Museums

Anthropological museum in Port Blair was started in the year 1975-76. It is an ethnographic museum that illustrates the four Negrito Tribes of Andamans,  Sentinesle, Jarawas, Great Andamanese and the Onges and two Mongloid tribes of the Nicobar including Shompens and Nicobarese. This museum is functioning on all days except Monday and Govt holidays. The working timing is 8.30 AM to 1.00 PM and 1.30 PM to 4. 30 PM. The adults have an entry fee of Rs 10 and for children it is Rs 3.

Samudrika Naval marine Museum, is a famous museum run by the Indian navy is situated in Port Blair. It generates awareness about the environment in the ocean and introduces the marine life of the Islands. There are five sections in the museum that presents information about the history of Islands, geographical features, archaeology, marine life and people of Andaman. It is located opposite to Andaman Teal House Delanipur, Samudrika Marine museum displays a good collection of corals, shells and a few species of colourful fishes of the islands. It is closed on Monday and Holidays and the working time is from 9.00 AM to 12.00 PM and from 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM. It charges a nominal fee of Rs 10 for entry.

Fisheries Museum is situated near Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex in Port Blair. You could learn about various species of marine life, which are endemic to the islands and are found in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal, are exhibited here.  Currently it has over 350 different species of marine life. Different marine animals are preserved in glass jars and various types of shells and corals are displayed here. The museum also has live animals like huge table corals, starfish and sharks. Other interesting sights here are the skeleton of a sperm whale; the largest toothed whale and the life size display of saw fish and dolphin.

Note:

This museum is not working in all Mondays, Second Saturdays and public holidays. The working time is between 9.00 AM – 1.00 PM and 2.00 PM – 4.45 PM.

Adult has to give an entry fee of Rs 5, while children can get entry at Rs 3.

Video without focus light is allowed inside the museum at a fee of Rs 35.

Zoological Survey of India Museum  Zoological Survey of India Museum is located near Andaman Teal House. It homes many varieties of corals, sponges, butterflies, centipedes, other mammals, birds and reptiles etc. that will attract the tourists here. In short, the museum is a treasure house of diverse variety of flora and fauna found in Andaman. You can see the beautiful display of butterflies, mammals, beetles and birds here. It also homes stuffed specimens of hawks and parakeets and mammals like civets and bats. Apart from a tourist spot, the collections in Zoological Survey of India museum and the well labelled display with genetic and species names are useful for scientists, research students and animal enthusiasts.

Note:

It works from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM in all working days and from 9.00 AM to 12. 30 PM in Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 9.00 AM to 12.00 PM. Entry is free here.

Forest Museum: Located on the outskirts of Port Blair, Forest Museum is a famous attraction for its wide collection related to forest and the assortment of trees. This prominent museum is a must visit place in Port Blair and it is managed by the forest department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The major attractions that are set on display in this museum include the artefacts that are made from timber, gurjan, oak, satin wood and paduak. These displayed artefacts reflect the rich and dense flora found in the islands. The forest department also carries out researches and the outcomes of these research activities can be clearly seen in this museum. To add flavor for the tourists, the museum also incorporates a mini zoo and a small zoological garden inside the building.

GETTING THERE

The Forest Museum is located inside the Chatham Saw Mill Complex. This attraction is at a distance of about 10 kilometers from central Port Blair.

Kalapani Museum is unique amongst all museums in Port Blair and is the only private history museum in the country, setup in a three storied building, where history is brought alive through miniature and life size models and dioramas. The museum has a vast collection of rare archival photographs, paintings and artifacts of tribes, history, rare original documents of Colonial and Japanese periods, including many documentaries and films related to the Island and the Indian Freedom Struggle. It takes the visitors on a journey of rediscovery and unfolding the unknown and untold mysteries of the Island.

Note:
Timings: 09:00 AM to 07:00 PM
The Museum is open 7 days a week (No Holidays)

Science Center at Goodwill Estate, located 5 km away from Port Blair town, is a delightful location to spend an afternoon with your friends and family. This museum was established in 2003 showcases ‘Andaman and Nicobar Islands Gallery. The exhibits that depict genesis of the islands, science of oceans, volcanic activities, fun science gallery, portable planetarium, modern technology gallery, open air science park and an in-house butterfly corner provide a kaleidoscope science spectrum. It is a large museum that fosters an environment of fun-filled learning with a playground that has innovative slides and swings in the compound. It also homes a quiz corner for those who have competitive spirit and a 3D movie screenings for the curious ones.

There is also telescope shows every month in the museum the date and time of which is published in the local daily. You can see the remains of the first ever aircraft to have entered the island in Science Center. The broken pieces of ‘VT AAN’ plane are resorted by engineering students in the island and kept in the museum. A new Jurassic Park-themed light and sound show is going to start here soon.

Note:

This center is open on all days except Monday and Public Holidays from 10.00 AM to 5.30 PM.

The center charges are Rs 10 for adults and Rs 5 for children who are below 14 years