Yes. There are islands such as North Sentinel Island and some tribal reserves, which are strictly forbidden because of tribal protection and government regulations. No tour includes these areas and it is not safe and legal to approach them.
 

Yes. Most tour operators do enable you to extend or customize your stay, depending on the availability. You are able to add more islands, water activities or change your schedule. Planning ahead and effective communication with your travel organiser will assist in making the changes you desire.
 

The major locations such as Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island do have mobile network and Wi-Fi. In remote locations, networks can be slow, whereas 4G is present in the majority of tourist destinations. Accessible offline maps or downloaded information are good to have in case of necessity.

The local currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). Cash can be withdrawn at ATM which are present in Port Blair, and some in Havelock and Neil Island. Most hotels and larger stores accept credit and debit card, but it is a good idea to carry some cash in case of small purchases.
 

Observe safety measures during guidance by the trained guides, wear life jackets during boat rides, or swimming at the rough sea. One should always remember to remain in marked swimming spots in the beaches and never to swim alone. The weather condition is always to be noted before involving in water sports, and a guide is to be informed in case of any doubts.
 

Common tourist gifts are cocoanut shell crafts, shell jewellery, wood handicraft, spices, virgin coconut oil and the local artwork. The Aberdeen Bazaar and Sagarika Market at Port Blair usually feature authentic handcrafted shopping.
 

The most appropriate time to visit the Andamans is the month of October to May. The seasons of these two months are favourable, the clouds are clear and the ocean is smooth, this makes it ideal as far as sightseeing, water sports and beach activities are concerned. The rainy season (June to September) causes rainfall and high seas and this could reduce the water sports and ferry services.
 

As an Indian citizen, you do not require a passport to the Andamans as the Islands are a part of India. All one needs is valid government ID (such as Aadhar or driver license). The foreigners will be required to have a passport, Indian visa as well as Restricted Area Permit (RAP) in order to access the islands.
 

There are numerous water sports to be done by tourists and they include snorkeling, scuba diving, sea walking, jet skiing, parasailing, and boat tours. There are lots of beaches and islands where beginners can have a good time, and professionally trained guides can be found on activity destinations. Some of the activities must be booked in advance or may be seasonal, depending on the weather. 
 

Inter-island ferry tickets are included in most of the Andaman tour packages. They are preplanned to facilitate traveling. The kind of ferry (private or government) and ferry service one wants should be verified when making a booking to avoid last minute surprises.
 

Yes. Andaman Islands is regarded as a safe and friendly destination among couples, independent travelers and families. The local communities are hospitable and safety concerns are minimum. However, the general traveling advice like locking up your belongings, not walking in isolated areas at night and adhering to safety measures in water sports is encouraged.

You should book your tour at least 2-3 months prior to your visit especially in the season (October-May). Early bookings help in securing better rooms, ferry ticket and slots of activities. Last minute bookings may also be available but the options may be limited and the price may be higher.
 

Yes. Although the islands are referred to as the location where seafood is a delicacy, various restaurants and hotels offer vegetarian and vegan dishes. Most of the local vegetarian food, typical Indian food and snacks can be found in Port Blair and more on the larger tourist islands of Havelock and Neil.
 

A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is any special permit that is necessary to access Andaman and Nicobar Islands by foreign visitors. It is normally given upon arrival of Port Blair airport or Port after document checks. RAPs last 30 days normally and can be renewed when required.
 

Access to the Andaman Islands is generally through flight to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair with flights connecting the major Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bangalore. There are also Cruises that can be offered in Chennai and Kolkata but require multiple days thus flights will be the most feasible mode.