Last updated on May 26th, 2026 at 05:16 pm
Reading Time: 8 minutesThe trip to Andaman almost didn’t happen.
In April 2021, I won the MakeMyTrip Unseen India contest — and was among the five winners selected from thousands of entries across the country. The prize was a gift voucher redeemable for flights, stays, and holiday packages anywhere in India. I’ve expressed in detail about the journey, the contest that had happened in detail here.
For a few days I kept thinking where to go. Then a conversation with friends happened, and I thought to go somewhere far—suddenly Andaman came into my mind.
I discussed with my friends on it to take their opinions on places to visit. But my heart was coming back to Andaman every time.
Finally we decided to visit Andaman. I took 2 of my friends, one was my cousin brother another was my school friend.
I visited Andaman in September — you can read about what it’s like to visit Andaman in September.
Table of Contents
Delhi to Andaman Journey
To reach from Delhi to Andaman, we had a connecting flight at Chennai in the morning.
In about 3 hrs we reached Port Blair airport.
Port Blair airport is small in size. But there are two things to keep in mind arriving at Port Blair:
Stamps on entry: When you land at Port Blair, your ID is checked and in some cases you may receive an entry stamp or registration — this is standard protocol for Andaman as a restricted area. Carry your original ID (Aadhaar or passport) at all times.
Vaccine status: During our September 2021 visit, COVID vaccination certificates were being checked. In a bus, all the passengers were taken to an isolated place, after the vaccine status check, our hands were stamped as checked.
Network on arrival: Airtel works best in Port Blair and Havelock. Jio is unreliable in many parts. I was on Airtel and had no major issues. A friend on Jio struggled on some parts.
After leaving from there. We took a taxi to our hotel Park Inn Port Blair.
We checked into our hotel at around 2:15 PM. The boys freshened up quickly. I had one thought to get out and start exploring as quickly as possible.
Read, Delhi to Andaman 6 Days Journey with Budget Breakdown
I had already made a pre-list of where to go day-wise, so to avoid wasting time in thinking.
Chidiya Tapu was the first destination.
Quick Facts about Chidiya Tapu Beach
| Location | 25 km south of Port Blair |
| Travel time | 45–50 minutes by scooty or taxi |
| Best time to visit | Late afternoon — 4 PM onwards for sunset |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Scooty rental (Port Blair) | ₹400–600/day |
| Taxi one-way | ₹400–500 |
| Sunset timing | Varies — check locally, generally 5:30–6:30 PM |
| Network | Weak to none at the beach |
| Swimming | Not recommended — rocky shore |
Network Connectivity in Port Blair
I prepared a day-wise plan, and the priority task was to confirm Network Connectivity on reaching Andaman because I need to do remote work in Andaman for the next 5-6 days.
Airtel works moderately well for calling and internet usage in Port Blair and Havelock. I faced no problems there.
A friend of mine had a dual sim phone, Vodafone and Jio. So he sometimes had to remain dependent on me for the Network. In some places, you will find the Vodafone network and essentially nowhere for Jio.
Renting a Scooty in Port Blair
We asked around near the hotel and found a scooty rental shop within minutes. Port Blair is a town where most people speak Hindi — something that makes navigating easier than I expected.
We rented two scooties for ₹800 total — half-day rate since we arrived in the afternoon. Full-day rentals are available from opening to closing time, typically 9–10 hours.
Renting a scooty is the most practical way to see Chidiya Tapu and other spots around Port Blair. The roads are manageable and the distances are not long.
Tip: Download offline maps before you leave the hotel. Network can be unreliable on the road to Chidiya Tapu in places.
What is Chidiya Tapu?
Chidiya Tapu literally means Bird Island in Hindi — Chidiya for bird, Tapu for island.
It sits at the southernmost tip of South Andaman and is known for three things: its sunset views, its dense mangrove forests, and its birdlife. The area falls within a protected forest zone — making it one of the quieter, more natural spots accessible from Port Blair without a long ferry ride.
It’s not a beach for swimming. The shore is rocky and the currents are not safe. But as a viewpoint — especially at sunset — it’s one of the best spots on the main Andaman island.
The drive to get there is half the experience.
The Road from Port Blair to Chidiya Tapu
25 km doesn’t sound like much but the road to Chidiya Tapu is one of the best drives in Andaman.
It passes through thick forest canopy — the kind that blocks the sun and drops the temperature noticeably. Small villages appear and disappear. The ocean is visible in flashes between the trees. It feels nothing like the Port Blair you left behind.
Meanwhile I saw my cousin stopped the Scooty in the middle of the road.
What I looked ahead left me astonished!
I saw a reptile in the middle of the way. From far, I can distinguish it is a 5-6ft lizard. But, before my eye-lens inches closer, the lizard rushed back into the woods. That was a remarkable & unique moment.
The road to Chidiya Tapu is straightforward with no confusing turns.
I observed a roadside stretch that had an overlooking sea. My artistic mind directed me to stop and move to click.
You have to leave Port Blair by 3 PM at the latest if you want time at the beach before sunset. We left later than we should have and arrived with barely 15 minutes of good light left. The lesson I took from that evening — give yourself more time than you think you need.
With in no time, what started as drizzling turned into heavy showers. I forgot umbrella in the hotel.
We decided to move slowly, we would get nothing standing in the rain. From there, the drizzle continued till the time we reached Chidiya Tapu Beach.
Reaching Chidiya Tapu – What I Found
We reached Chidiya Tapu around 4:50 p.m approx. There are no networks in Chidiya Tapu.
The clouds had built up. It was already overcast with no clear horizon, no dramatic orange sunset.
The security guard sitting outside said that the Chidiya Tapu beach closes at 5p.m. That means we roughly has 10-15 mins.
That was disappointing. But the place itself wasn’t.
I cannot go far from there but stand at a place and observe the surroundings.
The beach area at Chidiya Tapu is rocky and raw. No beach shacks, no vendors, no crowd. Just the rocks, the sound of waves, the dark green forest behind you, and the wide open sea ahead.
Even without the sunset, there was something peaceful about standing there. The kind of quiet that’s hard to find near a city.
I had planned for Chidiya Tapu beach to see the Sunset. But unfortunately, the only dark patch of clouds is noticeable due to overcast conditions.
I spent some time walking the shoreline, taking photographs, and then started back.
The forest smells different after rain. Riding through it in the dark with headlights on is a specific kind of Andaman memory.
I was exhausted + the wet clothes. The night at the Andaman begins early. It turned entirely dark by 5:30 p.m.
Birdwatching at Chidiya Tapu
If you have any interest in birds — Chidiya Tapu deserves more than a sunset visit.
The area is home to several endemic Andaman species including the Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Drongo, and various kingfishers. Early morning visits (6–8 AM) are significantly better for birdwatching than the afternoon crowd that comes for sunset.
Carry binoculars if you have them. The forest trail near the beach entrance is where most sightings happen.
Munda Pahad — The Viewpoint Near Chidiya Tapu
About 1 km before Chidiya Tapu beach is Munda Pahad — a small hilltop viewpoint that offers an elevated view of the coastline and surrounding forest.
It’s a trek to the viewpoint. The view from the there is wider than what you get from the Chidiya Tapu beach itself.
Worth stopping at on your way to or from Chidiya Tapu. Most people skip it because it’s unmarked — look for the small path on the left side of the road as you approach the beach.
Note – Don’t risk going alone
Nightlife in Port Blair — What to Expect After Chidiya Tapu
Port Blair shuts down early. By 9–10 PM most restaurants and markets are closed.
The Aberdeen Bazaar area has some options for dinner — local Andamanese food, seafood, and basic restaurants that stay open until 10 PM.
For a quiet evening meal after Chidiya Tapu — the area around our hotel (Park Inn Port Blair) had a few options within walking distance.
Don’t expect nightlife. Andaman evenings are about early dinners, planning the next day, and sleeping well before the morning ferry or sightseeing.
Frequently Asked Questions — Chidiya Tapu Beach
How far is Chidiya Tapu from Port Blair? 25 km — approximately 45–50 minutes by scooty or taxi.
What is the best time to visit Chidiya Tapu? Late afternoon from 4 PM onwards for sunset. For birdwatching, early morning between 6–8 AM is significantly better.
Is Chidiya Tapu beach good for swimming? No. The shore is rocky with strong currents. It’s a viewpoint and photography destination, not a swimming beach.
How to reach Chidiya Tapu from Port Blair? Rent a scooty near your hotel — ₹400–600/day. Or hire a taxi for ₹400–500 one way. Scooty is recommended as it gives you flexibility to stop along the route.
What is Munda Pahad near Chidiya Tapu? A small hilltop viewpoint about 1 km before the beach. Short climb, wider view of the coastline. Worth stopping at on the way.
Is there food available at Chidiya Tapu? Very limited. Carry water and snacks from Port Blair before you leave.
Final Thoughts
We arrived with 15 minutes of light left and cloudy skies.
And I still think about that evening.
The road through the forest. The rocky shoreline with nobody else on it. The smell of rain on the way back. The quiet that doesn’t exist in Delhi.
Chidiya Tapu on a clear evening with a proper sunset must be something else entirely. I’d like to go back and find out.
If you’re visiting Port Blair — don’t treat Chidiya Tapu as a touch and come back place. Leave early enough to ride the road slowly. Stop at Munda Pahad. Give yourself time at the beach before the light disappears.
It’s 25 km from Port Blair and a completely different version of Andaman.
I always wanted to visit andam for the under water diving but this chidiya tapu seems nice too.
Yeah, a nice place to see the sunset. But, we were not lucky enough as the day was cloudy.