where to stay in Andaman Islands

JoannaRiki · Jul 7th, 2009, 01:12

Hi Guys
We are looking for a pleace to stay for 3 weeks in Andaman Islands .Does anyone know how much it could cost?

Joanna & Riki

kc1205 · Jul 9th, 2009, 05:20

I was at Havelock Island, Andamans this past March. The dive center I was using, Barefoot scuba located at Beach no 3 Cafe Del Mar, (website www.diveandamans.com), had three types of accommodation- rooms on stilts facing the ocean, fan,private bathroom, renting between Rs.2500 to Rs.3000. Thatched hut with fan and shower Rs. 500, and plain thatched hut, no fan, common bathroom Rs100. I met other backpackers who were renting rooms with bath at small hotels for Rs 250 per day. If you want luxury then there is a resort " Barefoot Islands", (website [www.barefootindia.com/).

Cafe Del Mar was supposed to undergo a facelift this summer, so prices may have changed. But there are plenty of other places to stay at which are reasonably priced.

JoannaRiki · Jul 9th, 2009, 19:05

thank u!]

martinez · Jul 14th, 2009, 19:37

Hi Joanna,you can pay as little as 110 irs a night or fortunes at some of the fancier places. Neil Island is a better option if you want a less "in your face"and laid back time.When are you hoping to go?

JoannaRiki · Jul 19th, 2009, 05:40

hi Martinez;]
we`re going to Andamans from 18 December-10 January..

martinez · Jul 19th, 2009, 22:07

Hi Joanna,the wife and i shall be leaving Port Blair on the day you arrive.You have chosen the peak of the holiday season to arrive so my advice to you is, if you want Havelock ,then go to one of the cheap camps on the other side of the road from the beach number 5 and then look around and haggle for a fair price.
Lots of people get (or are given) the idea that the island is chock a block full ,so they part company with max wonga,don´t be fooled. I firmly believe that like many other holiday destinations,Havelock will suffer economically for the first time this year. Consequently i think it will be a buyers market.
As you can see from my details, my home is in southern Portugal,and the tourist/holiday maker business is having a real hard time this year,and you will see the same thing happening the world over. Havelock has been having the cream off the milk for quite a few years,now i predict a backward step into a more sustainable economic reality. All the best.

tavarish · Jul 21st, 2009, 07:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinez

Lots of people get (or are given) the idea that the island is chock a block full ,so they part company with max wonga,don´t be fooled. I firmly believe that like many other holiday destinations,Havelock will suffer economically for the first time this year.

Consequently i think it will be a buyers market.

As you can see from my details, my home is in southern Portugal,and the tourist/holiday maker business is having a real hard time this year,and you will see the same thing happening the world over. Havelock has been having the cream off the milk for quite a few years,now i predict a backward step into a more sustainable economic reality. All the best.

Will be anyones guess on how much Havelock will suffer this coming season from the economical challenges in the world.

Last season the world was hit and most tourist markets went down. Thailand for an example suffered really badly and still have very few tourists. With the economical challenges and terrorist attachs in Mumbai everyone believed Havelock would really feel it. In fact, many more tourists came to Havelock last season than at any point before. All businesses did better. And future bookings for every business I know this coming season in Havelock is better than last season again.

Why is Havelock still doing well is the question I guess. Well, let me try some guesses:

1. Havelock have a large number of backpackers. I think nothing will stop a backpacker from travelling - ever.

2. India is very much a cash market and they enjoy growth even during these challenging times as 75% of the population is very young. The second largest population in the world is in India, if only 5% of that population have money to spend and only 0,1% of those again will ever visit Andaman Islands - Havelock will be full. And as Indians from the mainland discover Andaman Islands they come - something that could be seen last season.

3. Thailand has taken out it's potential in a way as most people know about the country. Andaman Islands is still unknown for many foreigners, and as the islands now start to get known many magazines and newspapers write about the islands and some of those readers come.

As said, it will be anyones guess. All thought it would be hard last season, but despite many more rooms and restaurants it all filled up and everyone did very well. You might be right with yoru predictions, I think you will be wrong :-).

JoannaRiki - last season in the period you shall travel it was all absolutely full. People was leaving back to Port Blair as there was no rooms. If the same will happen this coming season I am not sure as many more rooms has been built, you could always take your chances.

martinez · Jul 23rd, 2009, 06:47

I must say that, as a reply to Tavarish, that Havelock was by no means full one week before Christmas,and neither was Neil.I was on both and i have no financial interest to promote them. The Best things about Havelock and Neil are the location,that is the draw. I shall be returning for a third time this year for the simple reason of economics,and a liking for the location .The rest ,sadly to say is over priced and very second rate in terms of other similar places. Unless one is willing to pay lots of money,even the food is not up to much. Diving ,far more expensive than Egypt and not as good..The fact that everybody did well is because ,so many places are too expensive for what they provide ,especially if one books online.Go and take your chances.Don´t get mugged.

tavarish · Jul 23rd, 2009, 08:14

With regards to if Havelock was full around Christmas and New Year we will have to agree to disagree, martinez. Resorts on beach no. 3,5 and 7 I was in contact with (more or less all) was completely full. You might be right there was space on beach no. 2, the jetty and on the road towards no 7 (not first or second choice for most), and on Neil (I was not there).

But many more rooms has been built now, so anyone can take their chances and hope there are lots of space available this year.

With regards to the prices in Andaman Islands, which other similar places to you refer to? Egypt would not be one of them I hope as it is not a similar place. Andaman Islands are located 900 kilometers away from mainland India.

More or less everything used in Andaman Islands is shipped 900 kilometers before it arrives in Port Blair. We talk about most of the food, more or less everything for every day use, fuel, building materials (even wood as you are not allowed to cut down any forest in Andaman Islands) and so on.

For diving operations they have to buy all equipment outside of India (no production in India up to standards) and pay for freight in, then pay customs (30%), then send it on a boat to Andaman Islands (not possible to ship straight in), pay tax as it leaves a state and pay to get it to Havelock or Neil.

And despite all the efforts of getting stuff in you can enjoy a room at 2 USD per day (a-frame rooms with shared bathroom), a dinner at 1 USD (a thali dinner in Havelock) and 2 dives currently at 61 USD ( the best dive spot available - Johnny George).

These prices are available on the Internet (accommodation and diving).

I don't find that very expensive at all compared to most places in the world. But I guess it is a subjective opinion from me, just like the quality of diving. I have dived Egypt a number of times and have had great dives there, have had equally great or better dives in Andaman Islands.

But I respect your opinion, if you find that diving is not up to standards and everything is expensive it is your right to think so. But I would like you to point out any other places similar to Andaman Islands with lower prices.

Chaichaichai · Jul 23rd, 2009, 08:32

We stayed in Pristine but absolutely hated it as it has one of the only bars that serve alcohol and it very loud to late at night. As all the huts are bamboo, you can just hear partying all night long. We moved to Emerald Gecko and loved it! It was peaceful, great service and the restaurant server great food.

martinez · Jul 23rd, 2009, 21:43

Fair and insightful comments Tavarish.

goingback · Aug 2nd, 2009, 02:54

Martinez, I have been interested in your helpful threads and comments for some time. I visited Andamans nearly 20 years ago; the islands have never been far from my mind. We are so lucky that our family of 4 (2 girls aged 10 & 5) are going to visit this year mid-November for a week at least maybe more.

We are seriously thinking of taking our chances; what is the worst that can happen. Also, we are a low maintenance family. Well behaved children who are really looking forward to snorkelling and swimming. We grown ups would like a beer or two some nights and maybe some company, however, we like our own company too. Would you recommend Neil or Havelock - will we find accommodation and will we be ok booking the ferries from Port Blair or do they get so full so quickly. We are budget conscious but not mean. We are loathe to pay silly prices when with a bit of effort we can choose our accommodation and our prices.

I look forward to your comments.

martinez · Aug 2nd, 2009, 18:50

Hi Goingback,just read your post again so will Pm you with more later.m

martinez · Aug 3rd, 2009, 22:55

Hi Goingback,mid november is a time that you will get good prices.Tango serve beer,as do coconhuts.Coconhuts is a well sedate "resort"and that is where the locals go for a drink.Neil islanders don´t seem to get rowdy or out of hand with alcohol and i have only once seen a man unsteady on his feet. Coconhuts is also near to the town. A few places on havelock serve alcohol too.
Keeping yourself to yourself is no hardship on Neil or Havelock.
The wife and i shall be arriving at Neil on 22 November,might bump into eachother.
If you click on my profile and scroll to the bottom of the page you will see some of my snorkelling photos of reeflife at Neil.
All the best,Martinez.

Jul 7th, 2009, 01:12	#1
JoannaRiki Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: London Posts: 32	where to stay in Andaman Islands Hi Guys We are looking for a pleace to stay for 3 weeks in Andaman Islands .Does anyone know how much it could cost? Joanna & Riki

Jul 9th, 2009, 05:20	#2
kc1205 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: VA and Bangalore Posts: 14	Andaman Island -places to stay I was at Havelock Island, Andamans this past March. The dive center I was using, Barefoot scuba located at Beach no 3 Cafe Del Mar, (website www.diveandamans.com), had three types of accommodation- rooms on stilts facing the ocean, fan,private bathroom, renting between Rs.2500 to Rs.3000. Thatched hut with fan and shower Rs. 500, and plain thatched hut, no fan, common bathroom Rs100. I met other backpackers who were renting rooms with bath at small hotels for Rs 250 per day. If you want luxury then there is a resort " Barefoot Islands", (website [www.barefootindia.com/). Cafe Del Mar was supposed to undergo a facelift this summer, so prices may have changed. But there are plenty of other places to stay at which are reasonably priced.

Jul 23rd, 2009, 08:32	#10
Chaichaichai Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: earth Posts: 4	accomodation We stayed in Pristine but absolutely hated it as it has one of the only bars that serve alcohol and it very loud to late at night. As all the huts are bamboo, you can just hear partying all night long. We moved to Emerald Gecko and loved it! It was peaceful, great service and the restaurant server great food.

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Jul 9th, 2009, 19:05	#3
JoannaRiki Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: London Posts: 32	thank u!]

Jul 14th, 2009, 19:37	#4
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Hi Joanna,you can pay as little as 110 irs a night or fortunes at some of the fancier places. Neil Island is a better option if you want a less "in your face"and laid back time.When are you hoping to go?

Jul 19th, 2009, 05:40	#5
JoannaRiki Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: London Posts: 32	hi Martinez;] we`re going to Andamans from 18 December-10 January..

Jul 19th, 2009, 22:07	#6
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Hi Joanna,the wife and i shall be leaving Port Blair on the day you arrive.You have chosen the peak of the holiday season to arrive so my advice to you is, if you want Havelock ,then go to one of the cheap camps on the other side of the road from the beach number 5 and then look around and haggle for a fair price. Lots of people get (or are given) the idea that the island is chock a block full ,so they part company with max wonga,don´t be fooled. I firmly believe that like many other holiday destinations,Havelock will suffer economically for the first time this year. Consequently i think it will be a buyers market. As you can see from my details, my home is in southern Portugal,and the tourist/holiday maker business is having a real hard time this year,and you will see the same thing happening the world over. Havelock has been having the cream off the milk for quite a few years,now i predict a backward step into a more sustainable economic reality. All the best.

Jul 23rd, 2009, 06:47	#8
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	I must say that, as a reply to Tavarish, that Havelock was by no means full one week before Christmas,and neither was Neil.I was on both and i have no financial interest to promote them. The Best things about Havelock and Neil are the location,that is the draw. I shall be returning for a third time this year for the simple reason of economics,and a liking for the location .The rest ,sadly to say is over priced and very second rate in terms of other similar places. Unless one is willing to pay lots of money,even the food is not up to much. Diving ,far more expensive than Egypt and not as good..The fact that everybody did well is because ,so many places are too expensive for what they provide ,especially if one books online.Go and take your chances.Don´t get mugged.

Jul 23rd, 2009, 08:14	#9
tavarish Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: India Posts: 23	With regards to if Havelock was full around Christmas and New Year we will have to agree to disagree, martinez. Resorts on beach no. 3,5 and 7 I was in contact with (more or less all) was completely full. You might be right there was space on beach no. 2, the jetty and on the road towards no 7 (not first or second choice for most), and on Neil (I was not there). But many more rooms has been built now, so anyone can take their chances and hope there are lots of space available this year. With regards to the prices in Andaman Islands, which other similar places to you refer to? Egypt would not be one of them I hope as it is not a similar place. Andaman Islands are located 900 kilometers away from mainland India. More or less everything used in Andaman Islands is shipped 900 kilometers before it arrives in Port Blair. We talk about most of the food, more or less everything for every day use, fuel, building materials (even wood as you are not allowed to cut down any forest in Andaman Islands) and so on. For diving operations they have to buy all equipment outside of India (no production in India up to standards) and pay for freight in, then pay customs (30%), then send it on a boat to Andaman Islands (not possible to ship straight in), pay tax as it leaves a state and pay to get it to Havelock or Neil. And despite all the efforts of getting stuff in you can enjoy a room at 2 USD per day (a-frame rooms with shared bathroom), a dinner at 1 USD (a thali dinner in Havelock) and 2 dives currently at 61 USD ( the best dive spot available - Johnny George). These prices are available on the Internet (accommodation and diving). I don't find that very expensive at all compared to most places in the world. But I guess it is a subjective opinion from me, just like the quality of diving. I have dived Egypt a number of times and have had great dives there, have had equally great or better dives in Andaman Islands. But I respect your opinion, if you find that diving is not up to standards and everything is expensive it is your right to think so. But I would like you to point out any other places similar to Andaman Islands with lower prices.

Jul 23rd, 2009, 21:43	#11
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Fair and insightful comments Tavarish.

Aug 2nd, 2009, 02:54	#12
goingback Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 237	Martinez, I have been interested in your helpful threads and comments for some time. I visited Andamans nearly 20 years ago; the islands have never been far from my mind. We are so lucky that our family of 4 (2 girls aged 10 & 5) are going to visit this year mid-November for a week at least maybe more. We are seriously thinking of taking our chances; what is the worst that can happen. Also, we are a low maintenance family. Well behaved children who are really looking forward to snorkelling and swimming. We grown ups would like a beer or two some nights and maybe some company, however, we like our own company too. Would you recommend Neil or Havelock - will we find accommodation and will we be ok booking the ferries from Port Blair or do they get so full so quickly. We are budget conscious but not mean. We are loathe to pay silly prices when with a bit of effort we can choose our accommodation and our prices. I look forward to your comments.

Aug 2nd, 2009, 18:50	#13
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Hi Goingback,just read your post again so will Pm you with more later.m

Aug 3rd, 2009, 22:55	#14
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Hi Goingback,mid november is a time that you will get good prices.Tango serve beer,as do coconhuts.Coconhuts is a well sedate "resort"and that is where the locals go for a drink.Neil islanders don´t seem to get rowdy or out of hand with alcohol and i have only once seen a man unsteady on his feet. Coconhuts is also near to the town. A few places on havelock serve alcohol too. Keeping yourself to yourself is no hardship on Neil or Havelock. The wife and i shall be arriving at Neil on 22 November,might bump into eachother. If you click on my profile and scroll to the bottom of the page you will see some of my snorkelling photos of reeflife at Neil. All the best,Martinez.