| From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|
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18-Oct |
21-Oct |
Closed |
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22-Oct |
31-Oct |
Operational |
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01-Nov |
04-Nov |
Closed |
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05-Nov |
14-Nov |
Operational |
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15-Nov |
18-Nov |
Closed |
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19-Nov |
28-Nov |
Operational |
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29-Nov |
02-Dec |
Closed |
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03-Dec |
12-Dec |
Operational |
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13-Dec |
16-Dec |
Closed |
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17-Dec |
26-Dec |
Operational |
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27-Dec |
30-Dec |
Closed |
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31-Dec |
09-Jan |
Operational |
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10-Jan |
13-Jan |
Closed |
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14-Jan |
23-Jan |
Operational |
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24-Jan |
27-Jan |
Closed |
|
28-Jan |
06-Feb |
Operational |
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07-Feb |
10-Feb |
Closed |
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11-Feb |
20-Feb |
Operational |
Andaman Tourism Opens: The Andaman & Nicobar administration has announced that all tourist spots in the South Andaman district will be opened for tourism activities with immediate effect 8 Feb 2022.
The tourists are allowed to visit Baratang/North & Middle Andaman on production of double dose covid certificate/ All other passengers viz. unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers (those who have taken only 1S1 dose of COVID vaccine) shall have to produce RT-PCR negative test report
General Guidelines defined for traveling to Andaman Islands during COVID :
What are the guidelines for testing for tourists coming to Andaman after August 03 2021?
On arrival at Port Blair :
1. The tourists need to carry COVID-19 negative test report from mainland based 1CMR approved lab using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). However, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to starting the journey from the origin station. (For e.g. if the tourist takes a flight from Delhi at 0600 hrs. on 1st September, 2021, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken not before 0600 hrs. on 30th August, 2021).
2. The tourists/visitors on arrival at Port Blair airport have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening with RTPCR test free of cost. Thereafter the tourists/visitors are allowed to move to their respective hotels. However, they will have to be under quarantine at Port Blair in their hotel rooms until the result of RTPCR tests are received. In case of RTPCR positive test results, the tourists/visitors shall remain in
institutional quarantine in hotels notified by the Hoteliers Association in consent with the A&N Administration, on rates as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid-19 care centre on case-to-case basis.
3. Tourists may also have to undergo random Rapid Antigen Test conducted from time to time on payment basis as prescribed by A8N Administration.
What if the tourists test positive after arriving at the Andaman Islands?
If the tourists tests positive during their stay in the Islands, he/she will need to undergo institutional isolation as per existing health protocols. The
cost of such isolation for govt. facility will be paid by the tourists as fixed by the administration from time to time.
If the patient wants to stay at hotels, he/she can stay in the hotels if all the conditions below are met:
a) Patients are not symptomatic and not more than 60 years old.
b) Request/ undertaking is made by patient in writing.
c)lf allowed by doctors.
Hotels will make necessary arrangements to designate a part of their rooms for institutional isolation for this purpose.
One of the most sought after destinations in Northern Andamans, Ross and Smith Islands live up to the hype and mind you, that is not an easy thing to say. If you are pondering, why these islands must be in your travel itinerary to Andamans, here’s the response. Palm-fringed beaches, long shores, emerald ocean, and scenic wonders should rest the case. There is absolutely no dearth of fun to be had in the famed Twin Islands.
Imagine walking over from one island to another via a slim fifty-meter long natural sand bar while being surrounded by crystal clear tranquil sea! While the pictures of cerulean waters, white sand bar, secluded beaches, and lots and lots of selfies with a palm-fringed backdrop on Instagram serve as a daily dose of inspiration, Twin Islands have so much more to offer. Behold, the top five reasons as to why Ross and Smith Islands must be a stopover in your Andaman travel itinerary!
Marooned in the north of the Andamans Islands the mystic twin islands are generously blessed by mother nature. Littered with captivating sea-shells these islands receive a fair share of travellers and honeymooners on board every year. The Ross-and-Smith Islands or ‘Twin Islands’ should not be confused with the more popular Ross Islands, also known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep. The unique selling proposition of these “twin islands” is that they are two different islands connected via a strip of white sand. Visible only during low tides, the crescent-shaped “Sandbar Beach” gets submerged during high tide isolating the two islands.
Wondering what to expect once you step on the island? Tropical forests envelop the virgin beaches that are dotted with a few beach chairs, tree houses, bamboo huts and changing rooms keeping travellers in mind. The crystal clear water makes it an ideal place for spotting beautiful coral reefs and colourful species of fishes underwater. The islands offer an engulfing solitude where visitors can spend hours sunbathing in solace along with other aquatic experiences.
There is nothing more ardent than walking along the beach to the sight of waves crashing on the shore; but, if you’re looking for something besides this, twin-islands have more in store for you. The crystal clear water surrounding Ross & Smith Islands is ideal for
snorkelling and swimming. In order to preserve the landscape, commercial activities have not yet been permitted on the island. Nevertheless, in the absence of service providers for the same, you should bring your snorkelling gear to explore the hidden underground beauty.
If you are a novice at swimming, one side of the sand bar has shallow water, making it easier and safe for beginners. While talking about the aquatic delights of Ross & Smith Islands, we can not miss the highlight of the island, Marine Sanctuary. It is the perfect place for spotting gorgeous coral reefs underwater and a rare collection of colourful fishes.
If you are on the verge of deciding whether to visit Andamans or not, a mere photograph of Ross & Smith Islands is enough to make you do it. But here is another reason to add to your list. Twin Islands seem like a little piece of tropical utopia right out of a dreamy picture postcard. If you visit Ross Island in a non-peak season, you can experience having the beach exclusively to yourself. Smith Island is apt for island camping, enjoying village life and hiking a lovely nature trail among the tropical forests. At times the wild elephants that reside in the forests can be found bathing in the sun.
While Ross Island is wild and rugged, Smith Island is catered and manicured for the tourists. These islands in all their wilderness and glory invite you to take in memories that’ll last longer than those tan lines. If we had to sum up what to expect while visiting the Twin Islands, we would probably tell you this. Strolling on the beach, walking barefoot on the fine powdery sand, island hopping from one island to the other, swimming in the clear waters, and just soaking up the sun! Sounds like an ideal day in Ross & Smith Islands.
Floating in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman archipelago lies in the east of the Indian mainland. Imagine being approximately 320 kilometres away from the hustle-bustle of the capital, Port Blair, drinking in the calm of the green and blue hue of the ocean. Ross & Smith Islands offer exclusivity and privacy to travellers. You can spend hours sipping on your coconut water without a soul to disturb your solace. Smith Island, as mentioned earlier in the blog, is ideal for experiencing village life.
The Island houses a small village with nearly 60 families, and accommodation is offered by the Directorate of Tourism. Bookings are tricky to arrange during the peak season, owing to increased demand. Tucked away far away from the cacophony of mundane city life, these exotic islands give a substantial competition to Maldives and Seychelles. The waves do not roar while crashing against the shoreline and are rather calm and demure.
Leave your worries aside as you witness this vast beauty of sea; lazily reaching out over miles and rippling in different tints of blue.
A few years ago, visiting a destination solely because it was Instagram worthy, would be rare, today, not really. In fact, social media has crawled into our lives and has been an intimate part of our lives ever since. Travel is no different. We see a place online, read about it, and eventually put it on our bucket list. Ross & Smith Islands is that very destination that you would have seen on tabloids and magazines, earning it a reputation of ‘a slice of heaven’.
An aerial shot of two oh-so-beautiful islands surrounded by emerald waters connected by a strip of sand has made rounds in several publications and social media. It’s a palette of green and blue, on land as well as sea. The islands serve as a diverse backdrop for your photographic memories, one that’ll be apt for your polaroids. Remember to bring your camera along. To capture the sky changing its colours, the notoriety of the water, and the tranquillity of the beach. Carpe Diem!
