Important Information

From mid-January to mid-May is the best time to visit, as days are mostly sunny. From the end of May to the end of July the islands see heavy rain, and from August to November occasional showers and slightly rough seas are possible. From early December to mid-January the weather turns rough again with heavy rain.

Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and English are widely spoken across the Andaman Islands.

A 30-day Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is issued to non-Indian citizens at Port Blair Airport on arrival - without it, no hotel in the Andaman Islands can provide accommodation to foreigners. Indian citizens do not require any permit to visit the Andaman Islands.

Basic Indian food is available in small dhabas and restaurants; more expensive resorts also serve a few western dishes. Seafood is available everywhere. On Havelock and Neil Island, finding a pure vegetarian restaurant can be a little difficult.

Fresh coconuts are popular and widely available. Alcohol is available in some restaurants and at 'English Beer & Wine Shops' in Port Blair and on Havelock Island. Beers are usually not chilled when bought across the counter, except in local bars - there is no pub or dance-club culture here.

The Andamans are a fairly safe destination, and tourism here is still low-key enough to feel almost hassle-free. That said, use common sense as you would anywhere. Saltwater crocodiles are present in suitable habitats throughout the islands; while attacks on locals occur occasionally, attacks on tourists in the open sea are extremely rare.

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are malarial, although generally no more so than mainland India. Carry basic mosquito repellents and consult your doctor about anti-malarial precautions before travelling.

Banks with ATMs in Andaman & Nicobar include State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Vijaya Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Axis Bank, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Union Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, Allahabad Bank, Bank of Baroda, UCO Bank and United Bank of India. Note that Havelock Island has only about two ATMs, so plan your cash accordingly.

Most hotels accept credit and debit cards, but due to occasionally poor internet connectivity, transactions can fail. It is advisable to carry sufficient cash, especially for Havelock and Neil Island.