Visa and permit for the Andaman Islands. How to get to the Andaman Islands How to get to the Andaman Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a protected area carefully protected by the Indian government. This state of affairs has its pros and cons. Undoubtedly, there are more advantages and they are much more significant: the status of a reserve has made it possible to preserve this paradise of wildlife practically untouched by civilization. The absence of large ports and shipping yards allows the coastal waters to remain as clear as they were thousands of years ago, and the ban on industrial fishing has firmly established the islands as the only place on earth where underwater inhabitants die a natural death, and not in the holds of fishing boats .

The difficulties of the protected area are that to visit, in addition to an Indian visa, you will need additional permission. As a rule, such a permit is issued for 30 days of stay, but it is possible to extend it for a few more weeks. Please note that for tourists who do not have return tickets or an invitation from the hotel, a permit is issued only for 15 days. Violating the strict visa regime of the islands is fraught with unpleasant consequences - a fine of $600.

Tourists and travelers arriving in the Andaman Islands by air obtain this permit directly at the airport. Those who prefer to take a boat trip from the mainland must obtain such a permit in advance in Chennai (Foreigners’ Registration Office - tel.: 044-28278210) or Kolkata (tel.: 033-22473300).

Getting permission to travel to the Andaman Islands is as easy as getting an Indian visa. This is not affected by having a large bank account, family or permanent job. This document has a rather formal appearance and is not any serious bureaucratic obstacle. However, it should be noted that permission will be needed not only to enter the Andamans, but also when moving from island to island, as well as when checking into a hotel.

This document also contains a list of islands allowed for visiting. At the moment it looks like this:

How to apply for an Indian visa

There is nothing difficult in applying for an Indian visa yourself. Step-by-step instructions for obtaining a tourist visa to India:

• First of all, prepare one color photograph 3*4 cm.
• On the official website of the visa center, fill out the application form online. This can be done - . The form must be filled out in English. While filling out, refrain from using punctuation marks and the Enter button. Only letters, numbers and spaces are allowed. This application must be printed in two copies.
• We make a copy of the passport page with the photo.
• We copy round-trip air tickets and hotel reservation evidence.
• We make a copy of the Russian passport. The embassy is interested in pages with a photo and registration.
• If you are taking a child with you, you will need to make a copy of his birth certificate.
• If a child travels with only one of the parents, then a notarized permission from the second parent for his departure will be required.
• All these documents, copies and photographs should now be submitted to the Consulate General or visa center.
• When submitting, pay a visa fee of about 1,600 rubles.

That's all, no additional documents are required. Moreover, if you cannot submit the documents yourself, someone else can do it for you. All he will need is the package of documents listed above and your signed power of attorney. It does not need to be notarized.

India, Andaman islands, India

The Andaman Islands are located between the seas of the Indian Ocean - the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The Andaman archipelago includes 550 islands, of which only 26 are inhabited; only 9 islands are open to tourists.

How to get to the Andaman Islands

The archipelago is located 1000 kilometers from the east coast of India and belongs to Southeast Asia. You can get to the Andaman Islands by plane from Kolkata. From Delhi to the islands you can only get through Calcutta. Planes land in the capital of Andaman - Port Blair. From Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam, you can travel to Port Blair by boat (about 60 hours, which takes 4 days).

Since the territory of the archipelago is a protected area, a permit is required to visit it. Those flying to the islands by plane will be able to obtain such permission at the Port Blair airport. If you decide to sail to the islands by ship, you will have to take care of permission at the embassy (upon obtaining a visa) or at the port of departure. The permit is issued for a period of 30 days. Your permit will be checked when visiting all the islands, and when checking into a hotel - handle this important document carefully.

Sights of the Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands - divine nature, exotic flora and fauna, coral reefs, jungles, in the thickets of which the indigenous islanders are hiding - peoples who have not been touched by civilization.

In 1789, British colonialists landed on the Indian islands inhabited by ancient peoples. They built a prison on this land, which functioned until the mid-20th century. The buildings and premises of the prison are today declared a historical monument. It is located in the capital Port Blair.

The islands have many luxurious sandy beaches and snorkeling spots. Popular vacation spots in the archipelago are Corbin Bay, islands: Chirya Tapu, Viper Island, Havelock, Karmatang, Diglipur, Ramnagar Beach, Corbin Beach, Mahamta Gandhi Sea Beach.

The best time to visit the Andaman Islands is from October to May, and the best time for divers is from mid-January to mid-May. The worst time for such a trip - with strong winds, rain and poor visibility - is from the end of May to the end of June.

Do you want to go on holiday to some unusual place? Then choose the mesmerizing Andaman Islands as your destination.

What are these islands?

The Andaman Islands are an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean between Myanmar and India. It belongs to the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and consists of 204 islands, the total area of ​​which is about 6400 km2.

The population is about 350 thousand people, but, surprisingly, there are only about 500 indigenous residents, all the rest are visitors. The largest city is Port Blair, its population is about 100 thousand people. On the islands, by the way, pumpkins, mangoes, tea, coconut palms and breadfruit trees are cultivated.

And a little history, it's quite interesting. In 1789, the British conquered the archipelago, but they had to deal with uprisings more than once; the indigenous population did their best to defend the territory. And between 1858 and 1952, prisoners from India were exiled to the Andaman Islands by the British. But today this place is open to tourists.

How to get here?

Every tourist should know that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a closed zone, entry into which requires not only a visa, but also a special permit. You need to get it from the immigration office located at Haddo Pier.

But if you arrive to the islands by water, then you need to obtain permission in advance, and on the mainland, for example, in Chennai or Kolkata. In addition, it can also be issued when applying for a regular Indian visa. Travel agencies often provide assistance. In any case, an ordinary tourist can stay on the islands for no longer than 30 days.

By the way, the Indian authorities do not allow tourist tours to all the islands, so you can visit only a few of them, such as Middle Andaman, Little Andaman, South Andaman, Diglipur, Neil, Baratang, Havelock and some others.

Prices for tours, unfortunately, are often high, which is due to the remoteness of the islands and difficulties that may arise upon entry. Few travel agencies offer such trips, but the situation may change in the future.

How to get there?

Getting to the islands is not as easy as we would like; direct flights are available from Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. But it is planned to open flights from Bangkok (charter flights are probably already available). Moreover, it is best to book tickets in advance, since during the tourist season their cost can increase several times.

Another available way is to travel by ship, but this is a rather risky undertaking, since the journey will be very long, its duration can reach several days. And it's also quite dangerous.

Where is the best place to go?

The most popular resorts in the Andaman Islands:

1. Viper Island is ideal for those who dream of privacy. Most of this island is covered with sand and greenery.
2. Corbina Bay is one of the few places where you can enjoy the usual vacation for many. There are not only beaches, but also fashionable hotels and restaurants.
3. Diglipur Island is famous for the fact that there are very beautiful places here: the only river Kaplong, orange groves. Here you can also see amazing inhabitants of the underwater world.
4. Rutland Island is suitable for travelers who prefer eco-tourism. Here you can see coral reefs and mangroves. And you can stay in small cozy cottages.
5. Neil Island is a quiet and almost deserted place.
6. Karmatang will delight you with a small, quiet and secluded beach.
7. Havelock Island has incredibly beautiful coral reefs, numerous ocean inhabitants, and crystal clear water.
8. Vandoor is the gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi National Park.

Where to stay?

If you are planning to go to the Andaman Islands and expect a luxurious holiday with all the conditions, a full range of services and an all-inclusive system, you may be disappointed, since there are very few five-star hotels here. But still remember that the main thing here is not this, but the stunning nature, a special atmosphere and tranquility, which one can only dream of on the mainland.

Transport

If you decide to visit several islands at once, you can get from one to another by helicopter or ferry, both of which operate regularly.

To travel around one island, you can use the services of so-called auto-rickshaws or taxi drivers. It is also possible to rent a scooter.

Climate

The climate of the Andaman Islands is tropical, the temperature here rarely drops below 20-23 degrees. Humidity is high, it reaches 70-90%. The best time to visit is around October to May, as winter is considered the rainy season. And at the end of summer there are often storms here, and quite serious ones at that.

What to do here?

There are a lot of options for activities, everyone will find something to their liking:

• You can practice water sports such as diving, surfing. Moreover, even if you are not familiar with them, experienced instructors will help you master the basics.
• This will definitely be of interest to real travelers and adventurers, because there is something to see and be surprised on the islands.
• Enjoy your beach holiday. The beaches are very clean, the sand is snow-white, the sun is gentle, and the water is warm. And on some beaches you can even find large turtles laying eggs.
• There are many museums here, so if you want to get to know the islands better, be sure to visit one of them.
• There are 9 national parks on the islands, as well as more than 90 reserves, so you can fully enjoy the flora and fauna.
• Just take a walk, you’ll see: a lot of interesting things await you.
• In one of the few cafes you can try Indian cuisine, including some very exotic ones.

But lovers of nightlife and parties will not be interested here, since there are practically no bars and nightclubs. But this is not what people go to the Andaman Islands for.

• Some islands are still inhabited by indigenous people and have tribal settlements. And some natives became acquainted with civilization quite recently, so they can walk around without clothes or in loincloths, don’t let this scare you. And many tribal settlements are closed to tourists.
• Taking photos and videos on the islands where the aborigines live is in most cases prohibited.
• In some places the nature is wild, as is the fauna and flora. So, firstly, be more attentive to the plants and better not touch them, and secondly, get all the necessary vaccinations before the trip.

Now you know almost everything about the Andaman Islands. It's definitely worth going there!

They belong to India, and the easiest way to get here is through India. It’s worth noting right away that this is not the only country from which you can come to the islands. Moreover, geographically they are located closer to Thailand and if you obtain the necessary visa and permit in advance, then it is quite possible to hire a boat in Phuket and sail to the Andamans from the east, but it will cost many times more, since there is no regular communication between the Andaman Islands and Thailand . It is also worth considering the fact that flights to the Andamans are carried out only from India, so it is more logical to get to the islands through this country.

So, we have decided that we are going to the Andamans from India, there are several options here: by air or by water.

• Let's consider the first option. Thanks to the human genius who made metal giants soar above the clouds. It is easier and faster to get to the Andaman Islands, of course, by air. Let us immediately note that transfers cannot be avoided; there are no direct flights from Russia to the islands, which is due to the low demand for this destination among Russian tourists and, as a consequence, low profitability. So, you should first fly to India, and from here fly towards the islands, the task is very simple. There are daily flights to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman Islands. Mumbai, Delhi, Madras, Chennai and Kolkata. It’s easier to do the following: we are looking for an air ticket to Delhi or Kolkata (where it will be cheaper and more convenient), then we buy an air ticket for Port Blair. The flight from the mainland to the Andaman Islands will take approximately 1.5 hours.

Cheap flights to India- AviaSales

Cheap flights to India- Cleartrip

How to get to the Andaman Islands is up to you; we have offered only a few of the most common options. For seasoned travelers, you can think of many options. For example, fly to Delhi, take a train to Calcutta, with a stop in the ancient and beautiful city of Varanasi, as old as India itself, and only then fly towards the capital of the islands, Port Blair.

The options are truly endless. Despite the fact that the Andaman Islands are famous for their inaccessibility, in fact, a flight from Russia can take only about 12 hours, including one transfer at an Indian airport.

How to get from Goa to the Andaman Islands

The chain is very simple: Goa—>Mumbai—>Pot Blair

The nearest airport to Goa, from which direct flights to the Andaman Islands are available, is located in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay). It is worth noting that Mumbai is the largest city in India and also the economic capital of this state. We recommend spending at least a few days to examine it, or better yet a week, it’s worth it. It is easier and cheaper to travel from Goa to Mumbai by train; you can purchase train tickets through this website - cleartrip.com. India ranks first in the world in terms of rail traffic intensity, surpassing even the more populous China. The cost of a ticket to Sleeper Class (something like our reserved seat) will be around 400 rupees, the journey will take about 12 hours. There are direct regular flights from Mumbai to the capital of the Andaman Islands, Port Blair.

Attention! When you go to the airport in Mumbai, before getting into a taxi, make sure that the taxi driver knows 100% which airport and how to go. If he starts running and asking passers-by for directions, look for another taxi without thinking. There have been cases when tourists were late for their flight due to the fault of the taxi driver. Of course, it’s better to leave early

As you can see, there is nothing difficult about exchanging Goa for the Andaman Islands. There are no noisy parties here like on Arambol or Vagator, but the turquoise sea and snow-white beaches are worth it. Plus, in addition to a change of scenery, you get an exciting trip that will most likely be remembered for a lifetime.

How to get cheaper from Moscow

The chain will be like this: Moscow—>Delhi—>Pot Blair

As it turned out, this issue requires special attention. Everything is very simple, there is only one transfer. First we buy a plane ticket Moscow—> Delhi, We have already advised above where it is easier to look for the cheapest air tickets for regular flights. It’s up to you to decide whether to stay in Delhi or not; we’ll just note that the city is large, noisy, dusty, extremely dirty in places, but very interesting. We would recommend staying in Delhi for at least a few days to see the main attractions, especially if this is your first time in India.

That's it, welcome to the Andaman Islands!

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Lao Tzu

John, G4IRN will be active from Andaman Islands, IOTA AS - 001, 23 February - 5 March 2018 as VU4G.
QTH - Sea Princess Resort, Port Blair, Andaman Island, Andaman Islands.
Latest DX spots VU4G
QTH locator - NK61ho.
It will operate on the bands 40 - 17m.
QSL via G4IRN, ClubLog OQRS, LOTW.
Address for QSL direct:
JOHN WARBURTON, 31 GREENWOOD ROAD, THAMES DITTON, KT7 0DU, England.

VU4G. Sea Princess Resort, Andaman Islands. QSL.

Holidays in the Andaman Islands - return to nature

If there are still places on our planet where no human has set foot, then they can be found on the Andaman Islands. The archipelago is located in the Bay of Bengal between India and Myanmar, is part of India and is part of the union formation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Of more than two hundred small islands, only 36 have been developed.

Pristine nature is represented by endless tropical forests covering more than 90% of the territory. A rich ecosystem, secluded lagoons with emerald water, pristine beaches with golden sand - this is not heaven on earth! Jacques-Yves Cousteau himself admired the local nature and eloquently described it in his memoirs.

The archipelago has a warm tropical climate, with an average temperature of 26°C. The season of heavy tropical rains can be found here in the summer months, so it is better not to take risks and not plan your vacation for this time. The tourist season with the most favorable climate lasts from October to April.

Andaman Islands. Photo by Jordan Sadler.

Primitive tribes and colonization

According to research, even in ancient times, descendants of primitive people moved from Africa to the islands. By the way, on many isolated islands, direct descendants of those same settlers still live, whose way of life has not changed at all since the times of the primitive system.

The famous navigator Marco Polo was the first to speak about the islands inhabited by strange tribes. Moreover, in his stories, the traveler called the islanders nothing less than cannibals, which for a long time repulsed the desire of his contemporaries and subsequent generations to visit the remote group of islands.

This continued until the Englishman Archibald Blair arrived on the island in 1789, who immediately registered the lands as English possessions. The enterprising lieutenant founded the first stronghold - Port Blair, which later became the largest city and capital of the archipelago. Today, the city is home to approximately 100 thousand people, most of whom are Indians.

Due to the unusual climatic conditions, the British immediately disliked the islands and used the new colony exclusively for the exile of prisoners. In memory of those times, prison buildings remained - one of the few man-made monuments in the Andamans.

During the Second World War, part of the islands was occupied by Japan, which, however, very quickly abandoned the territory. And since 1950, the archipelago completely came under the control of India, soon after which it acquired the status of a nature reserve.

Kollinpur Beach, Andaman Islands. Photo by Abkhranil Neogi.

Development of tourism in the Andamans

The tourism business on the islands is poorly developed: the Indian government is in no hurry to sacrifice such a rare treasure for monetary gain. And this is only for the better, because there are not many places left on earth where you can hide from the boring urbanization and truly relax. Andamans is not for those who are used to service at every turn and first-class living conditions. This is a place for true connoisseurs of the exotic who want to completely immerse themselves in the authentic world of island life.

Another explanation for the fact that the islands are not at all popular among tourists is the need to obtain special permission to visit the territory, which has the status of a nature reserve. In addition, Russian citizens need to obtain a visa to travel to India. As for the permit, this is a far-fetched obstacle, because the document does not need to be specially prepared somewhere on your own; it is issued to all tourists right at the airport upon arrival.

It is also believed that the supposed road to the islands is expensive and confusing. But in fact, getting here is not much more difficult than getting to other island resorts. To do this, you need to fly to India, from where you can get to Port Blair, the largest city in the archipelago. This can be done by air or by water.

Fisherman, Andaman Islands. Photo by Tim Scarisbrick.

Who would be interested in a holiday in the Andaman Islands?

As already mentioned, lovers of a relaxed beach holiday are unlikely to appreciate the local service. But fans of active pastime will definitely be satisfied with the trip.

The Andaman Islands are a favorite destination for divers who come here from all over the world. There are no industrial ports in the protected area, and fishing is completely prohibited. Such closedness of the islands to fishing allowed the ecosystem to maintain its original appearance. Thanks to the crystal clear water, you can freely observe the life of the underwater world in all its colorful diversity. The favorable season for diving coincides with the tourist season, when there are no storms or downpours.

The protected Andaman Islands are dearly loved by adherents of the now fashionable ecotourism. If you want to relax exclusively in those corners of our planet where there is the least trace of civilization, then the Andamans are simply created for this. There are never crowds of tourists with cameras, noisy music parties and other attributes of resort towns. The environment on the islands is ideal for yoga, meditation, and other practices that involve unity with nature.

What tourists need to know

Since the entire archipelago is a protected area, this dictates certain rules of behavior for visitors. For example, on the islands it is prohibited to collect shells, pick corals, fish near the shore and engage in spearfishing. Even if you manage to take the coral without anyone noticing, it will be discovered by customs officers during luggage inspection.

Be careful with local cuisine. Indians are big fans of seasonings, to which the body of Europeans is often unusual. Therefore, if you are not a big fan of fiery food, then when ordering dishes it is better to immediately ask for less spices.

When buying souvenirs, you can and should bargain - fortunately, residents of Port Blair and nearby settlements speak good English. To make payments, it is better to get local money immediately upon arrival, since ATMs can only be found in Port Blair.