A few tips for the Andamans

Lucid · Dec 8th, 2008, 15:36

Ok how about price rates for various accommodations ? im looking at as cheap as possible on neil islands and havelock along with port blair.

kalbarri · Dec 9th, 2008, 16:53

coconuts resort on havelock, azad hotel in port blair are both cheap. coconuts had small huts with fan and verandah for 150rps, in the off season and the manager said they would go up to, at least, 300rps around december. still cheap though. bay view resort might be budget. it is at beach 2 which has good snorkelling. it is a nice little place and i was quoted 300rps in september. it is in a lovely spot. some resorts near there have very budget looking huts. they would be ok to stay in, if it is not raining and you are not too anxious about security.

Shiver me Timbers · Dec 9th, 2008, 18:58

I think I paid like 250 Rupees in March for a small hut with a fan at Amazon. Me and my friend shared it, keeping our bags and stuff in it, and going over to the beack #7 to sleep some nights in our hammacks. This is a pretty good arrangement to make if you can, as you can still go back and use the hut for sleeping in if you like.

onnemongen · Dec 15th, 2008, 06:47

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.ne...Port-Blair.htm

Quote:

Boat
There are usually two to four boats a month between Chennai or Kolkata and Port Blair. Boats are operated by Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) (233347; 233590; fax 233778). There is also a monthly boat from Visakhapatnam to Port Blair (may not depart).

The SCI office in Chennai is at Jawahar Building, Rajaji Salai (opposite the Customs House) (044 522-6873; 044 522-0841) and the SCI office in Kolkata is on the first floor at 13 Strand Rd (033 248-2354; fax 033 248-0377). The SCI office in Visakhapatnam is at AV Bhanoji (0891 565-597), near the main gate of the port.

In Port Blair the SCI office for the Kolkata boat is in Aberdeen Bazaar opposite the Dhanalaksmi Hotel (233-590). You may have to go to Phoenix Bay to book the Chennai boat.

To book a boat in Chennai or Kolkata, you must have three photos and the appropriate forms. You are supposed to book the boat at least four days before the boat departs. You may be required by the SCI to have a permit to visit the islands. It is best to arrange the return ticket from Port Blair before departing from Chennai or Kolkata). Bookings should be reconfirmed two days before the boat’s departure.

The trip from Chennai takes three or four days; and from Kolkata five days. Bunk class costs Rs 1500, but foreigners are usually not permitted to take this class. There is second class (four to six-berth) for Rs 2600, first class (two to four-berth) for Rs 4500, and deluxe (two-berth) for Rs 3600.

Meals costs about Rs 175 a day (usually a thali served three times a day). You may want to bring something extra, such as fruit and bottled water.

This is what I found googling. Couldn't tell how old the information was, but would still ask, as it is a bit contradictory with what Shiver me Timbers wrote about his journey...

Should I worry about getting the visiting permit BEFORE getting into a ferry? (Where, how?) What are the mentioned "appropiate forms" to have before going to get tickets?

Is there any way to get hold of some kind of schedules for the Chennai ferries? -- all I could find were the ones for 2005 to 2006.

And oh -- how come "foreigners aren't allowed to take bunk class" -- does this include ragged backpackers or only posh westerners who look to fragile to go there upon booking of the tickets?

I would be glad if anyone could give me insights on these ones. The islands seem very exciting and I would love to visit next February.

edwardseco · Dec 15th, 2008, 10:18

Quote:

You may be required by the SCI to have a permit to visit the islands

Sounds a bit old since for about a year at least permit on arrival has been available (boat)..

bukowski · Dec 17th, 2008, 05:51

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tlRSsvB4iLE
just stumbled across this on youtube - heartbreaking.
will probably still go there after christmas but certainly food
for thought - especially regarding using the road through jarawa land
interested to hear anyone else's thoughts

lbrass · Dec 30th, 2008, 20:42

hi there great overview. we are looking to go to the andamans but we are having trouble finding the ph; to contact the shipping corp to find out the ship shedule we have tried the internet and various contact no. that keep forwarding us to dead ends. is it possible to organise being out of chennai?

would really appreciate any help as it sounds like a place not to be missed.

kind regards
lbrass

dwardoo · May 7th, 2009, 07:39

so its ok to go in july?

martinez · May 21st, 2009, 03:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbrass

hi there great overview. we are looking to go to the andamans but we are having trouble finding the ph; to contact the shipping corp to find out the ship shedule we have tried the internet and various contact no. that keep forwarding us to dead ends. is it possible to organise being out of chennai?

would really appreciate any help as it sounds like a place not to be missed.

kind regards
lbrass

Probably best get to Chennai and sort it at the shipping office there. That is what most people seem to do.If ,however,you want to do it in monsoon time then you best take your self some sea sick medication. Flying is not expensive if you book a long time in advance and use a firm like cleartrip to book through.

goingback · May 21st, 2009, 04:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinez

Probably best get to Chennai and sort it at the shipping office there. That is what most people seem to do.If ,however,you want to do it in monsoon time then you best take your self some sea sick medication. Flying is not expensive if you book a long time in advance and use a firm like cleartrip to book through.

We should have booked flights from Kolkata to Port Blair a few weeks ago but have been trying to finalise our itinerary. The prices have now almost doubled. Will they just keep going up and up. Cleartrip seems to be about the best - any tips/advice?

martinez · May 21st, 2009, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by goingback

We should have booked flights from Kolkata to Port Blair a few weeks ago but have been trying to finalise our itinerary. The prices have now almost doubled. Will they just keep going up and up. Cleartrip seems to be about the best - any tips/advice?

A couple of months ago i bought two return tickets from Chennai to Port Blair (out Nov 21 and back Dec19 ) for 14000 irs
That is cheaper than i paid for the last 2 years and i guess it was because i booked so early. When are you wanting to do the trip ???(or should i say Journey)

goingback · May 21st, 2009, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinez

A couple of months ago i bought two return tickets from Chennai to Port Blair (out Nov 21 and back Dec19 ) for 14000 irs
That is cheaper than i paid for the last 2 years and i guess it was because i booked so early. When are you wanting to do the trip ???(or should i say Journey)

Wow Martinez, great price. Am I right in thinking it's cheaper to fly from Chennai than it is from Kolkata.

We will fly out from Kolkata on 13th or 14th November and return on 25 November (flight to UK from Kolkata on 26 November). I wonder whether it wise to return from Port Blair one day before we fly to UK or should we have an extra day in Kolkata.

martinez · May 22nd, 2009, 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by goingback

Wow Martinez, great price. Am I right in thinking it's cheaper to fly from Chennai than it is from Kolkata.

We will fly out from Kolkata on 13th or 14th November and return on 25 November (flight to UK from Kolkata on 26 November). I wonder whether it wise to return from Port Blair one day before we fly to UK or should we have an extra day in Kolkata.

I always er on the side of caution and get to my final India destination a day or two before i need to,quite simply because i should not wish to pay again if flights to Europe were missed.
Really don´t have any idea if flights from Kolkata are actually cheaper than from Chennai,but having said that,the last return trips we made were from Kolkata to Port Blair (and they were more expensive) (but only slightly) and this time we fly from Chennai because BA don´t go to Kolkata anymore
I really love Kolkata too,i shall sorely miss it.

Dec 17th, 2008, 05:51	#51
bukowski Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: cheshire Posts: 7	http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tlRSsvB4iLE just stumbled across this on youtube - heartbreaking. will probably still go there after christmas but certainly food for thought - especially regarding using the road through jarawa land interested to hear anyone else's thoughts __________________ "the future of shelf stacking"

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Dec 8th, 2008, 15:36	#46
Lucid Cosmos Integration ! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 529	Ok how about price rates for various accommodations ? im looking at as cheap as possible on neil islands and havelock along with port blair.

Dec 9th, 2008, 16:53	#47
kalbarri kalbarri Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: WESTERN australia Posts: 605	coconuts resort on havelock, azad hotel in port blair are both cheap. coconuts had small huts with fan and verandah for 150rps, in the off season and the manager said they would go up to, at least, 300rps around december. still cheap though. bay view resort might be budget. it is at beach 2 which has good snorkelling. it is a nice little place and i was quoted 300rps in september. it is in a lovely spot. some resorts near there have very budget looking huts. they would be ok to stay in, if it is not raining and you are not too anxious about security.

Dec 9th, 2008, 18:58	#48
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	I think I paid like 250 Rupees in March for a small hut with a fan at Amazon. Me and my friend shared it, keeping our bags and stuff in it, and going over to the beack #7 to sleep some nights in our hammacks. This is a pretty good arrangement to make if you can, as you can still go back and use the hut for sleeping in if you like.

Dec 30th, 2008, 20:42	#52
lbrass Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: melbourne Posts: 1	hi there great overview. we are looking to go to the andamans but we are having trouble finding the ph; to contact the shipping corp to find out the ship shedule we have tried the internet and various contact no. that keep forwarding us to dead ends. is it possible to organise being out of chennai? would really appreciate any help as it sounds like a place not to be missed. kind regards lbrass

May 7th, 2009, 07:39	#53
dwardoo Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Malta Posts: 16	so its ok to go in july?