Andaman Tour Guide – Getting There, Best Time to Visit and Other Info

Andaman Tour Guide

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are one of the leading union territories of India and are the breathtaking archipelago of Bay of Bengal. There is no lack of places to visit in Andaman like beaches which are blessed with beautiful marine life and coral reefs. The landscape here is truly breathtaking to offer an ideal beach holiday for a perfect getaway from the hustles and bustles of daily life. It is a heaven for both adrenaline junkies and nature lovers. 

Getting There 

By Air 

There are daily and weekly flights to Andaman on time. Port Blair is the primary and closest air terminal in the Andaman Islands. You can choose Jet Airways or Indian Airlines flights. 

By Water 

There are three ports to sail to Andaman if you are planning to travel through sea – Chennai, Kolkata, and Vizag. These ports also have different durations and timings. If you are heading there from another place, you can choose Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai.  Here are the five ships operate to and from mainland India to the island – 

  • M.V. Nancowry 
  • M.V. Nicobar 
  • M.V. Harshavardhana 
  • M.V. Swaraj Dweep 
  • M.V. Akbar 

Getting Around 

Minivans/Private Jeeps 

For airport pickup and drop and for one-day sightseeing a cab usually costs up to Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 and around Rs. 1500 respectively, to cover various points. You can easily rent bikes and scooters from Port Blair for up to Rs. 500 per day. But tourists are prohibited from driving their vehicles, especially in North and Middle Andaman as there are some restrictions in tribal areas. 

Bus 

All roads and ferries lead to Port Blair, South, Middle and North Andaman have proper road connectivity with ferry crossings and bridges. You can hop on a bus from Port Blair to Baratang, Diglipur, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Wandoor. 

Boat 

You need to travel by boat for most trips to the islands. You can have a pleasant trip to the backwaters to visit some unexplored beaches and also avoid haggling around public transports. You can avoid long queues by booking in advance. All islands are not open to tourists. Be sure to check at Tourist Information Center before planning the trip. 

What to Carry?

  • Carry light cardigan for winters or light cotton clothes for summer 
  • Umbrella, dark sunglasses, trekking shoes, and raincoat should be kept handy for Madhuban trekking 
  • Plenty of sunscreens 
  • Essential medications like glucose supplements to avoid dehydration and anti-allergic medicines 
  • Snorkelling and scuba diving kits are provided for hire. So, you need to carry your beachwear. 
Andaman Tour Guide
Andaman Tour Guide

Important Info 

Mobile Networks 

Only BSNL, Airtel and Vodafone are active in the Andaman Islands, and Vodafone is strongest in these regions. Jio doesn’t work over there. If you are using Jio only, it is better to add another SIM to your mobile device. There is no mobile network in places like Elephant Beach, Havelock, Radhanagar Beach, and Jolly Buoy at Port Blair, no matter which SIM do you use. 

Medical Facilities 

The healthcare facilities are free and efficient across the islands. The emergency aids are available through speed boats. Some of the healthcare facilities are medications from the pharmacy, doctor’s help, operation, nursing, and hospitalisation. 

ATM

Andaman & Nicobar Islands have no lack of ATM facilities. But you should still keep the cash handy. The ATMs are sometimes not reliable due to network disturbance. 

What and Where to Eat?

Andaman is also a foodie’s paradise with a vast range of delicious cuisines like seafood. There is a range of seafront food joints in the islands offering different delicacies available at your service. If you are a vegetarian, you don’t have to worry. Love Garden, Pink Fly, and Waves are some of the best places to chill out by the seashore with live music. 

  • Seafood – Seafood is a speciality of Andaman like any other coastal region. Don’t miss the whole lobster in Port Blair at New Lighthouse Restaurant or Red Snapper’s seafood platter. For the morning’s catch, you can try some fresh fried fish on any island. 
  • Other places – Be sure to try some tasty samosas by reaching Havelock. For some delicious and affordable meals, you can taste some Indian thalis at the best prices at several small restaurants. If you don’t like or allergic to seafood, you can also try Thai, Italian, and Continental dishes at some local joints. 

When to Visit?

From October to May – In this region, winters are not that cold, and the weather remains almost the same. October to May is the best time for water sports. 

January – If you want to explore the local tradition and culture of the Andaman, be sure to visit in January. It can keep you engaged with lots of festivals and fairs. It also hosts a 14-day long Island Tourism Festival to showcase different traditions that tribes follow here. To commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, it also hosts the annual Subhash Mela. It captures the rural life of locals and the diversity of culture. 

May to October – Despite having heavy rains during the whole monsoon, the Andaman Islands never stop showing a unique beauty to the tourists. 

Average Temperatures 

  • April to June (Summer) – 24°c – 37°c
  • May to September (Monsoon) – 22°c – 35°c
  • December to February (Winter) – 20°c – 30°c

Languages Spoken 

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for their rich cultural diversity and topography. Hence, several tribes are located here and a vast population. The total population recorded in the 2011 Census was 380,581 in the Andaman Islands. Hindi and English are the official languages spoken in the Andaman Islands. But the most spoken language is Bengali. Most people also speak Tamil, Telugu, Nicobarese, and Malayalam. 

Best Water Sports for Exciting Andaman Travel in 2020

If you are a non-swimmer, you might be wondering whether you should read this post. Of course, you should. Most people are used to feel that you should know swimming for water sports or you will end up watching others splashing into the water. But it is not valid, especially when it comes to Andaman travel. 

You can have as much fun as a pro swimmer in the waters to your heart content. Even though you can’t swim, there is no lack of water sports in the Andaman Islands, which would need you to plunge into the sea with a life jacket. Even if you don’t have mastery in swimming, there will be lifeguards to brief you and come to the rescue whenever you need it. Here are some of the best water adventures you should try –

Ride the Banana Boat 

The banana boat ride is one of the most exciting adventure and water sports in the Andaman Islands. These boats have a seating capacity of 6 people at a time and, as the name suggests, are shaped like a banana. These boats are also tied with a speed boat for speeding. They are completely safe as you will always have a guide and life jackets on the trip. So don’t worry and jump on a banana boat to rule the sea.  

Location – Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex and Havelock Island 

Charges – Rs. 250 for each

Banana Boat
Banana Boat

Snorkeling 

If it’s your first time to do snorkeling, do it, or you will never know what you have missed. Witness the vivid coral reefs shimmering through your goggles in Havelock Island. View the rarest corals and untouched marine life while enjoying this water sport at Northern Bay Island. We bet you won’t regret your decision. 

Location – North Bay Island, Elephant Beach, and Jolly Buoy Island

Charges – Rs. 600 per head

Snorkeling 

Scuba Diving 

Andaman Islands have a lot of scuba diving centers where you can get a PADI certificate, and you don’t have to learn swimming. However, you need to have proper swimming skills for more robust levels in open waters. But for PADI, you can freely explore the water life and colorful corals awaiting you. After all, it is among the best water sports in Andaman. 

Ideal Location – Northbay Island, Havelock Island and Neil Island

Charges – Rs. 3500 to Rs. 6500 per head

Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving

Sea Walking 

Sea walking is yet another great adventure and water sport in Andaman. You don’t have to handle any bulky gear, no experience needed, and you can walk on your feet under the clean and silky-smooth sand of the seafloor with a helmet offering a closer view to the marine life. It is one of the most exciting water sports in the Andaman Islands. It is entirely safe as instructors are available regularly. You can also keep your contact lenses or glasses on, and your hairstyle won’t mess up as well. 

Location – Northbay Island and Elephanta Beach

Charge – Rs. 3500 per person

Parasailing 

Another exciting and incredible water sport in Andaman Island for non-swimmers is parasailing. This water sport is an excellent blend of airborne and water adventure. You will be tied behind a speedboat while being harnessed in a parachute at the same time. You will fly like a kite attached to a boat. It is a thrilling activity, and you will also dip into the water. 

Location – Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Northbay Island, Carbyn’s Cove Beach, and Havelock Island

Price – Rs. 3000 per head

Parasailing

Speed Boating 

If you want to feel the thrill but still need to feel secure in the waters without getting in, speed boating is one of the best options. Watch the speed boat splashing through the waters at a rapid pace under safety. It is one of the best water sports in Andaman that you shouldn’t miss. 

Location – Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Carbyn’s Cove Beach and Elephanta Beach 

Charge – Rs. 750 per head

Speed Boating
Speed Boating

Jet Skiing 

Jet Skiing also stands out as one of the best adventure sports in Andaman. You can enjoy the game at its best only when the weather is favorable. During the storm or torrential downpour, jet skiing is closed. Be sure to check the weather before going for this water sport. 

Location – Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Carbyn’s Cove Beach and Havelock Island

Charge – Rs. 600 per person

Jet Skiing 
Jet Skiing

Glass Bottom Boating 

As the name suggests, there are small boats with glass bottoms where you can have a glimpse of marine life as it sails across the sea. You can enjoy the ride of glass-bottom boats between North Bay Coral Island and Water Sports Complex or Jolly Buoy Island and Port Blair. It is a great and one of the best sea adventures you can enjoy in Andaman. 

Location – North Bay Island, Jolly Bouy Island, Elephanta Beach, and Neil Island

Cost – Rs. 1000 per head

Hop on the Seaplane 

Andaman is the first place in India to bring commercial seaplanes. You can’t miss an exciting ride in one of these seaplanes. It is one of the fantastic adventure sports in Andaman. These seaplanes are capable of carrying up to 9 passengers at once and ply between Havelock Island and Port Blair. It takes around 15 minutes to complete the ride, while ferries take 2 hours. 

Location – Port Blair 

Charge – Rs. 2500 per head

Hop on the Seaplane 
Hop on the Seaplane

Angling/Sport Fishing 

You don’t have to get drenched in all water sports. Sports game fishing is one of them. It is one of the most anticipated water sports here. Choose one of the beautiful yachts to head to a fishing trip. These trips mostly start after lunch in the late afternoon. You can also cook and taste your rewards caught by you on the trip. 

Location –  Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Charge – Rs. 15,000

Sport Fishing
Sport Fishing

Glass Bottom Boating 

As the name suggests, there are small boats with glass bottoms where you can have a glimpse of marine life as it sails across the sea. You can enjoy the ride of glass-bottom boats between North Bay Coral Island and Water Sports Complex or Jolly Buoy Island and Port Blair. It is a great and one of the best sea adventures you can enjoy in Andaman. 

Location – Dairy Farm Road, Port Blair 

Cost – Rs. 2250 per head

Coral Safari Semi Submarine

With a capacity of 130 people, this fantastic glass boat ride is a great water sport in Andaman Water Sports Complex. Sit inside a semi-submarine dome and explore the underwater life. The boat ride takes you to North Bay Island and returns to Andaman Water Sports Complex. It is one of the must-have activities for both elders and kids who are hesitant to try extreme adventure sports.

Location – Andaman Water Sports Complex

Pricing – Rs. 1850 

Kayaking

Kayaking is considered to be one of the best water activities to enjoy in Andaman. The destination is covered by seawater and streams, and you can explore this place at its best by sailing through the dense forests and calm islands by paddling a kayak. You can also visit the natural rock formations. It is considered to be one of the best water sports in October for beach bums and water babies. 

Location – Havelock Island

Pricing – Rs. 2500 per head

Kayaking
Kayaking

Mangrove Kayaking at Mayabunder

A lot of kayak tours have been offered in Andaman, and it indeed provides an excellent experience for those trying it for the first time. Sea Kayaking in the mangroves of Mayabunder is yet another incredible experience in Andaman. You can witness the vast and dense jungles sitting on a kayak and explore the serene views on the way. 

Location – Mayabunder

Pricing – Rs. 3500 per head

Andaman Dolphin Ride

This glass boat ride is completely different from the traditional glass boat ride offered in Andaman. It provides a clear insight into the underwater corals, and it is even better and faster than other trips. If you are afraid of getting inside the waters, you can easily indulge in this activity. Keep in mind that this activity is not available on Wednesday. 

Location – Andaman Water Sports Complex, Port Blair

Pricing – Rs. 1850

Dolphin Ride
Dolphin Ride

Swimming

There is nothing better experience than diving or snorkeling with Superstar Rajan in Andaman & Nicobar Islands that one can enjoy. Rajan is a 63 years old elephant, which is friendly for tourists and locals alike. You can book snorkeling or diving with Rajan in advance. You can also swim across naturally patterned and colorful fishes, colorful corals, and seabed gardens in calm waters. The clusters of these islands are ideal for diving.

Location – Andaman Water Sports Complex, Port Blair

Bottom Line 

We hope you enjoyed the article and are feeling excited to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Get there and enjoy some of the most exciting water sports in these heavenly islands.

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