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.
Diglipur is like a cosmopolitan town where people from all over India live. It would be a strange feeling to have a conversation with locals from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and even Bihar at the same time and the same place. There is diversity in unity as well because of the underlying shared beliefs that unite all of them in harmony. Such an offbeat destination should be on every nature enthusiast’s travel bucket list because once you reach there, the rewards would be beyond your imagination.
Andaman Island is so much more than only sea and sand. If you want to witness impressive natural attractions, then you should spend time in Diglipur. The surrounding sights are amazingly beautiful as well. The best time to visit Diglipur is from October to March. The temperature is comparatively cool during this time.
Diglipur is located far up in the North Andaman, and is nearly 290 kilometers by road and 180 kilometers by sea from the capital city, Port Blair. You can choose to reach there by road, sea or air.
The fastest and the most exciting option for travel, helicopters are definitely the best choice. During the journey, you can have a look at the breathtaking aerial views of the emerald islands. This is totally worth the extra cost! But since the seats are limited that get full often, you should book at least one day in advance. You can check about the timings and fare at A&N Tourism Information Centre. There is also a baggage limitation.
This is the most common travel option. Direct ships are available three-four times every week from Phoenix Bay to Aerial Bay. From here, it is nearly nine kilometers to Diglipur and nine kilometers to Kalipur in the opposite direction. The complete journey tales nearly a total of ten hours and maybe longer sometimes but more comfortable overnight sails are also available. You can book your tickets at the Phoenix Bay office or at the administration block by ‘the Dolphin roundabout’ in Diglipur.
Crossing three creeks on the way and the Jarawa tribe area, you can travel up north also by Andaman Trunk Road. However, the journey is quite tiring as it can take up to twelve long hours. There are various early morning buses plying daily from Port Blair to Diglipur. You need to buy tickets at least one day prior to the journey date. You can also choose to commute via private AC buses that offer more comfort but are pricier.
There are four-five guesthouses in Diglipur nearby the main market and stadium. They have all the basic necessities only. If you are looking for high-end resorts, then you can stay in Kalipur, which is twenty kilometers away from Diglipur. Cheap bamboo huts are also offered by them. The properties get crowded during peak season. So you should make sure to get your stay pre-booked from a local tour operator. Andaman Island Travels is a reliable name when it comes to making all the bookings anywhere in Andamans. Its experienced operators will take care of all your reservations exactly as per your requirements.
Some of the best places to stay in Diglipur are as follows:
As the place is not a tourist hub, restaurants are not in abundance here. But bakeries are surplus here. Some of the best restaurants and food outlets in Diglipur are mentioned below:
Have a look at what you can explore in and around Diglipur:
Shyamnagar village in Diglipur beholds something very rare. Trekking through its dense forests will make you witness a unique scientific phenomenon called the mud volcanoes, which are locally known as Jal Tikry. These are active for years and some of them have been dormant for quite some time. Considered as one of the rarest occurrences across the whole world, you should include this place in your travel bucket list for sure.
The gorgeous Lamiya Bay Beach is at the foothills of the highest peak on the island- Saddle Peak. The beach is visited mostly by either honeymooners or nature lovers as it is a highly photographic beach with shrubs and trees displaying contrast. To savor the beauty of sun, sand and shade on a sunny and bright day, there are beautiful eco-friendly huts and watchtowers on the shoreline for the tourists.
Diglipur is home to more than 41 unexplored caves. Alfred Caves were one of them, named after the scientist who discovered them. These are unique and thus, difficult to reach. A trek to these caves is not meant for someone who is faint-hearted as one has to do strenuous trekking for about an hour through narrow jungle trails. October to April is the best time to visit the caves. Avoid the rainy season completely as the paths are slippery and extremely unsafe.Ram Nagar Beach is a long stretch of palm trees fringed by mangrove forests on both sides. The place is not good for snorkeling owing to the murky waters but is a perfect spot for swimming. It is considered to be the best around the town. The beach is a nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles. Therefore, the beach closes at 5 pm and no one is allowed to walk on the sand afterward. You can also see an artificial hatchery set up there. The turtle nesting season is between December and March, and you can see eggs being laid by sea turtles and released into the water. The beach is being developed into an eco-friendly picnic place for visitors by the forest department.