How Safe is Andaman?

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. These are some points you need to know before traveling to different parts of Andaman.

There are several beaches in Andaman that are ideal for tourists. They have changing rooms, beach beds for those who just want to relax, and shaded picnic areas.

More importantly, they have lifeguards and tourist police on duty at all times. All the beaches are open from sunrise to sunset, except a few in north Andaman that are closed during the turtle nesting season. Night stays or camping on the beach aren’t allowed for safety.

For those who like to swim and enjoy the waves, the beaches of Andaman await you. While swimming is a great experience here, there are netted areas on many beaches that prevent you from going further as a precaution.

Before visiting any beach we suggest you read the rules and regulations. Also, when entering the water it is better if you take a buddy along with you rather than going alone.

Pro Tips:

• Ask the guards for any advice or caution when at a beach.
• Download apps like Tide Charts to know tide timings. Venture out to snorkel and swim based on these timings. It’s available on App Store and Google Play!

• Crocodiles

Saltwater crocodiles AKA Salties have increased in number since 1971 when there were just about 31.
Conservation efforts have led to this rapid increase. However, due to their growing population and decreasing habitat, crocodile sightings have become common in areas like Wandoor, Chidiyatapu, Jolly Buoy, Havelock, and Little Andaman.
There have been two crocodile incidents involving the death of tourists, one in 2010 and one in 2018. These cases are very rare and shouldn’t concern you. However, do not venture out too far in the water during dawn and dusk and avoid swimming near mangroves (crocodiles love those areas).
Stay inside the designated swimming area at all times and if there isn’t one, be sure to ask a lifeguard, guide, or the police officers there.

•  Sandflies

Some beaches have sandflies that are pretty annoying to tourists. Their bites can be quite a nuisance. Carry Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream to treat these bites. But try to prevent the bites in the first place by applying any repellent that contains Deet.

•  Snakes
  

Most snakes in Andaman are harmless and generally, they won’t get in your way and mind their own business unless disturbed. Stay out of their ways and do not attempt to catch them yourself. Above all, do not panic. A snake will not attack unless provoked. You can call a snake rescuer on 9531965269 when in Havelock.

In the many years of the Andaman Travel and Tourism Industry, there have almost never been any cases that breach the safety of women on the island. Women can roam around the streets late at night in comfortable – beach-appropriate clothing without feeling unsafe.

We can thus rate Andaman as a safe place for women and any cases that threaten this safety are isolated and happen very rarely.

As a safety measure, women carry pepper spray when they’re alone or in an unknown place. We suggest you do the same here, just for a worst-case scenario.

Cases of theft in Andaman are very uncommon.

On government ferries, people often leave their luggage at the deck unsupervised. Helmets are left on bikes without being stolen and some people have even reported getting their phones back after leaving them in a taxi!

This is the most important topic. Not all water sports providers are well trained or follow safety procedures in Andaman. When choosing an activity, make sure you do so with a qualified center.

You can see a lot of them on our go2andaman travel maps here. Remember, when it comes to activities, quality comes before price. If you have any further questions on Water Sports activities in Andaman, reach out to us at info@go2andaman.com

Public Transport in Andaman, mostly buses and ferries, is very safe. People or drivers are helpful and often go out of their way to make sure you aren’t uncomfortable.

However, if you’re traveling on public transport, we recommend you wear modest clothing to avoid unnecessary attention.

You’ll need to carry repellent or salt if going on a trek during the monsoon season. Leeches and other reptiles are common during this time. Avoid riding two-wheelers at long distances as roads get slippery.

The death of a US missionary in 2018 sparked a lot of attention towards the tribes in Andaman and the safety of Andaman was called into question.

The thing about the tribals you must know is that they are the true locals of the island. Some of these tribes, such as the Jarawas, Onges and Shompens do not wish to contact the general population. The Sentinelese fiercely resist outside contact.

Several actions have been taken to respect their wish of being left alone. Hefty fines and imprisonment are punishments for those that try to ignore the law and meet the tribals. Read more about the tribes of Andaman here.

While safety is not a problem, we recommend you have travel insurance to cover any case of theft, loss and medical problems. Be careful while checking policies. Some may exclude dangerous activities such as scuba diving, skiing motorcycling and even trekking. Check that the policy covers ambulance service and an emergency flight home.

Be sure to find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for any overseas health expenditure. If it turns out you do have to claim later, make sure you keep all the documents.

Lastly, paying for your airline ticket with a credit card often provides limited travel accident insurance. Ask your credit card company what it’s prepared to cover.

Find out our refund and cancellation policy
https://www.go2andaman.com/refund-cancellation-policy/ 

Tourism Police:                                                    03192-231346

Helpline for women:                                           1091

Police Control Room:                                          100

Ambulance:                                                           232102 / 233473

Fire service:                                                           101

Helpline for Children:                                         1098

Coastal Guard:                                                      155211

Disaster Management Control:                         1070 / 238881