gorgeous tropical forests and empty white-sand beaches of Neil Island

PHOTO GALLERY:

The Andamans – Neil Island – India

The remote Andaman & Nicobar Islands are located way out in the middle of the vast Andaman Sea between India and the SE Asian countries of Myanmar and Thailand. Situated much closer to Myanmar, the archipelagos are officially Indian territories.

No doubt their remoteness and relatively low tourism is due to India’s policy of limiting access via domestic flights from the Indian mainland and long 3-5 day boat trips. No international arrivals allowed.

natural rock arch at Neil Island – Andamans

Visitors are issued a 1-month free visa upon arrival which allows unrestrained travel to about a dozen specified islands and destinations around the Andaman group. The more distant Nicobar islands are strictly off limits to all visitors.

Neil Island is one of the more easily accessed islands, being just a 2-hour ferry trip from the capital town of Port Blair. Neil is inhabited and farmed by locals. The island sports one tiny dusty village dubbed ‘the market’. Tourism is still very low-key with fewer than a dozen small resorts and guest houses scattered around the island.

Neil is covered with huge gorgeous tropical trees and forests, surprisingly varied beaches, stunning natural rock arch formations and a fringing reef. Sadly, the once pristine reef has almost entirely died, apparently due to prolonged high sea temperatures a few years back.

While snorkeling at Neil is no longer the gorgeous adventure it used to be, visitors can still enjoy beautiful empty beaches, swimming in calm seas, cycling on quiet country roads, visiting the various beaches and sights, and generally relaxing amidst nature.

This photo gallery presents 24 photos of tranquil Neil Island from my recent 2-week visit.

SEE PHOTOS OF NEIL ISLAND

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