Port Blair - Andaman Islands

A short flight from Calcutta by air (it is also connected by flights from Delhi and Madras) is Port Blair, capital of the Andaman Islands. Though travel is restricted here, those islands open to tourism, with their lovely beaches and coral beds, are a traveller’s delight. On Port Blair, the Cellular Jail and Anthropological Museum merit a visit. Excursions can be taken by motor launch to the islands of Wandoor and Jolly Buoy and to the bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo. 

The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands consisting of about 293 islands (39 of which are inhabited) is situated in the Bay of Bengal. Andaman roup of islands consists of North Andaman, Middle Andaman. South Andaman and Little Andaman besides many smaller islands.Nicobar group of islands comprises Great Nicobar, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Katchal and Chowra. The headquarters of this Union Territory is at Port Blair, situated in South Andaman Island. The topography of the islands is hilly & they abound in evergreen forests.Timber is plentiful and of a vast variety. The white sandy beaches have a back drop of luxuriant greenery & in the clear blue waters of the lagoons enclosed by coral reefs is an underwater world full of fish of every possible variety.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Area: 8248 sq.kms. (Andaman- 6408, Nicober- 1841 sq.kms.) 
• Altitude: Varies from sea-level to 732 metres. (Highest Point- Saddle Peak). 
• Temperature (°C): Min 23, Max30 
• Rainfall: 3000 mms (May to Mid-September & November to January). 
• Relative Humidity: 70% to 90%. 
• Forest cover: 86%. 
• Best Season: October to April. 
• Clothing: Cottons throughout the year. 
• Languages Spoken: Nicobari, Bengali, Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Hindi, English. 
• ISD Code: +91-3192 (STD 03192)

ENTRY FORMALITIES 

Foreigners: Foreign tourists need a special permit to visit the Andaman Islands. This can be obtained from Indian Missions abroad or the immigration authorities in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras or on arrival at Port Blair Airport. It can also be obtained from The Director, Ministry of Home Affairs (ANL Division), Government of India, 2nd Floor, North Block, New Delhi- 110 001, through Indian Missions at least 3 months in advance. Foreign Nationals are not allowed to visit Nicobar Islands.This permit is valid for Port Blair Municipal Area; Havelock Islands; Long; Neil Islands; Mayabunder; Diglipur; Rangat for a period of one month where night halt is permitted. However only a day's visit is allowed to places like Jolly Buoy; South Cinque; Red Skin; Moun Hariet and Madhuban. 

Indians: Indian nationals need no special permits to visit Andamans. However, permits are required to visit Nicobar islands, issued by The Deputy Commissioner, Andamans at Port Blair.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Air: Port Blair is connected by Indian Airlines with Madras, Calcutta and Car Nicobar. East-West Airlines operate flights on Madras-Port Blair route on tuesday, thursday and saturday. 

Sea: Regular passenger ship services viz. M.V.Harshavardhana, M.V.Akbar and M.V.Nicobar are plying between Port Blair and Madras (1190 km), Calcutta (1255 kms), Vizag (1200 kms). One more passenger vessel M.V.Nancowry is likely to be inducted soon on this run. There are 2 sailings in a month each from Calcutta and Madras to Port Blair & vice versa. There is one sailing from Vishakhapatnam every 3 months. The voyage takes about 3 / 4 days and the ships normally berth at Port Blair for three days. 

Internal Transport: There are four inter-island passenger cum cargo vessel operating between Port Blair and other islands. Details regarding schedules can be obtained from the Director, Shipping Services, Port Blair, Tel: 20725.