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.
Overview:
Among the reigning landscapes of Andamans, Diglipur's crowned glory lies the tranquil village of Kalipur. What comes to mind when we talk about Kalipur are images of famed Kalipur beach, volcano grey sand, and turtle nesting. Kalipur beach is one of the few beaches in the world, where four rare species of sea turtles, Olive Ridley, Leather Back, Hawksbill and Green Turtles, come to nest their eggs. When the tide is low, the usual serene beach looks glum with corals scattered throughout and some mangrove trees embracing the coast. There are amenities rendered by the Forest department for turtle nesting at Kalipur beach. In fact, it is one of the few beaches where the government has built a hatchery for solely this purpose.
Wherever you go in Andamans, crystal clear water follows, making it perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Kalipur beach is no exception to it. Snorkelling and scuba diving here offers a chance to dive deep in an ocean of rich coral reefs, fishes, and endangered species of turtles. Jellyfish, dead corals, mangrove plants at the beach shore grants it a warm and subtle vibe. Kalipur beach is a blend of sand and rock shores with a fishing village nearby. Visitors are advised against sunbathing as sandflies frequent the beach often. Despite the reports of spotting saltwater crocodiles around the stretch, no crocodiles have been found for quite some time now.
How to reach:
The tourist season in North Andaman is between November and March in a year. 90% are domestic tourists, and the rest are foreign nationals. Kalipur Beach is 300 kilometres from Port Blair, just 18 kilometres from Diglipur and is easily accessible via taxis or local buses. Tourists can take the bus from the main market (bazaar) in Diglipur to reach the beach as it lies behind the idyllic village of Kalipur.
Offers:
With an endless number of turtles that belong to rare species, Kalipur Beach in Diglipur is a beautiful beach where these magnificent creatures arrive annually to lay eggs. Turtle nesting takes place during the winter season, and visitors can witness this must-see occurrence between October and March. Female turtles lay their eggs late at night, and baby turtles begin crawling in morning hours. Visitors can expect to watch a plethora of hatchlings crawling through the soft sand towards the ocean for the first time. A sight to watch, if lucky, people can witness both phenomenons, the nesting and the hatching.
Wondering what to do on Kalipur Beach?
1. The beach is famed for its turtle nesting, and four kinds of turtles come here to lay their eggs. The site is preserved, and security guards are present 24x7 to ensure the safety of the turtles. One might need a guide at night to witness turtle nesting.
2. If you want to witness the picturesque coral reefs in abundance and a variety of marine animals, then you must go for snorkelling and scuba diving at Kalipur beach. You might even get to see an octopus or a sea turtle deep in the water if you get lucky. If water adventures are not your thing, one may also enjoy swimming along the seashore. The ambience of the beach and lush mangrove backdrop makes swimming a surreal experience indeed.
3. A twenty-minute swim away from the beach lies Craggy Island where the water is clear as a crystal and one can see fishes swimming beneath it. With vibrant coral reefs that are home to a range of colourful fishes and sea beings, Craggy Island is a beautiful sight to behold, swim and relax in.
4. Saddle Peak, which is the highest point in the Bay of Bengal lies in close vicinity to the beach, and visitors can either trek to the peak or simply get the view of the same from the Kalipur Beach. You can see Kalipur Beach, Craggy Island and Lamia Bay once you reach the top.
Closing statement:
The beach relishes the geographical advantage that ensures the annual visits by four kinds of the turtles, namely Olive Ridley, Leather Back, Hawksbill and Green Turtles. Fringed by dense forest and sparkling sapphire waves, the grey-sand beach at Kalipur is one of the most loved spots for locals and tourists alike in Andaman and Nicobar Island.
Getting There: Kalipur Beach can be easily reached from Diglipur by either hiring a car or travelling in public buses that run from Diglipur Bazaar.
What to do: Snorkelling, scuba diving, turtle nesting, craggy island.
What not to miss: Witness what the beach is famous for, turtle nesting.
Best time to visit: Turtle nesting season is between the months of October to March making it the best time to visit the Kalipur beach to have experience of this natural phenomenon. Being close to the ocean, the climate remains pleasant throughout, welcoming visitors throughout the year.
What to carry: Bottled water, sunglasses, cap/hat, flip flops, and swimwear to enjoy beach time. A camera to capture mesmerizing moments spent at the beach. You can get snorkelling gear from rental hire in Diglipur Town or Kalipur Beach.
Nearby Attractions: Craggy Island, Lamiya Bay Beach, Saddle Peak
Essential Info:
Medical Facilities in Kalipur Beach- There is no medical facility near the beach, the closest community Health Centre is at Diglipur and the nearest medical facility is the G.B.P Hospital at Port Blair offering a team of super-specialized Doctors in the various departments.
Timings- Kalipur Beach remains open throughout the day. The turtle nesting occurs most often at night.
Mobile Connectivity- You might find a functional 2G network, and experience call drops, voice breaks during calls throughout.
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