For Indians: No authorization, passport, or visa are needed. They are free to remain in approved regions for as long as they like.
For Foreigners: To enter India, you must have an Indian visa and a passport. This also applies to foreign visitors who arrive in the Andaman Islands straight off of private or chartered vessels. Rescheduled tickets can be obtained from the individual airline offices in Port Blair.
The Andaman Islands are a region of India. As a result, most foreign nationals need a visa to enter India, which also applies to the Andaman & Nicobar islands. The Indian consulates, high commissioners, and embassies abroad all offer the visas. For tourists, the validity term may extend up to six months, although they are only good for the time frame specified when they are issued. To make the most of the whole visa validity period, it is advisable to begin traveling as soon as the visa is received as they are valid from the day of issue. Once acquired, visas are extendable within India.
The following 30 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands do not require a restricted area permit, or RAP, for foreign visitors:
(1) East Island (2) North Andaman (3) Smith Island (4) Curfew Island (5) Stewart Island (6) Landfall Island (7) Aves Island (8) Middle Andaman (9) Long Island (10) Strait Island (11) North Passage (12) Baratang (13) South Andaman (14) Swaraj Dweep (15) Shaheed Dweep (16) Flat Bay (17) North Sentinel Island (18) Little Andaman (19) Chowra (20) Tillang Chong Island (21) Teressa (22) Katchal (23)Nancowry(24) Kamorta (25) Pulomilo (26) Great Nicobar (27) Little Nicobar(28) Narcondum Island (29) Interview Island and (30) Viper Island (Day visit only).
You must have a valid permit in order to enter Reserved Forests, Tribal Areas, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Islands that are not on this list.
The majority of foreign visitors to Port Blair are issued 30-day permits. This permit may be renewed for an additional 15 days closer to the expiration date (about 3 days in advance). You can apply for this extension at the immigration office in Port Blair or the police station on Havelock Island. To be eligible, you must present a confirmed return ticket (valid for travel within the next 15 days). Please be aware that obtaining an extension in a few hours is not guaranteed, and if you are applying in Port Blair, you could have to spend the night in order to do it.
Less than 30 days on the permit is not common for tourists. It is advised that you verify the RAP's expiration date when the official provides it to you, just in case it has only been valid for a few days, as this does happen to some people. Diplomats typically receive a week to fifteen days instead than the full thirty.
The 572 islands that make up the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are situated in the Bay of Bengal. It is around a thousand kilometers southeast of the Indian subcontinent.
There are two options: you may fly non-stop from Delhi, Chennai, or Kolkata to Port Blair, or you can take a ship from Vizag, Kolkata, or Chennai.
There is a two-hour trip from Kolkata/Chennai and a five-hour journey from Delhi. Ships can take up to 50 hours, or around three to four days.
Since there is no winter in the Andamans, we think you can travel there any time of year, especially during the summer and monsoon seasons. However, October through May sees the highest influx of tourists.
Out of the entire number of 572 islands, only 32 are inhabited. Only those thirty-two islands are open to tourists.
Indeed. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands accept Indian Rupee as payment. Currency exchanges, banks, and airports all offer currency exchange services. There are ATMs where you can take out Indian Rupees as well.
The volume of visitors to the Andaman and Nicobar islands is evidence of the safety that visitors perceive there. Some of the safest locations in the nation to visit or reside are these islands.
Although vegetarian food is not particularly well-known in the Andaman Islands, it is now more readily available due to the increase in visitors. Thus, in short, you don't need to fear if you're a vegetarian visiting the Andaman Islands. Actually, we do recommend a couple vegetarian restaurants.
Nearly all of the larger hotels and ISTD booths in the marketplaces offer international calling. Dial 00, then the country code, the area code, and the phone number to place an international call. Services are typically dependable.
Although it's not as common as in many other tourist locations and the connection is said to be extremely poor, internet is available; maybe, things will pick up in the upcoming season. While there is a roaming mobile signal in Port Blair, it might not be consistent on neighboring islands. We advise choosing BSNL if you're going to purchase a new SIM card because it offers the greatest connectivity available on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Due to the diversity of religions found in the Andaman Islands, nearly all of the festivals seen in mainland India, such as Christmas, New Year's, Diwali, Eid, and Easter, are also observed here. But because there are so many Bengalis living on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the "Durga Pooja" is the largest celebration here.
Since the Andamans are a laid-back island, the regulations are also straightforward. Behave civilly and respectfully, wear suitable clothing (especially when you're not near the beach), and, like everywhere, get permission before snapping pictures of locals. It is not a given that those who live near a beach are accustomed to seeing women in minimal swimwear. When in regions such as jetty areas and village markets where locals congregate, please respect their customs and wear appropriate clothing.
Having said that, we want to emphasize that the Andaman Islands are a remote location, so even while the locals are laid back, one shouldn't anticipate the same degree of luxury or service as one would in a hotel or resort on the Indian mainland.
India as a whole uses standard 220 volt outlets with three round pin connectors. We advise travelers to pack at least one travel adaptor to prevent misunderstanding or disappointment, even if some sockets also accept the two round pin plugs.
India is known for its religious tolerance and has a very diverse religious past. In the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Hinduism is by far the most widely practiced religion, followed by Islam and then Christianity. The remaining faiths that comprise the total are Buddhism and Sikhism.
There is a significant mixture even in the Andaman Islands, and although Hindu holidays are the most widely observed, you can nevertheless see little processions featuring Santa Claus and his adherents around Christmas.
clothing and personal belongings as usual. Verify that the personal accessories you own are voltage-appropriate. In India, it is 220V. Keep prescriptions for drugs and eyeglasses with you.
If you want to drive, be sure you have an international driver's license. Always keep $100 worth of local currency on you in order to cover the cost of local services. Ensure that all of your belongings, such as cash, credit cards, passports, and tickets, are safe, and have a copy with you at all times.
Carry traveler's checks and up to $100 in Indian currency at all times to cover the cost of local services. In the Andaman Islands, credit cards including MasterCard, Visa, and Amex are also commonly accepted.
Indeed. There are numerous locations in Andaman where credit card payments can be made.
The Andaman and Nicobar islands have strict laws against drug use, and possession of any amount of drugs is punishable by harsh laws.
Since all of India is in the same time zone, the local time is GMT + 5½ hours every day of the year. Because the Andaman Islands are closer to Thailand than to India, people there wake up a little earlier in order to maximize their daylight hours.
In general, Indian postal services enjoy excellent standing both locally and globally. Nevertheless, there have been numerous reports of packages and mails not arriving at their intended location due to the unreliable postal service in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Therefore, it is recommended to use the postal services in mainland India instead than the Andaman Islands.
The Andaman Islands' capital and most significant historical site is Port Blair. There are a lot of things to view here, and most of them don't cost extra to see with a guide. A list of the locations is available here (do in Port Blair). The ones that we suggest have been indicated.
The idea of nightlife has not really taken root on these developed islands, despite the fact that many hotels in Port Blair and other places have bars. This is not a place where regular parties, disco lights, or loud music are found. Most people go to bed early in order to wake up early and make the most of the daylight hours, and nights are typically calm.
On well-known tourist islands like Havelock and Neil, there is an exception, though, where you may find lively parties with late-night dancing and loud music during the holidays.
While it is available in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, imported alcohol is quite hard to come by. There are only a few IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) bottles available, and most Indian brands are the only ones available for purchase. Some of the easily accessible brands of beer are Bacardi, Smirnoff, Kingfisher, Black Label, and Black & White.
The cost of a meal is solely determined by your dining location and order. Depending on what is ordered, a meal at a charming little restaurant will run you anywhere from Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per person. You can get far better deals on food in the village market, and most Andaman islands have a variety of affordable little restaurants that are owned and operated by locals.
Because there is a greater demand for seafood on the Andaman Islands than there is on the mainland, prices for it are higher.
Primary Health Centers (PHCs) can be found in most Andaman Islands; however, the quality and quantity of services offered there can vary. For emergency care, it is best to go to the closest PHC first. Then, as soon as you can, go to the more modern G.B. Pant hospital in Port Blair.
It is advised to travel to mainland India for any condition that may be serious, life-threatening, or requiring special care, as the treatment facilities at this hospital are also subpar.
As a result, there are no harmful predatory creatures in the Andaman Islands' woods. Therefore, don't come here hoping to see lions or tigers. Animals including wild boar, spotted deer, and civet cats live in these woodlands, along with a wide variety of bird and butterfly species. Many different types of reptiles can also be found living under the broad canopy of the forest. Snakes The Andaman Islands are home to both harmless and toxic species.
These islands are home to monitor lizards as well, and saltwater crocodiles known as "salties" find refuge in the mangrove creeks.
When strolling through dense jungle or mangrove areas, tourists are encouraged to monitor their steps and pay heed to the signage placed on the beaches.
The most popular tours in Andamans
