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18-Oct |
21-Oct |
Closed |
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22-Oct |
31-Oct |
Operational |
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01-Nov |
04-Nov |
Closed |
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05-Nov |
14-Nov |
Operational |
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15-Nov |
18-Nov |
Closed |
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19-Nov |
28-Nov |
Operational |
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29-Nov |
02-Dec |
Closed |
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03-Dec |
12-Dec |
Operational |
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13-Dec |
16-Dec |
Closed |
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17-Dec |
26-Dec |
Operational |
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27-Dec |
30-Dec |
Closed |
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31-Dec |
09-Jan |
Operational |
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10-Jan |
13-Jan |
Closed |
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14-Jan |
23-Jan |
Operational |
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24-Jan |
27-Jan |
Closed |
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28-Jan |
06-Feb |
Operational |
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07-Feb |
10-Feb |
Closed |
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11-Feb |
20-Feb |
Operational |
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.
A negative RT PCR report has to be presented by all passengers on arrival.
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.
One of the most exciting water sports in Andamans that catches one’s attention is the Banana Boat, where a banana-shaped boat in high speed takes one to a distant place and then it is flipped! This is absolutely a fun ride to take with your family and your loved ones. Visitors are given a proper brief before boarding the banana ride. Working similarly like a speedboat, the boats have a banana-like shape and are tied to a speed boat for acceleration.
It lets you cruise through the waves and enjoy the speed of the water. Accompanying the central seating line are two flanks on each side to support the thighs. This unpowered tube is propelled by being attached to a jet ski or motorboat. Necessary precautions are undertaken for a safe ride by the travelers. You can expect a thrilling, adventurous, and memorable ride through the waves of the sea. The banana tube is securely tied with a boat to express the sudden splash and jump.
Rated among the popular water sports activities of the Andaman, the banana ride is best for the non-swimmers. Gone are the days when you need to speculate places for adventurous activities. Now you can straightaway head towards Andaman and Nicobar Islands for a blissful respite.
North Bay Island is a fascinating place to explore the banana boat ride. Popularly known as a haven for water sport activities, North Bay Island is an apt place for the sports enthusiast. The speed of the waves on this island is neutral for visitors to enjoy the banana ride. You can reach North Bay Island on a boat boarded from the water sports complex. The banana ride in North Bay Island takes place under a 500-meter range.
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex is the best place to enjoy a banana ride in Port Blair. The waves are a bit slow here and are appropriate for a banana ride. The clear waves allow visitors to gain momentum and enjoy the ride. It is a unique experience to feel the rush and thrill on the shorelines. You can click captivating pictures on this mesmerizing island.
The best thing about this water adventure activity is that you can enjoy it with your friends and family together. The banana boat can accommodate up to six people at a time. Thus, you can share the fun and enjoy with fellow travellers.
A banana boat is an inflatable boat that has holders and an inflated foot padding on the sides. You can sit on it with proper balance.
During the banana boat ride, the boat is connected to a speedboat securely with a rope. You can ride on the waves when it is dragged along the water after gaining high momentum. You need to hang tightly throughout the ride because you will experience the splash and sudden jumps in the air when waves are created by the speedboat. The speedboat will momentarily takes sharp turns after the driver maneuvers it carefully. This will flip the ride sideways and upside down. You can either choose to hold the banana boat tightly or dive into the sea for extra fun and thrill. As you experience this water activity with your friends or family members, you are going to laugh a lot.
The best places for the banana boat rides on the island are as follows:
If you are in Port Blair, the capital town of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, then North Bay Island is a heaven for water sports, especially banana boat rides. The push of water from the speed boat and the average size of the waves in the ocean are perfect here. You will be taken above the sea and back with a splash. The banana boat ride here lets you explore the nearby open sea in North Bay within 500 meters range. You can have a great experience here. To reach North Bay Island, you have to board a boat from the jetty near the complex. This is the only way to reach there.
The charges for a banana boat ride in the Andamans start from Rs. 1,000.
Located in Port Blair, Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex is the second-best place to experience this joyful ride. However, the splashes are less as the waves are a little slow here. But the overall experience is full of thrill and adrenaline rush. This is visited nearby the famous tourist attraction, Cellular Jail. So you can go for the ride right after visiting the Cellular Jail. So you will be able to save so much of your time and extra travel if you take the banana boat ride at Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex.
If you are staying in Havelock Island, then Elephant Beach is the perfect destination for you for the banana boat ride. It is a great spot for trying your hand at casual water sports, and a banana boat ride is one of them. The waters here are clear, strong, and with big waves that give sudden jumps. The whole experience of the ride is more wholesome and thrilling here. When taking the ride here, expect a lot of jumps and turns along with sudden dives into the ocean.
The ride starts from the shore. Before going to the actual ride, everyone is given a brief orientation by the instructor about the do’s and don’ts. Life jackets are also given along with other crucial information. After that, you will be required to board the banana boat in line. It is connected to the speedboat with a strong rope. The fun begins when the speedboat drags the banana boat slowly to the deeper seas.
The ride is usually for twenty minutes. The briefing time is around ten minutes. So the total time is half an hour.
The timings for the ride at North Bay Island, Water Sports Complex, and Elephant Beach are the same—from 9 AM to 5 PM.
For banana boat ride in the Andamans, it is not at all mandatory to know swimming. Non-swimmers can do it without any difficulty. Before going for it, you are given brief training by an experienced instructor wherein you are given some basic instructions. Just listen and follow them carefully.
The Andaman Islands is a year-round destination. However, the best time for this joyful ride on the island is during the winter season—from November to May. The temperature during these months varies between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius and is perfect for sightseeing and indulging in exciting water sports. It is the ideal time to visit the Andaman Islands.
The usual recommended minimum age for this boat ride in the Andamans is between fifteen to sixty years. Most importantly, the child should feel comfortable in the water.
When on this dazzling island, including a banana boat ride in your itinerary is a great idea. But there are certain categories of people who are not allowed to go for this thrilling ride on the island. These are as follows:
One of the most popular water activities in the Andamans, a banana boat ride is an extremely fun-filled thing to do. You can enjoy this adventure activity with your friends or family members. The best places for banana boat rides on the island are as follows:
No, you don’t need to know swimming for doing it. Everyone is given life jackets as well. So there is absolutely no question of drowning or any other risk.
This half an hour ride costs INR 1,000 to 2,000 per person on the island. Four to ten people can together enjoy the ride on a single banana tube.
It is an extremely safe and fun-filled water adventure activity in the Andaman Islands. Before you go for it, you are also given a briefing by the experts so that you can enjoy it.
