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Tiny,
triangular-shaped Neil is the most southerly inhabited island of Ritchie's
archipelago, a couple of hours' ferry ride northeast of
Port Blair. The source of much of the
capital's Fish, fruit and vegetables, its fertile centre, ringed by a
curtain of stately tropical trees, comprises vivid patches of green paddy
dotted with small farmsteads and banana plantations. The beaches are
mediocre by the Andaman's standards, but worth a day or two en route to or
from Havelock.
Boats leave Port Blair four times each week
for Neil i.e. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; depart 6:30 am,
continuing on to Havelock and
Rangat. From the jetty, a two -minute walk
brings one to the ANIIDC to Yatri Niwas (aka Hornbill's Nest'), a dozen or
so clean, carpeted rooms with sit-outs, ranged around a central courtyard
and restaurant. His is the only accommodation on the island, so book ahead
before one leaves for Port Blair.
Neil boasts three beaches, all of them within easy cycling
distance of the small bazaar just up the lane from the hotel. One can rent
cycles from one or other of the stallholders.
Neill Kendra Neill Kendra, a gently curving bay of white sand,
straddles the jetty, scattered with picturesque wooden fishing boats.
Lakshmangar A more secluded option, Lakshmangar, lies 2-km north:
head right at the hotel and follow the road for around twenty minutes
until it dwindles into a surfaced track, then turn right, Wrapped around
the headland, the beach is a broad spur of white shell sand with shallow
water offering good Snorkelling
Sitapur Beach Exposed to the open sea and thus prone to higher
tides, Sitapur beach, 6-km south at the tip of the island, is less
appealing, but the ride across Neill's central paddy land is pleasant.