Latest Information on Travelling to Andaman Islands?
  • Runway Status for Port Blair Airport From October,22 to February, 23

    Updated: 19 Sep 2022
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  • 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 :

  1. The Tourism Activities are permitted only in South Andaman & North & Middle Andaman District except Nicobar District.
  2. 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.
  3. Tourists/Visitors who are at higher risk due to some medical history are advised to take extra precautions.
  4. 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.
  5. All tourists/visitors shall be briefed by the hotel concerned about do’s & don’ts to be mandatorily followed during their stay and movements.
  6. While travelling tourists/visitors should wear a face mask and carry their own sanitizer and wet wipes for personal use.
  7. At all tourist destinations, staff must wear face masks and wash/sanitize hands regularly while performing their duties.
  8. Arogya Setu App shall be mandatory for all incoming tourists/visitors.
  9. 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.
  10. 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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Quirky Must Buy Things To Purchase From Andaman Markets

Quirky Must Buy Things To Purchase From Andaman Markets
Date : 05 Nov 2020
Categories: Travellers Choice

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are popular all over the world for their pristine beaches, rich history, and colorful underwater life. Often tourists wonder how they can take a small part of this incredible heritage with them back to their home. Well, we are not sure about everyone but shopaholics can definitely take something back with them that reminds them of the Andaman Islands. Not all tourists know that they can buy a lot of interesting things from the markets of the island. If you want to make your abode beautiful and also bring gifts for friends and family, then handmade goods in the Andaman Islands can make great souvenirs and memorabilia. In this blog, we are listing some fantastic things that you can buy on your trip at pocket-friendly prices. Include an exciting shopping spree in your holiday and have a great time while you pamper yourself with all the retail therapy.     

Our Package

10 best things to buy in the Andaman Islands

To remind you of your unforgettable vacation in the Andaman Islands with your loved ones, the below listed are some of the finest items that are a must-buy from the markets. To know more about the best things to buy in the islands, keep scrolling down and read along.

Shells

Everyone loves collecting shells from the seashore while taking a stroll on the beaches of the Andaman Islands. But if you want to bring back home some of the most beautiful shells or what we call ‘pieces of the ocean’, then head to the beach markets of the island. If you want to save yourself from the trouble of collecting them from the beaches, then you can easily buy the loveliest shells from several stores and handicraft centers selling them. You can purchase them in the form of lampshades, ashtrays, vases, ornaments, accessories, bags, wall hangings, buttons, key-chains, and a lot more. You also have the option of buying packets of colorful and raw shells that you can convert into something beautiful on your own later. You may be required to show the receipt at the airport during security checks. So remember to keep it safe with you.

From where to buy: Beach Markets

Pearls

Looking to buy something amazing for your special someone or a close friend? How about some shining pearls straight from the Bay of Bengal? These are the best kind of go-to items you can buy in coastal areas. In the Andaman Islands, there are a number of jewelry stores and local artisans claiming to sell authentic and good quality pearl items like ornaments, home decor, purses, accessories, etc. But it is recommended that you always do a quality check before proceeding to buy pearls. The island has a vast variety of these blingy riches from the sea.

From where to buy: Aberdeen Bazaar

Spices

Excellent quality of spices and herbs such as cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, betel, and black pepper, and a lot more can be bought from the Andaman Islands. These are grown and nurtured in abundance here. For your own home and as gifts for others, these aromatic spices are some of the best things to buy in the islands. One can see several spice gardens and plantations in the Andaman Islands. You can also visit any of these if you want to witness the authentic flavors of this part of our country.

From where to buy: MG Road

Jute Items

Making for some of the most famous things to buy in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, handicrafts made with jute can be found in abundance here. Among the most important and flourishing industries in the Andaman Islands, jute has started to gain even more importance now. The reason behind this is that a number of local sellers and big marketplaces are shifting from plastic bags to jute and cloth bags with a view to save the planet. You can purchase a number of jute items such as bags, footwear, hats, jewelry items, clothes, etc. these can be bought either from the local markets or the big emporiums in the island.

From where to buy: MG Road

Cane Goods

When in the Andaman Islands, buying authentic cane and bamboo products is highly recommended. You can easily find them in the local markets. The items you can buy are stylish hats, bags, pitchers, vases, mugs, wall hangings, key chains, photo frames, flutes, and a lot more. Almost in every gift shop and local market in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, you can easily find lovely items made with cane and bamboo. These make for beautiful gifting items, souvenirs, and home decor items.

From where to buy: MG Road

Timber Crafts

The wooden items you will find in the Andaman Islands are extremely beautiful and unique. The finesse of the wooden goods here is absolutely attractive. It is quite difficult to resist the temptation to buy so many articles from the stores and markets here. Timber-based items available on the island include home decor items, toys, accessories, ornaments, kitchen apparatus, etc. All these are available in plenty there.  

From where to buy: Andaman Islands Handicraft Emporium

Nicobari Mats

The tribal people of the Nicobar Island are highly skilful in weaving fabulous mats and hangings made with several natural and locally grown items. As per a ban imposed by the Indian government long ago for safety purposes, no one is allowed to visit the Nicobar Island. However, you can buy these unique items from select emporiums and markets in the Andaman Islands. Mats and tapestries made by the tribes of Nicobar Island represent the vivid culture of these people, which is indigenous in every way. These fantastic articles are definitely a quirky purchase.

Fishbone Articles

Fishbone items are quite popular in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in spite of how weird it sounds. These make for exclusive items for home décor and gifting. You can buy fishbone dolls that are awesome souvenirs and gift items. Enhancing the beauty of your showcase, these unique items are made from the bones of those fishes that are either dead or have been eaten. Therefore, these are like the best-out-of-the-waste craft items that are made by the skilled artisans of the Andaman Islands. You should definitely buy fishbone articles when vacationing here.

From where to buy: MG Road

Sarongs and Hats

While vacationing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, carrying sarongs and hats is a must. You will be needing these for your trip to the beaches and protecting yourself from the harsh tropical sun of the island. You don’t have to get it from your home as you can buy colorful, trendy, and pocket-friendly varieties of hats and sarongs from anywhere in the Andaman Islands. Comfy sarongs made with simple cotton or georgette fabric are easily available there giving you the much-needed comfort and style. Made up of jute material, you can also find a wide variety of hats in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

From where to buy: MG Road

Coconut Handicrafts

Everyone loves refreshing coconut water and the tender coconut pulp. However, even the hard shell of coconuts can be used for creating something extremely beautiful. You will find a number of shops selling lovely bowls, showpieces, vases, wind chimes, home decor items, toys, animal figurines, bags, and lampshades. These items are made out of coconut shells cut into various shapes and sizes. These are extremely pretty to look at and you should definitely buy these for yourself and your friends back at home.  

From where to buy: Sagarika Government Emporium

After reading this article, now you can prepare your shopping list easily before going to the Andaman Islands. Before you return from this tropical heaven, make sure that you buy plenty of trendy and chic items for your friends and family. There are a lot of things to buy from the Andaman Islands but these are some of the best and most popular ones that you should not miss buying while you are holidaying there.  

Frequently asked questions about things to buy in the Andaman Islands

Question- Which are the famous spices that one can buy in the Andaman Islands?
Answer- The best spices to buy in the Andaman Islands are cardamom, vanilla, betel, cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper. They are grown in abundance there.

Question- What are some of the famous gift items that one can purchase from the Andaman Islands?
Answer- You can choose to buy fishbone dolls and fishbone wall hangings in the Andaman Islands. These are quite popular gift items. The fishbone decors are in vogue. You can easily find them in the markets of the island available at affordable prices.

Question- From where one can buy timber-based decor items in the Andaman Islands?
Answer- The Andaman Islands is famous for beautiful wooden crafted materials. You can find these in any craft market there. These timber-based decor items are gorgeous and enhance the beauty of your home.

Question- Do we have to keep the receipt of the bought gift items in the Andaman Islands?
Answer- You have to take the receipt of the crafted materials for the decor as well as the gift materials from the shopkeeper. These are required for checking out at the airports in the Andaman Islands many times.

Question- Are the jute items available in Andaman Islands are of good quality?
Answer- In the Andaman Islands, you can definitely find the best quality jute items. Available in abundance, these are also the most popular craft items to be purchased there.

Question- What are some of the best handmade home decor items that one can buy from the Andaman Islands?
Answer- Handicrafts made with coconut are the best handmade traditional home decor items that one can buy from the markets of Andaman Islands. You can buy figurines, lampshades, and bags for decorating purposes that are made with hard shells of coconut.

Question- Where can we find the famous Nicobari mats in the Andaman Islands?
Answer- You can easily find lovely bags and hangings made with Nicobari mats throughout the Andaman Islands. These mats are weaved by the highly skilful tribal people of the Nicobar Island. You should definitely buy these from the Andaman Islands.

Question- Which all bamboo products are found in the islands?
Answer- You will find bamboo and cane products in abundance across the markets of the Andaman Islands. Made with bamboo wood, you can buy incredible hats, bags, pitchers, vases, mugs, wall hangings, key chains, and flutes. These are elegant yet pocket-friendly.

How is the weather in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

The weather in the Andaman Islands is suitable throughout the year. As such, there is no summer or winter there. The temperature remains the same round the year. However, humidity starts to decrease in the island in the month of October.

How to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

If you want to travel to this fabulous union territory of India, then you can choose from the below-mentioned ways by which you can reach the Andaman Islands in a comfortable and stress- free manner:

By Air- It is the most convenient option. The airport is located in Port Blair (the capital city) that has good connectivity with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore.

By Ship- Ship services are available from Chennai, Kolkata, and Vizag to reach the Andaman Islands is you want to embark on your journey via water. But it takes nearly 60 to 70 hours to reach the destination.

How Andaman Island Travels can turn your holiday into a dream vacation?

If you are already excited to step on this unexplored territory, then trust Andaman Island Travels for all your hotel and ferry bookings. It will also make bookings for adventure activities if you are interested in any. The expert tour planners will design the holiday of your dreams! They will help you with your other reservations as well including airport transfers, cruise party, etc. It is a one-stop destination for booking holiday packages and accommodations for families, couples friends, and solo travellers. You can also book slots for water sports activities (scuba diving, snorkeling, etc.) here. It offers a wide range of services to its esteemed customers on discounted prices.

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