Latest Information on Travelling to Andaman Islands?
  • Andaman Tourism Opens

    Updated: 14 Aug 2021

    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.

  • What is the advisory to travel to North & Middle Andaman District?

    Updated: 14 Aug 2021

    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

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  • All asymptomatic fully vaccinated persons coming to these islands from mainland are exempted from the requirement of carrying RT-PCR negative test report,irrespective of the type of vaccine received and country of origin. Such fullyvaccinated individuals shall produce the final vaccination certificate at the origin airport, sea port in the mainland and at Port Blair Airport / sea port.
  • Alt asymptomatic children below 5 years of age are exempted from carrying RT-PCR negative test report and further RT-PCR testing at Port Blair Airport.
  • 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 to travel to Port Blair from the mainland, as is the practice now. Such an RT-PCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to commencement of journey from the origin airport connecting Port Blair. Such passengers will also have to undergo additional RT-PCR test on arrival at Port Blair. Such passengers shall remain in self-quarantine till the arrival of the test report.
  • If a passenger on arrival is tested positive then, the prescribed quarantine protocol is to be followed.
  • All Airlines shall ensure strict compliance of this order and observance of COVID Appropriate Behaviour. Any non-compliance shall invite action under Disaster Management Act and other applicable laws. 
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General Guidelines defined for traveling to Andaman Islands during COVID :

  1. The Tourism Activities are permitted only in South Andaman & North & Middle Andaman District except Nicobar District.
  2. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with home co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years advised not to travel for tourism purposes.
  3. Tourists/Visitors who are at higher risk due to some medical history are advised to take extra precautions.
  4. Tourists/visitors shall minimize contact with other staff and visitors as far as possible and zero contact policy should be followed at all tourist destinations.
  5. All tourists/visitors shall be briefed by the hotel concerned about do’s & don’ts to be mandatorily followed during their stay and movements.
  6. While travelling tourists/visitors should wear a face mask and carry their own sanitizer and wet wipes for personal use.
  7. At all tourist destinations, staff must wear face masks and wash/sanitize hands regularly while performing their duties.
  8. Arogya Setu App shall be mandatory for all incoming tourists/visitors.
  9. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly after use.
  10. 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 rate as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid 19 care centre on case to case basis.
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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.

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  • Regular flights to Port Blair (the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) are operational now.
  • There are direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Delhi.
  • Public transports like cabs, taxis, and bus services are also functional.
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Travellers should carefully follow social distancing norms and wear masks as well. Also, before making any booking, they should refer to the latest travel news on the government website of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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Rutland Island

Rutland Island
Date : 29 Aug 2024

Lying twenty kilometers south from Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rutland Island is an idyllic island. It is separated from North Cinque Island by Manner Strait and from Little Andaman by the Duncan Passage. Ferries or government-run or private buses can be boarded to reach this island. Rutland Island belongs to the administrative district of South Andaman. Every possible effort is made by them to boost tourism in this destination.

Highlights

The picturesque Rutland Island lies at the south of Port Blair far tip, the far tip of India. It is a heaven for Thalassophiles, commonly called sea lovers. The island makes up the South Andaman district. Out of its six villages, Dani Nallah is the most popular for the memorable marine life and turtle breeding experience it offers. You will never forget such a magical experience. The island is around 110 square kilometers, and is home to nearly 350 inhabitants belonging to the Jangil Tribe. 

Rutland Island is all about fun, excitement and, natural beauty. There, you would feel as if you are in the lap of nature. You should not miss scuba diving, glass bottom boat ride, fishing, and seeing breeding of turtles when you are there. It is a tiny island. Roadways are not well-maintained or used. Since all spots are well-connected with waterways, jetty is the most common way to explore the island. You can find a wide variety of sovereigns, products of seashells, and many more such things from the markets in the Andamans. They are quite popular among tourists.

Our Package

Overview

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Rutland Island comprises six villages—Rutland village, R.M. Point village, Bamboo Nallaha, Kichad Nallaha, Bada Khari, and Dani Nallah. With only 347 inhabitants, the island has as many as 119 households. The locals are fluent in Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil. The effective literacy rate is sixty four per cent. The island is slowly gaining popularity as a tourism hotspot for travellers from all over the globe. 

The island experiences three seasons- summer, monsoon, and winter. Summer season is from April to June. The temperature hovers between 24°C to 37°C. Tourists can enjoy exciting water activities during this time as the water has the perfect temperature. The monsoons fall between May and September. Heavy rains make travel and sightseeing dangerous and inaccessible. Travelling to Rutland Island in this season is not fruitful as it doesn’t have a lot of indoor activities. Winters, between December and February, are quite pleasant. You can enjoy your day to the fullest if you are visiting the island in the winter or summer season. 

Things to do

Below mentioned are the top things to do when you are in Rutland Island. Have a look!

Exploring underwater life

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With the shallow waters near the island, the destination is extremely rich in marine life. The place offers a good representation of smaller fishes and corals. Its waters are known for keeping some of India’s best treasures. The vegetation of the island is similar to that of North Sentinel Island with dry sandy soils. If you are someone who loves the rush of being underwater, then this is going to be the perfect opportunity for an adventure enthusiast like you.

Location- Dani Nallah

Visit a turtle breeding center

If you want to visit something extraordinary, then visit Dani Nallah. There, you can watch turtle hatchlings making their journey to the water. The turtles are a critically endangered species in India. The park is making every possible effort in order to improve their numbers. It also helps turtles in recovering from injuries sustained by getting trapped in fishnets. This is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Rutland Island.

Location- Dani Nallah

Fishing

The experience of fishing in Rutland Island by casting a fly dipped inside the flowing streams to snap a sweeping fish is unforgettable. Professionals always prefer trying a hand on gracing the three pounders. People from across the country and abroad gather up for fishing on the island. They opt for the summer season to catch fishes. For a delightful fishing experience, make sure that you visit here between the months of April and June.

Cost- Free

Water sports

You can try your hand at these water sports and activities when you are in Rutland Island:

Snorkeling

An ideal base for training divers, Rutland Island is visited by adrenaline junkies a lot. First, you will be briefed about the equipment and precautions you need to take by an instructor. After that, you will be given time to get used to it before entering the sea. The dive will be of around half an hour that will take you about twelve meters deep into the ocean. You will be amazed to witness beautiful marine life creatures wading through the sea.

Haven’t tried snorkeling yet? No problem! Probably, you were destined to do this water activity at the best place in India. You will notice the colorful reefs of the ocean shining through your underwater goggles. You can have a look at the marine life and the rarest corals while performing this activity in the Andaman Islands. 

Location- Jahaji Beach, Bada Balu, and Manner Strait

Glass Bottom Boat Ride

Glass bottom boat rides are immensely visited by the tourists visiting Rutland Island. This water activity offers great opportunities to spot bright and beautiful corals and marine flora and fauna floating on the shallow water. You can witness sea turtles, pipe fishes, and eagle rays along with luxuriant seaweed beds. If you are one of those who are afraid of getting into the water but are willing to experience the colorful aquatic life, then this is a good way to do that.

To do this, you have to be in a tiny boat with the bottom made up of glass. As it sails through the sea, you can have a glimpse of the water. You have to wear a life jacket. One of the finest sea sports, it is a magical experience for sure. When in Rutland Island, do not miss this activity.

Scuba Diving

Andaman Island has a number of scuba diving centres from where you can get your PADI certification (basic and advanced levels). But to go for your first fun dive, you don’t need any kind of certification. If you don’t know swimming, even then it is absolutely fine. So what are you waiting for? The miraculous natural marine life under the enchanting waters of the island is waiting for you. Scuba diving is the best water activity in the world, and doing it for the first time in Rutland Island would be an experience of a lifetime for you. Whether you are a swimmer or a non-swimmer, this activity is an excellent option for you. To enjoy it to the fullest, always listen to your instructor and follow his instructions. 

Nearby hotels

There is only one resort in Rutland Island where you can have a comfortable stay. Booking a room at Totani Resort in advance is not that easy as there is no telephone service on the island. Thus, you will have to book your stay there with the help of a local and reliable tour agent—Andaman Island Travels. All round the year, the tariff is quite steep. Therefore if you are on a budget vacation, then you can opt for a day trip from Port Blair to Rutland Island instead of an overnight trip.

How to reach

The island is twenty kilometers south of Port Blair, the capital city of the Andamans. If you are in Port Blair, take the road to the jetty point, and then take a boat from Port Blair to reach the island. But if you are in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), then you need to first head to Port Blair by ferry. The ride will take around two and a half hours. After reaching Port Blair, you can buy your tourist permit and complete the required formalities for visiting Rutland Island.

Travel tips for Rutland Island

To experience the most of your trip to Rutland Island, follow these tips as recommended by the travel experts of Andaman Island Travels:

  • Traveling via the jetty with old people might get inconvenient for them. In this case, you may rent out a car for aged people. 
  • It is recommended that you carry a substantial amount of food or at least a whole lot of snacks. It will be enough for the day. Especially if you are a vegetarian.
  • Don’t forget to carry a first aid kit along with you as there are no hospitals in Rutland Island.

There is no telephone service and electricity in Rutland Island. The availability of food is also scarce. Accommodation is also just one, and that too a bit difficult to book on your own. There is only one resort comprising bamboo huts that is equipped enough for a comfortable stay. If you want to save your time, efforts and money, then make sure that you book your tour of Rutland Island with Andaman Island Travels.

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