- Updated March 7, 2026
- Ishita Lohani
What to Do and See in Diglipur
2026 Edition
Plan Ahead for Restricted and Remote Areas
Some of Diglipur’s top attractions—like Ross & Smith Islands and Alfred Caves—require permits or have access restrictions. Visitor numbers may be regulated to preserve the natural environment, and transportation can be limited. It’s best to arrange permits and local transport at least a day in advance, especially during peak tourist season. Check locally or consult a trusted travel operator in Port Blair or Diglipur to avoid last-minute hassles.
Plan Ahead for Restricted and Remote Areas
Some of Diglipur’s top attractions—like Ross & Smith Islands and Alfred Caves—require permits or have access restrictions. Visitor numbers may be regulated to preserve the natural environment, and transportation can be limited. It’s best to arrange permits and local transport at least a day in advance, especially during peak tourist season. Check locally or consult a trusted travel operator in Port Blair or Diglipur to avoid last-minute hassles.
What to See in Diglipur?
The Andamans aren’t just sea and sand as most would assume. Impressive natural attractions up north prove that there is so much more to the islands. Diglipur is like an enormous outdoor adventure amusement park specially designed for nature lovers. Here are the top things to do here:
Climb Saddle Peak
At 732metres, Saddle Peak is the highest point of the archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. The surroundings are a bio-diverse natural paradise as the thick jungle offers a home to over 13 indigenous bird species, 36 indigenous species of insects, and 6 species of indigenous trees. Due to the richness of the forest territory, it is now made into a National Park which offers lovey aerial views of the nearby islands for those, who do manage the tough climb. The climb is steep and 8kms long. On a sunny day, it could be a challenge for some of the most experienced trekkers too! Kalpong, the only river of Andamans flows through the forest and offers a refreshing freshwater stream where water is still drinkable.
How to get there: A permit has to be obtained by the Forest Department office at the trailhead. It costs Rs 25 for Indians and Rs 250 for foreign tourists (as of December 2019) and you can buy it from 6 am to 2 pm. leave early and return before sunset.
Swim at Ross and Smith
The islands of Ross and Smith are a sight to behold.
These majestic twin islands are connected by a thin fifty-meter-long sand bar. This silky white sand bar descends inside the sea at times of high tide and surfaces up again during low tide. The warm waters are crystal clear and the untamed virgin beaches are one of the most picture-perfect ones you will see on the islands.
The best part is that the beach is seldom crowded and most of the time you can cherish the whole sight by yourself. Smith Island has the most facilities; spacious bamboo huts with plenty of shade, changing rooms and toilets can be found. Ross island is covered with dense forests and can be visited by crossing the sand bar, not many ventures out there.
How to get there:
To visit these serene islands one has to go on a fiber boat. The process goes like this:
- Reach Aerial bay jetty and first obtain permission from the Forest Office as Ross Island is a Marine Sanctuary and a protected area.
- Buy a ticket for a boat. A 6 seater boat costs about 5000/INR and stays there for 4 hours between 7 am and 4 pm.
- You can rent a private boat or wait for more travelers to come and share. This could take a while as Diglipur doesn’t see a lot of tourists.
- The boat ride takes about half an hour and it is quite enjoyable admiring the pristine sands from afar.
Watch Turtle Nesting/hatching at Kalipur Beach
If you visit Diglipur between December and April, chances are that you will be able to spot turtles nesting and hatching. Kalipur is one of the few beaches in the world, where four species of sea turtles (Olive Ridley, Leather Back, Hawksbill, and Green Turtles) come to nest their eggs.
For this purpose, the government has built a hatchery there and if lucky you can witness both turtles laying their eggs (late at night) or baby turtles being set free into the sea (early morning).
The beach has volcanic grey-colored sand and crystal clear water. This makes it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Unfortunately, there are sand flies so sunbathing is not advisable. During low tide, the beach looks sullen with dead corals breaking the surface and some mangrove trees embracing the shore.
How to get there:
Kalipur village is situated about 8 km from the aerial bay jetty and 15kms from the Diglipur town. you can easily find an auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk) or a taxi. Buses ply every 30 minutes.
Trek to See Active Mud volcanoes
The Mud volcanoes in Diglipur are natural wonders hidden amidst dense forest cover. These, like their siblings in Baratang, are small muddy craters created by natural gases emitted by decaying organic matter underground which slowly pushes the mud upwards. It is not a spectacular sight, as most of the time there is just a pile of dried mud and small bubbling puddles. However one can wander around 41 active muddy craters, enjoying the surrounding nature and wildlife. The best time to visit it is early in the morning as the temperature is lower and the weather less humid.
How to get there:
It is situated about 40kms from the Diglipur town, near Shyam Nagar village. To reach this unusual attraction, one has to follow the small trail into the jungle from the parking lot. No special permits are requested for visiting and there is no entrance. Shared Jeeps, busses, and private taxis are options for travel.
Relax at Lamia Bay Beach
At the foot of the saddle peak trekking path and about 2kms from Kalipur beach lies Lamia Bay AKA pebble beach. This is a great place for local fishing and also has a few turtle hatcheries. Not many tourists know about this beach.
How to get there:
Buses go here every half an hour from the Diglipur town. Private Taxi and Rickshaws are also easily available on the way to the beach (not back).
Restricted Places With Permit
There are 3 more places that are often mentioned when one talks of activities in Diglipur. They are the Kalpong Hydroelectric Power Plant, Craggy island, and Alfred Caves. These require a special permit for entry and are not generally open for tourism (As of March 2020). Do not venture out here without proper permission.
Frequently asked question
Why Do People Visit Diglipur?
Diglipur in Andaman is popular for its scenic natural beauty and rare wildlife experiences like the turtle nesting and turtle hatching.
How Good Is Turtle Nesting Experience in Diglipur?
The whole of north Andaman has turtle nesting sites protected by the forest department. However, Diglipur is particularly famous because the forest department has created well-protected nurseries here for the hatching and they have designated guides and accommodation available near the nestling ground that makes it easier to spot the turtle hatchings. On quiet nights as you walk through the kalipur beach you will witness life begin and soon these newly hatched turtles will crawl back to the sea at dawn.
How To Book Turtle Resort in Diglipur?
Can I Travel To Diglipur from Neil/Havelock?
Diglipur only be accessed through Port Blair. There’s no provision to access Diglipur from Neil or Havelock. However, an alternate travel entry point can be drawn from Neil and Havelock via Rangat. Some private boat rides are available from Neil and Havelock to Rangat and you can enter Diglipur from there. However, this route is quite tricky and not supported by tourism so you are at the mercy of your service providers. So, be careful of you attempting such a thing. There you go the most bustling region of Andaman – Diglipur which will soon be a worthwhile travel destination in Andaman as plans of a second Andaman airport in Diglipur finalizes. So, think of all the exciting experiences you can try in this offbeat Andaman tourist destination.
Ishita Lohani
Other Guides
Want to go to the Andaman Islands? Read our travel guide for details about how to reach Port Blair and other islands of the Andamans. Get information on Port Blair’s best things to do, recommended places to visit, and hotels.
Planning a trip to Havelock Island? Our guide covers how to get there, the best beaches to visit, top water sports, and recommended places to stay for an unforgettable Andaman experience.
Visiting Neil Island? Check our travel guide for how to reach, must-visit beaches, top activities, and the best hotels to make the most of your laid-back island vacation.
Nearby Attractions in Diglipur
Experiences in Diglipur
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