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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Speciality on Andaman Islands

Speciality on Andaman Islands
Date : 05 Nov 2020
Categories: Travel Guide

1. The Limestone Caves

The Limestone Caves of Andaman Islands is a must-try exploration for the travel enthusiasts. Baratang Island of the Andaman Islands is one of the places known for limestone caves. Particularly near Wrafters Creef, you can see deposits of limestone. There are more than 250+ big and small deposits of limestone, out of which only one is in the form of the cave opened for tourists to explore.

These limestone caves are a visual treat for travellers. It is formed over millions of years when various deposits of shells, corals, and skeletons underwent natural compression to form caves. Nestled within the mangroves and amid lush greenery, the limestone caves are lined up with stalagmites that hold the mystery of a million years of the Andaman Islands.

November to February is the best time to visit the caves in Baratang Island. The weather is pleasant, and there are low chances of rainfall. It is prohibited to go inside the caves after sunset. You are required to complete the whole trip in broad daylight for safety.

Few things to keep in mind while going for Limestone Cave expedition are-

  • It is advisable to start your journey early. Baratang is a wild place, so it is not safe to visit it after sunset.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and trekking shoes since you will be walking a lot.
  • If you are claustrophobic, then you should not participate in a cave expedition.
  • Baratang Island is the residence for tribal people. You should not interact with them, take photos and get into their personal space to avoid repercussions.
  • You will require an entire day for this activity.
  • The entry and exit of the cave are the same. So, you will have to make space for yourself to get in or out of the cave.

Once your cave excursion comes to an end, you can stop by for a quick bite of cucumber and coconut water. You shall have to make your way to the jetty and take the speedboat into the mangroves, or you might choose to visit the mud volcano, which is another attraction of the Andaman Islands.

2. Volcano Tour

Volcano Tour is a major attraction for travellers visiting Andaman Islands. You get to observe lava from a distance and can cherish the experience. Tour operators will take care of your safety while you enjoy the volcanic expedition. Barren Island is the only active volcano, along the chain from Sumantra to Myanmar. It is situated in the Andaman Islands Sea and lies 138 km northeast of the capital city of Port Blair.

Barren Island is a part of the Indian Union Territory of the Andaman Islands. It is also recognized as a Submarine emergent Volcano lying above the subduction zone of India and the Burmese plate. As a recent phenomenon, Barren Island in the Andaman Islands has started erupting in 2018. Many people across the globe are coming to the islands to observe this phenomenon.

Its name is justified as it is a barren area unexplored and uninhabited by humans. A small population of goats, birds, bats, and a few rodent species such as rats are inhabitants of the region. Barren Island is under the restricted zone, and you require special permits to visit that place. The shared trip to Barren Island consists of fishing equipment, breakfast, lunch, snacks, juice, etcetera and is subject to weather conditions, government regulations along with the payload on the day of sailing. Night stay is not allowed at Barren Island.

Biodiversity of Barren Island

With a 2 km wide caldera, Barren Island is the summit of a volcano that can rise to 2250 meters from the seafloor. With 354 meters above the waterline, the volcano rises from a depth. The eruptions had reduced the number of bird species and their population.

A little bit of Adventure At Barren Island

The waters surrounding the Barren Island are known for living for being one of the world's top scuba diving destinations. On your way to the volcanic island, you can participate in different sports and other activities if you are travelling by a private charter. The exotic island is a travel paradise for advanced scuba drivers who visit the place to enjoy diving and witness marine life.

Because of the black bedrock of the island, it creates a perfect backdrop for richly coloured corals, sponges, and sea anemones. It reflects the richness of different marine species. This is what mainly makes underwater diving an enriching and unforgettable experience.

Is it safe to visit the Barren Island?

According to the Volcanic Explosivity Index (an Index that ranks explosivity of the volcanoes on a scale of 1 to 8), Barren Island is safe. The index, based on the quantity of volcanic material erupted, and its strength observed that the eruptions at Barren Island are stated as the lowest and therefore are safe to visit.

When someone thinks of the active volcano in India, then Barren Island is the name that pops up. On the extreme corner of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, this is the only active volcano in South-east Asia. To get to this beautiful island, you can either opt for a ferry or seaplane. Boarding a ferry will let you witness the spectacular view of the beautiful Islands. However, the seaplane ride from Port Blair is more preferred as you get to observe the aerial views.

3. Trekking Destinations in the Andaman Islands

There are various places of trekking due to its geographical peculiarities and abundant diversity of flora and fauna. Know that you will not encounter any dangerous animals while trekking in Andaman Islands, so you are in safe hands, in the lap of nature. These places are full of picturesque beauty and luscious forests. Here are some of the most popular trekking trails in Andaman Islands -

  • Mount Harriet To Madhuban
  • Chidiya Tapu To Kala Pahad
  • Radhanagar Beach To Elephant Beach
  • Baratang Islands To Limestone Caves
  • Lamiya Bay Beach to Saddle Peak

4. Water sports

Surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Islands are long fabled among leisure travellers for its diving sites and breathtaking locations. Water sports in the Andaman Islands is the most exciting activity for every water baby. From extreme water sports to smooth rides on turquoise waters amidst nature, one can never fall short of intrepid, and dauntless escapades in choices here. However, owing to its vast coastlines and the need to beat the summer heat, it is the scuba diving and snorkelling that stand out. In the popular and well-known destinations of Andaman Islands, one can expect to find all the mainstream water sports such as speed boat rides, banana boat rides, jet ski rides, sea walking, glass boat rides, kayaking, parasailing and more. While planning a vacation, remember to allocate a good measure of time on these above-mentioned activities for a once-in-a-lifetime sterling experience. Whether you are a novice, an intermediate, or an expert, there are enough choices for everyone.

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