Katchal Island is located in Andaman Island, India. The Island has a tragic past of exploitation leading to its complete shutdown for tourists. Opened only recently, the Island is a majestic haven of greenery and deep emerald ocean. Owing to its disadvantageous remoteness, the island and its aboriginal inhabitants were exploited by outsiders. This remote and secluded island then came under the Government’s protection, and the government declared the Aboriginal Tribal Reserve Area, making the Island inaccessible to tourists. The only people allowed to visit were the government officials. Opened only recently to tourists, the beauty of Katchal is captivating.
Delve Into The History Of Katchal Island
Katchal Island, Andaman was closed off to visitors after coming under the Aboriginal Tribal Reserve Act that the government of India imposed. The reason for restricting tourists’ entry to Katchal Island is the exploitation of the tribals of Katchal by outsiders. Historically under the Cholas of Tanjore, Katchal was taken over by Danish explorers and ultimately by the British Empire in 1869. Katchal came under the jurisdiction of the Indian government after Independence, becoming part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Island was also among the many Islands affected by the massive and destructive tsunami in 2004. The tsunami affected Katchal in the worst way, affecting the socio-economy and killing more than 2000 people. The death toll was massive and the bodies recovered after the tsunami were beyond recognition. Katchal Island suffered tremendously.
Must Read: Festivals Of Andaman And Nicobar Islands
Best Time To Visit
Katchal Island Port Blair’s timings are from November to May. The tropical island gets pretty humid and hot during the summers, reaching 35 degrees Celsius. During the months of November to May, winter onsets, and while the Island doesn’t become frigidly cold, it becomes very pleasant. Therefore, the ideal time to visit Katchal Island is during the winter season for water sports, visiting the beach, and sightseeing.
Ultimate Things To Do In Katchal Island Andaman
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The island is an enchanting and pristine Island with a unique ecosystem. The island has powdery sand and turquoise water that is crystal clear. The Island has beaches that tourists can visit. Beaches like Jatang Beach and Govind Nagar Beach are picturesque and are beautiful sightseeing locations. It is perfect for nature enthusiasts and a perfect destination for sightseeing. The Island is home to aboriginal tribes that offer a glimpse into their unique culture. It is also perfect for adventure lovers as it provides many adventure activities
Suggested Read: Cruises To Andaman
How To Reach
Katchal Island Port Blair’s location from the mainland is approximately 1600 kilometres.
The distance between the alluring Katchal Island Andaman and Port Blair is 300 kilometres. So, tourists have to get to Port Blair first. There are two ways of reaching Port Blair. One is either by taking a connecting flight from the mainland. Any flight from a major city would suffice. The other option is to go to Port Blair via ship. This can only be done from Vizag, Kolkata, and Chennai ports. The journey after reaching Port Blair is done through a helicopter. The helicopter rides are available at subsidised rates for government officials and islanders
Further Read: Beach Resorts In Port Blair
Katchal Island is a beautiful island in Andaman. Its alluring beauty and scenic beauty are captivating. It is perfect for nature enthusiasts and a perfect destination for sightseeing. The Island is home to aboriginal tribes that offer a glimpse into their unique culture. It is also perfect for adventure lovers, offering adventure activities like paddle boarding, jet-skiing, and kayaking. Plan your trip to Andaman Islands‘ Katchal Island for an immersive experience you will not forget.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Katchal Island
What is the population of the Katchal Island?
The Katchal Island Port Blair location from the mainland is 1600 kilometres. The Island has a tragic past of exploitation leading to its complete shutdown for tourists. The population of Katchal, comprising tribals and non-tribals, is around 2700. individually, the population of Katchal's tribals is around 1400, and the population of the non-tribals is around 1300.
How many tribes live in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to four tribes living on the Islands. The four tribes are the Jarawas, Andamanese, Onge, and Sentinelese. The Sentinelese Tribe are protected, and no outsider can contact the Sentinelese tribals. The Sentinelese occupy the North Sentinel Island and are hostile and prone to external diseases that outsiders may bring.
How many days are enough to visit Port Blair?
Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Island in South Andaman. The island was a penal colony in the past and is now a famous tourist destination. It is connected with other tourist places in Andaman and is where tourists get down when travelling from a plane. A week in Port Blair is enough to explore Port Blair and other neighbouring places. It takes around three days to cover all the tourist attractions in Port Blair, while the other three or four days are enough to cover nearby tourist attractions.
Is Port Blair better than Lakshwadeep?
While both Port Blair and Lakshwadeep are paradises for nature lovers, offering vibrant flora and fauna, what sets Lakshwadeep apart from Port Blair depends on the kind of experience one is looking for.
How to reach Katchal Island, Port Blair?
The fastest way to reach Andaman is by taking a plane flight. The airfare is around 9000 Indian Rupees for a connecting flight from a major city to Port Blair, while for a non-stop flight, the airfare is around 10k from any major city. The prices will increase from November to May when the weather is pleasant and ideal for travelling. The other way to reach Andaman Island is by ship. Ships to the Islands operate from major port cities like Kolkata, Chennai and Vizag.
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