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.
The abode of palm-fringed beaches, long shores, emerald ocean, and natural wonders, Ross & Smith Islands lie at a distance of 20 kilometres from Diglipur and 320 kilometres from Port Blair. Cradled in the lap of the Andaman archipelago, these twin islands orchestrate a colour play in nature's palette that changes with the tide and the sun. One of the most sought after destinations, Ross and Smith Islands can be identified in the pictures by its symbolic natural sandbar connecting these sister islands.
To preserve the environment commercial activities are not licensed. The crystal clear water surrounding Ross & Smith Islands is ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Nevertheless, in the absence of service providers for the same, visitors are encouraged to bring their snorkelling gear to explore the hidden underground gems.
One of the primary highlights to visit Diglipur is being able to cover the mystic twin islands. The oh-so-beautiful islands gained so much popularity among the travellers owing to the published articles and pictures. An aerial shot of two islands surrounded by emerald waters connected by a strip of sand has made rounds in several publications and social media. Ross & Smith Islands are two separate islands connected by a slim fifty-meter long natural sand bar where travellers get to walk from one island to the other while being surrounded by crystal clear tranquil sea. Visible during low tides, the crescent-shaped "Sandbar Beach" gets submerged during high tide.
While reading up on these islands, a description like picture-perfect virgin beaches, turquoise water and tropical forests, is most likely to come up. Lush forests envelop the beach and are ideal for exploring natural hiking trails. The beaches are seldom overcrowded, owing to its remote location, and visitors can bask in the experience at their own pace.
To avail a visit to these islands, one requires a forest permit that can be obtained from the Forest Office at Diglipur on all days barring Sunday. The entry fee imposed for the permit, is 500 INR for foreigners, 50 INR for Indian adults, 25 INR for children. To preserve and sustain the serenity of the island, the government does not permit visitors to stay back into this island. As the island is in the closer vicinity of Diglipur, one can reach Aerial Bay to travel to the island by ferry. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the island, and Dungis or wooden boats are no longer permitted, so visitors hire fibre boats.
Smith Island has a lot in store for travellers, offers ample bamboo huts, changing rooms and toilets. It's also best suited for island camping and exploring the coastal village life. At times the wild elephants that reside in the forests can be found bathing in the sun. The most prominent highlight of the island is a Marine Sanctuary which makes it the perfect place for spotting gorgeous coral reefs underwater and a rare collection of colourful fishes. Ross and Smith Islands are home to Olive Ridley turtles that are widely popular for turtle nesting. Being at the right time at the right place, travellers might get to witness this natural wonder. If you visit Ross islands offseason, chances of you experiencing the beach exclusively to yourself rise exponentially.
1. Turquoise water makes Ross & Smith Island ideal for snorkelling and swimming. One side of the bar has shallow water, making swimming easier for beginners and crystal clear waters make snorkelling a cherishable experience.
2. There is a Marine Sanctuary on this island where one can spot beautiful coral reefs and numerous colourful fishes underwater.
3. The beach is surrounded by tropical forests and is a favourite amongst trekking and hiking enthusiasts. Travellers can indulge in hiking these trails on their own.
What an experience it would be if you could go walking from one beautiful island to another attached by a picturesque white sand bar amidst crystal emerald sea! Littered with sea-shells these islands offer an engulfing solitude where visitors can spend hours sunbathing in solace along with other aqua adventures.
The boats arrive at Smith Island from where the visitors can take a ten-minute walk to Ross Island. One side of the sand bar has shallow and calm lagoons which makes it ideal for children and adults who are not sure about their swimming skills. The other side has mild waves for people who prefer a certain level of thrill while venturing into the sea.
Minutes turn into hours in the blink of an eye captivated in the beauty of these islands. Lazing around on the beach, strolling barefoot over the fine sand from one island to the other, swimming in the clear waters, and just soaking up the sun takes up an entire day at these twin islands.
Getting There: The most convenient way to get to the Ross and Smith Islands is via a boat from the Aerial Bay Jetty.
What to do: Snorkelling, sunbathing, long walks on the beach, nature trails in the tropical forests.
What not to miss: The natural sand bar connecting the islands.
Best time to visit: Summers in the twin islands are warm and sultry. The best time to visit the islands would be in the months of October to May.
What to carry: Light clothing, beachwear, sunscreen, lunch boxes, drinking water, snacks, slippers and cap
Nearby Attractions: Kalipur Beach, Lamiya Bay Beach, Saddle Peak
Medical Facilities on Ross & Smith Islands - There is no medical facility near the beach, the closest community Health Centre is at Diglipur and the nearest medical facility is the G.B.P Hospital at Port Blair offering a team of super-specialized Doctors in the various departments.
Timings - Ross & Smith Islands can be visited anytime between Sunrise to sunset, thus 7 am to 6 pm is the best time to visit the twin islands to experience the serenity of nature.
Mobile Connectivity - Mobile connectivity in Ross & Smith Islands is very similar to what your reason to be here is, disconnect. After Diglipur visitors face severe network issues.
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