swim wear in the andamans

batbanana · Oct 19th, 2008, 06:47

Hi, just a quick question for anyone who has been to the Andamans...

What is the preffered swimming costume for women on the islands?
I've read about goan beaches, but I get the feeling that there might be different standards for foreign tourists way out in the Andamans!

Are long shorts and a t-shirt conservative enough, or would a salwaar kameez be more appropriate?

Thanks!
(Sorry if this question has been asked before!)

martinez · Oct 19th, 2008, 07:49

people wear all sorts of things ...A good idea is to have a shalwar kameez or some other respectful covering if you don´t want the locals or the cops ogleing you whilst on the beach.
Snorkell ,fins and mask are a must because of the incredible corals and stunning fishlife,the ones for hire localy are not up to much.

batbanana · Oct 19th, 2008, 07:59

Will do,
I certainly don't want any trouble with the cops!

thank you martinez!

navinkurian2002 · Oct 20th, 2008, 13:01

Havent seen a single cop at havelock . People walk everywhere in their bikinis and its perfectly normal . Most tourist walk shirtless. But again it depends on you .

martinez · Oct 21st, 2008, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by navinkurian2002

Havent seen a single cop at havelock . People walk everywhere in their bikinis and its perfectly normal . Most tourist walk shirtless. But again it depends on you .

2 things:maybe there is a lack of cops in Havelock,but that is not the case on Neil.(they are not a problem regarding clothing)
Also,to dress in a manner showing respect to whichever culture is a decent enough thing to do.
The main problem on any Indian beach however is the sad Indian men that will not stop looking at scantily dressed women!The easy solution is to dress to avoid this problem.
Please understand that personally i don`t find even naked women a problem ,but others do.
I know that is more than 2 things but only having 2 fingers it is the extent of my ability to count more.

batbanana · Oct 21st, 2008, 20:28

Personally I would rather not be stared at, but I suppose a lot of beach goers might actually like the attention! I think I'll wear long shorts and a short-sleeved tunic over my bikini. I burn extra easy, so it has the added benefit of keeping my skin nice and pastey.
Thanks navin and again, martinez!

dipydoo · Oct 21st, 2008, 20:44

You'll be surprised what ppl in India wear to beaches nowadays...

batbanana · Oct 22nd, 2008, 00:59

hah, I'm sure I'll be surprised by a LOT of things!

footloose8 · Oct 22nd, 2008, 16:17

Erm...I think I will be taking a swimsuit with me...a one-piece, as they call it at the stores (not a bikini). But to go by what my friends who've been there told me, I would feel over-dressed even then. And as for Indian men ogling...I just hope there won't be too many around, since people keep telling how deserted Havelock usually is.

Ogling men, Indian or otherwise, are always a pain in all the wrong places

theyyamdancer · Oct 22nd, 2008, 19:09

Basically, in Havelock, anything goes as far as beachwear. I wore a bikini plus sarong to walk around but when "sunbathing" and swimming I added a long-sleeved muslin shirt to avoid being sunburnt for one thing and to keep off the sand flies for another. While snorkelling it is very easy to forget the time and burn your back! Indian ladies were bathing in full saris, with much giggling. My husband tried a spot of nudism on a deserted beach until we were joined by a guy selling bananas... I'm not joking. You are never truly alone on an Indian beach!

batbanana · Oct 22nd, 2008, 20:32

Thanks for the thoughts, footloose and theyyamdancer...
Maybe I'll just have to wing it and see what I'm most comfy in.
But can bikinis etc. be bought in the andamans? how about away from Port Blaire? I live in a land-locked province in a city with no good lakes close by and an icy (but beautiful) river, so our small selection of swimwear stores are expensive.

brishti · Oct 22nd, 2008, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyyamdancer

My husband tried a spot of nudism on a deserted beach until we were joined by a guy selling bananas...

and the guy selling tender coconuts didnt amble along as well ?

:brishti

footloose8 · Oct 23rd, 2008, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyyamdancer

My husband tried a spot of nudism on a deserted beach until we were joined by a guy selling bananas... I'm not joking. You are never truly alone on an Indian beach!

Heheheheheeee, that was really funny. Even at Havelock!!! Did he drop his wares and flee? Unaccustomed to skinny dipping as he may have been! Guess one can never be alone anywhere in India...hehehehehe, but that was funny...

theyyamdancer · Oct 23rd, 2008, 14:14

"Did he drop his wares and flee?" Of course not! Probably seen lots of naked saddhus and/or tribals. Seriously though, Beach Number Seven is still idyllic but you should all hurry up before it gets to be like Brighton (a well-known nudist beach in England).

batbanana · Oct 23rd, 2008, 22:51

i'd rather see cute giggling indian ladies in saris than naked tourists anyday. although, if nudism attracts yummy produce i might be willing to streak!

Oct 19th, 2008, 06:47	#1
batbanana Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: calgary, canada Posts: 21	swim wear in the andamans Hi, just a quick question for anyone who has been to the Andamans... What is the preffered swimming costume for women on the islands? I've read about goan beaches, but I get the feeling that there might be different standards for foreign tourists way out in the Andamans! Are long shorts and a t-shirt conservative enough, or would a salwaar kameez be more appropriate? Thanks! (Sorry if this question has been asked before!)

Oct 20th, 2008, 13:01	#4
navinkurian2002 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai,India Posts: 863	Havent seen a single cop at havelock . People walk everywhere in their bikinis and its perfectly normal . Most tourist walk shirtless. But again it depends on you . __________________ It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare dream of meeting your heart's longing.

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Oct 19th, 2008, 07:49	#2
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	people wear all sorts of things ...A good idea is to have a shalwar kameez or some other respectful covering if you don´t want the locals or the cops ogleing you whilst on the beach. Snorkell ,fins and mask are a must because of the incredible corals and stunning fishlife,the ones for hire localy are not up to much.

Oct 19th, 2008, 07:59	#3
batbanana Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: calgary, canada Posts: 21	Will do, I certainly don't want any trouble with the cops! thank you martinez!

Oct 21st, 2008, 20:28	#6
batbanana Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: calgary, canada Posts: 21	Personally I would rather not be stared at, but I suppose a lot of beach goers might actually like the attention! I think I'll wear long shorts and a short-sleeved tunic over my bikini. I burn extra easy, so it has the added benefit of keeping my skin nice and pastey. Thanks navin and again, martinez!

Oct 21st, 2008, 20:44	#7
dipydoo A-sitting-on-a-gate Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: India Posts: 225	You'll be surprised what ppl in India wear to beaches nowadays...

Oct 22nd, 2008, 00:59	#8
batbanana Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: calgary, canada Posts: 21	hah, I'm sure I'll be surprised by a LOT of things!

Oct 22nd, 2008, 16:17	#9
footloose8 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: India Posts: 28	Erm...I think I will be taking a swimsuit with me...a one-piece, as they call it at the stores (not a bikini). But to go by what my friends who've been there told me, I would feel over-dressed even then. And as for Indian men ogling...I just hope there won't be too many around, since people keep telling how deserted Havelock usually is. Ogling men, Indian or otherwise, are always a pain in all the wrong places

Oct 22nd, 2008, 19:09	#10
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Basically, in Havelock, anything goes as far as beachwear. I wore a bikini plus sarong to walk around but when "sunbathing" and swimming I added a long-sleeved muslin shirt to avoid being sunburnt for one thing and to keep off the sand flies for another. While snorkelling it is very easy to forget the time and burn your back! Indian ladies were bathing in full saris, with much giggling. My husband tried a spot of nudism on a deserted beach until we were joined by a guy selling bananas... I'm not joking. You are never truly alone on an Indian beach!

Oct 22nd, 2008, 20:32	#11
batbanana Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: calgary, canada Posts: 21	Thanks for the thoughts, footloose and theyyamdancer... Maybe I'll just have to wing it and see what I'm most comfy in. But can bikinis etc. be bought in the andamans? how about away from Port Blaire? I live in a land-locked province in a city with no good lakes close by and an icy (but beautiful) river, so our small selection of swimwear stores are expensive.

Oct 23rd, 2008, 14:14	#14
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	"Did he drop his wares and flee?" Of course not! Probably seen lots of naked saddhus and/or tribals. Seriously though, Beach Number Seven is still idyllic but you should all hurry up before it gets to be like Brighton (a well-known nudist beach in England).

Oct 23rd, 2008, 22:51	#15
batbanana Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: calgary, canada Posts: 21	i'd rather see cute giggling indian ladies in saris than naked tourists anyday. although, if nudism attracts yummy produce i might be willing to streak!