Best Beaches in Neil Island
A good 40 km away from Port Blair lies the subtle Neil Island, now known as Shaheed Dweep. In a nutshell, Neil Island is like a small village with sparkling beaches and cozy places to relax in.
To give you an idea of its size, you can cover the area of the entire island within just 2 hours!
That being said, it possesses this charm that makes you want to kick back and chill out. The easy vibe of this place sets the mood of the entire island.
A fact about the beaches here is that they are named after the characters of the Ramayana!
Neil Island is the perfect island to visit if you’re a beach person.
1. Sitapur/Sunrise Beach
Sitapur is one of the best beaches Neil Island has to offer. The beach here is true of divine creation.
The sunlight casts a shine on the sparkling sand and limestone formations and the entire beach is the site for one of the most beautiful sunrises in Andaman.
The beach is a bit rocky, but don’t stop yourself from taking a swim. However, be careful of high tides and currents.
There are a few spots that professional snorkelers may love and often have a great time.
All in all, Sitapur is a calm place where one can meditate and enjoy the sunrise- remember to wake up early!
2. Bharatpur Beach
Ever seen land the same colour as the sky?
Well, you will when you visit Bharatpur beach. With a canvas-like blue and white colour over the shore, Bharatpur is an aesthetic delight.
To add to the visuals, there are fish of different colours swimming about in the clear waters. Bharatpur Beach has a lot of water sports such as jet-skiing, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat rides, and more.
Scuba diving is also a marvellous experience. For your convenience, there are changing rooms available along with stalls selling refreshments.
You can even pick up a souvenir or two to remember the place by.
Bharatpur has become a big attraction for tourists and often falls victim to littering, so please ensure cleanliness is maintained.
3. Ramnagar Beach
Being a less visited place comes with its benefits. Ramnagar, although not very popular, has every element that you’re looking for in a beach.
Clear waters, sparkling sand, and big waves make it just right if you want to enjoy an evening.
The spot is perfect for professional swimmers looking for a good swim; the waves are big and one can witness the beautifully shaped corals on swimming far enough.
The best part of Ramnagar is the fact that it’s empty most of the time, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet.
The beach bay is lovely with clear blue water, a calm sea, and yellowish sand.
There is plenty of shade from the nearby trees and the place is perfect for a good read near the sea.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot some turtles here.
4. Laxmanpur Beach
You’ve heard about Sunrise beach, and now – Sunset Beach. Yes, this beach is known for its amazing sunsets and is by far the most popular beach on Neil Island.
Does Neil Island have it all? Why yes, it does. But it gets better. Laxmanpur has the reputation of being one of the best snorkeling points in Andaman owing to the crystal clear water, colourful marine life, and the dead corals that complete the view.
The evening hours are the busiest where you can find the beach with bustling crowds. Catch the sunset at around 5:30 PM when you will see an unbelievable sky painted with colours and the sun disappearing into the sea.
There is also an extension of this beach across the Natural (Howrah) bridge.
Do wear comfortable footwear to this area and don’t visit during high tides.
5. Natural Rock Formation
Neil’s famous attraction is a natural bridge formation locally known as the Howrah Bridge.
To see this natural “wonder” one has to visit the rocky beach No. 2 at low tide when it is possible to walk on its dead corals and rocks to reach the attraction.
For some, the sea creatures seen here could also be interesting. You can find small fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, and on some parts you can even see colourful corals are slowly growing again.
The rocky surface can get slippery at some parts and many are sharp so one must take care while walking.
In the late afternoons, the place can get crowded with tourists as it is the last stop before heading to the sunset point.
Check the tide timings before you plan a trip here!
Quick Tips on What to do Where
- Water activities – Bharatpur Beach
- Picnics – Ramnagar Beach
- Meditation and Sunrise – Sitapur Beach
- Sunset and Snacking – Lakshmanpur Beach
