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.
Port Blair, the capital of the Indian Union territory- the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is a town on the South Andaman Island. Known for its vibrant nightlife, lively culture, museums, and numerous sightseeing spots, tourists travel to this interesting destination owing to its lush green forests and the rugged coastline that add charm to the beauty of this wonderland.
There is a lot to see and do in Port Blair- from handicrafts to local food and shopping spots. When you are here, your itinerary must include Cellular Jail, Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Anthropological Museum, Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, and Samudrika Naval Marine Museum.
The Andaman Islands are a paradise on earth that is snuggled in the Indian Ocean. The region is known for its amazingly pristine beaches as well as a colonial past. The Andamans flaunt as many as 572 islands, out of which only a few are inhabited. And in Port Blair, apart from knowing about the historical events, you will also see a fair share of nature and beauty.
There are two ways by which you can reach the capital town of the Andamans- via air and water. Let’s explore each option below:
Veer Savarkar International Airport, the only commercial airport of the Andaman Islands, is located in Port Blair. Direct flights to/from a few cities such as Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore are available easily. Flights are faster and more comfortable. Thus, it is a preferred option. However, you should know that there are no direct flights to Andaman Island from everywhere. For instance, if you are flying from Delhi or Mumbai, then you will have a layover in Hyderabad or somewhere else. From there, you will be flying to Port Blair, the capital of the island.
As of now, no international ship or flight services exist in the Andaman Islands. However, Veer Savarkar Airport has been turned as an official immigration check post by the Indian government so that non-natives can enter and exit directly from there.
Pro Travel Tip - Taking an early morning flight will help you in utilising the rest of the day.
You can also reach Port Blair by sailing from the ports of Kolkata, Chennai, and Vishakhapatnam. Operated by the Indian government, the voyage via these ships takes nearly three to four days (50-60 hours). Haddo Wharf is the main seaport in the town. Three to four sailings take place from Chennai and Kolkata, and only one sailing from Visakhapatnam every month.
You should know in advance that these passenger ships are not cruise liners and thus, do not have entertainment and food options. Moreover, booking can only be done from the shipping corporation offices in Chennai, Vizag, and Kolkata. The booking process is quite time-consuming. Online booking is not available. Ships are cheaper but general passenger ships are more troublesome.
If you are travelling between May and October, then seasickness is also common. However, if you want to experience a voyage amidst the blue sea, then we recommend a ship journey. It is an unusual adventure in itself.
There is no way one can reach the Andaman Islands by train from anywhere in the world. Also, no buses are available to the islands. You can cross the Bay of Bengal either via flit or ship only.
As the Andaman and Nicobar Islands come under the Indian subcontinent, Indian tourists have no travel restrictions. It is like travelling to any other place in our country. They do not need a passport, visa, or any other permission. They can stay in permitted areas as long as they wish for. For foreign travellers, a passport is required along with an Indian visa.
Commuting by local transport in Port Blair is very convenient. Roads are well-built and you will not get lost as every spot is just by the road. Moreover, the locals are also very helpful. You can carry a map or an offline map here as the internet doesn’t work properly here.
Port Blair - the capital city of the most beautiful union territory on India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, boasts of a number of tourist-friendly places that are spellbinding. It is a gorgeous and awe-inspiring city, and taking a pit stop here never disappoints anyone. It promises you clear blue waters, lush greens, rich cultural history, and a lot more. Along with visiting various places in the city, if you have plenty of time for sightseeing, then you can travel to the unexplored attractions and tiny islands nearby Port Blair as well.
If you have got more time in hand, then you can also explore the following beaches and islands:
If you are in the planning stage of your vacation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, then contact Andaman Island Travels to make all your bookings. A well-known and trusted tour agency, it is located in Port Blair and is committed to help you in planning the holiday of your dreams as per your budget and requirements. Whether it is your accommodation, any adventure activity that you want to do or hire a car, it will take care of all your needs in the best way possible.
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