Now Port Blair a new entry sea port for e-visa holders
Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) Andaman Islands is excited to share news with owners and captains of yachts and superyachts that the Port Blair Sea Port is now a designated entry port for e-visa holders.
This news is a game-changer for yachts and superyachts in the Andaman Islands. The new designation will have a significant impact for those looking to cruise the clear waters around the Andaman Sea’s enchanting islands. “In the past the Indian Embassy in South East Asia would issue visas for the residents and nationals of that particular country. All others would have to apply for a visa in their home country, which was not possible for many yachts, thus they were skipping visiting the Andamans”, reports APS India director, Mr. R. Rathnam.
“In applying for the regular visa before this change, the form would have to be completed online followed by an appointment visit to the visa application centre with a passport submitted for at least 5 days. This involved a lot of expense, time and other hassles and with the passport at the embassy, the applicant could not travel elsewhere, creating a frustrating experience. Now you can visit the official website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in and go through the online 4-step application process with the e-visa status communicated by email within 72 hours. You can then enter Port Blair with a copy of the approval.”
Thailand’s Phuket is an excellent departure for Skippers to cruise the 400 NM to Port Blair in the Bay of Bengal, India, now made so much easier with the new change of Port Blair as a designated e-visa entry. Friends and family can fly or sail down from either Phuket or Langkawi, Malaysia to the entry port of Port Blair located at 11º40.3’North x 92º44.2′ East. Arrival and departure procedures along with visas, health and security needs can be professionally and efficiently handled by APS, providing the guidance necessary prior to and during the journey. This includes advice on navigational hazards and berthing/ anchoring along with options for quality accommodations, special island visits, vehicle hire, air travel and helicopter transport.
Prior to arrival your agent will advise on berthing and anchoring and submit the detailed itineraries and required twice daily radio check-ins, which ensures the authorities know where the vessel is at all times. Guide books provide some indication for an itinerary, however they invariably omit some of the best spots. Your agent will tailor your itinerary drawing on extensive knowledge that will include advice on navigational hazards and berthing, along with anchoring, options for quality accommodation, special island visits, vehicle hire, air travel and helicopter transport.
Port Blair
Port Blair is the capital of this union territory and well connected to mainland India, with Kolkata in the East of India and Chennai in the south of India serving as primary gateways. As procedures and paperwork are completed under the eagle eye of the director and his team yacht visitors can enjoy the unique sites and wonderful activities in and around Port Blair, a port steeped in British tradition and holding many delights.
Surrounded by tropical forest and rugged coastline, the Andamans’ lively provincial capital is a vibrant mix of Indian Ocean inhabitants – Bengalis, Tamils, Telugus, Nicobarese and Myanmarese. Port Blair’s fascinating history warrants exploration while you are in town, with the unique ‘Cellular Jail’ a main attraction, along with its sound and light show. A bit grim yet inspiring at the same time, this is one of the most exciting places to see in Port Blair, especially if you are a history buff.
Serving as a prison for Indian political prisoners during the pre-Independence period, ‘Kala Pani’ or Cellular Jail now serves as a monument in honour of those freedom fighters. When taking a walk around the complex, make sure you pay attention to the plaques detailing the complete history of the place, along with the architecture of the jail. You can plan your trip in such a way that you can visit the jail during the day, spend some time shopping and around the Corbyn’s Cove (beach), then catch the Cellular Jail’s sound and light show in the evening. Other enticing day trips can be made to Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and Chidiya Tapu and much more.
While the yacht is being readied for the upcoming journey, owners and guests can be entertained by a fantastic cultural event on board the yacht arranged by the vessel’s agent.
Island Exploration
The Andaman Islands of India are the jewels in the crown of the Bay of Bengal, delivering adventuresome cruising and pure blue waters with a temperature of 28º with cool nights and good sailing winds with a paradise of anchorage options.
Together with the Nicobar Islands to the south, the Andamans serve as a maritime boundary between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east. Most of the islands are part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory of India, while the Coco Islands and Preparis Island are part of the Yangon Region of Myanmar.
Offering unique and irresistible underwater attractions and sea adventures, vessels will find peaceful anchorages, virgin beaches, an active volcano, uninhabited islands, and superb snorkeling, sports fishing and scuba diving – truly a unique voyage for yachting/sailing enthusiasts. In the well-charted sea, the islands hold a promise of an enthralling holiday and adventure voyage, opening onto a secret world of tropical jungles and rare lush rainforests with serene pristine beaches scattered throughout much of the archipelago. International yacht visitors will find miles of seclusion; drift diving over coral gardens, soft sandy beaches
While experiencing the natural beauty of India’s most remote state, visitors will find a temperature of 28º and cool nights with good sailing winds and a paradise of anchorage options. Situated more than 1,000 km off the east coast in the middle of the Bay of Bengal, the archipelago is thickly covered by deep green tropical forest that supports a profusion of wildlife, including some extremely rare species of birds.
Much of the archipelago’s attraction lies in the beaches and exploration, along with diving and snorkeling in the pristine reefs that ring most of the islands. A not to be missed visit is to the Barren Island volcano, which may be at least 1.8 million years old, about 135 km NE of Port Blair. It is the only historically active volcano along the N-S-trending volcanic arc extending between Sumatra and Myanmar.
Exciting and adventuresome island cruising accessible only by boat includes islands with the unlikely names of Long Island, Inglis Island, Rutland Island, Ross Island, Tarmugli Island, Inglis Island, Cinque Islands, North Sentinel Island, Neill Island, Kyd Island, Havelock Island, John Lawrence Island, Henry Lawrence Island, Outram Island, North Passage Island and Barren Island.
Most head to the more isolated islands, offering stunning marine scenery and experiences. Through the Diligent Strait, Peel Island and Henry Lawrence Island offer secluded anchorages for snorkeling and interesting coastal outcrops to explore.
A typical 5-day itinerary from Port Blair will include leisure activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, barbecue on the beach or on board, diving and island excursions. The most popular locales for casual diving are Neil Island, Sir Hugh Rose Island and Havelock Island. For the more experienced divers, head to Cinque Island, Passage Islands and Sister Island.
Best times to visit
APS advises the Andamans climate and weather can be described as normal for tropical islands of similar latitude. It is always warm but tempered by pleasant sea breezes, though it can be very hot when the sun is northing. The rainfall is irregular but usually dry during the north-east monsoon and very wet during the south-west monsoon.
The peak time to visit is between December and March. Once the festival of Sankranti ends around January 15th the weather turns warm. With no rain-bearing clouds and no winds to stir up the sea, the clear blue skies and serene cool seas can be enjoyed while cruising and anchoring.
Looking at a broader time range, October, the start of the season, until mid-June is the best season for visitors in general to visit Andaman Islands. The heavy southwest monsoon showers are over by September and the entire area looks decked up in fresh greenery after the rain, with each of the islands looking beautiful and ready to welcome the festival season. The weather remains temperate thanks to the intermittent rains. Happy with rain-assured bountiful crops, the local people begin to get ready to celebrate the festival season and welcome visitors.
When the monsoon season is over the scuba diving season starts with waters turning calm, clear and flat. Underwater coral reefs and marine life put up a great show offering a memorable visit for scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. Yachts can head north or south from the capital, viewing stunning islands along the way with the best anchorages easily reachable.
February & March are the best months to explore the exhilarating marine life. For scuba enthusiast, choose a time to visit between February and March to head north to visit the Havelock Islands. Here you are assured of excellent and exhilarating views of under-sea marine life – thanks to a flat and smooth sea with no wind and near-perfect visibility.
Due to the Northwest monsoon, moisture-laden breeze and intermittent rains keep the temperature pleasantly cool throughout November, December and January with mild sun during the day and evenings a little cooler.
“Generally there are fewer visitors during June, July and August”, notes Rathnam, adding, “This is one of the best times and seasons to enjoy the bountiful showers from the monsoon. The rain-drenched highlights of the Islands, its pristine coastline and the abundant green cover will surely captivate, these are the monsoon’s best gifts to the Andaman Islands.”
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