Nudity & alcohol consumption on beaches and public places is forbidden. Contact Tourist Information Centers / Police personnel for any assistance requiredAndaman Nicobar is part of India and there is no need of passport or permit for Indian citizens to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A specific permission with details about the visit is however required to visit notified Tribal areas (e.g. research, educational etc.). The permission to visit tribal areas (exceptional circumstances) is granted by Deputy Commissioner, Andaman District. The permanent local residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also not allowed into the tribal reserve (Only tribal residents can visit their tribal population).
Nicobar group of Islands is not open for tourists. A special permission from Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District is required to visit Nicobar islands for bonafide reasons.
FOREIGN Nationals :
1. Valid Visa and Passport (to enter India)
Nepal and Bhutan nationals do not require visa to enter India and therefore they can visit Andaman Islands without Visa. Citizens of Nepal require a visa when entering India from China. Nationals of Maldives do not require a visa for entry into India for tourism purpose and stay up to 90 days.
2. Restricted Area Permit (RAP) : Apart from valid visa and passport requirement, all foreign nationals require a RAP to visit and stay in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. RAP is issued free of cost (in past it was INR 1395/-) on arrival at Port Blair Airport (Veer Savarkar Airport) from Immigration authorities. Those coming by cruise/yacht, the RAP will be issued at Port Blair harbour. The Restricted area permit is valid for 30 days. Permit can be extended for 15 days and for extension one has to contact the Superintendent of Police at Port Blair. RAP (RAP only; no extension) it can also be obtained from : Indian Mission Overseas, Foreigners Registration Offices at New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
For Burmese nationals RAP will not allow them to enter Mayabunder and North Andaman. An additional prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi is required.
The places covered under the permit
For day and night halt :
South Andaman Island (except tribal reserve)
Middle Andaman (except tribal reserve)
North Andaman (except tribal reserve)
Little Andaman (except tribal reserve)
Neil Island, Long Island, Havelock Island
Baratang Island (except tribal reserve)
North Passage Island
Mahatma Gandhi Marine national Park (excluding Hobday, Twin, Tarmugli, Malay and Pluto Islands - Night halt in the Marine national Park is allowed with permission only- which is almost impossible for tourists!).
For day halt only (no night halt allowed):
Ross Island
Narcondam Island
Interview Island
Brother Island, Sister Island
Barren Island : Landing on this island is not allowed. Can be seen from on board vessels and flights only.
This permit is required only for foreign nationals, Notified tribal areas are not covered under the permit.
OCELOT - Vessel visited in 2011
MOKISHA - Vessel visited in 2014
THE STONHAMS - Their vessel visited in 2008
Why such permissions and restrictions ?? :
Though Andaman & Nicobar is promoted as one of the best tourist destinations available today, Few key factors are making the task difficult. The probable factors are :
> Presence of aboriginal tribes in these Islands who are nearing extinction (see Tribal reserve area - below). Due care is taken to keep them isolated from human civilization so that they can flourish in their natural habitat.
> From ancient times Andaman & Nicobar is notified as a strategic military point. For the same reason it was once occupied by British and Japanese. An inscription dated 1059 AD of the Chola King of Tanjore indicates that these islands were used as base shelter station for waging war and keeping control over South East Asia.
> Improper maintenance, rapid growth of population and foreign poachers are posing a major threat to the precious flora and fauna of the Islands.
Tourists therefore require to comply with the strict immigration rules.
TRIBAL RESERVE AREA :
The Islands have been declared Tribal Reserve Area under Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribal) Regulation 1956. An exception is however the eastern coast of Great Nicobar (Campbell Bay Harbour) comprising 7 villages, which is non-reserve area [330 Ex-Servicemen families were settled under Accelerated development Programme of Ministry of Labour and Rehabilitation in 1969-72].
According to the Regulation, no non-tribal is permitted to carry on any business or acquire land in tribal reserve without permission of Lt. Governor. The violation of Andaman & Nicobar (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, is cognizable offence vide Sec. 9 and subsequent notification No. AN/PATR/9(1)/6 dated 6th May 1957.
GUIDELINES FOR TOURISTS :
> The ancient monuments and National Parks are part of Indian heritage. Specific directions provided at the spot should be followed.
> Avail the services of authorized tourist guides only. Avail the services of Scuba Dive Instructors having certification of international professional organizations like PADI, CMAS, NAUI, BSAC or SSI for safe diving experience.
> Vehicles are available on hire. While driving follow the traffic rules. Documents like driving license, permit and passport should be kept handy while driving.
> Photography/videography of Airports, Government dockyard, defense establishments, Naval wharves, Dhanikhari Dam is prohibited. Do not try photography or videography inside Tribal Reserve areas or of the indigenous tribes. Beware! the indigenous tribes may even snatch away your cameras and vanish into the woods (especially if you are traveling towards Middle Andaman). They have been taught that filming them is illegal.
> Consult life guards before entering the sea.
> Andaman is one of the cleanest tourist destination in India. Dispose off the garbage and plastics at proper places/dustbins. Throwing plastics and non-biodegradable waste into the sea may attract penalty.
> Take care of the coral reef, Do not stand on the coral reef while snorkeling / Scuba diving / Swimming. Collection of corals either dead or alive is legal offence.
> Obtain a transit pass from the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, Port Blair, to transport any wild animal / trophy / article outside the Andaman & islands. Do not collect, destroy or remove any living or dead animal/plant. Collecting Sea fans and seashells is also not permitted unless specific permits are obtained from the Fisheries Department.
> Please inform local authorities/staff positioned in protected areas if you notice any undesirable activity. Nudity & alcohol consumption on beaches and public places is forbidden. Contact Tourist Information Centers / Police personnel for any assistance required