Latest Information on Travelling to Andaman Islands?

Runway Status for Port Blair Airport From October,22 to February, 23

Updated: 19 Sep 2022

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
Updated: 14 Aug 2021

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.
RT PCR report on arrival
Updated: 14 Aug 2021

A negative RT PCR report has to be presented by all passengers on arrival.
What is the advisory to travel to North & Middle Andaman District?
Updated: 14 Aug 2021

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

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All asymptomatic fully vaccinated persons coming to these islands from mainland are exempted from the requirement of carrying RT-PCR negative test report,irrespective of the type of vaccine received and country of origin. Such fullyvaccinated individuals shall produce the final vaccination certificate at the origin airport, sea port in the mainland and at Port Blair Airport / sea port.
Alt asymptomatic children below 5 years of age are exempted from carrying RT-PCR negative test report and further RT-PCR testing at Port Blair Airport.
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 to travel to Port Blair from the mainland, as is the practice now. Such an RT-PCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to commencement of journey from the origin airport connecting Port Blair. Such passengers will also have to undergo additional RT-PCR test on arrival at Port Blair. Such passengers shall remain in self-quarantine till the arrival of the test report.
If a passenger on arrival is tested positive then, the prescribed quarantine protocol is to be followed.
All Airlines shall ensure strict compliance of this order and observance of COVID Appropriate Behaviour. Any non-compliance shall invite action under Disaster Management Act and other applicable laws.

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General Guidelines defined for traveling to Andaman Islands during COVID :

The Tourism Activities are permitted only in South Andaman & North & Middle Andaman District except Nicobar District.
Persons above 65 years of age, persons with home co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years advised not to travel for tourism purposes.
Tourists/Visitors who are at higher risk due to some medical history are advised to take extra precautions.
Tourists/visitors shall minimize contact with other staff and visitors as far as possible and zero contact policy should be followed at all tourist destinations.
All tourists/visitors shall be briefed by the hotel concerned about do’s & don’ts to be mandatorily followed during their stay and movements.
While travelling tourists/visitors should wear a face mask and carry their own sanitizer and wet wipes for personal use.
At all tourist destinations, staff must wear face masks and wash/sanitize hands regularly while performing their duties.
Arogya Setu App shall be mandatory for all incoming tourists/visitors.
Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly after use.
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 rate as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid 19 care centre on case to case basis.

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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.

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Regular flights to Port Blair (the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) are operational now.
There are direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Delhi.
Public transports like cabs, taxis, and bus services are also functional.

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Travellers should carefully follow social distancing norms and wear masks as well. Also, before making any booking, they should refer to the latest travel news on the government website of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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Kala Pathar Beach in Andaman Islands

Date : 12 Nov 2020

Categories: Travel Guide

A unique confluence of black boulders against white silky sandy shores, Kala Pathar Beach probably derives its name from its appearance, or the local village, or the adjoining Black Road. Exuding a natural rustic charm, Kala Pathar Beach lies on a corner in the eastern coast of Havelock Island. Known for its lush green forest cover running parallel to the big beautiful sea, a picturesque solitude, and bright corals heaped along the shoreline makes Kala Pathar Beach an absolute delight to visit. If you go a little distance away from the beach, beyond the Kala Pathar Village, a beautiful panorama of paddy fields and banana plantations come into view. This landscape paints quite a different picture from the bustling life of tourists in islands, showcasing the quiet life of the islanders. The stretch of the road that leads to the Kala Pathar Beach is undulant. Though the beach tends to get a bit crowded in the tourist season, yet if one walks further to the south they can get to the clutter-free zones that are still and serene without much tourist action taking place.

A forsaken island with a beautiful and alluring ambience is ideal for anyone who just wants to get away from the hum-drum of the world, sit by a tree, and relax on the beach. Best to visit as a stopover attraction, Kala Pathar beach is a place with no one around, most of the time. The best time to visit the beach is spring to soak in the beautiful stretch of white sand in contrast to the black rocks and perfect sync with the glimmering ocean. Spring is when everything appears greener and better, the perfect season to explore Havelock's crowned jewel, Kala Pathar. The beach is neither too hot nor too cold, the weather is pleasant, and the sea breeze is mild.

How to reach

Kala Pathar Beach is roughly 70 kilometres from Port Blair and almost 6.5 kilometres from Havelock Jetty. Located on the eastern coast of the island, the route to Kala Pathar has quite some cheap options to reach here. One can either take long scenic walks, hire a taxi, rent a bike, or drive if you have a car. There are no bus services on this route, and the drive takes roughly 10 minutes.

Offers

There are a couple of umbrellas and wooden chairs on the beach. During the peak season, locals often begin selling fresh coconuts and fruit juices. To maintain the cleanliness of the beach, trash bins are also set in the proximity. During a hike to the jungle, a lodging path comes into view where once resided an elephant training camp and now lies an isolated beach. An ideal site for weary travellers to relax and rejuvenate, the water here is deep enough to swim unaffected by tidal waves. Be wary of corals and rocks before entering the water. As the beach is uncrowded, couples can enjoy a long romantic walk on the beach and families can create some memorable moments together in peace. Since there are no restaurants or shacks near the beach, it is best to carry some snacks and drinking water with you.

Wondering what to do on Kala Pathar Beach?

1. There is not much to do at Kala Pathar, except cherishing the solace and solitude, whilst taking in the beauty, one view at a time.

2. The ideal way to spend a day on the beach is to put up a hammock nearby, grab a book and a drink to complement the ambience, and watch the clouds sway along with the waves.

3. The tranquil environs make for the perfect sunbathing shenanigans.

4. Bring your camera along to capture the big black boulders against the backdrop of a big blue ocean. Palm-fringed shorelines, clear skies, and the sun shining through the trees, Kala Pathar Beach is a photographer's all-time favourite.

Closing statement

Stroll at the beach, and feel the gentle breeze swaying your hair. Walk on the silky sand, and witness the changing hues of the sky. Carry a hammock, tie it to a tree, and say cheers to nature while drinking coconut water. Bask in the exquisite aura of the beach, and capture the moment in your memories forever. If you are looking for an isolated beach paradise, Kala Patthar beach in Havelock Island is a classic escapade while vacationing in Andaman.

Getting There: Kala Pathar Beach can be easily reached from Havelock Jetty by either hiring a taxi, renting a bike or taking a long walk or stroll through the jungle.

What to do: Sunbathing, Hiking, Watching Sunrise and Sunsets.

What not to miss: The black boulders in sharp contrast with the white sand.

Best time to visit: The beach is open for tourists throughout the year, but the months between October to March are the best time to visit. The weather is pleasant enough to explore the island and soak in the beauty of the island. Summer and winters observe weather extremities, the beach is either scorching or chilling, leaving no room to explore the island wholly. And one must avoid monsoons at all costs as travelling becomes dangerous.

What to carry: Carry food and drinking water along, since there are no restaurants at Kalapathar Beach. When visiting a beach don't forget your sunglasses, cap/hat, flip flops, swimwear and your camera.

Nearby Attractions: Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach, Barren Island

Essential Info :

Medical Facilities on Kala Pathar Beach- Though there is a government hospital near the market where the road bifurcates to Radhanagar beach and Kala Patthar beach at Havelock Island, one can carry some basic medicines as a precaution.

Timings- Kala Pathar beach remains open 24 hours, but it is advisable to visit anytime between Sunrise to sunset, to avoid high waves during the night.

Mobile Connectivity- Due to the remoteness of the islands and lack of mobile towers, mobile connectivity at Kala Pathar beach is sub-par, like most of its neighbouring beaches.

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