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.
Situated in the northern part of Middle Andaman Islands and around 242 km away from Port Blair, Mayabunder is a less travelled destination with lesser tourist attractions compared to other neighboring islands. The place is well-known for its cultural diversity owing to the presence of Bangladesh and east Pakistani settlers, ex-convicts, and a Burmese hill tribe, Karen, who were relocated here during the British colonial period. Mayabunder is the headquarters of North and Middle Andaman District. A small town, it can be a preferred place for those looking for an exciting adventure as well as exploration. In this article, we present you the detailed information on Mayabunder as a destination of attraction.
This tiny town has very small with less-developed tourist infrastructure. The majority of the locals speak Hindi and Bengali, so you can easily get information from them if you need to. Otherwise, you can always ask the staff at the hotel you are staying in. This undercover destination is located 242 kilometers by road and 136 kilometers by ferry from Port Blair. It falls between Diglipur Island and Rangat Island. Its villages are scarcely populated with people majorly speaking Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Mayabunder Island 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.
The shoreline is fringed with mangroves and the beaches that are not as popular as the ones on other islands. But with its long stretch of grey volcanic sand and shallow waters, Karmatang Beach is extremely beautiful. If you have enough time to spend here, then you will be amazed to see its nearby secluded islands that offer fantastic opportunities for jungle experiences and snorkeling. If you are a nature enthusiast who seeks an extraordinary experience close to nature and away from the crowds, then Mayabunder will definitely appeal to you.
Through this article, we will help you in exploring every corner possible of this unexplored destination so that you can get to know what you should expect from this untouched gem of Andaman Island.
What to expect while visiting Mayabunder?
Are you planning to have a wonderful vacation in Andaman Island, which is known as the most beautiful union territory of India? It’s quite obvious for you to explore the pristine beauty of Havelock Island and the rich history of Port Blair. But if you want to do something different and rare that not many people do, then you should keep at least one day for Mayabunder Island. Known for its natural wonders, the island has impressive and secluded beaches that endow it with unique magnificence.
Home to a few beautiful and scenic beaches, Mayabunder Island is also known 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.
A trip to explore the natural marvels of Mayabunder Island means a trip to the outskirts of Andaman Island- near to the organic life and far from the busy and crowded life. The place is extremely soothing and pleasant. There is no connectivity to the internet, which is a blessing in disguise! Here, you will be completely detached from the contemporary world. You will be able to focus on making the most of your beach time. All you would do is relax, capture the moments inside your eyes and of course, thank yourself to explore this paradise before moving ahead.
What is the best time to visit Mayabunder?
The best time to visit is from October to March. The temperature is comparatively cool during this time.
Mayabunder Island is slightly less developed, but still a wonderful natural delight. It is not a major tourist hub because not everyone knows about this hidden gem of Andaman Islands. There are no tourist facilities, fancy restaurants or luxury accommodation here. The majority of the locals do not speak English. But trust us, all this further enhances the beauty and natural glow of the place.
So, what do you think? Do you want to include this untouched gem in your Andaman Island travel itinerary? If yes, then we would suggest you to make all your reservations through Andaman Island Travels as its experts will sketch the perfect vacation based on your interests.
How to reach Mayabunder?
You can reach Mayabunder Island via buses from Port Blair that head daily on Andaman Trunk Road via Rangat Island and Baratang Island. The buses leave from Port Blair at around 4 am and are available till 11 am. It is a tiring nine to ten hours’ bumpy ride through parts of dense jungle and with ferries linking the islands. On the ATR, you may also spot the Jarawa tribe. But you should not click their photographs, give them anything or communicate with them in any way. Such behavior is legally punishable.
Taking a ferry from Phoenix Bay Jetty in Port Blair to Diglipur Islands (via Mayabunder) is a more comfortable option. Depending on the weather conditions, the journey takes about eight to nine hours. There are two weekly ferries that leave on Monday and on Friday, but you should check the timetables online or at the ticket counter as they do often change. Before getting into the queue, don’t forget the photocopies of your permit, visa, and passport. Mayabunder has the facility of harboring passenger ships from the mainland.
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.
Where to stay in Mayabunder 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 Island 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 Island are very basic, hygienic, and a few provide sea view.
Some of the best places to stay here are mentioned below:
Make sure you have pre-bookings in Mayabunder Island. 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!
Which activities to do in Mayabunder Islands?
Apart from observing seasonal turtle nesting, you can go for boat rides, viewing elephants and trekking in this town.
What to see in Mayabunder?
Rampur Beach- It is a small yet gorgeous beach that offers lovely views of a mangrove forest to the visitors.
Karmatang Beach- Considered as the most stunning beach of Mayabunder Island, it is twenty kilometers away from the town. A shimmering stretch of white sand and crystal clear waters, it is a turtle nesting ground for Olive Ridley Turtles and Andaman Green Turtles.
German Jetty- Entering the premises of the APWD Guest House located in Mayabunder Island will take you to a popular attraction known as the German Jetty. The place boasts of an open sea, waves crashing on the huge rocks towards the shore and lush greenery all around. The sound of crashing waves amid such a breathtaking setup is like soothing music for nature lovers.
Avis Island- Located about a twenty-minute boat ride far from Mayabunder jetty, this is a pristine and untouched island. The coconut plantation further enhances the beauty of this tiny island. It is surrounded by resting clear waters and has a small beach as well. It is not habited and closed for tourists. So, special permission from the forest department has to be taken for a day visit to this isolated island.
Other places promising splendid beauty in Mayabunder include Ray Hills, Austin X and Interview Island.
Planning a visit to Mayabunder
A few hours are enough to visit Mayabunder Island. There are convoy restrictions between Rangat Island-Baratang Island and Baratang Island-Port Blair. You cross these paths on the way to reach or go back from Mayabunder Island. Thus, there are restrictions on visiting hours for sightseeing spots. For making this trip happen, careful time management and pre-planning is needed. There are a few ways by which you can pay a visit to Mayabunder Island. Being an expert of the Andaman Islands tourism, we are sharing two of the best options:
1. While coming back to Port Blair from Diglipur Island- You can proceed towards Mayabunder Island and visit Dhaninallah Beach (falls in Rangat Island). After reaching Mayabunder Island, you can visit Karmatang Beach, Rampur Beach, and German Jetty. Stay overnight. Next morning, you can return to Port Blair.
2. While going towards Diglipur Island- Have an overnight stay in Rangat Island. The next morning, leave for Mayabunder Island and visit Rampur Beach, Karmatang Beach, and German Jetty. Proceed to Diglipur Island later in the evening, and stay overnight.
These options are the two among many other alternative combinations that Andaman Islands Travel can design for you on the basis of your interests, the total number of days you have, and your decided budget.
Is Mayabunder worth visiting? If yes, then how many days should I spend there?
Tourists often think about these questions when they decide to travel to the Andaman Islands. We know that the best beaches are in Havelock Island, but Mayabunder Island is known for its natural marvels. Most of the people think that they should skip it and head directly towards more popular islands. We would recommend you to make up your mind to stay in this hidden gem of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for one day at least. Here, you will see a fair share of natural beauty. You should definitely add it to your itinerary. You should not miss it at any cost. It definitely deserves a place in your travel bucket list.
Every year, travellers get attracted to the pristine beauty and untouched sandy beaches of Andaman Island. It has some of the most scenic spots for travel and nature lovers. This archipelago is visited by people from all over the world to uncover and explore its jewels. The entire island is amazingly gorgeous but there is one place that nature lovers and beach bums should never miss- Mayanunder Island. It is known for some of the most unique sights. If Andaman Island is a crown, then Mayabunder is its extraordinary gem!
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.
So start planning and get set, go. Mayabunder Island will be a great addition to your travel list. Happy travelling!!
Book Your Andaman Holidays With Our Travel Experts
Enquiry Now
.jpg)
