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.
Snorkeling
The tropical waters of the Andaman Sea are ideal for snorkeling in Andaman – clear, calm, balmy and bursting with brilliant marine life. Snorkeling can be done year-round in andamans
Snorkelling is the process of swimming on the surface of the water while outfitted with a designed tube known as a snorkel (A snorkel is a tube around 30 cm long, generally L or J-shaped and fixed with a mouth piece at the lower end, and designed of rubber or plastic. It is applied for breathing air from over the water surface area when the wearer’s mouth area and nose are submerged) coupled with swim fins occasionally. Utilizing this equipment permits the snorkeller to notice underwater attractions for extended time periods with comparatively small effort. It is a well-known fun activity in andamans.
Snorkelling at Red Skin Island
Red Skin island is the twin sister of Jolly Buoy and is easily reachable by a boat. The island is small and is only open for tourists for 6 months, when Jolly Buoy is closed. The location is ecstatic and surrounded by nature from all sides that opens up to a magnanimous beach.The shorelines are clean and complimented with clean blue waters with above average visibility that allows for decent underwater sight.The coral population is dense and populated with abundant marine life of all shapes and species. The diversity of corals here are unmatched by any other location in Andamans which makes this spot really great for snorkelers.To reach the island one has to take a ferry from the Wandoor beach and take forest permits to snorkel near the shore.
Snorkelling at Jolly Buoy Island
Jolly Buoy is yet another great place to snorkel in Andaman for both experienced and novice enthusiasts. The island is pretty small and has numerous water sport centers offering snorkeling at an affordable rate.The waters surrounding Jolly Buoy is clear enough for a perfect inside view underwater. The water is stable and the currents are stable near the shoreline which doesn't mix the underlying sand to mix with the water, allows it to stay clear.The marine life is well preserved and abundant. The shoreline is filled with large hoards of corals including blue, red and sponge, that house a wide variety of some of the most unique fishes in Andamans, including the fairly rare clown and zebra fish. All trips to the island has to be made via a ferry or boat which leaves from the Wandoor Jetty and reaches there in half and hour. A standard snorkeling package includes all tickets, ferries, permits and snorkeling equipment so you can enjoy your impeccable experience without any second thoughts. For those who'd like to travel there by themselves, a special permit to snorkel is needed which is issued by the forest department, so make sure to take care of that before planning your trip. Furthermore, for ferry ticketing, a photo with identity and residence proof is required. Another thing to note is that, to preserve the coral population, Jolly Buoy is open only for 6 months, from April to November (subject to change), after which the Red Skin Island is open for tourists.
Age limit for Snorkeling in the islands?
Children above 10 years of age and people below 60 can easily enjoy snorkeling, given an experienced snorkeler is present there to assist.?
People who are not allowed to Snorkel in the isles include:
Pregnant Women.
Senior citizens above the age of 60.
People with heart conditions.
People with breathing difficulties.
People under heavy medication or in need of care.
People with have psychological conditions which cause distortion or panic underwater.
