please advice....

sunnyk · Oct 12th, 2009, 15:20

Hi all,

I have to say information on this forum has been really useful

. I need some more advice though. I will be traveling to Andaman & Nicobar with my wife this december; and will be there for 10 days. I would really appreciate it if you can help me with some of the things I am trying to figure out.

I am planning to take the Discover Scuba Diving course, and after reading some of the recommendations on this forum and at a few other places I have narrowed the Scuba institutes down to IndiaScubaExplorers, DiveIndia and Barefoot Scuba. Now both DiveIndia and IndiaScubaExplorers offer the DSD off Neil Island for Rs. 3000, where as the same course off Havelock is available for Rs. 4400 (by DiveIndia). Is it because the dive spots off Havelock are better than the ones near Neil?? Or the price discrepancy is just because of Neil being the less traveled island? Since this will be me and my wife's first dive, I want it to be pleasant so would realy appreciate some input on this.

We have booked a resort on Havelock for the first five days but we would also like to explore Neil island and visit Rangat for the Cutbert Bay Beach, and the Panchvati water falls then go to Baratang for the lime caves.

Now should we get a room/cottage on Neil island and spend a couple of days there as well or just do a day trip from Havelock. Please note that we like taking our time and actually explore the places we goto instead of just visiting the tourist spots for the sake of it. So what I am trying to ask is whether a day trip would do justice to Neil Island or not?

Now onto Rangat...Whats the best way to get there? I have read that there are ferries from Havelock/ Neil island that go to Rangat but have been unable to find the departure times and more importantly how long does it take to get to Rangat. I have not been able to find any information on the Panchvati waterfalls...Is it worth visiting? or is it called a waterfall just to add another spot to make the trip sound more interesting?

From Rangat we are planning to take the bus to Baratang, again I have not been able to find a schedule for this, I would really appreciate if someone can provide details about how long it takes to get from Rangat to Baratang and where can I find the departure schedule for the buses.

All your help will be really appreciated.

Thanks,

s@m

martinez · Oct 12th, 2009, 22:11

Maybe you need to slow down with regard to your whirlwind tour of the Andamans and doing an open water course as well. Just getting fron Neil to Rangat can take 2 days etc. The pace of life there is slower than slow,and that includes transport.
Getting from Port blair to Havelock or Neil is usually ,get ticket one day and travel the next. If you only have ten days then sort your OWC and take the rest as it comes with the time you have left. Ps Neil is Quieter.

sunnyk · Oct 13th, 2009, 01:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinez

Maybe you need to slow down with regard to your whirlwind tour of the Andamans and doing an open water course as well. Just getting fron Neil to Rangat can take 2 days etc. The pace of life there is slower than slow,and that includes transport.
Getting from Port blair to Havelock or Neil is usually ,get ticket one day and travel the next. If you only have ten days then sort your OWC and take the rest as it comes with the time you have left. Ps Neil is Quieter.

Thanks for the reply. What can I do....so many places to see, so little time

. About getting from Havelock to Rangat I read that the ferry takes 10-12 hours.

martinez · Oct 13th, 2009, 05:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnyk

Thanks for the reply. What can I do....so many places to see, so little time

. About getting from Havelock to Rangat I read that the ferry takes 10-12 hours.

OK,what is advisable,is to get your tickets from Havelock to Rangat two or three days beforehand. That is to make sure of a place on the boat the day you wish to travel. Same at Rangat,get the ticket back on the day you arrive. Also,sorry to say,that IF the sea is rough,the boat will not run. There is a bus to Port Blair for Rangat, and vica versa ,but that travels through Jawara territory and by using the bus service one is adding to the demise of that unique tribal culture. To be avoided if it can be.

martinez · Oct 13th, 2009, 05:09

Also,booking online is tons more expensive than just arriving and getting accomodation(on Neil).

Oct 12th, 2009, 15:20	#1
sunnyk Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Posts: 2	please advice.... Hi all, I have to say information on this forum has been really useful . I need some more advice though. I will be traveling to Andaman & Nicobar with my wife this december; and will be there for 10 days. I would really appreciate it if you can help me with some of the things I am trying to figure out. I am planning to take the Discover Scuba Diving course, and after reading some of the recommendations on this forum and at a few other places I have narrowed the Scuba institutes down to IndiaScubaExplorers, DiveIndia and Barefoot Scuba. Now both DiveIndia and IndiaScubaExplorers offer the DSD off Neil Island for Rs. 3000, where as the same course off Havelock is available for Rs. 4400 (by DiveIndia). Is it because the dive spots off Havelock are better than the ones near Neil?? Or the price discrepancy is just because of Neil being the less traveled island? Since this will be me and my wife's first dive, I want it to be pleasant so would realy appreciate some input on this. We have booked a resort on Havelock for the first five days but we would also like to explore Neil island and visit Rangat for the Cutbert Bay Beach, and the Panchvati water falls then go to Baratang for the lime caves. Now should we get a room/cottage on Neil island and spend a couple of days there as well or just do a day trip from Havelock. Please note that we like taking our time and actually explore the places we goto instead of just visiting the tourist spots for the sake of it. So what I am trying to ask is whether a day trip would do justice to Neil Island or not? Now onto Rangat...Whats the best way to get there? I have read that there are ferries from Havelock/ Neil island that go to Rangat but have been unable to find the departure times and more importantly how long does it take to get to Rangat. I have not been able to find any information on the Panchvati waterfalls...Is it worth visiting? or is it called a waterfall just to add another spot to make the trip sound more interesting? From Rangat we are planning to take the bus to Baratang, again I have not been able to find a schedule for this, I would really appreciate if someone can provide details about how long it takes to get from Rangat to Baratang and where can I find the departure schedule for the buses. All your help will be really appreciated. Thanks, s@m

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Oct 12th, 2009, 22:11	#2
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Maybe you need to slow down with regard to your whirlwind tour of the Andamans and doing an open water course as well. Just getting fron Neil to Rangat can take 2 days etc. The pace of life there is slower than slow,and that includes transport. Getting from Port blair to Havelock or Neil is usually ,get ticket one day and travel the next. If you only have ten days then sort your OWC and take the rest as it comes with the time you have left. Ps Neil is Quieter.

Oct 13th, 2009, 05:09	#5
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Also,booking online is tons more expensive than just arriving and getting accomodation(on Neil).