Andaman Islands
The Yacht Charters Andaman Islands - A vision of enchanting beauty with brilliant green islands, fringed with coral reefs floating in splendid isolation in the vast blue Bay of Bengal – is but a small part of what entices the discerning traveler to the Andaman Islands. A super private Yacht Charter Andaman Islands is breath-taking and relatively untouched by man, this remote corner of the world offers a selection of powdery white sandy beaches, captivating anchorages, excellent diving and snorkeling hot-spots, deep-sea fishing, a glimpse of wildlife at its best, a dash of colonial architecture, and a look into the true local culture with little-known tribes and small villages still scattered throughout the islands. Popularly called the “Emerald Islands”, the Andaman and Nicobar archipelagoes are located between latitudes 6 to 14 degrees North and longitudes 92 to 94 degrees East in the Bay of Bengal and are part of the Union Territory of India. These undulating islands are covered with dense forests and endless variety of exotic flora and fauna, while the underwater marine life uncovers vivid corals, crystal clear waters and mangrove-lined creeks that offer a rare view of the precious gifts of nature. Powder white beaches, coral reefs teeming with life, lush green rain forests, abundant bird life and some of the oldest and most untouched tribes in the world create this remote island paradise. The combined group of 572 islands lies 420 miles northwest of Phuket and 115 miles from Cape Negrais in Myanmar.
Of the 572 islands only 36 are inhabited creating a magical undisturbed cruising destination.
The excitement of exploration and following in the footsteps of the famous explorers is a prime reason to charter to these nearly forgotten islands. It is believed that Marco Polo was among the first from the West to set foot in the Andamans.Centuries later the British established their first colony in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1789 and when India achieved independence in 1947 these islands were incorporated into the Indian Union. The Andaman and Nicobar Chain were formed by a towering mountain range rising from the sea that separates the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea. The islands offer a warm tropical climate with clear blue skies, brilliant sunshine, and refreshing sea breezes from December through March. Aquatic life, including pelagics and dugongs, are plenty in the crystal clear aquamarine waters and the Andamans and Nicobars can boast some the best fishing and diving in the world. The Islands are also home to a variety of rare plant and animal species. Nicobari Macaque, Saltwater Crocodile, Imperial Pigeon, Narcondum Hornbill, Megapod, a wide variety of orchids and plants are among the flora and fauna found in the Islands. The large biodiversity and the unique eco systems attract naturalists and scientists from the world over. Forests cover over 86% of the Islands leaving only 50,000 ha for cultivation. A Supreme Court order protects the forest against any degradation and encroachments on forestland are not tolerated. For anthropologists the Islands are the only place in the world where Stone Age tribes can still be found in their native habitat. The Sentinelese still live in total isolation on North Sentinel Island, and shoot the occasional arrow against low flying aircraft, while the Jarawas go about their routine hunting-gathering way of life in the Jarawa reserve. The 50-strong Great Andamanese, once the most numerous, lead comfortable lives on Strait Island, and the Onges hunt and fish in their tribal reserve on Little Andaman. The presence of these negrito tribes, related more to the African tribes, on the Islands is still a mystery. The Shompens of Great Nicobar are also a ‘primitive’ tribe but more akin to the mongoloid tribes of Indonesia. The Nicobaris are well educated and compete in the national and international arenas for medals in water sports, cycling and football. The negrito tribes on the Andaman group, surprisingly, had a premonition about the tsunami and moved to higher ground.
Country Fact
Population: 280.000 (predominantly Hindu (67%), Christian and Muslim. Language: Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Nicobarese, Telugu
Weather/ When to go: The best season for cruising starts early October and extends into mid May but the weather is generally tropical throughout the year. Currency: Indian Rupee Attraction: Located in the Bay of Bengal, this group of 572 islands lies between the latitudes 6° to 14° North and longitudes 92° to 94° East. The two important groups of islets are Ritchie’s Archipelago and Labyrinth Islands. Of the total 572 islands, only 36 islands are inhabited. The canopied rain forests of the islands harbor 3,000 species of plants and a wide variety of tropical fruits. Marine fauna is diverse including a wide variety of tropical fish and coral.
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