Because the large majority of tourists coming to the Andamans are Indian nationals, this island paradise has been relatively unknown as an interesting destination for many international travelers. In recent years the scenic wonders, remoteness of the islands and their ‘off-the-grid’ natural beauty has been attracting more active adventurers, couples looking for a romantic location and families who want to share once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Foreign visitors will find that the Andaman Islands are a wonderful vacation location, thanks to the efforts of the Indian government to support the expanding tourism industry throughout the islands.
International Travelers
To reach the Andaman Islands, all travelers must first plan to arrive in mainland India, and get a connecting flight to Port Blair out of either Delhi, Kolkata or Chennai. There are several daily flights to Veer Savarkar airport (IXZ) that only take a few hours over the Indian Ocean to reach Port Blair. The flights are offered through these current available domestic carriers – the government-owned Air India, low-cost carriers IndiGoAir, SpiceJet and GoAir, and full-service Vistara, India’s newest airline.
Besides their current passport, non-Indian travelers must have a recently issued Indian visitor visa. These visas are valid for up to 60 days and can be applied for at Indian consulates, embassies, missions and online. In order to travel through Andaman tribal reserves, visit different islands in the archipelago and see other sights, these temporary visas must not have any stamped limitations such as ‘entry to restricted areas not permitted’. Visitors should also bring an international driver’s license, insurance card, medical information and copies of any important prescriptions or other documentation. An assortment of cash (Indian rupee in various denominations), credit cards and traveler’s checks will be necessary forms of payment, as many locations (other than hotels and resorts) only accept cash.
Packing lightweight, comfortable and easy-to-dry clothes and footwear is important, due to the year-round hot and humid climate of the Andamans. Bathing suits and beachwear should not be too revealing – show respect for the local customs and wear a tee-shirt, cover-up or sundress when traveling to and from the water. Bring a hat, waterproof beach shoes for walking on the coral or hot sand, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, towels, a reusable water bottle and other beach essentials. Shorts, shirts, a light jacket for chilly evenings, a rain poncho, umbrella, and a dressy outfit for dining out should be enough for adults, while packing for children would include all the above plus a first aid kit, spare pair of shoes, books and some toys. Keep in mind there will be weight restrictions for all luggage, both carry-on and checked bags. Check with your airline carrier for guidelines to safely fly with cameras, computers, scuba gear, surfboards or fishing equipment.
For the outdoor adventurers who plan to do lots of trekking, jungle exploring, birdwatching and other active experiences, several months before leaving home check with your physician for any immunizations or shots that might be necessary for this part of the world, as well as boosters for tetanus and influenza. Because of the tropical climate, there are plenty of mosquitoes, sandflies, leeches and other pests that can transmit dangerous diseases. For serious treks and day hikes through the rainforest, long sleeve shirts, long pants, hiking boots, rain poncho, extra socks, walking stick and hat are recommended essentials, as well as water purification tablets, first aid kit, insect repellent and extra food and water. Surfers, scuba divers and other water sports enthusiasts should bring the same essentials, as well as mosquito netting and dive shoes suitable for walking over the coral near the beach.
