There is something very beautiful about sunsets. I find them extremely soothing and gorgeous. It does not matter where I experience them – over a cityscape, on a beach, along the mountains or even in a desert – they always mesmerize me. Last year I experienced quite a few of these lovely sunsets on beaches but that one place that still stays with me is Chidiya Tapu in Andamans.
Chidiya Tapu has bowled over several others before me and naturally, after hearing about it, I had set my heart on going there myself. Unfortunately for me it was cloudy on the day I went to Chidiya Tapu. Though I did not experience the most perfect sunset – with the orange ball glowing, what I did experience was the most magical one. There was something about that place, something that tugged my heart from the moment I set my foot here and then firmly lodged itself there – so much that I can still close my eyes and vividly imagine the colors of the place even now. Naturally, it goes on my list of “things to do in Andamans“.
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About Chidiya Tapu
Chidiya Tapu literally means “Bird’s island” and is the southernmost tip of the South Andaman Island. It is widely acknowledged as the best Sunset point in Andamans. The Mundapahad beach and the Chidiya Tapu beach are the two main destination points for one to visit. There is a biological park that is set up here to preserve the natural fauna. They say it is a paradise for bird watchers but I was so distracted by the whole landscape that I did not even attempt to spot the winged beauties. They also, say that it has some amazing trekking trails – something that I might just head back to Andamans for.
My experience at Chidiya Tapu can best be summarized in these lines –
The enchanting layers of stunning shades
Sun casting its glow on the driftwood & the glades.
Reds to Greens, Orange to Blues
Magical is the contrast of these hues.
Musical are the waves, chirpy are the woods
And yet there is – Pleasure in the silence, peace in solitude .
Besides the unspoken charm of this place, here are some things that you can witness for yourself at Chidiya Tapu.
Driftwood art at Chidiya Tapu
Chidiya Tapu has a mangrove forest, a lot of which was affected by the Tsunami in 2004. Instead of leaving the place devastated, it enhanced the beauty of the place with its lovely driftwood formations. These just lie around in different shapes and sizes along the beach, sometimes in the water, sometimes outside. I loved capturing the sunset against these while my daughter, loved climbing them. Either way, they lend a unique character to Chidiya Tapu.
Ever-Changing colors at sunset in Chidiya Tapu
Like I mentioned earlier, the day I picked for Chidiya Tapu was not one of the best – given the cloudy skies. However, the clouds added to the rapidly changing colors of the landscape. The hide and seek game of the sun added the magic and for a moment, I felt as if I were watching through a Kaleidoscope. See for yourself.
Pleasant Solitude
There is a certain solitude in the air that you enjoy here. Romance just drifts in the air. Words need not be exchanged, but yet you understand what the other is talking. Chidiya Tapu managed to do something that neither my parents nor my teachers were ever able to. The talkative me for once was silent and comfortable in the same.
Chidiya Tapu was one of the most spell-binding experience for me. It was unique in a way that words cannot convey and it wasn’t just me, but the rest of my travel companions who felt the same too. It was soothing for all of after our heated emotions of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair. It is definitely a place that needs to be visited for you to understand and relish what nature offers. So, if you are headed to Port Blair, remember to keep aside some time for this awesome sunset point – Chidiya Tapu.
Getting here
- Chidiya Tapu is just 25 kms from Port Blair . You can reach the same by road within 45 minutes.
- Port Blair has regular flight connections from Chennai and Kolkata. It also, has flights from other major cities in India.
- Port Blair can also, be reached by a cruise from Chennai or Kolkata.
Travel Tips
- Make sure you reach Chidiya Tapu at least 1 hour before the sunset. It is an experience to see the sun setting slowly out here.
- Do not litter or leave plastic behind here. The area is a biological park
- There are no major restaurants here. So, please carry your own food. A few road side shops are available and you can get a some hot beverages and snacks here on return.
- Hire a cab from Port Blair to take you and bring you back from Chidiya Tapu. Your hotel can help you with the same.
- Rest rooms are available at the main check post of Chidiya Tapu.
- Do not venture into the water as it is supposed to be infested by crocodiles
- Hiking trails are available here but you will need to check in Port Blair for a guide to take you through the same.
- There is a small children’s play area here for the kids with a few swings and slides.
- There are no places to stay near here. You will have to return back to Port Blair for your hotel.
- Refer to this guide for your entire travel planning to Andamans
Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.
I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.
Great pics Ami, the sunset picture with two boats looks fantastic.
Thank you Jatin. This place was an absolute delight
Excellent post! Our country is so beautiful! BTW, which camera do you use?
Thank you. I use a Canon DSLR 1100
Wow I really love the photos. It looks like such an exotic place. Hope to travel there soon.
Thank you. You should definitely include Andamans if you are coming to India
I find driftwood to be naturally beautiful and I love that it was kept as is on the beach creating natural works of art!
I think it keeps floating in and out and is now a part of the landscape. It is just so amazing to find it around.
I LOVE chasing sunsets! These look amazing. Love that driftwood pile, too. What a great adventure with the family!
This place is an absolute heaven for you then. Hope you get down to visiting it
Beautiful and serene. The sunset pictures look mesmerizing and also the driftwood art. It is commendable that the local authorities did not move away the debris after the devastating tsunami and created art out of it. The tip to stay out of water because of being infested by crocodiles makes this place scarier at the same time.
I think the driftwood keeps falling over and floating around. BEst to leave it here. And why not, it so adds to the beauty.
Amazing pics.
I’m obsessed with sunsets too (and sunrises!), and love to while away twilight hours watching the colours in the sky change. I love the colours in your pictures, and the driftwood silhouetted against the changing sky is about the most beautiful thing I’ve seen!
Thank you Sam. It sure was a magical place.
I agree with you – sunsets are truly beautiful. I prefer them over sunrise. The color of the sky during sunset creates for magnificent photos like the ones you captured here.
Thank you. I have seen various sunsets but this one was just an extra special one.
This is incredible! Andamans look amazing. I saw the pictures and it is worth staying there for a week! i love the sunsets alot. Looking forward to experience one in this Chidiya tapu. Cheers!
Thank you Sophie, Andamans is our unexplored gem. I hope you get to it soon.
Wow this is really beautiful! My mom actually loves driftwood and would totally want to take it home although she never would haha.
LOL. the driftwood here is too huge. Doubt it if she could take it back 🙂 It is beautiful nonetheless.
I do love sunsets. My first ones where in Florida then in New Zealand … Your pictures are just wonderful !
Thank you Lucile. 🙂
Wow the sunsets are stunning! The picture with the driftwood art is amazing. I completely agree that chasing sunsets is so much fun!
Thank you. I think the driftwood just adds so much beauty to the picture.
I’m a sunset chaser too (as a Floridian). From your photos, it looks like a sunset at Chidiya Tapu is definitely one to add to the list. I especially love the yellow streaks across the sky and your inclusion of driftwood in the photos. Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you. This place just mesmerizes you. I am sure being a sunset chaser, you will love it.
Nice shots.
Thanks 🙂
I love the Photos,some really beautifully clicks!!
Thank you 🙂
Sunsets, as you mentioned, really are one of the best aspects about travelling and there are few things better than watching the sky change colour over an empty beach. That being said however, the shots you captured here are beyond most sunsets around the world. I really love the shot with the two boats in the foreground, so incredibly idyllic. Great post as ever with photos to match
Thank you Gareth. This place was just surreal and what made it more amazing is that it was right in our backyard and yet not many know about it.
Great sunset photos
Thank you.
I love sunsets! And this looks and sounds like the perfect spot for it. Your pictures are great!
Thank you Sanne.
Sunsets are beautiful, especially these ones! National Parks can be truly great places to witness them!
Thanks Alice and this one sure left a mark in my heart.
Watching sunsets never gets old. Your photos are so gorgeous, I can only imagine how beautiful it was to see the sunsets in person! Great list of travel tips too, that is very helpful.
Thank you Christie.
Very nice, I only went to Lakshadweep Islands which have a similar vibe to the Andaman islands. Great photos – you must have felt like in paradise there!
Thank you Tom. Lakshwadweep I believe, is another of our hidden gems. Am yet to visit that.
When we travel, we always find activities that would include a nice view. We absolutely love chasing sunsets, so much more than surise as we hate waking up early haha
he he. Sunrises have a different charm and the colors are a little different too. But yes, Sunsets are more comfortable. Thanks for stopping by
Mesmerising photographs, Ami!
Thank you
What a beautiful set of pictures! I will definitely look into this place while traveling next time to India. Thank you for sharing!
You most definitely should. It has some of the best beaches in Asia.
I always fall hard in love with sunsets whenever i see them. Your photographs were really mesmerizing. I am definitely going to this place when I visit Andamans and I am going to chase this stunning view!
I hope you get here someday. It is a gorgeous place.
I’m yet to visit Andaman! So thanks for this tip, I’ll make sure to visit Chidiya Tapu for a sunset when I venture!!! After a calamity, nature known to reclaim the place and make it more beautiful. This too is an amazing example!
Well said Bhushavali. Nature repairs what it destroys.
I think you were very lucky that you had some clouds… your photos of that sunset look absolutely amazing!
Thank you.
I have been planning to travel Andamans for so long, but couldn’t visit. Unfortunate! The hefty airfares always put me off. But I heard there’s going to be a rail-link in the next few years, up and running – perhaps then! By the way this Cidiya Tapu looks beautiful. Bookmarking your article!
Oh I am not sure of the rail links. It is quite an optimistic project. But you can do sea travel if airfares are an issue. Also, keep checking the sales of the airlines, you might sometimes get it at a bargain. Cheers
I love sunsets. One of the natures wonders that I will never tired of. The Andaman sunsets are truly captivating. Thanks for sharing some tips about the place. Would love to witness these sunset too. 🙂
Thank you Joy. It sure is something one cannot get tired of.
A magical sunset evening. This is the one thing missing in our daily lives in big cities, isn’t it? Imagine every evening with such a sunset! Half the stresses would melt away.
I think you are right. It would definitely take away some stress 😀
Your photos are amazing! I also love sunsets but I’m not so good at photographing them. I had never heard of Chidiya Tapu but I can see why you loved it so much. The driftwood formations are gorgeous too!
Thank you Stella. This place is so lovely that no matter what camera or skill, you will have a lovely pic 😀
Amazing pictures Ami. Actually, I loved the shades of blue, black and orange in your sunset picture better than the orange glow of the setting sun 🙂 Chidiya tapu looks like a must visit in Andaman, I had also heard about it but not much..now I am going to add it to my list of must visit.
Andamans is just amazing and I encourage everyone to visit it at least once.
I have heard much about Andaman but never knew its that serene. A beautiful post with awesome pictures. I am crazy for sunsets and this one is extraordinary. Those driftwood trees are making your pictures too too perfect.
Thank you. This sure is a lovely place.
Gorgeous pictures!I love all the different shades of colors that you capturedChidiya Tapu is a place I’ll be visiting for sure.The drift wood really added a nice touch to the pictures!
Thank you Nick. This is a very special place indeed!
There’s something about sunsets, it’s it? No matter how many you watch, you can’t get bored of them. I’ve always wanted to visit the Andaman islands, ever since I’ve seen those photos with the elephants walking through the sea. Is it true? Your photos are so beautiful and it’s amazing that you’ve been alone there, being able to enjoy the sunset without being disturbed by other people.
I dont know about elephants walking through the sea. Some say that they do that but for me, even without it, this place was amazing!
The sunset just looks so beautiful. Amazing pictures Ami 🙂 Would love to visit Chidiya Tapu when I go to Andamans.
You definitely must…just an hour from Port Blair, so it is quite doable.
As you say, probably the cloudy day was not the perfect one for Chidiya Tapu, but they added a lot of drama to the sunset! From what it could be a “normal”, straightforward sunset, it became something to be remembered, with rays escaping from the clouds and reflecting into the water, making the sky full of amazing nuances!
Thank you Luca. I suppose the clouds did add so much drama to the whole scenario.
Some beautiful images here.
Sunsets are indeed lovely, however I personally prefer a wonderful sunrise.
There always appears to be fewer people around to share it with at this time and it feels so quiet and peaceful 🙂
This place does not have too much of crowds and hence, it is always peaceful here. Makes it easier to admire the beauty. Thanks for stopping by Chris.
This place does have lesser crowd and hence, you can enjoy the beauty better.
Great photography! thanks for sharing.
Thanks
Beautiful pictures. Wish you had shared a bit more about your experience. Will be looking forward to more updates.
Thanks Archana. The mesmerizing sunset had me lost! 😀 More updates on Andamans in my other posts. Check those.
Those lines perfectly describe your feelings, and I can imagine them too!
I love Sunrises and Sunsets, and they are a part of my travels often.
So wonderful of you to share this, inspite of not being that glorious…but it’s nature, on which we have no control (thankfully).
Thanks Alok. Sometimes I think the not so perfect things are the ones that give you the best experience..
Wonderful golden hour images! I guess Andaman is the last remainng wlderness in India while most other places in the mainland have become overcrowded. I hope these places remain the same. Tips at the end are useful too.
I hope it remains this way too…the wilderness here is one of the main charms here 😀
I am currently supposed to be planning a trip to Andaman with friends. So this has gotten onto my itinerary. I love the silhouette of the mangrove tree. Did you actually see any crocodiles?
I did not see any but well, I wasn’t going to try either…:P. Hope you plan a trip soon.
Chidiya Tapu and not a single bird sighted?
The sunset colors are indeed gorgeous. Yellow has added charm to the moment.
Ha ha…I was too lost to even sight one. The sun and the clouds had a show on!
You have captured the landscape pretty well. I haven’t been to Andaman but you have convinced me to visit.
It is quite a destination Parnashree. You should plan a visit
I agree with you, sunsets are definitely soothing and a great way to end a day of exploring! Your photos are beautiful, even with the clouds! Sometimes the clouds can really add something to it and create a more moody look… at least for the photos 😉 Thanks for putting Chidiya Tapu on my radar, I had never heard of it before! Happy travels 🙂
Thanks Carmen. You are right about the clouds adding drama to the pics.
I’d like to think I’m a chasing sunsets expert! I wonder if we can put that on our resumes?! But seriously, Chidiya Tapu looks like such a beautiful part of the world to experience a sunset. Even if its cloudy! Your photos are stunning.
Thank you. I hope we can add it to our resumes 😀
Wow sunset in Andamans it’s definitely something 🙂 Looks like a paradise, absolutely breathtaking. I would love to visit this beautiful place. Fantastic pictures!
Thank you Adam. This is not so visited but a fantastic destination.
Your pictures are breathtakingly beautiful Ami! You certainly managed to sell Chidiya Tapu to me. Guess what, Andamans is on the cards this year, and I guess this will be my go-to guide for pictures there 🙂
Thanks Sid. You will absolutely love the place.
Looks gorgeous! I had no idea the andaman was such a good place to see so many beautiful
That is why it is still a secret – not many know :D.
Really, Amazing Article..
Thank you
Hey Ami, First off all nice click… Even I love to watch sunset but I have seen from Mount Abu no from Chidhiya Tapu. I wish in future if I can visit Chidhiya Tapu.
Amazing pics. Each click is perfectly captured. Like it a lot.
Thank you
Great pics, looks so beautiful. Will have to visit ^_^
Thank you and you must visit