From 3rd August 2021 Tourism activities re-open in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In view of the steady decline in cases of COVID-19 in Andaman Nicobar Islands an order has been issued by the Director of Tourism Department today regarding reopening of all Tourism activities in South Andaman and North Middle Andaman District from today.
The tourists are allowed to visit Baratang/North & Middle Andaman subject to compulsory RAT testing for Andaman Trunk Road commuters which will be carried out at Forest check post on the spot / same day on payment of applicable charges
A negative RT PCR report has to be presented by all passengers on arrival.
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.
Mayabunder Island perches 242 kilometres by road and 136 kilometres by ferry from the capital city, Port Blair. Mayabunder links to Andaman Trunk Road via Baratang and Rangat. The bumpy journey from Port Blair to Mayabunder takes roughly 10 hours. Travellers can choose between government/private buses, cabs or even ferries depending upon the availability and time on their hand.
What's Noteworthy -
Getting around Mayabunder is relatively easy as most of the highlights of the town are at a walking distance. The island life allows travellers to commute at their pace depending upon their budget and plan. Tourists can avail intra-island travel in following ways.
What's Noteworthy -
Unrivalled beauty, stunning white-sand beaches and an incredible underwater world should make Mayabunder an obvious choice for a memorable beach holiday. A low-key travel stop, Mayabunder entertains a small fraction of travellers compared to its neighbouring islands and is still growing as a tourist destination. Home to a few idyllic beaches, seasonal nesting ground, and the second-largest harbour after Port Blair, Mayabunder sprawls over an area of 1348 square kilometres. How to Reach Mayabunder Island from Port Blair? Perched in the northern segment of Middle Andamans, Mayabunder island is at an estimate distance of 242 kilometres by road and 136 kilometres by ferry from the capital city, Port Blair.
Adorning gorgeous mangrove creeks, idyllic beaches and isles, Mayabunder is blessed with superlative landscapes. Believe it or not, not a day will come while holidaying in Andamans when you decide that you have had enough with the beach lounging. And for that, places to visit in Mayabunder Island offers the best cure for the blues. The beaches fit the cliché of a sun-soaked paradise, and travellers here can spend days on the beach under the blazing tropical sun, swinging in hammocks, splashing in the sea and sipping a cocktail. Chosen mostly by the tourists looking for truly offbeat experiences, less information about Mayabunder and lesser-known ways of its accessibility has left this land unexplored. Enveloped by mangrove swamps, Mayabunder Island offers an experience close to nature and away from the urban jungle. The lingering scent of coconuts, mangroves impart the experience of a tropical getaway.
Settled in the British colonial period by former Burmese Karen Tribes, immigrants from Myanmar and ex-convicts from Mainland India, Mayabunder has an intriguing cultural eccentricity and linguistic diversity. Mayabunder consists of several villages scarcely populated, and Bengali, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu are the languages commonly spoken here. When visiting sightseeing spots in Mayabunder Island, tourists can expect to traverse the nature on their trip to the outskirts of Andamans, far from the bustling life and near to organic life. With least or no connectivity to the telecom services and the internet, it is natural to feel detached to the contemporary world. Still, as soon as the ambience sinks in – all you would want to do is unwind at the beaches, capture the moments and be grateful for having stopped here before moving further.
Gateway to some of the nearby virgin islands like Avis Island, Coco Island and Interview Island, tourist attractions in Mayabunder Island itself entices travellers with quirky boat rides, trekking opportunities and experience of turtle nesting. Amongst the must-visit places in Mayabunder, Karmatang Beach tops the list. Reckoned as an eco-friendly destination and famed as the turtle paradise of Andamans, Karmatang beach is a serene beach offering complete privacy to its visitors. Ideal for picnics, Ray Hills, is an eco-village that offers trekking opportunities, elephant rides, water sports while maintaining its concept of a fun-filled family getaway. Small yet significantly stunning, Avis island beach is another uninhabited place best known for its coconut plantation. While Rampur beach boasts of mangrove plantations and the famous remains of German jetty, Interview island is home to numerous freshwater sources.
Mayabunder is the headquarters of the North and Middle Andaman District. A small town located in the northern part of Middle Andaman, it can be a preferred place for those looking for an exciting adventure as well as exploration. This undercover destination is located 242 kilometers by road and 136 kilometers by ferry from Port Blair. Mayabunder is mostly visited by those tourists who are looking for something rare. Still not commercialised completely, the place is still growing as a tourist destination. Thus, it has limited infrastructures and less frequent connectivity with Port Blair. The town is less explored due to less information about the place and lesser-known ways of its accessibility.
Mayabunder is scarcely populated with people majorly speaking Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
Home to a few beautiful and scenic beaches, Mayabunder is popular for seasonal turtle nesting grounds and mangrove-lined tidal creeks. It is also the second biggest harbor after Port Blair where the mainland passenger ships take a halt. If you want to visit some of the Virgin Islands nearby like Avis Island, Coco Island and Interview Island, then this place is the starting point.
Your Mayabunder travel itinerary should include the following:
Travellers can indulge themselves in the following activities in Mayabunder:
Home to a few beautiful and scenic beaches, Mayabunder is also known for seasonal turtle nesting. You have to visit Karmatang Beach if you want to witness this natural marvel. Along with being a turtle nesting ground for Olive Ridley Turtles and Andaman Green Turtles, the beach is a shimmering stretch of white sand and crystal clear waters.
Tourists can take a day trip to Interview Island via local boats. They can hike to natural springs to see wild elephants near an old logging camp. It is one of the places where you can still see the wild Asiatic elephants roaming around freely. Experiencing this will be a great addition to your travel journeys.
Mayabunder is blessed with the magnanimous presence of many marvelous hills and lush green forests that makes it ideal for trekking. It is one of the most sought-after enthralling activities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is also known as backpacking, or bushwalking, or hiking. The best time to trek in Mayabunder is from the month of November to April.
If you want to paddle through the clear waters in total bliss, then you should go for steamboat rides and dunghi journeys. Except in the month of July owing to storms, you can have fun while riding on a boat at any time of the year. The island is not that crowded as it is still somewhat an offbeat destination in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Being a very remote destination just like any other island in the North and Middle Andaman Island, you should not look for any luxurious stay. Still growing to gain popularity, Mayabunder has minimum tourist flow at present. The limited number of accommodations available here has limited amenities. So you should not expect services like television in rooms, room service, wifi connection, etc. while staying here. The hotel properties in Mayabunder are very basic, hygienic, and a few provide sea views. Some of the best places to stay here are mentioned below:
Yes, you should make sure to have pre-bookings in Mayabunder. Otherwise, there may be on-spot issues in searching and getting a good place to stay in. Therefore, making reservations from a local tour operating company is highly recommended. Andaman Island Travels is the most reliable name on the whole island as it is committed to customise holiday packages as per its clients’ requirements. Save yourself from the hassle of booking every little thing and trust its experienced staff to design your vacation offering you more than what you can imagine.
The local folks of Mayabunder run small food stalls, dhabas, and canteens. The eateries are nearby the tourist spots and the main market area. The best restaurants are as follows:
The origin to start your journey to Mayabunder via any mode of transport is the capital of Andaman Island—Port Blair. Reaching there is quite easy. You can opt for any mode as per your comfort and budget.
The best time to visit Mayabunder is from October to March. The temperature is comparatively cool during this time.
There are a few ways by which you can pay a visit to Mayabunder. Being an expert of the Andaman Islands tourism, we are sharing two of the best options:
Yes, Mayabunder is a safe town in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. There are no crimes as such here.
The town has standard 220 volts with sockets that are a mix of three-pin (round pins) and two-pin (round pins). Travellers should bring at least one travel adapter with them.
If you compare it with Port Blair or Havelock Island, then Mayabunder is a less-developed town in the Andamans. But still, you will get all the basic facilities here and there is absolutely nothing to worry about.
You can contact Andaman Island Travels to make all your bookings (flight, accommodation, airport transfers, ferry transfers, sightseeing tours, etc.). It is a reliable name across the island and its staff will customise your holiday package as per your budget and other requirements.
