More Information About Mayabander Island

Overview of Mayabander Island

Situated roughly 250 kilometres from Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mayabander Island is the ideal choice for a peaceful vacation, in case you are looking for one. It is a relatively small island, with approximately a million inhabitants, and is perfect for a soothing beach holiday, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and closer to nature. There are plentiful sightseeing spots in Mayabander Island, apart from natural splendours like mangrove creeks, beaches and beautiful isles. 

Location

Mayabander island is considered the headquarters of the northern and middle regions of Andaman and Nicobar islands. It is connected to Port Blair both, via road as well as by water. Other notable towns around the Mayabander islands include Rangat (situated 72 kilometres north) and Diglipur (79 kilometres south). Mayabander island lies midway between both, Rangat and Diglipur, giving it the unique advantage of being surrounded by towns and yet retains its peaceful ambience. 

Although it may seem like Mayabander must be a popular tourist spot due to its location that is right in the middle of two busy towns, that’s not the case. This is because of the lack of accessibility of Mayabander via highways and main roads; if one wants to get to Mayabander, they must have a plan and a route map to do so. 

Mayabander offers tranquillity and peace to those who are looking for a break from the crowds and want to spend time closer to nature. 

Culture

The most popular languages in and around the Mayabander Islands are Hindi and Bengali. Since the people are not accustomed to a large influx of tourists, English is not that popular in the area, which may prove to be an issue for those who aren’t familiar with Hindi or Bengali. There are various sightseeing spots at Mayabander island, but other than those, there is no significant tourist infrastructure. A few things to consider about the culture of Mayabander island before you visit are:

• Since there are not many local inhabitants of the area who readily speak English, it might be beneficial if you familiarize yourself with the languages that they know to avoid any and all communication difficulties.

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• A very small portion of the total population of Mayabander island resides in the main town, and the rest of them are divided into the various villages; it would be wise not to expect an abundance of modern facilities during your stay there. 

• The population of Mayabander island comprises mostly of former residents of  Bangladesh, which reflects onto the culture of the place. 

• The two most popular occupations among the people of Mayabander are fisheries and cultivation. 

• The bus service, as well as the ferries, connect the Mayabander island to Port Blair and other neighbouring towns. 

  

In a nutshell, the culture of Mayabander island is rustic and coastal, and should you visit it. You are guaranteed an authentic island experience.

People

The majority of the population of Mayabander islands are

inhabitants of villages and rely on occupations like fisheries and crop cultivation to survive. Since the area is not rife with tourism infrastructure, they live a simple life, and that is what you should also expect when you decide to visit Mayabander islands. The locals have roots from Bangladesh, and are fluent in Hindi and Bengali, with very few English speakers.The Mayabander island is rich in cultural diversity due to the Burmese hill tribe and prisoners of war that relocated to the area during the British rule. 

Reasons to visit Mayabander Island

A visit to the Mayabander island may generally appeal only to those travellers who do not expect ultra-modern facilities and sprawling resorts at a vacation spot, because one will definitely not find any of those in Mayabander island. If a secluded island with scenic beauty is your destination of choice, then Mayabander Island might just be the place for you.

Other reasons to visit this island include but are not limited to the following:

• The Karmatang beach is beautiful, and it is widely famous for miles of grey volcanic sand and shallow waters that make for an enjoyable visit to the beach. There is also a nesting ground for turtles at the Karmatang beach, a biologist’s delight 

• Pokhadera beach is a small beach in the Mayabander island that is famous for coral reserves, and activities like snorkelling and swimming for those who are looking for an adrenaline rush or a smidge of adventure. 

• Taking a short boat ride from Mayabander jetty takes you to the Austin X island which is lined with palm trees and a mangrove belt, which serves as the perfect spot for quiet picnics and/or trekking. 

• The Mayabander jetty is closely connected to Avis Island, which is also referred to as the Coconut Island. It takes a mere fifteen minutes to get to Avis Island, and the water is crystal clear, along with the breathtakingly beautiful beach. 

Another big plus of visiting it is to get up-close and personal with nature like never before. The hotels and resorts in Mayabander island are not what you would generally expect: no sprawling cottages, no indoor pools or lavish fountains. Instead, you get to live in basic structures with only the basic amenities, and truly live life like the locals and experience nature in all its glory.

 Interesting facts about Mayabander Island

• If you want to explore the corals and aquatic fauna without getting to a beach, there is a Forest Museum located in the  DFO office that boasts of an impressive collection of corals and marine life

• Indulge your inner artisan with a visit to the Anmol Driftwood Museum, a museum displaying an impressive collection of exotic and antique woodworks 

• Ray Hill is an eco-village, complete with facilities like an eco guesthouse, wilderness trail and even activities like rock climbing and trekking for those looking for an adventure.