THE EMERALD ISLANDS

ROSS AND SMITH ISLANDS

If you are looking for an escape that feels entirely cut off from the frantic pace of the modern world, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a spectacular, remote paradise that should be at the very top of your travel bucket list.

Floating in the isolated waters of the Bay of Bengal, this sprawling archipelago offers an untouched, slow-paced sanctuary where dense prehistoric jungles directly collide with vibrant, neon-turquoise oceans.

But travelling to Andaman and Nicobar islands requires careful planning due the remote location of the archipelago.

This blog will guide you through travel tips, hacks — anything and everything one might need to visit the islands!

FERRY IN ANDAMAN

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS-

To plan a seamless trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, prioritize booking your private inter-island ferry tickets in advance.

1. Book Ferries Early: Private ferries like Makruzz, Green Ocean, or Nautika are faster and more comfortable than government ferries, but they sell out fast. Book these online well in advance, particularly during peak seasons.
2. Inter-Island Buffer: Do not schedule any flights on the same day you take an inter-island ferry. Weather conditions can sometimes delay ferries, so keep a generous buffer.
3. Local Commuting: Rent a scooter (approx. ₹500/day) to explore Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) at your own pace. In Port Blair, use local auto-rickshaws or local buses as cabs can be expensive.

PARASAILING AT ANDAMAN

PACKING HACKS-

1. Waterproof Everything: Keep your gadgets and documents in a dry bag or a heavy-duty waterproof phone pouch when beach hopping and taking boat rides.
2. Reef-Safe Sunscreen: The tropical sun is incredibly sharp. Use reef-safe, high-SPF sunscreens (SPF 50+) to protect your skin and preserve the marine ecosystem.
3. Cash is King: ATMs can be unreliable and run out of cash, especially on Havelock and Neil. Withdraw plenty of cash in Port Blair before venturing to the other islands.
4. Portable Charger: Long days out in the sun and taking numerous photos drain phone batteries quickly. Always carry a power bank.

RULES, REGULATIONS AND ETTIQUETTES-

1. No Single-Use Plastics: The islands are extremely protective of their environment. Carry a reusable water bottle.
2. Littering is Fined: Never litter on beaches or in the ocean. If you have garbage and can’t find a dustbin, walk up to a local shop or restaurant and ask to use theirs.
3. Protect the Wildlife: It is illegal to collect or carry sea shells from the beach. Respect tribal reserves; any attempt to interact with indigenous communities is punishable by law.
4. Respect the Tribes: Interacting with, photographing, or entering the reserved areas of the indigenous tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is strictly illegal, highly dangerous, and punishable by severe prison sentences. The Indian government enforces the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation to protect these ancient communities from exploitation, cultural degradation, and modern diseases to which they have zero immunity.

JARAWA TRIBE

OTHER TIPS-

1. Permits: Indian citizens do not require special permits to visit the main islands (though permits may be required for specific tribal areas). Foreign tourists need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which is easily obtainable upon arrival at Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport.
2. Plan Ahead: Because the islands restrict tourist flow to preserve the ecosystem, always book your accommodations, inter-island ferries, and specific activities well ahead of your travel dates.

A FACT IF YOU ARE CURIOUS-

If you are wondering why everything in the blog is related to Andaman and not Nicobar… well it’s because tourism in the Nicobar Islands is heavily restricted to protect the region’s highly vulnerable indigenous tribes from outside diseases, to preserve their ancestral way of life, and to maintain strict national security!