Andaman Tour 3 Night 4 Days trip

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the east of the Indian mainland geographically, float in splendid isolation in the Bay of Bengal. Once a hill range extending from Myanmar to Indonesia, these picturesque undulating islands, islets numbering around 836, are covered with dense rain-fed, damp and evergreen forests and endless varieties of exotic flora and fauna. Most of these islands (about 550) are in the Andaman Group, 28 of which are inhabited. The smaller Nicobars comprise some 22 main islands (10 inhabited). The Andaman and Nicobars are separated by the Ten Degree Channel which is 150 Kms.

Rainy Over- Cast Beaches?

While Andaman sees perfect island weather for most parts of the year, many tourists end up planning their holiday based on the flight costs. While you’ll save bucks doing this, you’ll also be risking gloomy skies and endless rain.

Monsoons begin in early May, continuing to pick up intensity until the month end, when day-long drizzles and strong downpour marks the typical season. Travelling to a beach only to see it over cast and drizzling not only ruins your perfect picture for Instagram, but also your holiday. Don’t be surprised if you end up stuck in your hotel all day as it pours outside.

We suggest that you skip this season, as the seas become too rough to dip into and unpredictable rain keeps beaches shut. Strong cyclonic depressions that result in high, dangerous waves are also common.

Travel to andaman in early October/late march will give you smaller crowds, cheaper prices from beach-side vendors and calm and breezy weather. Anything beyond March puts you in peak tourist season, so if privacy and peace is what you’re looking for, head out before it gets busy!

It Can Get Really Hot

During the summer months, like most islands, the air can become sultry and very humid. Carry light, cottons clothes and non-sticky creams to beat the heat. Another important essential is an umbrella and sunglasses. Just walking down streets to explore local stores is a huge hassle because of the sunlight and heat.

Avoid packing synthetic clothes, heavy dresses or formals. Keep it light and airy. While locals are broad minded and open, keeping some modest clothing for Port Blair and the bikini’s reserved for other islands might be a smart move.

The UV exposure is high during the summer so don’t let a gloomy day fool you. Carry and apply sunscreen at all times. Many tourists who are quite used to relaxing on beaches without sunscreen find themselves sunburnt after a few hours here.

Carry Your Medicines And Sanitary Needs

If you suffer from a certain illness or allergic to generic tablets, please ensure you carry these along. While there are medical stores in Port Blair, the smaller islands do not have extensive medical facilities. Travelling extensively for simple medication can easily take up precious hours of travel time.

Keep common remedies like painkillers, cough syrup, pills for an upset stomach, tampons, pads etc. with you. Understand that navigating and reaching these remote islands is difficult and once you have reached the island, it’s too late to think of returning for a simple necessity like a pad. Keep this in mind especially for the less travelled islands like Long Island, Ross and Smith, Little Andaman, etc. However, you can be safe and rest assured that this will not be a problem in Port Blair or Havelock Island, as both are well equipped to handle any tourist need.

Say Goodbye To Your Social Media

It is a well-known fact that internet connectivity is weak on the islands, given its long distance from the mainland. While plans to build an undersea internet cable are underway, for the near future you’ll have to say goodbye to data heavy apps.

Remember to download Google maps offline before your visit on all phones. While Vodafone, BSNL and Airtel and Vodafone have connectivity, other cellular network providers do not have coverage on the islands. If you plan to stay for a month or longer, buying a BSNL sim card is a good idea, as it is the only data provider with decent signal strength to experience 2G and above speeds.

 Don’t Rely On Plastic Money

ATM’s on the island are few and far between. Apart from Port Blair , Havelock, and Neil, the other islands do not have ATM stalls or POS machines to swipe your cards on. Ensure you carry cash on hand to pay for food and activities as well as to local vendors. This is important, as most swipe machines suffer from low connectivity and often do not work. Even if your hotel or café offers card payment, it won’t hurt to keep some cash as a back-up.

Carry The Right Cosmetics

Carry a good sunscreen and a scarf or hat to protect yourself from the heat while walking.You’ll have to carry all essentials with you as the brands you prefer may not be sold in local stores.

For people who like their makeup, carry hair essentials like frizz cream and serums. If you have treated or coloured hair, it is imperative you carry serum, as the weather will turn your hair dry.

Commute On The Islands

While tourists know about ferries that take them to another island, they are usually not aware of how to commute within the island. Renting a scooter or bike at Port Blair is not available or advisable. While traffic is low, the terrain is difficult to navigate & too many crossing and diversions, as google maps will not work at all. Stick to auto-rickshaws in Port Blair. Or rent a Full Day Cab/ Taxi.