The 693 Solitary Cells of Kalapani &
the Coral Reef Lagoons

The Waters of Corbyn's Cove & the Kalapani Heritage

Surrounded by the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, South Andaman is the primary district and administrative nerve center of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Its capital, **Port Blair**, was established in 1789 by Lieutenant Archibald Blair of the East India Company. In 1858, following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British transformed the islands into a notorious penal settlement, imprisoning thousands of Indian freedom fighters across the ocean in what was feared as *Kalapani* (Black Waters).

The visual identity of South Andaman is marine turquoise blue and tropical sun gold. Dominating Port Blair harbor is the **Cellular Jail National Memorial**—a 7-winged brick panopticon preserving Veer Savarkar's cell. Just a 15-minute boat ride across the bay lies **Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep** (*Ross Island*)—where banyan tree roots wrap around 19th-century British ballrooms and churches. Combined with **Corbyn's Cove Beach**, **Chidiya Tapu** sunset point, and **Wandoor Marine National Park**, South Andaman bridges freedom history with tropical natural beauty.

Beyond Port Blair's urban limits, the district's ecological centerpiece is the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor. Spanning 281.5 km² across 15 islands, labyrinthine tidal creeks, and mangrove forests, this marine sanctuary protects extensive fringing coral reefs across the Labyrinth Islands. Travelers can observe underwater biodiversity through authorized glass-bottom boat excursions or regulated snorkeling around Jolly Buoy and Red Skin islands, observing massive *Porites* and brain coral formations, sea anemones, clownfish, green sea turtles (*Chelonia mydas*), and endangered dugongs (*Dugong dugon*). The park functions under seasonal rotation protocols to mitigate tourist impact on reef recovery.

Another historical pillar of South Andaman is the Chatham Saw Mill, situated on Chatham Island and connected to Port Blair by a short bridge. Established in 1883, it is the oldest and largest saw mill in Asia, historically processing the giant Padauk and Gurjan timber harvested from the surrounding rainforests. The mill survived air raids during the Japanese occupation in World War II and continues to function as a living heritage museum, demonstrating traditional steam-powered wood cutting techniques. The island's geography, situated at the entrance of Port Blair harbor, encapsulates the transition from early colonial resource extraction to modern forest conservation practices.

"Across the blue bay of Port Blair, the 693 solitary cells of Cellular Jail look out toward the vine-wrapped ruins of Ross Island."

The Chronology of Port Blair & Kalapani

From 1789 British settlement and 1906 Cellular Jail completion to 1943 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose flag hoisting and 1979 National Memorial dedication, South Andaman's timeline tracks India's freedom struggle. The chronicle below outlines this evolution.

The 693 Solitary Cells of Cellular Jail & the Colonial Ruins

Explore the primary heritage of South Andaman. From the 693 solitary cells of Cellular Jail to the vine-wrapped ruins of Ross Island, these experiences define Port Blair. Click through the tabs below.

01. Cellular Jail National Memorial 02. Ross Island (Netaji Bose Dweep) 03. Chidiya Tapu & Corbyn's Cove 04. Wandoor Marine Park & Jolly Buoy

Cultural Heritage Cellular Jail

Cellular Jail National Memorial (Kalapani)

A historic 3-storey brick panopticon prison completed in 1906, standing overlooking Port Blair harbor.

Features 693 individual solitary confinement cells (13.5 x 7.5 ft) radiating from a central watchtower, preserving the cell of Veer Savarkar.

• Freedom Fighters Photo Gallery and Eternal Flame (*Swatantrya Jyoti*).
• Night Sound & Light show narrated in the voice of an ancient Banyan tree.
• Museum displaying oil mills (*Kolhu*) used to punish political prisoners.

Cultural Heritage Ross Island

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep (Ross Island)

A historic island situated 3 km across the harbor from Port Blair, reachable by a 15-minute speed boat ride.

Served as the 19th-century British administrative headquarters ("Paris of the East"), now preserved with ficus tree roots wrapping around ruined ballrooms, churches, and chief commissioner residences.

• Friendly spotted deer (*Chital*) and peacocks roaming freely among ruins.
• Japanese WWII bunker structures and old printing press ruins.
• Ferries depart daily from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex.

Cultural Heritage Chidiya Tapu & Corbyn's Cove

Chidiya Tapu Sunset Point & Corbyn's Cove

Scenic coastal beaches and birdwatching sanctuaries near Port Blair.

**Chidiya Tapu** (30 km south of Port Blair) features extensive mangrove flats, endemic birdwatching trails, and west-facing panoramic views over sea-submerged uprooted tree trunks. **Corbyn's Cove Beach** (8 km from town) is a sheltered bay offering commercial jet-skiing and coastal promenades.

• Biological Park at Chidiya Tapu preserving indigenous island wildlife.
• Jet-skiing and banana boat rides at Corbyn's Cove.
• Munda Pahar beach trekking trail to sunset cliff views.

Cultural Heritage Wandoor & Jolly Buoy

Wandoor & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

A protected marine sanctuary comprising 15 tropical islands located 29 km west of Port Blair.

**Jolly Buoy Island** and **Red Skin Island** operate on alternating 6-month tourism cycles, providing regulated glass-bottom boat rides and guided snorkeling over live coral reef shelves and sea turtle foraging zones.

• Protected glass-bottom boat tours over brain corals and clownfish.
• Chatham Saw Mill (1883) — one of Asia's oldest working timber mills.
• Samudrika Naval Marine Museum operated by the Indian Navy.

The Solitary Cells and the Coral Reefs

Explore the primary landmarks of South Andaman. From the 693 solitary cells of Cellular Jail to the vine-wrapped ruins of Ross Island, these destinations showcase Port Blair. Click or hover on the cards below.

Cellular Jail Memorial

Tap to Discover ➔

Cellular Jail

The 1906 Kalapani freedom memorial with 693 solitary cells and Savarkar cell.

⏱ 9 AM - 4 PM & Evening Show | Atlanta Point

Netaji Bose Dweep (Ross)

Tap to Discover ➔

Ross Island

The vine-wrapped 19th-century British ruins with free-roaming spotted deer.

⏱ 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM | 15-min boat ferry

Chidiya Tapu Sunset Point

Tap to Discover ➔

Chidiya Tapu

The southern tip of South Andaman famous for sea sunsets and birdwatching.

⏱ 6 AM - 6 PM | Chidiya Tapu 30 km

Wandoor & Jolly Buoy Island

Tap to Discover ➔

Jolly Buoy Coral Reef

The glass-bottom boat coral sanctuary inside Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

⏱ 8 AM - 2 PM (Mon Closed) | Wandoor 29 km

1883 Chatham Saw Mill

Tap to Discover ➔

Chatham Saw Mill

One of Asia's oldest 1883 working timber mills on Chatham Island connected by bridge.

⏱ 8 AM - 2:30 PM (Sun Closed) | Chatham Island

The Culinary Staples & the Fresh Island Seafood

Port Blair's cuisine is celebrated for grilled lobster, red snapper curry, crab masala, and coconut water.

Andaman Crab Masala & Red Snapper

Fresh sea crab cooked in aromatic coconut mustard gravy, served alongside pan-grilled Red Snapper fish fillets.

Tasted at: Seafood dining stalls near Aberdeen Bazaar

Grilled Butter Garlic Prawns

Jumbo sea prawns marinated in garlic, butter, and black pepper, grilled over charcoal right along the beach.

Purchased at: Beachside shacks on Corbyn's Cove

Fresh Tender Coconut Water

Sweet, refreshing King Coconut water sipped directly from green palms along the harbor promenade.

Sipped at: Water Sports Complex vendors

Plan Your Journey

The Unhurried 3-Day Route

South Andaman is best experienced at a slow pace. Visiting the 693 solitary cells of Cellular Jail, taking the ferry to vine-wrapped Ross Island ruins, watching the sunset at Chidiya Tapu, and tasting fresh grilled snapper require time to settle. This curated route captures the freedom history and island highlights of Port Blair.

Curated South Andaman & Little Andaman Field Guides

Detailed field guides covering historical penal shrines, marine national park coral atolls, world-class surf breaks, and active volcanoes in South Andaman District:

Frequently Asked