Short answer: if you are an Indian citizen, no. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a union territory of India, so a flight to Port Blair is a domestic flight and the same rules apply as for Goa or Kerala. You need a government photo ID for the airline, nothing more.
If you are a foreign national, yes. You need a valid passport and an Indian visa, and on top of that a Restricted Area Permit, which is issued on arrival at Port Blair for most nationalities. The details below cover both cases and the few places that stay closed to everyone.
In this guide
Indian citizens: what to carryForeign nationals: passport, visa and permitGetting thereMoving between islandsBest time to visitRules that catch people outIndian citizens: what to carry
- Any government photo ID: Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence or passport. Carry the physical card; it is checked at the airport and at some ferry counters.
- Children travelling without a photo ID can use a school ID or birth certificate for the airline.
- No permit is needed for Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep), Baratang or Diglipur. Tribal reserves are closed to all tourists.
Foreign nationals: passport, visa and permit
You enter India on your passport and visa as usual, then fly to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru or Hyderabad. At Port Blair airport the immigration desk issues a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), normally valid for 30 days and extendable in Port Blair. Citizens of a few countries, including Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, need prior approval and cannot get the permit on arrival. Keep the permit with you; hotels and ferry operators ask for it.
The permit covers the tourist islands. It does not open the Nicobar group, which stays closed to foreign tourists, or tribal reserves such as North Sentinel and the Jarawa reserve on the Andaman Trunk Road, where stopping and photography are prohibited.
Getting there
Almost everyone flies. Port Blair has daily direct flights from Chennai (about two hours), Kolkata (about two hours) and Delhi, plus connections via Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Passenger ships from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam take three to four days and are booked through the Directorate of Shipping Services; they are an adventure rather than a shortcut.
Moving between islands
Private catamarans (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean) run Port Blair to Havelock in 90 minutes to two hours and on to Neil. Book them a few weeks ahead in season. Government ferries are cheaper but sell out fast and cannot be booked far in advance. Foreigners show the permit at boarding; Indians show the ID used for the ticket.
Best time to visit
November to April is the season: calm seas, clear water for snorkelling and diving, and reliable ferries. May to September brings the monsoon, rough seas and cancelled sailings, though hotels are far cheaper. October is a shoulder month that often works well.
Rules that catch people out
- Drones are banned across the islands without prior permission.
- Single-use plastic is restricted; carry a refillable bottle.
- The Andaman Trunk Road through the Jarawa reserve runs in convoys at fixed times with no stops and no photos.
- Scuba and snorkelling operators ask for a medical declaration; bring any prescriptions you rely on.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a passport for the Andaman Islands?
No. A government photo ID is enough, because the islands are part of India and the flight to Port Blair is domestic.
What permit do foreigners need for the Andamans?
A Restricted Area Permit, issued on arrival at Port Blair for most nationalities and usually valid for 30 days, in addition to a passport and Indian visa.
Can tourists visit the Nicobar Islands?
Foreign tourists cannot. Indian citizens need a special permit and the islands are not set up for tourism.
