Port Blair has more than sand and sea. Its museums provide insight into the marine world around the islands, the indigenous tribes whose histories run deep, and how geography, culture, and nature all connect in this place. Visiting museums here gives context to what you see outside the window: why certain species matter, how people adapt to island life, how past and present intersect.

You’ll read about three must-see museums in Port Blair: the Fisheries Museum / Aquarium, which shows marine species and specimens; the Zonal Anthropological Museum, which preserves tribal life and artefacts; and the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, which mixes marine, naval, and natural-history exhibits under one roof.

Three museums in Port Blair stand out for the range of what they cover:

• Fisheries Museum / Aquarium: marine species, preserved specimens, live displays.
  
  
• Zonal Anthropological Museum: objects, tools, crafts, and history of the indigenous tribes.
  
  
• Samudrika Naval Marine Museum: a mix of marine life, island geography, tribal culture, and naval-environment themes.
  
  

Visiting these makes your time here more than sightseeing—it gives you insight.

 

Important Highlights

Museum	Location	Famous For	Timings	Ticket / Entry Fee & Other Charges
Fisheries Museum / Aquarium, Port Blair	Near Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Port Blair; close to Marina Park.	Known for its collection of ~350 marine species (fishes, shells, corals), whale & shark specimens, preserved marine fauna.	Open from Tuesday →  Sunday; two slots: Morning ≈ 9:00-1:00 PM,  Afternoon ≈ 2:00-5:00 PM.  Closed on Mondays, also on public holidays & second Saturdays for some slots.	Adults: ~ ₹5; Children: ~ ₹3.
Zonal Anthropological Museum, Port Blair	anthropological museum, Thomas Colony, Junglighat, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744101	Famous for displays related to six tribes: Jarawas, Sentinelese, Onges, Great Andamanese, Nicobarese, Shompens. Also known for Jarawa chest guards, shamanic sculptures, etc.	9:30 AM-1:00 PM;  then 1:30 PM-5:00 PM.  Closed on Mondays and public / government holidays.	Adults: ~ ₹10; Students or those with ID: ~ ₹3. Camera charges (for still camera) ~ ₹20.
Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, Port Blair	Airport Authority Colony, Haddo Road, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.	Famous for baby blue whale skeleton, large collection of shells/fishes/crocs, multiple themed rooms (marine, tribal, geography), souvenirs etc.	Open Tuesday → Sunday,  9:00 AM-1:00 PM; 2:00 PM-5:00 PM.  Closed on Mondays and national holidays.	Adults: ~ ₹50; Children: ~ ₹25. Still camera fee (~ ₹20); in some sources video camera fee ~ ₹20 or more. Free entry for senior citizens, handicapped persons, and freedom fighters upon valid ID.

 

Fisheries Museum / Aquarium

Location & How to Reach

• Next to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Marina Park, Port Blair. About 3 km from Aberdeen Bazar / Port Blair bus stand.
  
  
• Transport: taxi, auto rickshaw, rented two-wheeler from city centre.
  
  

What’s on Display

• Over 350 species of marine life (fishes, shellfish, molluscs) including reef fishes, butterfly fish, clownfish, green turtles etc.
  
  
• Live exhibits: small aquaria with live corals, crabs, sharks, starfish etc.
  
  
• Preserved specimens: skeletons of a sperm whale; life-size models of sawfish, dolphin. 

Few Tips

• Photography inside is often not allowed; check signs; avoid flash.
  
  
• Best to go before midday or early afternoon to avoid big crowds and heat.
  
  
• Closed on Mondays, public holidays, second Saturdays. 

 Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/o1GsHWJ1MszjJyUAA 

 

Zonal Anthropological Museum

Where It Is & Access

• Located on MG Road, Phoenix Bay area, Port Blair; near many hotels and downtown landmarks. 
• Reached via auto-rickshaw, taxi, or walks from major central spots. Buses drop near MG Road.  
  
  

Tribes Featured & What Cultural Items Are Shown

• Six tribes are represented
• Exhibits include tools, weapons, traditional clothing, ornaments, household items, photographs, models of tribal huts, ritual objects.
  
  

Why It’s Interesting: What You See vs What You Learn

• Shows daily life of tribes that are difficult to visit or observe directly; this is one of the few ways to understand material culture & history.  
  
  
• Gives insight into survival strategies, crafts, forest life, tools, beliefs. You leave knowing more about their worldview, not just seeing pretty objects.
  
  

Visitor Tips (Behavior, Reading Exhibits, Respect)

• Carry ID; some exhibits may have restrictions on touching.
  
  
• Photography may be restricted. Always check instructions.
  
  
• Spend about 1-2 hours to read, look properly. Moving fast loses detail.

Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vm2MXRGprN6p133Q8 

 

Samudrika Naval Marine Museum

Image Reference: https://andamantourism.org.in/samudrika-naval-marine-museum-andaman 

 

Location & Approach

• About 9 km from Port Blair city centre, in Haddo jetty / Delanipur area, near Andaman Teal House. 
• Accessible by road via taxi or auto-rickshaw. Public transport possible but slower.
  
  

Unique Features (Whale Skeleton, Shell & Coral Rooms, etc.)

• A skeleton of a baby blue whale (washed ashore from Nicobar) displayed outside.
  
  
• Five rooms/galleries:
  • Room 1: geography, tribal culture, wood species, insects.  
  • Aqua Room: live fishes, preserved marine species.  
  • Coral Room: variety of corals with information about where they grow.  
  • Display Room & Tribal Room include seashell collections, war currency, butterfly & snake specimens. 

Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fPzQG5fuiA7a9QCY8

 

What Makes It Stand Out Compared to the Other Two

• It covers more themes: not only marine life like Fisheries, and not only tribal culture like Anthropological, but geology, geography, history & naval elements all under one roof.
  
  
• Bigger variety of exhibits and more detailed room-wise segregation.
  
  
• Larger ticket fee but more breadth; good if you want one place to see many sides of Andamans.

 

How to Plan Your Museum Trail

Suggested Order of Visiting

• Start with the Anthropological Museum (Phoenix Bay / MG Road) in the morning. It opens early and has lighter crowd-density.  
• Then move to Samudrika Naval Marine Museum. It has more rooms and displays, takes more walking. Midday or early afternoon works.  
• Fit in the Fisheries Museum either before lunch or late afternoon, depending on your pace. Easier to manage if you’re tired.  

Combining with Nearby Spots

• Around Samudrika, you can also go to the Chatham Saw Mill, Forest Museum, and Ross Island. 
• Near Fisheries, Marina Park and the Water Sports Complex are close by.  
  
  

Time Planning (Half-day vs Full-day)

• Half‐day option: Pick one museum (Anthropological or Fisheries), spend 1-2 hours, then have a nearby spot (park or café).
  
  
• Full-day option: Visit all three, with lunch and rest breaks. Total time ~ 5-6 hours.
  
  

What to Skip if Short on Time

• If very tight, skip Fisheries or just glance through. Samudrika gives broader coverage.
  
  
• Don’t try all in one afternoon; exhibits deserve browsing.
  

 

Visitor Tips & Practical Information

• Best days to go: Avoid Mondays and government holidays—most museums are closed.  
  
  
• Gear to carry: Water bottle, sun hat, comfortable shoes. Umbrella or rain cover (weather can change). Small backpack.
  
  
• Respectful behaviour & photography policies: Read signage. Some exhibits have “no photography” rules or extra camera charges. Avoid touching displays. Maintain silence or low voice in quiet rooms.
  
  
• Getting there: Autos, taxis, local buses. Museums are usually within 10 km of city centre; travel time 15-30 mins depending on traffic. Samudrika is about 9 km from Port Blair center. 
  
  OR Sandhya Residency Travel Support can help you arrange a Cab service or Bike Rentals to roam around the nearby Port Blair Sightseeing attractions.
  
  
• What budget to keep in mind: Museum fees are modest (₹10-₹50 range generally); add transport cost and camera charges. Snacks or lunch if full day.

 

Nearby Accommodation Options

When visiting the museums in Port Blair, staying close by can make your trip much more convenient and enjoyable. The city offers a range of accommodations, from budget-friendly guesthouses to premium options, including homestays in Port Blair and well-known hotels at Port Blair, Andaman Islands, all within a short distance of the main museum attractions. Whether you prefer a quiet homestay, easy access to local eateries, or a hotel with modern amenities, there are options to suit every traveler.

Staying nearby saves travel time between museums, allows for quick rest breaks, and makes it easier to explore other nearby landmarks like Marina Park, Cellular Jail, or Chatham Saw Mill. For those who plan to spend a full day visiting museums, choosing a centrally located place ensures a comfortable base and adds convenience to your sightseeing schedule.

1. Sandhya Residency

• Location: 37/RP Road, Dugnabad, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744101, India.
  View on Map
  
  
• Contact: +91 7695074466 | [email protected]
  Website
  
  
• Distance to Museums: Approximately 3–4 km from the museums.
  
  
• Facilities: Offers budget-friendly rooms with basic amenities.
  
  

2. SeaShell Port Blair

• Location: Marine Hill, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744101, India.
  View on Map
  
  
• Contact: +91-3192-240001 | [email protected]
  Website
  
  
• Distance to Museums: Approximately 6–7 km from the museums.
  
  
• Facilities: Provides premium accommodations with sea views, rooftop lounge, and restaurant.
  
  

3. Hotel Mansha Regency

• Location: Delanipur, Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744101, India.
  View on Map
  
  
• Contact: +91 3192 233 775 | [email protected]
  Website
  
  
• Distance to Museums: Approximately 4–5 km from the museums.
  
  
• Facilities: Offers modern amenities, including an indoor pool and on-site restaurant.
  
  

4. Hotel Shompen

• Location: 2 Middle Point, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744101, India.
  View on Map
  
  
• Contact: +91 3192-232360 | [email protected]
  Website
  
  
• Distance to Museums: Approximately 2–3 km from the museums.
  
  
• Facilities: Provides comfortable rooms, restaurant, and lounge.

 

Visiting the museums in Port Blair gives more than just sightseeing—it adds context, knowledge, and memorable experiences to your trip. Each museum tells a different story, from marine life and environmental conservation to tribal culture and island history.

Key Takeaways:

• Gain insight into the indigenous tribes and their material culture at the Zonal Anthropological Museum.
  
  
• Observe marine biodiversity, preserved specimens, and live exhibits at the Fisheries Museum / Aquarium.
  
  
• Explore the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum for a mix of marine, cultural, and geographic displays.
  
  
• Learn about local history, geography, and environmental conservation beyond what the beaches show.
  

 

How Museums Deepen Your Travel Experience:

• Adds context to the natural beauty and cultural landmarks you visit.
  
  
• Encourages curiosity and understanding of the Andaman Islands’ unique heritage.
  
  
• Creates lasting memories and a more meaningful connection to the destination.