HOW TO REACH

BY AIR

Port Blair, the gateway to A&N Islands is connected with Chennai and Kolkata by air. Air India, Jet Airways, Jetlite & Kingfisher Airlines operate regular flights. 

Port Blair Open for Charter Flights

Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India permits foreign charter flight to land at Port Blair subject to the fulfillment of the guidelines issued by Director General, Civil Aviation, Govt. of India. The Guidelines issued by the Director General Civil Aviation regarding operation of charter flight is available at www.dgca.nic.in. For details:

Director General of Civil Aviation,

Opposite Safdargunj Airport,

New Delhi-110 003

Tel: 00 91 11 24622495 Fax: 0091 11 24629221

Email: web@dgca.delhi.nic.in/dgca@hub.nic.in

 The following are the facilities available at Port Blair airport.

Runway having length of 11,000 ft.

A new terminal building having capacity to handle 400 passengers at a time. Flight operations are carried out at the airport before noon.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands:

These undulating Islands in the Bay of Bengal are covered with dense forests and endless variety of flora and fauna. The topography of the islands is hilly and abounds in evergreen forests. The sandy beaches on the edge of meandering coastline are fringed with coconut palms that sway to the rhythm of the sea. The sea around the islands offers excellent scope for adventure water sports. The flora and fauna, underwater marine life and corals and crystal clean water and the mangrove-lined creeks, offer a dream view of the rare gifts of nature. The islands attract nature-lovers who seek absolute peace and tranquility in the lap of mother nature. Adventure tourism like trekking, island camping, snorkeling, scuba diving etc., are major activities here. A visit to this island is a memorable lifetime experience. Andaman Islands are a world class eco-tourism destination and has immense potential for adventure water sports.  

BY SEA 

Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam and back. There are three to four sailings every month from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair and vice-versa. There is one sailing from Vishakhapatnam in a month. The voyage takes about 50 to 60 hours and the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about two to four days. Further information on schedules and tariffs can be obtained from:

1.                  Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.,

Shipping House, No. 13, Strand Road, Kolkata – 700 001

Tel: (033) 22482354, 22488013         Fax: (033) 24822035, 24820377

2.                    The Assistant Director of Shipping Services,

A&N Administration, 6, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600 001

Tel: (044) 25220841/25226873, Fax: (044) 25226873

3.                  The Directorate of Shipping Services,

A&N Administration, Phoenix Bay Jetty,

Port Blair

Tel: (03192) 232528/232742 Fax: (03192) 230480  

4.                  M/s A.V. Bhanojirao and Garuda Pattabhiramayya & Co.,

Post Box No. 17, Vishakapatnam

(Agent – Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.)

Tel: (0891) 2565597, Fax: (0891)2566507/2549224

SHIP FARE ( from 1^st May 2008)

MAINLAND-ISLAND TRANSPORT

Tickets can be booked for any of the above vessels in any scheduled sailing at the STARS (Ship Ticketing Advance Reservation System) Counters of the Directorate of Shipping Services, A&N Administration at Chennai, Port Blair, Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Havelock, HutBay, Car Nicobar, Nancowry and Campbell Bay. At Kolkata, the STARS network is located in the Shipping Corporation of India office from where tickets could be purchased.  As for voyage tickets from Vizag, SCI has a ticketing agent: M/s AV Bhanojirow Garuda, Pattabhiramayya & Co. near Port Main Gate, PB No. 17, Vizag. Ph: 0891-2565597, Fax: 0891-2566507.

Normally sailing schedules are announced one month in advance for the Mainland-Island sector, five days in advance for the inter-island (for the southern group of islander i.e. Port Blair- Nicobar, Nancowry, Katchal, CampbellBay) sector and 3 days in advance for the foreshore sector (Port Blair – Diglipur Mayabunder, Rangat, Neil, Havelock and Hut Bay). Ship tickets for the inter-island and foreshore sectors are also issued through the STARS counters. One needs to submit application form for booking of ship tickets and produce ID proof at the time of boarding the vessel. For sailing schedule, application forms, guidelines for ticketing, availability of tickets and recent fare visit: www.and.nic.in.

INTER- ISLAND TRANSPORT

The Directorate of Shipping Services, A&N Administration operates regular ferry services from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair in the inter island, foreshore sectors connecting all populated islands/ tourist places. The Directorate also operates vehicle ferries at important locations and several harbor ferries. The sailing schedules are published in local newspapers- Daily Telegrams and also broadcast through the All India Radio/ Doordarshan, Port Blair. Tickets are issued through the STARS counters managed by the Directorate of Shipping Services.

Apart from this, private tourist boats are operated from Aberdeen Jetty (Water Sports Complex), Port Blair connecting nearby tourist places like Ross Island, Viper Island, North Bay and Harbor cruise etc. Tourist boat services from Wandoor to Jolly Bouy/ Redskin islands are also privatized.

PRIVATE INTER-ISALND LUXURY CRUISE VESSEL

A major private initiative in passenger shipping service-M/s MAK Logistics, Port Blair has come up with a luxury passenger day cruise vessel-M.V. Makruzz connecting the most sought after tourist circuit in Andamans: Port Blair-Havelock. The 280-passenger capacity, fully Air-conditioned Catamaran, which can attain a cruise speed of 27 nautical miles per hour, will reach tourists in about 90 minutes to Havelock from Port Blair. M.V. Makruzz will cruise for Havelock from Phoenix bay Jetty-Port Blair at 08.30 AM daily and in return direction from Havelock at 4 PM.

Fare: Royal class Rs. 1000/-, Deluxe Rs. 750/- and Premium Rs. 650/- (one way) Tourists can book tickets online through travel agents/tour operators/ hoteliers in Port Blair. Enquiries: 03192- 212355/ 236677, Fax: 03192-243612, Email: mvmakruzz@gmail.com.

INTER ISLAND HELICOPTER SERVICES

The Directorate of Civil Aviation, A&N Administration in association with Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited operate daily helicopter services from Port Blair connecting major inter-island tourist destination like Havelock, Neil, Diglipur, Mayabunder and Hut Bay. Presently, three helicopters are flown. For latest information on Helicopter schedules visit: www.and.nic.in.