Rangat sightseeing offers a completely different experience from the more popular destinations of Havelock and Neil Island. Located in Middle Andaman, Rangat is quieter, less commercial and closely connected with the natural environment of the islands. Instead of large beach resorts, busy cafés, dive centres and crowds, the area is known for mangrove forests, wooden nature walkways, turtle-nesting beaches, peaceful coastal roads, small beaches and eco-tourism experiences.

Places such as Dhani Nallah, Amkunj Beach, Karmatang Beach, Morice Dera and Yerrata allow travellers to explore the region’s forests, coastline and wildlife at a slower pace. Rangat is therefore a good choice for visitors who want to move away from the more developed tourist circuit and experience a quieter, more natural side of the Andaman Islands.

What Makes Rangat Different?

What makes Rangat different from Havelock and Neil Island is its strong connection with nature and eco-tourism. Located in Middle Andaman, around 170 km north of Port Blair, Rangat is not centred around large resorts, beach clubs or water-sports activities. Instead, its attractions are spread across quiet beaches, dense mangrove forests, coastal creeks, green hills and turtle-nesting areas, giving the destination a much slower and more peaceful character.

For a first visit, a good combination is Amkunj Beach, the Dhani Nallah Mangrove Walkway, Dhani Nallah Beach and Morice Dera, which together give you a mix of coastal scenery, mangrove landscapes and nature experiences. If you have additional time, you can extend your sightseeing to Yerrata, Panchavati Hills, Karmatang Beach or Cutbert Bay. Rather than trying to cover Rangat like a conventional beach destination, it is better enjoyed at a relaxed pace, allowing time to appreciate its forests, coastline and quieter surroundings.

Rangat sightseeing along the Dhani Nallah mangrove boardwalk

Amkunj Beach

Amkunj Beach is located near Nimbutala village, around 8 km from Rangat, and is one of the easier nature stops to include in a Rangat sightseeing itinerary. The area has been developed with an eco-tourism approach, with wooden seating areas, small huts and simple structures designed to fit into the natural coastal surroundings rather than creating a heavily commercialised resort environment.

The shoreline here is rocky rather than a wide sandy beach, so Amkunj is better suited to sitting by the coast, taking photographs and enjoying the peaceful surroundings than for conventional swimming. During low tide, the exposed rocks and shallow coastal water can make the shoreline particularly interesting to explore, although visitors should be careful on slippery rocks and avoid disturbing marine life. Because of its convenient location, Amkunj works well as an easy first stop in Rangat, especially when combined with other nearby attractions.

Dhani Nallah Mangrove Walkway and Beach

The Dhani Nallah Mangrove Walkway is one of Rangat’s most distinctive nature attractions and a major reason to include the area in an Andaman itinerary. Located around 20 km from Rangat along the Andaman Trunk Road, the wooden walkway takes visitors through a dense mangrove ecosystem before reaching the coast. The walk is the main experience: instead of simply driving to a beach, you gradually move through the mangrove forest and see the unusual root systems, waterways and vegetation up close. The landscape feels very different from the open beaches of Havelock and Neil Island, making this a particularly good stop for nature lovers, photographers and travellers interested in the ecology of the Andaman Islands.

The walkway eventually leads to Dhani Nallah Beach, where the enclosed mangrove landscape opens into a quieter coastal setting. The beach is also known for its connection with Olive Ridley turtle nesting, particularly during the winter nesting season. However, turtle activity is seasonal and sightings or nesting cannot be guaranteed on a particular visit. If you visit during the nesting period, follow local Forest Department instructions, maintain a respectful distance from wildlife and avoid disturbing turtles, nests or hatchlings. The combination of the mangrove walk and quiet beach makes Dhani Nallah one of the most memorable nature experiences around Rangat.

Dhani Nallah Beach, a Rangat sightseeing highlight known for turtle nesting

Yerrata Mangrove Interpretation Centre

Yerrata Mangrove Interpretation Centre is located near Yerrata Creek, around 8 km from Dhani Nallah, and offers a different kind of sightseeing experience in Rangat. Instead of being a conventional tourist attraction, the centre focuses on explaining the importance of mangrove ecosystems and their role in protecting coastal areas. Displays explain how mangroves can act as a natural barrier against events such as cyclones and tsunamis, while also providing habitat for a wide range of coastal species. The surrounding Yerrata area is also associated with creek-based eco-tourism, with experiences that may include Hudi Tikri, Red Island, Bird Island and Bat Island, along with creek cruises and trekking. These activities are better suited to travellers who have additional time in Rangat, as availability can depend on local operators, weather and operating conditions.

Morice Dera Beach

Morice Dera Beach, also spelled Moricedera, is known for its distinctive twin-rock formations along the coastline. A walkway passes between the rocks and leads towards a viewpoint overlooking the sea, with small sea-facing seating areas where visitors can stop and enjoy the surroundings. The attraction is less about organised activities and more about its natural scenery and peaceful atmosphere. It is a good place for photography, a short coastal walk and relaxing beside the sea. If you prefer quiet viewpoints over busy tourist attractions, Morice Dera can be a pleasant addition to a Rangat sightseeing circuit.

Panchavati Hills

For a change from Rangat’s beaches and mangrove forests, Panchavati Hills offer a glimpse of the greener, more inland landscape of Middle Andaman. The area is surrounded by vegetation and agricultural scenery and is associated with a natural waterfall, making it particularly attractive during the wetter months. Rainfall plays an important role in the waterfall’s appearance, so the amount of water can vary significantly from season to season. The surrounding greenery, flowing water and quieter environment make Panchavati Hills a good stop for travellers who want to experience a different side of Rangat beyond its coastline.

Karmatang Beach and Turtle Nesting

Karmatang Beach is one of the better-known natural attractions around Rangat and is particularly significant because of its association with Leatherback turtle nesting. These are the largest living sea turtles, and the beach provides an important nesting environment for them. According to tourism information, nesting activity generally occurs during the December to February period, although wildlife activity is naturally seasonal and sightings cannot be guaranteed. Outside the nesting period, Karmatang remains a peaceful tropical beach with coconut trees and a relatively relaxed atmosphere, making it suitable for a quiet walk and enjoying the coastline. During nesting season, visitors should treat the area as a conservation site, follow local instructions and avoid approaching or disturbing turtles, nests or hatchlings.

Cutbert Bay Beach

Cutbert Bay Beach is another quieter coastal attraction in the Rangat region and is also associated with seasonal turtle nesting. Compared with the more developed tourist beaches of Havelock, the experience here is much more about natural surroundings, open coastline and tranquillity. It is a suitable choice for travellers who prefer less-commercialised beaches and want to spend some peaceful time away from crowds. Since turtle-nesting areas can have specific conservation measures or seasonal restrictions, it is important to check the latest local or Forest Department guidance before visiting.

Raman Bagicha Beach and Rangat Bay

Raman Bagicha Beach, also referred to as Raman Bageecha in some sources, is a lesser-known coastal spot that offers a quieter and relatively uncommercialised atmosphere. It is best suited to a peaceful beach walk, photography and enjoying the natural surroundings rather than organised activities. Facilities may be limited, so carrying essentials such as drinking water is sensible.

Rangat Bay, located closer to the town, is a much simpler sightseeing stop. It is not an attraction that requires several hours; instead, it can be included as a short coastal break around your arrival, departure or other local sightseeing. Its convenient location makes it useful when you have some spare time before continuing with your itinerary.

A Simple Rangat Sightseeing Plan

For a first visit to Rangat, you can keep the main sightseeing circuit focused on the area’s most distinctive experiences:

Amkunj Beach → Dhani Nallah Mangrove Walkway → Dhani Nallah Beach → Morice Dera

If you have an additional day or more flexibility, you can consider adding Yerrata, Panchavati Hills, Karmatang Beach or Cutbert Bay, depending on road conditions, weather and your interests.

For mangrove forests: Dhani Nallah Mangrove Walkway
For a quiet beach: Amkunj Beach or Raman Bagicha
For coastal rock formations and views: Morice Dera
For turtle conservation and nesting areas: Dhani Nallah and Karmatang
For hills, greenery and a waterfall: Panchavati Hills
For mangrove interpretation and creek experiences: Yerrata

Best Time to Visit Rangat

December to February is particularly interesting for travellers who want to learn about or potentially observe seasonal turtle-nesting activity at places such as Dhani Nallah, Karmatang and Cutbert Bay. These months are also generally suitable for exploring Rangat’s beaches, mangrove walkways and outdoor attractions. The wetter months can bring greener landscapes and stronger waterfall flow at Panchavati Hills, but rain can also make road travel and outdoor sightseeing less predictable. Regardless of when you visit, wildlife sightings should be considered an added experience rather than something guaranteed, and visitors should always follow local conservation guidelines when exploring turtle-nesting or other sensitive natural areas.

Getting to Rangat

Rangat sits in Middle Andaman, reached by road from Port Blair along the Andaman Trunk Road, or via the wider inter-island ferry network that connects Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. If you’re piecing together a longer Andaman route, our guide to private cruise vs government ferry in the Andamans covers how the ferry side works, and our Neil Island sightseeing guide and Havelock day trip from Neil Island cover the more commonly visited islands on the same trip.

According to Wikipedia’s entry on Rangat, the town sits along the Andaman Trunk Road in Middle Andaman, with fishing and cultivation as the main local occupations — a good reminder that Rangat is still a working town first and a tourist stop second.

If you’d rather have Rangat built into a wider Andaman itinerary rather than planning it yourself, you can browse curated Andaman tour packages.