Saltwater Crocodile & Forest Trail Safety Warning
Crocodile Caution: Deep mangrove creeks and estuaries around Chidiya Tapu are natural habitats for protected saltwater crocodiles (*Crocodylus porosus*). Strictly obey warning signboards and avoid wading into unpatrolled mangrove backwaters.
Munda Pahar Trek Hours: The clifftop rainforest trek should be completed before dark. Trekkers must return to the beach before 05:30 PM.
1. Coastal Character & The Avian Eco-Sanctuary
Chidiya Tapu Beach (literally translated as "Bird Island"), situated at the southernmost tip of South Andaman Island (28 kilometers south of Port Blair), is one of the most ecologically rich and visually mesmerizing coastal destinations in the Andaman Sea. Surrounded by dense, multi-canopied tropical evergreen rainforests, massive uprooted drift logs washed ashore by monsoonal tides, and expansive saltwater mangrove estuaries, Chidiya Tapu is an authentic wild sanctuary where untouched nature reigns supreme.
The sanctuary is world-renowned among ornithologists and wildlife photographers as a premier avian hotspot, sheltering over 46 endemic bird species found nowhere else on earth. Wandering through the rainforest trails, visitors frequently spot the Andaman Woodpecker (*Dryocopus hodgei*), the vibrant Andaman Treepie (*Dendrocitta bayleii*), White-bellied Sea Eagles (*Haliaeetus leucogaster*) circling above the surf, the iridescent Asian Fairy-Bluebird, and colorful flocks of Andaman Red-breasted Parakeets feeding in the canopy.
As late afternoon approaches, travelers gather along the curved sandy shores of Chidiya Tapu and Munda Pahar Beach to witness the most spectacular sunset in the Andaman Islands, where the tropical sky explodes into a radiant canvas of crimson, amber, and deep violet over the open oceanic horizon.
Sunset Point & The Munda Pahar Rainforest Trek
Chidiya Tapu represents the raw ecological beauty of the Andaman archipelago:
Premier Oceanic Sunset Point
Unobstructed panoramic sunset views facing west across the open Andaman Sea, reflecting molten gold over ancient mangrove roots and drift logs.
Munda Pahar Clifftop Trail
A scenic 1.5-km rainforest trail winding past giant padauk and mahogany trees to an open cliff promontory overlooking the vast sea horizon.
Chidiya Tapu Biological Park
A sprawling 40-hectare government zoological eco-park dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of endemic Andaman flora and fauna.
2. The Munda Pahar Coastal Rainforest Trek
The highlight of an excursion to Chidiya Tapu is the exhilarating Munda Pahar trek. Starting from the edge of the sandy beach, the shaded forest trail climbs gently through pristine primary rainforest beneath towering canopies of Pterocarpus dalbergioides (Andaman padauk), giant wild fig trees, and climbing cane lianas.
The trail culminates at a dramatic rocky cliff promontory 80 meters above the ocean, providing jaw-dropping 300-degree vistas of the sparkling Andaman Sea, the surrounding uninhabited islets, and the endless oceanic expanse where the Andaman Sea merges with the Bay of Bengal.
3. The Port Blair to Chidiya Tapu Highway Drive
The 28-kilometer road trip from Port Blair to Chidiya Tapu is one of the most picturesque scenic drives in India. The well-maintained two-lane highway winds along the coast through quaint island fishing hamlets like Garacharma, Prothrapur, and Bambooflat, bordered by turquoise sea views on one side and rolling jungle-clad hills on the other.
Along the route, travelers pass the mangrove forests of Burmanallah and the pristine shallow shores of Kodiaghat, famous for tide-pool exploration and sea shell collecting during low tide.
4. Authentic Island Gastronomy & Coastal Cuisine
Dining around Chidiya Tapu and Port Blair features fresh multi-cultural seafood:
- Grilled Andaman Red Snapper: Whole red snapper marinated with lemon juice, crushed black pepper, and butter, grilled fresh over charcoal embers.
- Andaman Coconut Prawn Curry: Juicy Bay of Bengal king prawns cooked in fresh coconut milk, green chilies, and curry leaves.
- Fresh Green Coconut Water: Naturally sweet tender King Coconuts harvested fresh from roadside plantations along the Chidiya Tapu highway.
- Bengali & Tamil Coastal Thalis: Traditional fish thalis featuring mustard rohu curry, fried seer fish, papad, and steamed basmati rice.
District & South Andaman Circuit: Chidiya Tapu Beach is located in South Andaman District. It anchors the southern tip of the island corridor connecting the crescent swimming waters at Corbyn's Cove Beach (25 km north), the national memorial at Cellular Jail (Port Blair) (28 km north), the historic British colonial ruins at Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep) (30 km north), the white sands of Radhanagar Beach (Havelock), and the black volcanic rocks at Kalapathar Beach.
5. How to Reach Chidiya Tapu Beach
Chidiya Tapu is easily reachable by road from Port Blair.
By Road from Central Port Blair (28 km)
Drive 28 km south from Aberdeen Bazaar or central Port Blair along the scenic Chidiya Tapu Road via Garacharma and Kodiaghat in approx. 45 to 50 minutes. Hired private tourist cabs, rental two-wheelers (scooters), and local state transport buses run regularly between Port Blair and Chidiya Tapu.
By Air (Veer Savarkar International Airport Port Blair - 25 km)
Veer Savarkar International Airport (Code: IXZ): Located 25 kilometers north of Chidiya Tapu (approx. 40 minutes driving time). Direct daily flights connect Port Blair to Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
By Sea (Phoenix Bay Jetty Ferry Terminal - 30 km)
The primary inter-island passenger ferry terminal in Port Blair connecting Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) and Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) is located 30 km north.
6. Best Time to Visit
The climate of the Andaman archipelago is tropical maritime:
- October to May (Peak Season): Clear blue skies, sunny pleasant weather, calm ocean waters, and temperatures between 22°C and 31°C. Ideal for bird watching, the Munda Pahar forest trek, and sunset photography.
- Late Afternoon (03:30 PM to 06:00 PM): The best time of day to arrive at Chidiya Tapu to explore the biological park, hike to the clifftop, and watch the legendary sunset.
- June to September (Monsoon Season): Heavy monsoonal rains and high wind gusts. The rainforest canopy is lush green, but forest trails require sturdy boots and raincoats.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Sunset at Chidiya Tapu occurs between 05:00 PM and 05:45 PM depending on the time of year. Visitors are advised to reach by 03:30 PM to complete the Munda Pahar hike before sunset.
The Munda Pahar trek is an easy-to-moderate 1.5-kilometer forest walk on a cleared dirt trail, suitable for families, children, and beginners with comfortable walking shoes.
Entry tickets for the Biological Park cost ₹20 for Indian adults and ₹50 for foreign tourists (closed on Mondays).
Yes, renting a scooter in Port Blair (approx. ₹500 per day) is one of the most popular and scenic ways to enjoy the coastal ride to Chidiya Tapu.
8. Nearby Destinations in South Andaman District
- Chidiya Tapu Biological Park — 40-hectare government botanical and zoological reserve (on site).
- Corbyn's Cove Beach — Palm-fringed swimming cove and watersports in Port Blair (25 km north).
- Cellular Jail National Memorial — Historic freedom struggle memorial and light & sound show (28 km north).
- Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep) — Historic British colonial ruins and deer sanctuary (30 km north).