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Top Things to Do Near Hotel Aparupa in Port Blair
Port Blair is a small city with an outsized story, and one of the best things about staying at Hotel Aparupa is that almost everything worth seeing sits within a short drive. Centrally located on Link Road, Goal Ghar, the hotel places you close to the airport, the ferry jetty, and every major landmark in the city — which means less time spent commuting between sights and more time actually enjoying them. Whether you have a single day in Port Blair before heading to the outer islands, or a full week to explore at a relaxed pace, this guide covers the attractions worth building your itinerary around, along with practical tips for visiting each one.
1. Cellular Jail — A Living Memorial
No trip to Port Blair is complete without visiting Cellular Jail, the colonial-era prison that stands today as one of India's most significant freedom-struggle memorials. Built by the British in the early 1900s, the jail once held political prisoners in solitary, radiating cell blocks designed so that no two prisoners could see or communicate with each other. Today, three of the original seven wings remain standing, along with a small on-site museum documenting the lives of the freedom fighters imprisoned here.
Most visitors spend one to two hours walking through the cell blocks and museum during the day, then return in the evening for the Light and Sound Show, a narrated presentation that uses lighting and sound effects across the old courtyard to recount the jail's history. Guests at Hotel Aparupa can reach the Jail in just a few minutes by auto-rickshaw or taxi, which makes it easy to fit both the daytime visit and the evening show into the same day without feeling rushed.
2. Corbyn's Cove Beach — Relax by the Sea
For a slower-paced afternoon, head to Corbyn's Cove Beach, a palm-fringed stretch of coastline about 20 minutes from the city center and a similarly short ride from the hotel. Known for its calm waters and gentle curve of golden sand, it's a favorite spot for an evening walk, a coconut water break at one of the small stalls along the shore, or simply watching the fishing boats drift in as the sun goes down.
The beach isn't the largest or most dramatic in the Andamans — that title belongs to beaches further out on Havelock and Neil Island — but its proximity to Port Blair makes it an easy, no-planning-required outing. Jet-skiing and banana boat rides are usually available seasonally, and there are a couple of small cafes nearby if you want to make an evening of it.
3. North Bay Island — Snorkeling and Water Sports
If you're after a bit of adventure, boats to North Bay Island depart regularly from Port Blair's jetty, just a short ride from Hotel Aparupa. The island is known for its coral reefs and clear, shallow water, making it one of the most accessible spots in the Andamans for first-time snorkelers. Glass-bottom boat rides are also popular here, giving non-swimmers and children a good look at the reef without needing to get in the water.
A half-day trip to North Bay typically includes the boat ride over, an hour or two of snorkeling or water sports (sea walking and scuba are usually available as paid add-ons), and the return trip — leaving you back at the hotel in time for lunch or an afternoon rest. Because boat tickets and water-sport slots can sell out during peak season (December–January), it's worth booking a day in advance, either directly at the jetty counter or through your hotel's front desk.
4. Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep)
A short boat ride from Port Blair takes you to Ross Island, once the administrative headquarters of the British in the Andamans and now a quiet, atmospheric ruin. Old ballrooms, churches, and bungalows stand half-swallowed by the roots of banyan and rubber trees, giving the island an almost storybook feel — it's a favorite stop for photographers and anyone with an interest in colonial history.
The island is also home to a small population of spotted deer that wander freely among the ruins, and a short walking trail loops past most of the major structures. Boats to Ross Island typically leave from the same jetty as North Bay Island, and many visitors combine both islands into a single half-day or full-day outing.
5. Chatham Saw Mill and Samudrika Naval Marine Museum
For a change of pace, Chatham Saw Mill — one of the oldest and largest sawmills in Asia — offers a glimpse into the timber industry that once shaped the islands' economy, along with a small museum on the site's history. Nearby, the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, run by the Indian Navy, houses an interesting collection of marine life exhibits, shell displays, and information on the region's tribal communities and ecology. Both sites are a manageable stop for travelers who want an indoor, air-conditioned break between beach and boat outings, especially on a hot afternoon.
6. Mount Harriet National Park
For travelers who enjoy a bit of hiking, Mount Harriet is the second-highest peak in the Andaman Islands and offers sweeping views over Port Blair and the surrounding sea, especially at sunrise. A network of forest trails winds through the national park, and the drive up (or a short ferry crossing followed by a drive) makes for a pleasant half-day trip away from the coastal attractions. It's less crowded than the city's main sights, which makes it a good choice if you're looking for a quieter morning.
7. Aberdeen Bazaar and Local Food
Round off your day with a walk through Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair's main market area, where you'll find souvenir shops, shell craft, local spices, and clothing stores. It's a good place to pick up gifts before heading home, and the surrounding lanes have a number of casual eateries serving fresh seafood — try the local fish curry or grilled prawns if you get the chance. If you'd rather not go searching for a restaurant after a long day of sightseeing, Hotel Aparupa's in-house dining is a reliable, no-fuss alternative.
A Sample 2-Day Sightseeing Plan
Day 1
- MorningCellular Jail and museum, followed by lunch back at the hotel or in Aberdeen Bazaar.
- AfternoonChatham Saw Mill and Samudrika Museum, then an evening at Corbyn's Cove Beach.
- EveningLight and Sound Show at Cellular Jail.
Day 2
- MorningBoat trip to North Bay Island for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat rides.
- AfternoonRoss Island ruins, combined with the North Bay trip if timing allows.
- EveningShopping and dinner at Aberdeen Bazaar.
8. Viper Island
Less visited than Ross Island but equally atmospheric, Viper Island once housed a smaller British-era jail and gallows that predate Cellular Jail itself. Reachable by boat from Port Blair, it's a quieter, greener stop with the ruins of an old prison and administrative buildings scattered among the trees. It's not on every visitor's list, which is exactly what makes it worth considering if you've already covered Ross Island and Cellular Jail and want a less crowded slice of the same history.
9. Marina Park and the Waterfront
In the evenings, Marina Park along Port Blair's waterfront fills up with local families, food carts, and a relaxed, unhurried energy that's worth experiencing even if it's not a conventional 'sight.' It's an easy, free way to spend an hour after dinner, watching the harbor lights and getting a sense of everyday life in the city rather than just its tourist attractions.
10. Anthropological Museum
For travelers interested in the islands' indigenous communities, the Anthropological Museum in Port Blair offers exhibits on the Andaman's tribal groups, including the Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese, and Great Andamanese peoples — their traditional tools, clothing, and ways of life. It's a compact museum, easily covered in under an hour, and pairs well with a visit to the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum on the same day.
Getting Around Port Blair
Auto-rickshaws and taxis are the most common way to get around the city, and both are readily available near Hotel Aparupa given its central location. Most of the attractions on this list are within a 10–20 minute ride of the hotel, and drivers are generally used to shuttling tourists between the main sights, so fares tend to be straightforward to negotiate or metered depending on the vehicle. For trips to the outer islands — North Bay, Ross Island, and Viper Island — boats depart from Phoenix Bay Jetty, itself only a short ride from the hotel.
If you're planning to visit several attractions in a single day, it's often more economical to hire a taxi for a half-day or full-day city tour rather than booking rides individually — most drivers are happy to work out a fixed rate for a fixed itinerary, and the hotel's front desk can usually help arrange this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two to three full days is generally enough to comfortably cover Cellular Jail, North Bay Island, Ross Island, and the city's smaller museums and markets, without feeling rushed.
Yes — Port Blair is a manageable, relatively small city, and independent travel by auto-rickshaw or taxi is common and straightforward, even for first-time visitors.
During peak season (December–January), it's worth booking a day ahead. Outside peak season, tickets are often available the same day at the jetty counter.
Plan Your Stay
With Hotel Aparupa as your base, you're never far from Port Blair's biggest draws. The hotel's central location on Link Road means shorter commutes, more flexibility to change plans on the fly, and more time actually spent at the places you came to see. Whether you're booking an Executive Room for a quick business trip, a Deluxe Room for a couple's getaway, or a Suite for the whole family, you'll be within easy reach of everything on this list.