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Andaman and Nicobar Sightseeing Tours

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Andaman and Nicobar Sightseeing FAQs

Where is Andaman?

Andaman is located in the eastern part of the Indian mainland isolated from Bay of Bengal. Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and is a highly visited place. The small number of Andaman is spread over north of the archipelogo belonging to Myanmar. Andaman Islands is also the home of Sentinelese and other trible group having least contact with outer world

How do I get there?

 You can have a trip to Andaman Island by air and boat. One can take up flight from Chennai and Kolkata.

By Air: Andaman can be reached by first getting down at Port Blair. Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair is connected to Kolkata and Chennai airport. Air India, Spice Jet, Jet Konnect, Spice Jet and GoAir are available flight services.

By Sea: One can reach Port Blair for Andaman by sea, having regular ship services from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam to Port Blair. There are 2 ships- MV Nancowry and MV Swarajdweep - from Chennai and the MV Nicobar and MV Akbar from Kolkata.

There are inter-connectivity options to reach different islands on Andaman. Directorate of Shipping Services, A & N Administration operates regular ferry services from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair in the inter-island and foreshore sectors connecting all populated island/tourist places.

Do I need a passport/visa to go to Andaman?

Indian passport holders do not require permit to visit Andaman. Overseas tourists do require an Indian visa to visit Andaman Islands. The visa can be obtained from Indian consulates and high commissions overseas. This visa is valid for 15 day period or 6 months. Apart from visa, RAP (Restricted Area Permit) is also important. To get RAP, the permit authorities are-
• MHA & FRROS
• All Indian Missions Abroad
• Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai
• Immigration Officer, Port Blair

To get RAP for Andaman Islands, one must visit to Port Blair and is issued for free of cost to foreign travellers.

Is it safe/secure to travel to Andaman?

Yes, it is extremely safe to travel to Andaman. With the increase in tourists, security officials here offer good security process, helping tourists to have a safe journey. There are security posts and other security measures taken to ensure that tourists have a safe travel to Andaman.

What should I carry?

Carry usual clothes, but also according to the weather condition. Carry personal accessories and documents. Sunscreen cream and lotions are very important, if visiting during the summer season. Let us check the lists to carry things in Andaman:

Sunscreen – Tropical sun is sharp and the salt in the air could add to burning of skin. Carrying a waterproof sunscreen for lasting results is advisable.
Insect repellent – While the tropical forest region is known for its’ mosquito and insect diversity, the beaches of Andaman Islands can get unpleasant due to sand fly attacks.
Flip flops/ rubber chappals – These are the best beachwear in the world and has proven best here in the Islands. High heels on a beach walk could cause discomfort.
Beach mat/ Hammock – Spending time on the beach would be even better if the sand is kept away. Carrying a beach mat to lie on or a hammock to tie on an extending branch on the beach would make all the difference.
Cash – There are only two ATMs on Havelock – SBI and Axis bank out of which SBI is reliable. There are days when both ATMs do not work.
ID Proofs - Make sure to carry ID proof in case if the security officials or hotel representatives would ask for identification.
Medication - Do carry medication along. Though there are proper health care centers available, it is important to carry medication.

Any important points to note when planning my trip?

Some of the important points to consider when planning trip for a hassle-free travel to the Island are:

• Things to carry: From clothes to cash, make sure you’re equipped with the right accessories, clothes and enough cash. Also ID proofs are important.

• Permit Document: RAP is important to issue, especially for overseas tourists because there are certain restricted areas which are not allowed to visit. List down the places to visit and not to visit.

• Accommodation and Flight: Check twice regarding your flight duration and time. Book your accommodation way in advance because Andaman is the most visited tourist place, so last minute booking make result to fetching high amount or unavailability of rooms.

What kind of accommodation I can find in Andaman?

From resorts to budget hotels, there are many accommodation options available in the Andaman. You can book your accommodation way in advance to avoid any last minute goof-up. Havelock Island and Port Blair are the major stay destinations. Barefoot, The Jalakara, Andaman Galley, Havelock Island Beach Resort are some of the options for accommodation. There are also private and government lodges too offered in affordable rate.

What are the places for Sightseeing in Andaman?

There are some good sigthseeing options in Andaman for tourists. Some of the options are:

Cellular Jail National Memorial: It’s the former British prison that is now a shrine to the political dissidents it once jailed. Even though several parts of it have been destroyed by the Japanese during the World War II, it still stands tall reminding our brave and gallant forefathers.

Mount Harriet and Madhuban: Andaman offers best trekking experience for tourists. It’s a gorgeous route where you can witness exotic flora and fauna of the land amidst spectacular sceneries. Elephant safari is also an option at Mount Harriet.

Sea Walking at North Bay Beach: North Bay Beach you can walk under the sea and finally visit ‘Octopus’s Garden’. It is easy to swim here and explore the underneath world.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park: The park covers area of 280 sq km with 15 islands of mangrove creeks, tropical rainforest and reefs supporting 50 types of coral.

Can someone visit Cellular Jail on all the days of the week?

No! Cellular Jail can be visited between 9 Am to 1 Pm and 2 Pm to 5 Pm. One can explore the entire area of Cellular Jail. The entrance block of the National Memorial houses, Freedom Fighters Photo and Exhibition Gallery in the Ground Floor. You may need entire day to explore the cellular Jail.

How to experience Andaman at its best?

To experience Andaman, one should be crazy for beaches, water activities and leisure, offered by this place. From ultimate sea adventure by doing snorkeling, scuba diving to spend nights on cruise in a luxury way. Head to the Elephant Beach to enjoy the eye-pleasing sunset or head to the restaurant to gauge on sea-food. Whether you're visiting as a honeymoon couple or with friends or family, Andman has everything for every type of visitors. Havelock Island, Diglipur Islands, Port Blair and many more locations are blessed with both man made and natural marvels that shouldn't be missed.

The best way to experience Andaman is taking a tour package that comprises everything, from stay to visit. These tour package will cover your entire Andaman trip.

What is the ideal duration for a holiday to the Andaman Island?

Generally, to explore Andaman Island you may require 6-7 nights. It is important to create itinerary for the trip to help in exploring the place. The best way is by seeking Andaman trip package which you can customize accordingly. Having a tour package can certainly help in exploring the Andaman without any hassle.

What Beaches should one must visit in the Andaman?

There are some amazing beaches in Andaman that must be visited. Some of the beaches are:

• Elephant beach- It is known for unspoilt beauty. It is a must visit if you are going to Havelock, especially since it takes on 20 minutes from the dock.

• Guitar Island and Beach- It looks great from the Ariel view. This exotic island is tucked out of common tourist itineraries and is among the least visited islands.

• Red Skin Island Beach: This isn’t your typical Andaman beach with a huge stretch of sand and blue waters. It is more like mangrove extension with a very narrow beach strip.

• Chidiyatapu Beach: The beach is located in the southernmost tip of south Andaman about 30km from Port Blair. Called as Nightfall Point or Flying Creature Island, one can enjoy the best sunset in the Andaman.

• Badabalu Beach: Tucked away from tourist location, Badabalu looks a different from the traditional Andaman beaches. The sand is greyish brown and the water is a cool shade of blue.

Radhanagar Beach: Located in Havelock Island, it is Asia’s best beach and a world’s seventh best beach. One can enjoy the calmness and beautiful sunset by standing at the seashore.

• Lalaji Bay Beach, Long Island: If you want to sea swim under crystal blue water, then head to the Lalaji Bay Beach at Long Island.

• Wandoor Beach- Port Blair: Famous for tourist spot, this beach in Port Blair deserves a visit. Do a long walk on the seashore for peaceful time.

What all Islands can I visit in Andaman?

There are so many amazing and beautiful Islands in Andaman but you cannot visit all islands of Andaman because of its restricted area. It is important to know which islands are important and allowed to visit. If you’re a foreigner, then you must have RAP that will give you the list of places or islands to avoid visiting. You need to check out with the operator to know about the restricted areas in Andaman..

What are some of the best places to stay in Andaman?

There are some best hotels and resorts to stay in Andaman. This includes:

Barefoot at Havelock: Great food, facilities, and hospitality service, Barefoot is located in the midst of lush green and is the most idyllic hotels in Andaman. Take a pick from the 25 elegantly designed and luxurious cottages or villas and experience nature at its best!
Rate: Starts from Rs 15,000/-

Silver Sand Havelock: Flanked by swaying palm trees, overlooking the vast sea, Silver Sand Beach Resort is one of the most charming resorts in Andaman. It has 9 luxurious AC cottages, lagoons, and suites, set beautifully by the Vijay Nagar Beach.
Rate: Starts from Rs 7,999/-

Fortune Resort Bay Island: Untouched, lush rain-forest islands, Fortune Resort Bay Island are one of the best hotels in Andaman overlooking the turquoise blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. Enjoy the seafod delicacies at Mandalay.
Rate: Price starts from Rs 6480/-

The Wild Orchid Resort: A mid-range budget hotel, Wild Orchid is situated between the aqua blue waters of the Bay of Bengal and the jade green hills of Havelock. Designed in an authentic Andamanese style, one can enjoy great delicacies here.
Rate: Price starts from Rs 3,000/-

What should I wear in the Andaman Islands?

One has to very particular in terms of clothes to wear in Andaman Islands. Even if you’re wearing shorts or swim wears in the island, do wear proper clothes while visiting religious places.

Is there anything special to buy in Andaman?

Andaman is a shopper's delight and offers some good items to buy.

Bamboo Craft: There are some good options of items made from Bamboo. This includes-

• Bamboo Crocodile
• Beer Mug
• Tea Tray
• Bamboo Strip Hats and many more

Cane Craft: Local people of Andaman are skilled cane craft makers. You can find different products made from crane. This includes-

• Cane Furniture
• Lamp Shade
• Cane Baskets
• Cane Fans
• Masks and many more

Coconut Sheel Lamp: Give a versatile look to your interior by buying this coconut shell which are finely handcrafted.

Pearl Shopping: If you've a craze over accessories then, Andaman is a great source of pearls, corals and other sea life shells made accessories. Some of the items you can buy are:

• Necklace
• Earrings
• Bracelets
• Rings
• Bangles and many more

Some of the best shopping areas are- Sagarika Government Emporium, Aberdeen Bazaar, Shopping Singapore, Government Emporia and some others shopping centres are Goalghar, Junglighat and few others.

What sort of nightlife in prevelant in Andaman?

Well, you’ll be disappointed to see almost nil nightlife in Andaman. The very least you’ll find is at Port Blair. There are a few pubs and restaurants where you can enjoy the nightlife. However, there are few parties and social activities takes place in Andaman, but very few times.

Is it worth visiting the Andaman for Scuba Diving?

Scuba diving is the major activity in Andaman Islands where you can explore the world beneath the blue sea. There are different Suba Diving services for swimmers and non-swimmers. For this, there is no swimming skills required, also one record personal videos at the end of the dive, also swimmers will be provided with a certificate.
• One can also opt for Scuba Diving for Certified Divers 2 days 4 dives

• Scuba Diving in Andaman with Barefoot Scuba- 40 minutes

• Night Diving for Certified Divers

• Scuba Diving in Neil Island- 60 minutes for beginners

What water sports I can do in Andaman?

There are some thrilling water sports in Andaman. These sports are worth doing because they allow you to go deep inside the water world.

Scuba Diving- You can enjoy the experience of scuba diving at different islands in Anadaman. For non-swimmers, beginners, certified divers and night diving, one can get varied options.

Sea Walk in Elephant Beach Havelock- Get deep into the sea and enjoy the sea walking in Elephant Beach, Havelock. Sea Walk is like going for an underwater tour inside the reef, walking between corals, seeing variety of fish, and discovering the rich sea life underwater.

Andaman Dolphin Glass Boat Ride- In this activity, you can uncover the beauty of underwater kingdom. Ride alongside Dolphins and watch their playful games.

Kayaking in Andaman around Mangroves- Go deep into the mangrove forest of Andaman and enjoy the kayaking adventure to explore the hidden places of this island.

Trekking to Elephant Beach- If you love trekking, the Elephant Beach is your destination. The trek is covered in approximately 30 - 45 minutes of time.

Coral Safari Semi Submarine: Coral Safari is a semi-submarine which will take you into the deep sea in a most comfortable 100 seater cabin, fully air-conditioned. It welcomes people from all ages to explore the mesmerizing world inside.

What activities I can do in Andaman beside watersports?

Apart from water sports, you can indulge in some other interesting activities in Andaman like:

Cruise Transfer: You can enjoy the cruise transfer activities from Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. The cruises take almost 90 minutes to reach Havelock Island from Port Blair. During the journey, you can explore the diversity and lush green of the region. You can choose, Premium, Deluxe and Royal exists in these cruises.

Visit First Administrative Settlement of British in Andaman – Ross Island, Port Blair: The area is known for two different culture settlement. Once called as the British Colony capital, it is now a tourist place. One can explore- old British church, a bakery, and, among the ruins of the area, you will see beautiful deer and a high diversity of birds, from peacocks to hens.

Watch Sunset at Chidiya tapu, Port Blair: If you're passionate about nature, the watching sunset at Chidiyatapu at Port Blair is the right place. The place is famous for its breathtaking sunsets and bird watching. To catch the sunset, it is recommended to be at Chidiya Tapu around 4 p.m.

Purchase Gifts from Sagarika Emporium - Port Blair: If you're in mood of shopping then head to Sagarika Emporium- Port Blair. Here you can find coral and wood artifacts collections.

Walk by the Marina Park in the evening - Port Blair: Spend your evening at the necklace of the Andaman Islands. The entire area remains calm and peaceful during the evening.

How good are the cruise services on the Andaman?

Cruise services in Andaman are great and tourists have various options of services to choose. All the cruises here are equipped with modern amenities and are spacious. From deluxe to normal, one can choose from the available options. These cruises operate in Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island only on the regular basis. The daily frequency of these cruises is high in region from Port Blair to Havelock and Havelock to Port Blair.

The prices of these cruise starts from Rs 975 per person. One can choose from AC cabin to open deck, depending on your requirement. Green Ocean Cruise, Makruzz, Coastal Cruise, Jollybouy, Andaman Dolphin are some of the cruise service options.

What should be the mode of travel during the visit to the Andaman?

Ship, boat and ferry are three best travel options to Andaman. There are some local transportation options to use. Apart from these, you can rent motorbike and bicycle from the renting services. Two wheeler would cost Rs 500/-. Also, there are cab services offered with minimum fare Rs 800/-.

How can someone go from Port Blair to Havelock and back? Should I return the same day?

It takes 3hrs 12 min to reach the beautiful Havelock Island from Port Blair. One take up government and private ferry service. At Havelock Island, you can spend some days exploring exotic beaches and locations around. This also allows you to take rest and experience the place.

Will I find vegetarian food in Andaman?

Yes, you'll find some good vegetarian food served in restaurants. Restaurants that serve vegetarian food are- Icy Spicy, Annapurna, Fat Martin Café, Anju Coco, Full Moon Cafe and few others serve the best vegan foods. These restaurants are located in Port Blair and Havelock Island. Restaurant, especially Annapurna also serves Jain food and the main course starts at Rs 40/-. From India, Chinese to Continental, there are varied options of food.

What festivals do the local population celebrate in the Andaman and Nicobar Island?

People in Andaman celebrate all the major festivals including Diwali, Durga Puja, Christmas, Ramzan, and others. Apart from this, people also celebrate Music Festival and Beach Festival. Then there is Island Tourism Festival and Subhash Mela.

• Island Tourism Festival: The Island Tourism Festival is the annual cultural event organized for promotion of tourism and entertainment for islanders.The 10 -day festival is held annually from 5th January with an inaugural function to be graced by Hon’ble Lt. Governor at ITF ground Port Blair.

• Beach Festival: This recent addition of festivals made by the department to cater to the needs of beach lovers. The festival consists of beach activities like beach volleyball, and other beach sports like tug of war, Kabaddi etc.

• Flea Market: This weekend market has been organized from time to time in the islands at various places. This is the best place to shop for some amazing local art-crafts.

What are some specialties about the flora and fauna of the Andamans?

Andaman is the home of 200 plus species. There are some range of birds including- Andaman wood pigeon, Andaman scop’s owl, the blue-eared kingfisher and the fulvous breasted woodpecker. When it comes to flora and fauna, it can't be complete to mention Marine Life. With crystal clear blue water and exotic corals are the biggest crowd pullers. The marine life of Andaman is the best you can explore and experience the flora and fauna.

The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park just outside of Port Blair offers ecotourism experiences in Jolly Buoy island as well as Red Skin. Andaman offers sheer variety of diversity and eco-system drawing nature lovers and ecological enthusiasts

Can I make international calls and access the internet?

International dialing is available from hotels and resorts. You need to dial 00 followed by the country code to make international calls. Internet is available in hotels and Port Blair, but it’s very weak or has zero network in remote areas. Better to use BSNL for the best connectivity in the islands.

Is there an ATM at Port Blair & Havelock? Are credit cards safe and useful to carry?

Yes, there are some ATMs available in the capital, Port Blair and Havelock Islands. SBI, ICICI and some other banks have their ATMs. However, it is important to carry enough cash because ATMs might run out of cash in some area.

Credit cards are safe, especially if used in hotels and resorts. However, it is advised to carry enough cash along because there can be network issues and many places may not have card swapping machine.

Are there any endangered tribes in the Andaman? Can I meet them?

Jarawas, Sentinelese, Onge and Great Andamanese are tribes in Andaman. These Negrito tribes arrived from Africa 60, 000 years ago.

Jarawas: This indigenous group live in Andamand Islands and parts of South Andaman and Middle Andaman Islands, and their present numbers are estimated at between 250–400 individuals. They no more interact with outsiders, and many particulars of their society, culture, and traditions are poorly understood.

Bo People: This indigenous tribe spoke a distinctive Bo language, closely related to the other Great Andamanese languages. There are still few who identify themselves as members of the tribe living on a reservation on Strait Island.

Onge: This Andamanese people are traditionally hunter-gatherers, they are a designated Scheduled Tribe of India.

Sentinelese: This indigenous group resists contact with the outside world, and are among the last people to remain virtually untouched and uncontacted by modern civilization. Meeting them isn't a good idea because they stay away from tourists. Enjoy the scenic beauty and culture of the island.

Is it permissible to photograph the indigenous tribal people on the Island?

No, meeting them or entering into their zone is restricted. So taking photographs is not a wise thought to be given.

Does one have easy access to alcohol in Andaman?

Alcohol is only served in restaurants and bars. Nico Bar and Sea Sip are two best options where you can expect alcohol of your choice

Can one smoke on the Andamans?

Well, smoking is allowed in hotels, especially at permit rooms. There are separate smoking zones. Smoking in public area can result into fine and doesn’t promote healthy tour.

What do I do in case of a medical emergency?

Apart from carrying self medical kit, there are some good healthcare centers in Port Bliar and Havelock island. GB Pant Hospital, INHS Dhanvantari, Chakraborty Hospital, Pillar Health Center, ACE Hospital and few others.

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