Do’s & Don’ts

If Andaman Island is on your bucket list of travel destinations, then here is a handy guide of

do’s and don’ts to make your trip both enjoyable and safe.

Do’s at the Andaman Islands:

Documents required to visit Andaman

It is essential you carry all required documents on your trip to Andaman

• Keep all documents like driving license, passport, Aadhar card, pan card, and booking details handy.
• You should have the Restricted Area Permit on you, if you are planning to visit the spots covered under the permit like Havelock island, Diglipur, Mayabunder, Long island, Neil island and more.
• Foreign tourists to Andaman are advised to keep their passport with a valid visa and Restricted Area Permit on them at all times.
• Do not leave important documents back at the hotel or the resort.

Help maintain the beauty and cleanliness at Andaman

‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan’ implies to theAndaman Islands too.

• To dispose of all the garbage and rubbish, use dustbins and garbage receptacles provided at various tourist spots.
• Keep the beaches clean by not littering.
• Along with the beaches, keep the parks, public places, and the sea clean and devoid of any garbage.

Water Activities

• Adhere to instructions given by the lifeguard.
• Since it is an ocean at a stretch, swim in safe and shallow areas only.
• To enjoy and make the most of your water sports experience like scuba diving or snorkeling in Andaman, keep in mind to avail the service of qualified diving instructors only. Check for their certification of international professional organizations like PADI, CMAS, NAUI, BSAC or SSI.

• While snorkelingor scuba diving in Andaman, take care to swim in permitted areas only.
• Do not step on the corals during these activities as you may damage them in the process.

Respect the tribes of Andaman

• Andaman is home to different native tribes like Jarwa, the Great Andamanese, Onge and Sentinelese.
• It is important all tourists respect the privacy of these tribes of Andaman.
• Any attempt to interact with them or violate their privacy is punishable by law.

Research Helps

• Andaman Islands are a set of enchanting archipelagos in the Bay of Bengal. Before visiting the island, it is better to research them to make the visit enjoyable and worth every moment.
• Try to learn more about the weather, the tropical forests, marine life, coral reefs, adventure sports, culture, and the local cuisine you can indulge in.

Tourist Information Centres

• There are official government tourist offices available at different islands at Andaman.
• You can reach out to them for any travel assistance required to move around the island.
• They can provide information on various tourist spots, beaches, hotels, places to stay, time to visit a tourist spot, renting a vehicle or a two-wheeler, and special permissions required to visit certain places on the island.

Other Rules to follow

• Maintain traffic rules when driving rented vehicles on the island.
• Wear a helmet when on a two wheeler.
• Have your driving license on you all the time when using rented vehicles.

Don’ts at the Andaman Islands:

Mission Cleanliness

• Help Andamans to be garbage-free. There is a ban on plastic bags on theislands for the protection of natural habitat.
• On finding any tourist or a local using a plastic carry-bag, he or she will have to pay a heavy fine of Rs. 1 Lac or bear a six months imprisonment or both.

Safety precautions in Andaman for tourists

The tourism department has issued some safety precautions in Andaman for locals as well as the tourists to maintain a harmonious and pleasant environment on theislands:

• Smoking is not allowed in public areas.
• The lighting of bonfires on beaches is not allowed.
• Camping in Andaman beaches is strictly prohibited and a punishable offense.
• Staying on beaches or moving around the forest areas overnight is strictlyprohibited. One should return to the respective hotel or resort and linger around the beaches.
• There is a ban on nudity on all the beaches and public places of theAndaman Islands.
• Swimming after having a drink is not safe. Also, swimming in unsafe areas during monsoon is hazardous to life.
• Staying on any of theislandsbeyond the permitted time is strictly prohibited.
• No foreign tourists are allowed to stay at Andaman post the expiry of their travel and permit documents.

Flora and Fauna protection

There are many national parks, protected areas, and islands where a tourist needs a permit to have access to them. There are some standard rules for such places.

• Hunting of any kind of birds or animals, both on land and sea is strictly prohibited.
• Maintaining flora and fauna of theislands is of utmost importance.
• Touching or breaking a live coral as well as collecting a dead coral is strictly prohibited as per the Coral Reef Protection laws. Take care of this especially duringscuba divingand snorkeling in Andaman.
• Collecting shells, taking them, or even touching them irrespective of their size or condition in the sea and on the beach is strictly prohibited.
• Owning shells requires purchasing them and preserving the purchase receipt as proof.
• Visiting the NicobarIslands or any other tribal reserves without a special pass or permit and trying to mingle with the tribal people without legal permission is a severely punishable offense.

Rules for photography

One cannot resist capturing the stunning beauty of the island. But specific rules must be followed for this purpose.

• Taking photographs or videos of the aboriginal tribes like the Jarwa tribe of Andaman is considered a crime and is a punishable offense.
• Adhere to the photography rules mentioned at restricted places.
• Tourists are advised against the use of drones for recreational photography. Use of drones requires special permission and licenses. It is a punishable offence to use drones without having a proper license in place.