LONG ISLAND:
Imagine an island beautiful, exotic and waiting to be explored by someone. Place very far from modern crowds, a place where you can hear every wave break, hear every bird sing and the only foot prints on the its beach will be yours. Place so calm that your voice echoes. No mobile networks, blue sea and lush green, you, your loved one, your hammock and this island; perfect getaway will get redefined. I have been to almost all the places in Andaman but these groups of island will forever remain by number 1.
Long Island is said to be a modern village that has its own power-house. Long Island boasts the most beautiful beaches of Andaman with cosy caves, green rolling hills and stunning mangroves. The top place to visit in Long Island is the silvery beach of Lalaji Bay. It is a gorgeous sandy beach on the west coast of Long Island and a boat cruise through the Mangrove creek here offers one of its kind experiences.
Apart from Lalaji Bay Beach, Merk Bay Beach is another beautiful place to see in Long Island. In fact, Merk is considered to one of the best beaches in Andaman. It is adorned with white sand in contrast with the blue water; the beach is safe for bathing and snorkeling as well as bird watching and sighting dolphins. Another worth seeing place in Long Island is Guitar Island. As the name suggests, the island is in the shape of a guitar. This lovely isle is ideal for relaxation and sunbathing.
- LALAJI BAY BEACH
Lalaji Bay is named after Lala Niranjan Lal, one time assistant conservator of forest and later nominated Member of Parliament.
Fringing north eastern edge of Long Island, this C shaped beautiful beach is approachable from Long Island settlement by trekking or by speedboat. The trekking path virtually takes the visitors through sample plots and plots of several indigenous and exotic tree species. It takes about 30-45min by speedboat or dinghy(Country boat) from long Island.
- Getting There:
Long Island is situated about 82 kms from Port Blair and 35 kms north of Havelock. There are regular boats from Port Blair to Long Island thrice a week. There are buses from from Port Blair to arrive in Rangat, from there one can catch an 8:30 am or 4pm ferry from Yeratta (near Rangat) to Long Island.
- GUITAR ISLAND:
A very good beach that has developed between Guitar Island and Round Island with crystal clear water is ideal for bathing/swimming and coral viewing. Imagine the only footprint in the beach would be yours as it is uninhabited.
- Getting there:
It takes about 15min by speedboat or dinghi from Long Island and 30min from Lalaji bay beach. This place can also be approached from Yeratta and Rangat by speedboat or dinghi taking one and half hour.
- MERK BAY:
Merk Bay is another isolated beach located along the east coast of North Passage Island having white sandy/ shallow beach with clear water. It is ideal/famous for coral/birding snorkeling swimming and sun basking. Fishermen are can be found fishing around this beach, one can buy fresh fish from them and start a grill party of your own once in this beach.
- How to Reach:
It takes about 1 hour by boat/ Dinghi from Long Island or Lalaji Bay.
- ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES:
Two beautiful Forest guest house (Vanshree) are available in Long Island. These are A/c tented Guest house equipped with modern amenities. The Forest guest house in Lalaji bay is a Non A/c tented room. The room is very spacious and has comfy bed, sofa, a walk-in closet with dressing table. The bathroom is fit with all modern amenities. The rooms are solar powered and well lit during night. The nights are very pleasant with temperature around 22-24 degree Celsius. The rooms are well ventilated and the absence of air condition is hardly felt.
- BEST TIME TO VISIT:
The place can be visited yearlong but ideal time to visit Long Island is between October and March, when the weather remains pleasant and free of humidity.
We normally sail with group of guest twice a month to Long Island. Our travel experts will travel along with you and accompany you along the whole trip. Contact us for a customized package to this place or the next date of our trip.
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