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  • About Andaman

KNOW ABOUT ANDAMANS

Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a group of majestic and breathtaking islands, is the largest archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. Positioned in a north-south direction, it encompasses 572 islands clustered into two major groups- the Andaman and the Nicobar groups. The Andaman group which is located closer to Myanmar comprises 550 islands, islets and rocks and covers a landmass of 6408 km2. This group includes large islands such as the North Andaman, Middle Andaman, South Andaman, Baratang, Rutland, Islands of the Ritchie’s Archipelago consisting of Havelock Island, Neil Island and Little Andamans. 

Andaman islands are nature’s blessing to this planet. They showcase its humongous beauty in the form of lush greenery, amazing silver sand beaches, marvelous tropical forests, bewildering volcanic mountains and a crystal clear blue sea with the brilliantly coloured coral reef in its depth which attracts tourists from all walks of life. From a plane or chopper, the Andaman Islands look like green emeralds dispersed over the turquoise sea. No place in India even begins to compare with the Andamans . One can easily be smitten by its enchanting beauty. One moment , you are snorkeling or scuba diving in aquatic wonderland and the next you find yourself walking across a narrow strip of silver beach, or on a turtle nesting beach where you witness turtles laying eggs, to enter a damp, emerald rainforest complete with birdsong, multicolored reptiles, and insects of all description. The Andamans are home to lakhs of rare species of flora, fauna and diverse marine life.

HISTORY

Andaman & Nicobar islands have been known since ancient times as they were located on the trade routes from India to East Asia. The Chinese Buddhist monk I- ching, Arab travelers and Marco Polo are among those who mentioned Andaman & Nicobar Islands in their works. The name Andaman is most likely derived from the hindu mythology God Hanuman.The name Nicobar is probably derived from the south word nakkavaram. Marathas used these Islands as their shipping port during the 17th Century.The British first explored the Andaman Islands in 1789 while hunting for a place to set up offender colonies from British India. During World War 2, the Japanese occupied Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Later the British reclaimed the islands and abolished the penal colony. Administration of the Andamans and Nicobars was handed over to India when it gained independence in 1947. The Andaman Cellular Jail was declared a national monument in 1979. Many Indian revolutionaries including Veer Savarkar were detained over there. An event of national significance occurred, when our honorable prime minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the islands on the 75th anniversary of  Neta ji Subhash Chandra Bose and renamed the Ross, Havelock and Neil Islands as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep respectively.

HOW TO REACH ANDAMANS

BY AIR

Andaman islands have Airfields at Port Blair, Diglipur, Car Nicobar and Camp Bell bay islands , but for tourists only Port Blair Airfield  is open. All Guest who wants to visit Andaman islands, needs to Land at the Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair. And from there they can take a helicopter or Sea Plane to reach other nearby Islands. The Port Blair city Is well connected with daily flights from New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata throughout the year and during Season time other cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Vizag also get connected with Port Blair city on a weekly basis.

All major airlines aircrafts land and take off from Port Blair city. Average travel time from Kolkata and Chennai is around 02 Hours.

 
 

BY SEA

Andaman Islands main port is Port Blair city, where the major cargo lands and passenger ships from Kolkata and Chennai are connecting Port Blair through Sea from Mainland. It takes around 3 days for a ship to Reach Port Blair from Chennai or Kolkata.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ANDAMAN ISLANDS

Though Andaman Islands are welcoming tourists throughout the year but the best season to visit Andaman island is from October to March. Guests also visit Andaman islands in May and June month during summer break.

Some quick facts about Andamans

Administrative Capital

Port Blair

Altitude

Varies from sea level to 732 Meters

Highest peak

Saddle peak in Diglipur - 732 Meters

Forest Cover

Total forest cover is 92%, out of this protected forest is 86%

Clothing

Cotton clothing throughout the year

ISD code

+91 3192 (std 03192)

Distances from Major Cities on East coast

1255 KM from Kolkatta
1190 KM from Chennai
1200 KM from Vishakhapatnam

Climate

The Andaman islands are situated in the equatorial belt. The climate of Andamans is tropical throughout the year with mean minimum temperature at 23oC and maximum at 30oC but has moderate influence by sea breezes. Humidity is relatively high - 70% to 90% with a gentle breeze blowing all the time.The weather is pleasant with average annual rainfall ranging from 3000mm to 3500 mm.

Entry Formalities

Foreigners

Foreigners visiting the Andamans require a permit to stay, which can be easily obtained from the immigration authorities at Port Blair Airport. Upon permission, the 30-day stay limit can be extended by another 15 days. Further, permits can also be obtained from Indian Missions Overseas, Foreigner's Registration Offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and the immigration authorities at the airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai.

Indians

Indian nationals need no permit to visit Andamans. However, permits are required to visit Nicobar Islands and other tribal areas, which are given in exceptional cases. Application on a prescribed form may be addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Andaman District, Port Blair.