Viper Island

Based in close proximity to Port Blair in the district of Andaman, Viper Island is famous honeymoon and adventure destination amongst the tourists. It was initially the site of prison where British imprisoned political and convicted prisoners. The island has remains of gallows on a hilltop. It is said that the jail at Viper Island was used to torture the prisoners who ever raised their voice for Independent India.

The Island derives its names from a vessel names Viper which was used by Lt. Archibald Blair to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands in year 1789. Stories say that the vessel met with terrible accident one time and its wreckage was discovered close by the island. While there are other stories that say the island derives its name from presence of snakes and vipers that are found in large number here.

Ferry

Ferry services are available from Port Blair and Chennai. For  adventure, the passengers can book their seats for ferry which heads out from Chennai to Viper Island via Port Blair. It takes approximately 60 hours from Chennai, 66 hours from Kolkata and 56 hours from Vishakhapatnam.

The ferry services range from normal to luxury ones depending on how much you pay for your trip. The ferries now days are beautifully built, elegant interiors are designed while cafeteria and relishing food serving restaurants are equipped in them.

Accommodation

Viper Island has hotels and resorts which are stylishly built. All of the accommodation facilities in and around the island are best, offering facilities at competitive prices. Some of the best accommodation options at Viper Island are: Hotels within the reach of 5 kilometres of Viper Island are:

• Andaman Galley
• Da Bay Inn
• Hotel Hill Top International
• Hotel Islanderr Inn
• Sea Shell Port Blair
• Hotel Sentinel
• Fortune Resort Bay Island
• Comfort Inn
• Hotel Driftwood
• Andaman Teal House
• Sinclair Bayview Port Blair

Hotels within 10 kilometres of Viper Island are:

• Hotel Velocity

 

Events / Festivals in Viper Island

Viper Island is in close proximity to Andaman Islands which is considered mini India. It has people of all religions and castes that mingle and celebrate all festivals with each other. Infact festivals here are celebrated just like India. There are fairs and events organized on different occasions. Infact the tourists visit this destination just to get feel of the festivals celebrated here. Some prominent fairs organized by the government here are Navy Mela Exhibition, Andaman Tourism Festival and Trade Fairs. Some other festivals celebrated here are:

• Pongal
• Panguni Utthiram
• Nag Panchami
• Mariamman Thiruvizha
• Ayappa Pooja
• Holi
• Guru Nanak Jayanti
• Ganesh Pooja
• Shivratri
• Deepavali
• Durga Pooja
• Kali Pooja
• Vallakku Pooja
• Vasant Panchami
• Christmas
• Saraswati Pooja
• Sankata Hara Chaturthi Pooja
• Ramzan
• Ram Navami
• Pradhosha Pooja

People from different religions come together to make these festivals merrier and memorable.

Places to Visit in Viper Island

Viper Island has beautiful serene ambience which makes it a pristine tourist destination. It is accessible by harbour cruise which originates from the Phoenix Bay Jetty based in Port Blair. The island is frequently visited by the tourists owing to numerous attractions that hold historical importance. Besides the monuments, there are mesmerizing picnic places which have natural and tranquil picturesque environment here. The tourist destination in Viper Island has attractions which are categorized into heads like:

 

• Islands – Havelock Islands, Smith Island, Long Island, Neil Island, Barren Island, and Little Andaman Island.
• Museums – Anthological Museum, Samudrika Marine Museum and Forest Museum
• Picnic Sport – Marine Park and Aquarium
• Zoo – Mini Zoo
• Other offbeat attractions – Jarwa Reserve, Chatham Saw Mill, Water Sports Complex, Cellular Jail, and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

All of these attractions have a special significance associated.

Climate of Viper Island

The climate of Viper Island is moderate which varies from 23 degree to 31 degree. The amount humidity here is from 70 to 90 percent. Viper Island witnesses monsoon season in two phases – from May to September and then during November and December. The mean rainfall here is 318 cm. During monsoon season the weather here is pleasant and calm.

Best Time to Visit Viper Island

To visit Viper Island, plan your trip during months of October to February. During these months, the weather is pleasant making the place and its surroundings beautiful and pristine.

  How to Reach Viper Island

Viper Island is located close to Port Blair which is easily accessible to main land India and other parts of the world. By Air – Viper Island can be reached by air. Take regular flight for Port Blair from Kolkata or Chennai. The foreigners and NRIs need PAP – Protected Area Permit. Direct flight takes 6 hours to reach the destination with two stops on the way. By Water – If you are adventurous and patient, then opt to ride in cruise ship/passenger ship or ferry which starts from Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata taking 60, 56 and 66 hours respectively.