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.
Is scuba diving a part of your bucket list? If so, you should try it on the Andaman Islands. You’ll get to explore the exotic marine plant life, intricate corals, vibrant creatures, and mysterious ocean beds. And in complete honesty, there’s no better place to experience diving than in crystal turquoise waters.
The Andaman Islands are heaven for scuba divers, attracting travellers from the entire globe. In case you are thinking about what makes the place ideal for divers, it is its gorgeous islands. Bestowed with stunning underwater animals, vivid corals, exciting ocean waves, and silver shores, Andaman provides a range of opportunities to scuba divers.
Considering the multitude of scuba diving spots in Andaman, it may be overwhelming for you to choose the place. This is why we have curated a list of the best ones, with details, to make it easier for you. Keep reading to find out what these are!
Port Blair
The first on the list is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair. With scenic beauty, mesmerizing coral reefs, and adventurous diving, the city has everything you require for refreshment. Although there are numerous scuba diving places here, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor is the one we recommend. Home to more than 50 kinds of sea flowers and corals, you will get to witness clownfish, whitetip sharks, and butterflyfish during your underwater expedition here.
Other famous diving spots include Rutland Island, Corruption Rock, and Snake Island. Before you choose any of the spots, find out which ones are right for you, based on your level of expertise.
Barren Island
Barren Island is completely the opposite of what its name suggests. The place holds some of the most astounding wonders of nature. Besides, it is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia. Now if you are wondering what the place holds for you, the answer is impressive marine life and pristine waters.
Scuba diving on Barren Island means exploring massive manta rays, silver garden eels, picturesque basalt formations, and coral gardens. And if this does not sound enough to you, there are also barracuda fish and dogtooth tuna.
North Bay Island
If you have already tried researching diving spots or have heard from a traveler, you might already know about scuba diving on North Bay Island. And if not, we have got you covered. The island’s glimmering waters, alluring coral reefs, and stunning landscape will leave you in awe. You can never have enough of marine life - the soft corals such as sea fans, mushroom corals, and sea anemones are visually appealing. And if you are a non-swimmer, you can also consider going shore diving on North Bay Island. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Neil Island
The laid-back vibe, rich biodiversity, and untouched coral reefs are what give Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) its charm. Upon your arrival, the serenity and beauty of the white sandy beaches and refreshing breeze will allure you. The best part about scuba diving on Neil Island is that the safe depth and medium water currents are ideal for beginners or first-timers. Some of the most common spots here include Busy Burro, Junctions, Margarita, and Rocky’s.
Havelock Island
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) is indeed a paradise for scuba divers. The gorgeous island boasts numerous famous as well as pristine diving sites. As a matter of fact, whenever one talks about scuba diving on the Andaman Islands, Havelock Island is the first place that comes to our mind.
Whether you are a beginner or a skilled scuba diver, Havelock Island has a number of diving spots for you to choose from. Some of these are mentioned below.
When is the Best Time for Diving?
The scuba diving season on the Andaman Islands generally begins by the end of October or the beginning of November and prolongs till May. The water temperature on the islands is tropical, ranging from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for diving. In general, you can dive on the islands at any time of the year since it is the weather that determines if conditions are ideal or not. Some sites are usually calm with foreseeable currents while others experience down currents as well.
How to Reach Scuba Diving Spots?
In order to reach any scuba diving spot, you first need to fly to the Veer Savarkar Airport in Port Blair. You can either take a direct flight from cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai or take a connecting flight to reach here. Once you are in the capital of the Andaman Islands, you can take a ferry to reach other islands with scuba diving spots. Some islands are connected to Port Blair by road as well.
The Final Verdict
Scuba diving on the Andaman Islands is an exciting experience and once you perform the underwater sport, it will remain etched in your memory for a lifetime. While we shared some of the most popular spots for diving on the islands here, you should check with your instructor regarding which is ideal for you based on your level of expertise. Further, factor in weather conditions before taking the dive as well.
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