Due to the government's strict controls and presence of a vigilant defence force, the added stigma of a former 'penal colony', and the untiring efforts of environmentalists, the Andamans still remain breathtakingly pristine and beautiful till date.

Tropical rainforest offer an extravaganza of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. Four out of five species of sea turtles, including the giant leatherback are found in the Andamans. Wild 'salties' (saltwater crocodiles) inhabit vast mangrove eco-systems keeping nature in balance.

Don those tanks of air, snap on that mask - below the surface is probably the final undiscovered frontier for scuba diving in South East Asia.

If you are looking for that perfect getaway, where you can relax and rejuvenate in nature’s lap, watch time come to a complete standstill and hear the sounds of silence, its time to be hypnotised by the Andaman Islands.

How do you get to the Andamans?

Visiting the Emerald Isles is possible both by air and by sea. With the advent of low cost carriers, airline prices to the capital city of Port Blair have reduced considerably and most travellers now choose to fly here. Some budget travellers however still do take the regular ships that sail to the islands.

By Air:

To get to the Andaman Islands, Foreign Nationals will first need to fly to India. There are currently no direct flights from Thailand although private charters can be organised. The best points of entry would be Chennai or Kolkata as these are the only two cities from where there are daily direct flights to the islands. All flights arrive at the Veer Savarkar Airport in the capital city of Port Blair. After years of isolation, the Government has in the past decade or so begun to allow environmentally conscious tourism in the Andamans. However the Nicobar Islands remain inaccessible and tourists (both Indians & Foreign nationals) are strictly not allowed to visit this group of Islands.

All Foreign Nationals are requested to visit our FAQ section and read about the Visa and permit requirements to visit the Andamans

Please note that the flight timings are subject to change at a short notice and we request you to check flight details at the time of booking tickets.

By Sea:

Ships to Port Blair also ply on fixed schedules from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam. However, tickets must be purchased well in advance and the journey (3 days) can be monotonous as the ships have minimal facilities and are not luxurious at all.

For those with no constraint on time and a strong stomach, a ship voyage can be interesting (and inexpensive) as you get to meet with both Andaman islanders as well as mainland Indian travelers.

For further information and current shipping schedule and fares, please visit:
http://www.and.nic.in/dss/sailing.htm
http://www.and.nic.in/spsch/ship_fare.htm