Travel Guide to Andaman Islands
Andaman Islands

From | To | Status |
---|---|---|
18-Oct |
21-Oct |
Closed |
22-Oct |
31-Oct |
Operational |
01-Nov |
04-Nov |
Closed |
05-Nov |
14-Nov |
Operational |
15-Nov |
18-Nov |
Closed |
19-Nov |
28-Nov |
Operational |
29-Nov |
02-Dec |
Closed |
03-Dec |
12-Dec |
Operational |
13-Dec |
16-Dec |
Closed |
17-Dec |
26-Dec |
Operational |
27-Dec |
30-Dec |
Closed |
31-Dec |
09-Jan |
Operational |
10-Jan |
13-Jan |
Closed |
14-Jan |
23-Jan |
Operational |
24-Jan |
27-Jan |
Closed |
28-Jan |
06-Feb |
Operational |
07-Feb |
10-Feb |
Closed |
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.
If Andaman Island is on your bucket list of travel destinations, then here is a handy guide of
do’s and don’ts to make your trip both enjoyable and safe.
It is essential you carry all required documents on your trip to Andaman
Keep all documents like driving license, passport, Aadhar card, pan card, and booking details handy.
You should have the Restricted Area Permit on you, if you are planning to visit the spots covered under the permit like Havelock island, Diglipur, Mayabunder, Long island, Neil island and more.
Foreign tourists to Andaman are advised to keep their passport with a valid visa and Restricted Area Permit on them at all times.
Do not leave important documents back at the hotel or the resort.
‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan’ implies to theAndaman Islands too.
To dispose of all the garbage and rubbish, use dustbins and garbage receptacles provided at various tourist spots.
Keep the beaches clean by not littering.
Along with the beaches, keep the parks, public places, and the sea clean and devoid of any garbage.
Adhere to instructions given by the lifeguard.
Since it is an ocean at a stretch, swim in safe and shallow areas only.
To enjoy and make the most of your water sports experience like scuba diving or snorkeling in Andaman, keep in mind to avail the service of qualified diving instructors only. Check for their certification of international professional organizations like PADI, CMAS, NAUI, BSAC or SSI.
While snorkelingor scuba diving in Andaman, take care to swim in permitted areas only.
Do not step on the corals during these activities as you may damage them in the process.
Andaman is home to different native tribes like Jarwa, the Great Andamanese, Onge and Sentinelese.
It is important all tourists respect the privacy of these tribes of Andaman.
Any attempt to interact with them or violate their privacy is punishable by law.
Andaman Islands are a set of enchanting archipelagos in the Bay of Bengal. Before visiting the island, it is better to research them to make the visit enjoyable and worth every moment.
Try to learn more about the weather, the tropical forests, marine life, coral reefs, adventure sports, culture, and the local cuisine you can indulge in.
There are official government tourist offices available at different islands at Andaman.
You can reach out to them for any travel assistance required to move around the island.
They can provide information on various tourist spots, beaches, hotels, places to stay, time to visit a tourist spot, renting a vehicle or a two-wheeler, and special permissions required to visit certain places on the island.
Maintain traffic rules when driving rented vehicles on the island.
Wear a helmet when on a two wheeler.
Have your driving license on you all the time when using rented vehicles.
Help Andamans to be garbage-free. There is a ban on plastic bags on theislands for the protection of natural habitat.
On finding any tourist or a local using a plastic carry-bag, he or she will have to pay a heavy fine of Rs. 1 Lac or bear a six months imprisonment or both.
The tourism department has issued some safety precautions in Andaman for locals as well as the tourists to maintain a harmonious and pleasant environment on theislands:
Smoking is not allowed in public areas.
The lighting of bonfires on beaches is not allowed.
Camping in Andaman beaches is strictly prohibited and a punishable offense.
Staying on beaches or moving around the forest areas overnight is strictlyprohibited. One should return to the respective hotel or resort and linger around the beaches.
There is a ban on nudity on all the beaches and public places of theAndaman Islands.
Swimming after having a drink is not safe. Also, swimming in unsafe areas during monsoon is hazardous to life.
Staying on any of theislandsbeyond the permitted time is strictly prohibited.
No foreign tourists are allowed to stay at Andaman post the expiry of their travel and permit documents.
There are many national parks, protected areas, and islands where a tourist needs a permit to have access to them. There are some standard rules for such places.
Hunting of any kind of birds or animals, both on land and sea is strictly prohibited.
Maintaining flora and fauna of theislands is of utmost importance.
Touching or breaking a live coral as well as collecting a dead coral is strictly prohibited as per the Coral Reef Protection laws. Take care of this especially duringscuba divingand snorkeling in Andaman.
Collecting shells, taking them, or even touching them irrespective of their size or condition in the sea and on the beach is strictly prohibited.
Owning shells requires purchasing them and preserving the purchase receipt as proof.
Visiting the NicobarIslands or any other tribal reserves without a special pass or permit and trying to mingle with the tribal people without legal permission is a severely punishable offense.
One cannot resist capturing the stunning beauty of the island. But specific rules must be followed for this purpose.
Taking photographs or videos of the aboriginal tribes like the Jarwa tribe of Andaman is considered a crime and is a punishable offense.
Adhere to the photography rules mentioned at restricted places.
Tourists are advised against the use of drones for recreational photography. Use of drones requires special permission and licenses. It is a punishable offence to use drones without having a proper license in place.