Accessing Swaraj Dweep from Port Blair is through a passenger ferry. When I reached the jetty to board, I saw a magnificent rainbow, and I felt that this was a sign that this was going to be a memorable trip, and I was completely right by the end of it.
The one-and-a-half-hour-long trip is picturesque, passing through scenic islands that are reserve forests. After I disembark and walk across the jetty, the azure blue waters and white sand make for a picture postcard moment. A short 10-minute drive later, I am welcomed with a handmade bouquet made with screw pine leaves and a warm cup of herbal tea at the retreat I am staying. The general manager briefs me about the island and its flora and fauna. "Of the 572 islands in the Andamans, only 38 are inhabited. Even in Havelock, only some parts of the island are occupied. The remaining are reserve forests that are out of bounds for people.” With the briefing done, I head to my beautiful room that offers a stunning view of the ocean.
The resort is surrounded by lush vegetation, and so, several endemic species can be spotted within the property. Case in point is the stunning Andaman gecko, a beauty in fluorescent green. Birders can rejoice too, as species like the collared kingfisher, red-breasted parakeet, Andaman drongo, Asian blue fairy bird, and racket-tailed drongo, among many others, are regular visitors here. The Vijaynagar beach (also called Beach number 5) is where the property is located and is one of the best places to see the sunrise (that incidentally happens at around 5am here).
There is much to do here. The best way to make the most of your time here is to start your day early. A typical morning starts with a sunrise walk, or if you feel more adventurous, you can also do a sunrise kayak. The region is also known for its bioluminescence, a phenomenon where the sea glows in the darker nights, and you can also sign up for a 3am kayaking session to see the same. The island is a paradise for thrill seekers, and snorkelling and scuba diving sessions are a fantastic way to come up close with the wonders of the ocean. Lacadives is a reliable player in the space and has professionals who make the experience worth it.
During the day you must plan a visit to the Kalapathar beach, where you also have a forest walk experience, as well as visit one of Asia’s best beaches, Radhanagar Beach, for a superlative sea experience. The Elephant Beach is where all the water sports activities happen.
To understand the landscape better, I undertook the intertidal walk arranged by the retreat. This is where you can see the rich marine life of the region when the sea recedes during low tide. Walking through the sand and some dead corals, you can see species like the sand bubbler crab, fiddler crabs, common box crab, mudskipper, sand goby, moon snail egg case, and octopuses, among many others. Also, live corals, seaweeds, and seagrasses are strewn all over the sand bed.
At the end of the walk, I turned back to look at the sky, and the setting sun had created its own painting with eclectic hues of orange. My thoughts went back to the rainbow I had seen at the jetty. I smiled to myself, thinking of how this incredible trip had ended with another splash of colour.
