself from the hassle of booking every little thing and trust its experienced staff to design your vacation offering you more than what you can imagine!
Along with Viper Island, there are numerous other spots also where you can have an unforgettable vacation. We would highly recommend you Andaman Island Travels if you are looking for nothing but the best. Its experienced crew is committed to deliver the best when it comes to beach holiday in the Andaman Islands. Your package can be designed completely as per your requirements.
.jpg)
