Whenever traveling to a new place, safety is one of the many concerns that come to our mind with many doubtful questions. Are the beaches safe? Is the area I am living in safe? All these questions cloud our judgment and hold us back to visit a place but do not let all these worries hold us back to visit the beautiful island of Andaman and Nicobar.
Here are some points to ease your mind and give you some tips and tricks when traveling to Andaman.
SAFETY AT BEACHES
In Andaman, many beaches are excellent for tourists. For those who just want to relax, there are beach mattresses, change rooms, and covered picnic places. More crucially, there are always on-duty lifeguards and tourist police. Except for a few in the north Andaman region that is closed during the turtle nesting season, all the beaches are open from sunrise to sunset. For safety reasons, camping or overnight stays are not permitted on the beach. The beaches of the Andaman region are ready for swimmers and surfers. While swimming is enjoyable here, many of the beaches have netted portions that keep you from venturing further out of concern. We advise reading the guidelines before going to any beaches. Additionally, it is preferable to go into the ocean with a friend rather than by yourself.
WILDLIFE AND CREEPY CRAWLIES
CROCODILES
The number of saltwater crocodiles, sometimes known as Salties, has increased since 1971 when there were only about 31 of them. This quick increase is the result of conservation initiatives. Crocodile sightings, however, have increased in frequency in places like Wandoor, Chidiyatapu, Jolly Buoy, Havelock, and Little Andaman as a result of their expanding population and shrinking environment. Two tourist deaths caused by crocodiles occurred, one in 2010 and the other in 2018. Because they are quite uncommon, you should not be concerned. However, during dawn and dark, stay closer to shore and steer clear of swimming near mangroves (crocodiles love those areas). If there is not a designated swimming place, make sure to contact a lifeguard, tour guide, or police officer stationed nearby.
SNAKES
Most snakes in the Andaman Islands are harmless, and they typically will not get in your way and keep to themselves unless startled. Avoid getting in their way and avoid attempting to capture them yourself. Avoid panicking at all costs. A snake will not strike until it is provoked.
SANDFLIES
Sandflies on some beaches can be quite inconvenient for visitors. Their bites can be very bothersome. To treat these bites, keep hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion on hand. However, make an effort to avoid getting bitten by using any repellent that contains Deet.
SAFETY IN WATER SPORTS
The most significant subject is this. Not all Andaman water sports suppliers have the necessary training or adhere to safety regulations. Make sure you choose an activity from a reputable center.
Many of them are depicted on this page’s goAndaman activities page. Always keep in mind that when it comes to activities, quality always comes first. For more information, you can contact us at holiday2andaman@gmail.com
SAFETY IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT
In the Andaman Islands, most of the public transportation is by bus and ferry. People, even drivers, are kind and frequently go above and beyond to make sure you are not in discomfort. However, if you are on public transportation, we advise you to dress modestly to prevent drawing attention to yourself.
WOMEN SAFETY
There have hardly ever been any incidents that compromise the safety of women on the island over the many years of the Andaman Travel and Tourism Industry. Women do not have to worry about being in danger as they walk the streets late at night wearing casual beachwear. Thus, we may rank Andaman as a safe area for women, and any incidents that jeopardize this safety are rarely isolated incidents. When alone or in an unfamiliar environment, ladies carry pepper spray as a safety precaution. We advise you to take the same action in this instance, just in case.
THEFT AND SAFETY OF LUGGAGE
Theft cases are quite rare in the Andaman Islands. People frequently leave their belongings unattended on the deck of government boats. Helmets can be left on bikes without being stolen, and some people have even said that after leaving their phones in a taxi, they have been able to retrieve them!
SAFETY DURING MONSOON SEASON
If you are going on a trek during the monsoon season, you’ll need to bring repellent or salt. During this period, sponges and other reptiles are prevalent. As the roads become slick, avoid riding two-wheelers over extended distances.
SAFETY AROUND THE TRIBALS
The safety of Andaman was questioned following the death of a US missionary in 2018, which brought a lot of attention to the tribes there. You should be aware that the tribal people are the genuine inhabitants of the island. Some of these tribes, such as the Shompens, Onges, and Jarawas, do not want to interact with the general public. The Sentinelese adamantly reject contact with outsiders. Several steps have been made to honor their need for privacy. Those who attempt to break the law and interact with the tribes face harsh fines and imprisonment as penalties.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Although there won’t be any safety issues, we nevertheless advise getting travel insurance to cover any instances of loss, theft, or illness. When reviewing policies, exercise caution. Some people might not include risky activities like scuba diving, skiing, motorcycling, or hiking. Verify that the insurance covers both an emergency flight home and ambulance service.
Make it important to confirm in advance whether your insurance plan will repay you later for any international medical expenses or pay providers directly. Keep all the paperwork in case you do need to file a claim later. Finally, purchasing an airline ticket with a credit card frequently comes with travel accident insurance. Find out what is covered by your credit card company.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
- POLICE CONTROL ROOM — 100
- FIRE — 101
- AMBULANCE — 102/ 232102/233473
- TOURIST INFO. CENTRE — 03192-232694
- WOMEN HELPLINE — 181
- DISASTER MANAGEMENT CONTROL — 1070/ 238881
