Map of Andaman & Nicobar Islands - Asian Maps, Asia Maps Andaman & Nicobar Islands Map Information - World Atlas - WorldAtlas.com Map of Andaman & Nicobar Islands - Asian Maps, Asia Maps Andaman & Nicobar Islands Map Information - World Atlas Print this map It's recorded that Marco Polo was the first official visitor to the beautiful Andaman and Nicobar islands, a tropical archipelago of 572 islands. Isolated in the Indian Ocean and little known in the western world, these islands (a territory of India ) are covered by tropical rain forests and only a handful of them are inhabited. Historically, farming and fishing were (and are) the main revenue sources here, however, increased tourism (especially from scuba divers and beach lovers) are providing another source of much-needed income. Note that travel to the Nicobar Islands is restricted, and only Indian nationals engaged in research may visit. Some exceptions are made for tourists with special permits.

Fast Facts Name: Andaman and Nicobar Islands; a territory of India since 1947 Capital City: Port Blair (100,186 pop.) Population: 379,944 (2010 est.) Language: Bengali (32.6%), Hindi (25.95%), Tamil including Sri Lankan Tamils (17.84%), Nicobarese and Telugu (18.93%) Largest Cities: (by population) Port Blair National Day: January 17 Religion: Hinduism (67%), Christian, Muslim, Sikh Flags As a territory of India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands fly the national flag of India. The India flag was officially adopted on July 22, 1947, as the Indian subcontinent divided into India and Pakistan. The orange represents courage and sacrifice, green symbolizes faith and chivalry, and white idealizes peace and truth. The Buddhist spinning wheel (Chakra) is centered.

Coastline: 1,219 miles (1,962 km) Land Area: (land) 3,184 sq miles (8,249 sq km) (water) 0 sq miles (0 sq km) (TOTAL) 3,184 sq miles (8,249 sq km) To convert sq km (kilometers) to sq mi (miles) Port Blair: (capital city) 11° 40' N, 92° 44' E Kolkata: 22° 34' N, 88° 21' E Mumbai: 19° 4' N, 72° 52' E Horizontal Width: unknown Vertical Length: unknown Note: Lengths and widths are point-to-point, straight-line measurements from a Mercator map projection, and will vary some using other map projections Geographic Center: unknown Highest Point: Saddle Peak 2,395 ft.

(730 m) Lowest Point: Indian Ocean 0 m Geography Located in the Indian Ocean , between India and Burma (Myanmar) , the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the tops of an Indian Ocean mountain range, and most of them are hilly, with heavy rain forests. Links Travel Info. ATTRACTIONS: (a few major) A permit is required to visit the Andaman Islands, and can be obtained - with the presentation of passport and visa - at the Port Blair Airport. The permit is valid for 30 days. Note: Travel to Nicobar Islands is restricted to Indian nationals. In the Andamans, besides beach activities and prolific fishing venues, tourism highlights include mountain trekking, snorkeling and scuba diving. A visit to Port Blair, Andaman's capital, should include stops at the Cellular Jail, the Anthropological Museum, Chatham Sawmill and the Marine Museum. Excursions to the beautiful islands of Wandoor and Jolly Buoy are recommended as well as a trip to the bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo. Accommodation choices are fairly simple with a few good eco resorts now available.

GENERAL INTEREST: Calling Code: 91, then 3192 Electricity: 230V, 50Hz PASSPORTS - TRAVEL VISAS - WARNINGS: NOTE: Before making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding all applicable health, passport and visa requirements. The people at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions! Weather Andaman and Nicobar Islands enjoy tropical weather year-round, with humidity running on the high side. During the monsoon months (May - September) and (November - mid-December), heavy to moderate rain can be expected. High temperatures throughout the year average near 87°F (31°C), while lows are near 73°F (23º C). Andaman and Nicobar travel guide - Wikitravel Beach #7 (Radhanagar), Havelock Island Andaman and Nicobar [1] are a large group of nearly 600 islands in the Bay of Bengal. Though they are a part of India politically, they are closer to Myanmar and Thailand than to the Indian mainland. They are grouped here with Southern India .

They were just north of the epicenter of the Boxing Day quake of 2004, and were the site of dozens of aftershocks. The Nicobars were badly hit by the resulting tsunami, while the Andamans escaped with a few bruises. With the exception of Little Andaman Island and the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park , the rest of the tourist destinations are operating normally again. Territorial symbols of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Territorial flag Other destinations[ edit ] Turtle Nesting sites in Dec-Feb Havelock Island , the most visited of the islands, with the most (although still minimal) infrastructure. Beautiful beaches, great snorkeling and scuba diving. Rutland Island, is pristine, non-polluted and least visited island. Beautiful Mangrove forest and coral reefs welcomes you to the 274 sq.km island. There is also a 45 acre Totani Resort which has quaint little huts which can be used as a base camp for exploring the island. It is the ideal place for eco-tourists. Totani Resort Neil Island , quieter than Havelock with nice beaches and decent snorkeling.

Wandoor , a relaxed destination in its own right, but known more as the gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park .There is a newly setup luxury resort called Sea Princess Beach Resort. Easily reached, and near the Wandoor jetty is Anugama Resort, the newest property there. Baratang Island , Mud volcano, Limestone caves, and Mangrove creeks in back waters. Barren Island , an island with the only volcano in all of India . Long Island , great if you're looking for Robinson Crusoe style camping. You can bring all of your own gear and food but there is new establishment called Blue Planet with decent huts and foods. This is the only resort in the island as of January 2015. Little Andaman , once popular for surfing, it was devastated in the 2004 tsunami. Ask around in Port Blair to find out the current situation. Jolly Buoy Island , a small island, is a part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. It is undoubtedly the best place for snorkeling with its extremely clear waters and a rich and diverse marine life. It has a small beach with thatched huts and the location is quiet scenic.

To reach here, one has to first go to Wandoor and then take a jetty from there. WW2-era Japanese bunkers, Port Blair 1400 km from mainland India and 1000 km from Thailand, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are one of the most remote spots on the planet. The original inhabitants are various aboriginal tribes who exist more-or-less out of the mainstream. There are some tribes who have had no contact whatsoever with the rest of the world. Of nearly 600 islands, only 9 are open to foreign tourists, and all of these are in the Andamans. The islands exist in India's popular consciousness mainly because they were used as a penal colony by the British rulers to imprison rebels and freedom fighters, in addition to hardened criminals. Most of the inhabitants of these islands are in fact migrants from the mainland, some of them descended from the prisoners. During World War II, the Andamans were the only part of India briefly occupied by the Japanese. While notionally handed over to Subhash Chandra Bose's Free India, in practice the Japanese held the reins of power.

The territory was run brutally — suspected resistance members were tortured and executed, and when food started to run out towards the end of the war, people were deported to uninhabited islands to fend for themselves as best they could. Climate data of Port Blair Mid-January until mid-May sees the best weather, and often the best diving conditions. The days are mostly sunny at this time of year, and the sea sometimes flat enough to reflect the clouds. The monsoon usually hits around late May, lasting until the end of July, and is probably the worst time to visit the islands – strong winds, frequent rain and low visibility underwater. August through November some occasional showers and slightly rougher seas are possible but diving can still be great at this time of year. The weather often takes a turn for the worse for the month of December through early January. Andaman has a moderate temperature all through the year within the range of 23 degrees to 31 degree celsius. It has tropical climate, there are no severe climate conditions except for tropical storms and rains in late Summer and Monsoon.

Geography[ edit ] Map of Andaman & Nicobar The Andaman and Nicobar Islands stretch out almost 500 km in length, with the Andamans in the north and the Nicobars in the south. The main island, aptly known as Great Andaman, is divided into 3 portions - North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman. Port Blair is located on South Andaman. Talk[ edit ] The dominant language in the Andamans is Bengali . Tamil , Telugu , English and Hindi are widely understood by the inhabitants of the islands that are open to tourism. .... Get in[ edit ] Non-Indians need a Restricted Area Permit to visit the islands, but these are now issued on arrival at the Port Blair airport. If you plan to arrive by sea, you'll need to arrange your permit before arrival, either in Chennai or when applying for your Indian visa. Visitors usually receive a 30 day permit, although some travellers arriving without a confirmed flight back have only received a 15 day permit.

Ask for the full 30 days in your application; if you write in your return flight date, your permit will be issued to end on that date, which will cause unnecessary pain if you choose to extend your stay or, worse yet, get unexpectedly delayed by weather. Permits can be extended by 15 days in Port Blair , for a maximum single stay of 45 days, although this extension is granted only in, to quote the local police guidelines, "deserving cases". You must then leave the islands and can return after 72 hours. The permit is checked when arriving at most islands, checking into hotels and booking ferries, and must be surrendered when you leave the islands, so don't lose it. The permit allows overnight stays in the following locations: South Andaman Island, Middle Andaman Island and Little Andaman Island (except tribal reserves), Neil Island , Havelock Island , Long Island , Diglipur , Baratang , North Passage and islands in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (excluding Boat Hobday Island, Twin Island, Tarmugli Island, Malay Island and Pluto Island). Overnight stays in the park are with permission only.

The permit allows for day-trips to: South Cinque Island , Ross Island , Narcondum Island , Interview Island, Brother Island, Sister Island and Barren Island which can be visited on board vessels only with landing possible. Indian nationals do not require a permit to visit the Andamans. However, permits are required to visit Nicobar Islands and other tribal areas, which are rarely given. Application on a prescribed form may be addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Andaman District, Port Blair. By plane[ edit ] Andaman’s airport is at Port Blair. it's connected to Chennai, Kolkata and lots of different cities within the country. Jet and Air India are the most important flights operators for Andaman. throughout the tourer seasons discounted airfares also are provided by the airlines. the price of the tickets is usually cheap, particularly if reserved earlier. For now the only way to reach the Andamans by air is from the Indian mainland to Port Blair . There are talks of opening up flights from Bangkok , which could drastically change the situation in the islands, but as of 2009 these remain just plans.

Flights can fill up in peak season and immigration doesn't look kindly on people arriving without confirmed flights back, so book a return ticket and change the flight date if you decide to hang around longer. Air India [2] flies from Delhi , Kolkata and Chennai . Jet Airways [3] now flies from Chennai to Port Blair, and from Delhi via Kolkata . Spicejet, [4] offers a flight direct from Chennai to Port Blair. Go Air [5] now flies daily from Kolkata to Port Blair, and from Delhi via Kolkata. Flights to Port Blair are not really "low-cost", if compared to the same airlines' mainland India flights, but still cheaper than any other way to get to islands. Price varies significantly with date, so if your travel dates aren't fixed, you can save significantly by choosing the right day to fly. Advance booking (available on respective airline's website) at least several days before trip is recommended. Port Blair's Vir Savarkar Airport is probably one of the most quaint and idyllic airports in India. There is a scenic view point where the whole airport can be seen. There are no night flights as the airport is handed over to the Indian Air Force after 3pm.

By sea[ edit ] It is possible to take a ship from Kolkata (~60 hrs), Chennai or Visakhapatnam which takes almost 4 days to arrive in Port Blair. It is less expensive. Facilities are basic, though and many prefer to sleep on the deck rather than in the cramped bunks. The ferries can take up to five days to arrive depending on weather and various other variables... this can be quite frustrating for many. The fares: Ship MV Swarajdweep / Nancowry / Nicobar Deluxe Cabin: Rs. 7,640 for the tourists and Rs. 3,940 for the islanders. First Class Cabin: Rs. 6,320 for non-islanders and Rs. 3,560 for the islanders. 2nd Class Cabin: Rs. 5,030 for non-islanders and Rs. 2,680 for the islanders. Bunk: Rs. 1,960 for tourists and Rs. 710 for islanders.ders. Ship MV Harshvardhana Deluxe Cabin: Rs. 7,640 for the tourists and Rs. 3,940 for the islanders. First Class Cabin: Rs.

6,320 for non-islanders and Rs. 3,560 for the islanders. 2nd Class 'A' Cabin: Rs. 5,030 for non-islanders and Rs. 2,680 for the islanders. 2nd Class 'B' Cabin: Rs. 3,890 for non-islanders and Rs. 2,350 for the islanders. Bunk: Rs. 1,960 for tourists and Rs. 710 for islanders.ders. Ship MV Akbar M/V Baratang, a "tourist" ferry "Tourist" seating in the M/V Chouldari Deck seating in the "local" Ramanujam Andaman and Nicobar are a vast archipelago, and aside from some erratic, infrequent and expensive helicopter shuttles and a pricy seaplane service to Havelock Island , passenger ferries are the only way to get between the islands. There is also the Infiniti Liveaboard that makes trips to destinations such as Cinque, Barren, Narcondam and other islands.

All passenger transport in the islands is handled by the government-run Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), which also runs the ferries back to the mainland. The DSS operates basically two kinds of vessels: small "tourist" ferries, and larger "local" ferries. Despite the names, fares are more or less identical on both, at Rs.150-200 one way from Port Blair to Havelock Island . Tourist ferries seat about 100 people in padded bucket seats in a notionally air-conditioned cabin (which can still get sweltering hot). While you can access the top deck, there are no seats, shade or shelter outside. These boats are fast(er) and seaworthy, but top-heavy, and sway quite a bit in high seas. There is no canteen on board, so bring snacks or at least drinks. Local ferries are considerably larger, seating up to 400 in two levels: padded "bunk" or "luxury" seating upstairs, and plain old benches on the "deck" downstairs.

Neither class is air-conditioned, but ocean breezes keep temperatures tolerable, and a canteen dishes out chai(tea), samosas and bottled water. Due to their larger size, they're more stable in heavy seas, but take about twice as long as tourist ferries to get anywhere. There's a new a/c catamaran ferry from Port Blair to Havelock. Tickets are 650, 750 or 1000 (which gets you a leather seat and your own tv) and can be booked from a dedicated ticket booking window at Port Blair, thus avoiding the queue barging, and through your guesthouse (or wild orchid, emerald gecko & andaman bubbles) on Havelock. In high season demand often exceeds supply, so book your tickets at least one day in advance, either through a travel agent or directly at Port Blair's harbour. Ferry ticket booking has now been computerised. This means you can book any ferry from any jetty - i.e. Rangat to Havelock from the Diglipur ferry jetty. This obviously depends on the computers working!

Services may be changed or cancelled at short notice due to inclement weather, notably cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. If you're prone to sea-sickness, pop a pill an hour before you get on board. See[ edit ][ add listing ] North Sentinel Island Among the many islands that make up the archipelago, 72 km2 North Sentinel Island is somewhat unique in that it is illegal to visit in order to protect the indigenous Sentinelese tribe. Despite numerous attempts at contact, the Sentinelese have resisted (typically violently) outside influences, and as a result the Indian government has decided to not pursue further attempts. Today, it is illegal to visit the island, both to grant the tribe their privacy and to avoid accidentally introducing disease into the native population. Most people come here for the beaches and the scuba diving , especially on Havelock Island and Neil Island . The only place with historical attractions of note is Port Blair , which houses both British-era colonial buildings, including the notorious Cellular Jail, and a few World War II bunkers dating from the brief Japanese occupation. Neil Island: It is an amazing beautiful island with lush green forests and sandy beaches.

This island is located at a distance of around 36 kms from the Port Blair. This is a perfect outing and holiday destination for the Eco-tourists. Some people come to see members of the Jarawa Tribe. However, this is not recommended as contact with the outside world can be dangerous to the Jarawas' health. Groups such as Survival International encourage people to stay away from the reserve that they inhabit. Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Scuba diving - Havelock Island is the main dive destination, but the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has reopened. South Cinque Island is another possibility, enquire at Anugama Resort at Wandoor. One of the dive shops on Havelock was talking about opening a shop in Diglipur soon, which would open up newly discovered sites. The best dive sites in the Andamans are in very remote locations and accessible via a liveaboard. The dive sites around Havelock are actually very ordinary by Andamans standards. The best diving in the Andamans is: Barren Island (an active volcano), Narcondam Island (an extinct volcano), Invisible Bank (an extensive seamount approx.

100 miles Southeast of Port Blair) and 4 spectacular but un-named sea mounts off the west coast. There is also a good wreck dive just south of North Brother Island. There is one regular liveaboard in the Andaman Islands - the Infiniti Liveaboard, and it is the best way to get around. Its brand new & fully equipped, though a little expensive but well worth the money for the comfort & adventure. Snorkeling - A traditional attraction of the Andamans but the 2010 El Niño sadly resulted in the destruction of most of the coral. As at 2016, there are signs of recovery but the snorkeling is not good. Regardless, the best spots are Jolly Buoy (Well recommended), North Bay, Mua Terra Beach and Havelock Island . Equipment is cheap, and can be bought or rented at North Bay for 100 Rs. The price for Snorkeling at various locations is about 500 Rs (for ~15 min.) and 1000 Rs (for ~25 min.).

Surfing is great on Little Andaman Island Scan corals reefs in glass bottom boats off Jolly Buoy Island, at the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor, 29 km from Port Blair. Check out India's only active volcano on Barren Island, for some magnificent volcanic diving Take the Andaman Trunk Road, and be the zipping-in-the-car-idiot to the curious Jarawas. The ride is long, but the journey that takes you through some gorgeous reserve forests and up to Maya Bunder and beyond, is worth it. Revisit Havelock just to taste the red Snapper in Burmese garlic sauce at Benny and Lynda's Wild Orchid Beach Resort. Narcondam Island a dormant volcano is spectacular volcanic diving Make a new list. Add scuba diving and sea cow spotting. Do some moon-bathing while planktons swim in a phosphorescent sea. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Tandoori fish at Lighthouse Residency, Port Blair Seafood is the order of the day. From upscale restaurants in Port Blair to local dhabas on Havelock , fish abounds.

Be prepared to pay a little more for good fish and seafood dishes than for standard indian food, but it's well worth it. Basic Indian food is also available, and as cheap as on the mainland in most of the small dhabas. Resort restaurants on Havelock can also whip up a limited set of more or less Western dishes, but the resort restaurants are pretty expensive for Indian standards. Fresh Crab & Tuna can be enjoyed here. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Fresh coconuts are popular and widely available. Alcohol is available in some restaurants and at 'English Beer & Wine Shops' in Port Blair and on Havelock Island . The beers will not be cold when purchasing across the counter,except in local bars. Local bars are dingy and for some odd reason is very poorly lit giving it a very eerie feel to it. There is no Pub culture or even a Dance Club. Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Camping in wilderness Subramanyam, (Opp:Viper Island), ☎ 9933235136, [6] . Online Registers can get free Camping service.

or Rent a Tent,Do Camping in Hill Forest side village.Unorganized Camping in 5 Acres.This is yet to start operations though. edit Booking A&N Tourism Accommodation[ edit ] There are a variety of hotels around the islands which are run by Andaman & Nicobar Tourism. You can book all A&N tourism hotels both in person at A&N tourism in Port Blair , by phone on 03192 232694, or by email on accomodation6@gmail.com. Tariff is Rs. 1000 per night for a double occupancy room. But these rooms get booked from months in advance. Hours are 0830-1100,1400-1500. Stay safe[ edit ] The Andamans are a fairly safe destination. Tourism is still in its early stages which makes it almost hassle free. That said, you should keep your wits about you as you would anywhere. The Andaman Islands are the home of some of the last un-contacted tribes of Eurasia. These tribes have resisted modernization for some time. An example is the Sentinelese tribe, who inhabit North Sentinel Island.

They maintain their sovereignty over the island and are hostile towards outsiders. However, as a tourist, you will go nowhere near them, so this is not really an issue. Actually, the Indian government bans entry into the island. Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are present within suitable habitat throughout the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. While attacks on locals do occur every year within the island chain, the only attack on a foreigner within recent history occurred off the coast of Havelock Island in April of 2010. While saltwater crocodiles generally remain within the rivers and coastal mangrove swamps, they do occasionally travel within the open ocean, as was the case in this attack. Attacks on humans in the ocean are very rare. The main crocodile populations are around Little Andaman Island (Northern and Western sides), Interview Island and in the narrow straits that seperate the main islands MacPhearson Strait, Andaman Strait, Homfrey Strait and Austen Strait. Crocodile populations are also known from many of the Nicobar Islands. Contact[ edit ] The Indian country code applies here (91) and the area code for the entire Andamans is (3192).

So, from outside India, you dial +913192xxxxxx. Within India, you dial 03192xxxxxx. Mobile phone coverage nominally exists on many islands, but the coverage is poor and dropped signals are the norm. State owned BSNL, and private operators Airtel and Vodafone-Essar are the operators providing mobile services there. Landlines are frequent in Port Blair, but more erratic as you move around the islands. Internet access is slow but tolerable in Port Blair,BSNL EVDO Sticks on CDMA Technology Works the best with Speed upto 1 Mbps,Bsnl 3g Gives speed around 100 kbps and ADSL is un-serviceable most of the times. Private Players like Airtel,Vodafone offers Internet Acess Through GPRS & EDGE which is pathetically Slow. Reliance Internet Only works in the City but slow. Project for Inter Connectivity of Islands with Underwater international Chennai-Singapore marine cable is under Consideration.Once finished will offer Seamless and fast connectivity . Respect[ edit ] Tourism is still relatively new on the Andamans and as such the traveler has a special responsibility in guiding its developement. Leave the bikinis on the beach.

Remember that this is India and local women are very conservative in their attire. Alcohol should be consumed on the premises of your hotel only. The quiet and peacefulness of the islands are one of their best assets; help to maintain these. The Islands & Dive Sites of Thailand, Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar) & the Andaman Islands (India) The Islands & Dive Sites of Thailand, Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar) & the Andaman Islands (India) Culture Shock Thailand is blessed with two bountiful southern seas, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Thailand sits between Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia and is the one and only country in Southeast Asia to have never been colonized. The Kingdom is blessed with a remarkable history and culture, friendly natives who offer friendly service, beautiful national parks, a wide range of accommodation possibilities at every price level and some of the most delicious and extraordinary cuisine and exotic tropical fruits in the world. The riches that Thailand's oceans behold are a delight to those of us that have had the pleasure to dive here. The Land of Smiles Often referred to as the "Land of a Thousand Smiles," Thailand offers joyous travel.

One of the first Thai phrases travelers learn is mai pen rai which literally translates to "it is nothing." The phrase is used in the same ways that "never mind" or "that's OK" are used in English. However, mai pen rai means more than that; it is almost a philosophy that teaches one to hide problems and keep one's "public face" smiling and happy. It's a phrase used for respect and politeness. For the visitor this attitude creates of feeling of burdens lifted. It makes you feel happy, content and cheerful. While visiting, no one is going to burden you with their problems. While exploring the country you'll feel carefree, lighthearted and safe; you'll feel mai pen rai. No wonder so many of us expatriates have decided to stay, or that Thailand welcomes well over six million visitors every year. For most, your first trip is not your last. The Land of Isles Thailand offers the visiting diver diverse undersea experiences along with an unbelievable amount of topside recreation. It's the perfect place for a diving holiday. World-class diving, heavenly tropical islands and immaculate white sand beaches await.

With water visibility often exceeding 30m (100ft), an average ocean temperature of 28 to 32ºC (82 to 90ºF), and uncommonly calm sea conditions, Thailand has some of the most comfortable and safe diving, cruising and sailing environments found anywhere in the world. Thailand is a nation of islands, though most of them are quite small when you compare with other island nations such as Indonesia or the Philippines. Many, like the Similan Islands, are not inhabitable due to lack of fresh water. Others are protected by the government and still others offer accommodation. Some, like Phuket and Koh Samui in some ways feel like a small city they are so modern. Thailand's islands are a bit of a mix; some make you feel as you've stepped back in time so little have they changed, others feel busy and bustling. We have a little bit of everything.

The islands north of Ranong in Myanmar (Burma), or what we call the Mergui (Myeik) Archipelago are for the most part only inhabited by small groups of people called Moken or sometimes "Sea Gypsy" or "Chao Lay" in Thai (both terms are considered derogatory by the Moken). The Mergui Archipelago has been effectively closed since WW2 due to the political situation which developed in Burma after the British returned control. But, since 1997, limited marine tourism has been offered there and many of our boats do visit this vast and unpopulated area. Some areas are being fished more as the country modernizes, but this is happening slowly and it's still very easy to get away from people (or boats) in Mergui. Likewise, the Andaman Islands of India have remained almost untouched since, well, forever. There are still indigenous tribes living in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands who have no contact with the outside world. In fact, contact with most of the tribes is forbidden by the government.

There is a population in the Andamans in the capital Port Blair and on some of the islands close to that port, but most of the archipelago is jungle and beach. Much of it is still covered by primary rainforest, a rarity in Asia. We are allowed to visit the Andaman Islands, but the Nicobar Islands are indeed off-limits to almost everyone. Diving for Miles and Miles Since Thailand's southern isthmus divides two oceans, you'll be heading south for diving. The best diving takes place along the southwestern shores near the resort areas of Phuket , Koh Phi Phi , Krabi, Koh Lanta and Phang-nga. The Similan Islands, the Mergui Archipelago, and the Andaman Islands are the top destinations because they offer the best diving. Burma's Mergui Archipelago is included as part of Thailand as the diving is only accessible via Thailand (at Ranong). And, the Andaman Islands , a part of India are included here as well, since several liveaboards depart from Phuket every high season to visit this archipelago.

Indeed, there are dive shops in the Andaman Islands at Havelock Island, but there are currently no liveaboards, and the best dive sites are only reached by liveaboard as the distances are great. The number two spot for the best diving in Thailand is around Koh Phuket or the Phi Phi Islands and to a certain extent Koh Lanta (Trang) and Koh Lipe (near the Malaysian border). The third best will be the southeastern part of Thailand, including Koh Samui and Koh Tao . (Koh is the word for island in Thai.) These places are fun and there are some good dive sites, but the serious diver will be bored quickly. Technical diving has taken hold in the Gulf with some deep shipwrecks to be found. So far, the best deep wrecks have been found in the Gulf and this makes sense due to historical shipping routes to Bangkok.The Andaman Sea has a few artificial reefs few serious true wreck dives. The number four spot lies towards the Cambodian border east of Bangkok including Pattaya and Koh Chang. Pattaya is Pattaya and is what it is, but there are some nice wrecks there. Further along the coast toward's Cambodia, Koh Chang has grabbed a few diver's interest.

All three parts of the country offer something interesting, but if you're getting on a plane to come half-way around the world to go scuba diving, then Phuket International Airport should be your destination. The best diving in Thailand is in the Similan Islands and north of there to the Burmese border. There is no other place in Thailand which offers the diversity of marine life or sheer amount of dive sites. This is a known fact and is not in dispute. Have no illusions: Thailand's industry is well established and prolific. The area we call the Mergui Archipelago is so huge that there are areas there which are rarely visited. We can't say they are unexplored, but they are not well traveled. The same can be said of India's Andaman Islands. Regular charter boats dive there during the winter months, but to find another dive boat with you at a dive site would be a little bit of a surprise. Liveaboard Diving: Here Today and Here to Stay To get the the best dive sites in the Andaman Sea, it is almost always necessary to get there by overnight liveaboard vessel .

Although there are plenty of resorts in Thailand at her many islands and beach areas, the best diving is located far offshore and these are best reached by a type of vessel you can sleep on. Yes, some operators have speed boats to get you to some of these places, but the rides are long and bumpy and generally not safe (see the map get an idea of distances) and definitely not recommended. No, liveaboards are the way to dive the best sites, but if you're happy with not getting to the best sites, resort possibilities including Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao make for a nice compromise between pretty good diving, comfortable accommodation, and fun shore life. Most liveaboards depart from Phuket or Khao Lak or the harbor of Thap Lamu . These areas are all serviced by Phuket International Airport. All good liveaboards travel at night to get to the destinations; You sleep while we steer. Have a look here for weather and monsoon information and seasonal variations. Enjoy your reading, email me if you have any questions. About the Author John Williams has written, co-authored, or contributed to four diving guides on Thailand, the Mergui Archipelago, and the Andaman Islands.

These are the award-winning Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling series, Periplus Editions Diving Southeast Asia, Asian Diver Scuba Guides and Singapore's Times Edition Diving Thailand. He has lived in Phuket and dived in Thailand's waters since 1987. You are here: Home | Thailand | Dive Sites | Overview Mailing List Sign Up The Andaman Islands Guide | India Travel | Rough Guides Asia » India » The Andaman Islands India’s most remote state, the Andaman Islands are situated more than 1000km off the east coast in the middle of the Bay of Bengal, connected to the mainland by flights and ferries from Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakapatnam. Thickly covered by deep green tropical forest, the archipelago supports a profusion of wildlife, including some extremely rare species of bird, but the principal attraction for tourists lies in the beaches and the pristine reefs that ring most of the islands. Filled with colourful fish and kaleidoscopic corals, the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman Sea feature some of the world’s richest and least spoilt marine reserves – perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Although parts of the archipelago still see few visitors, the Andamans are now firmly on the tourist circuit. For administrative purposes, the Andamans are grouped with the Nicobar Islands, 200km further south, but these remain strictly off-limits to foreigners, as well as Indians with no direct business there. Approximately two hundred islands make up the Andaman group and nineteen the Nicobar. They are of varying size, the summits of a submarine mountain range stretching 755km from the Arakan Yoma chain in Burma to the fringes of Sumatra in the south. All but the most remote are populated in parts by indigenous tribes whose numbers have been slashed dramatically as a result of nineteenth-century European settlement and, more recently, rampant deforestation, now banned at least in theory. With the timber-extraction cash cow now largely tethered, the hope is that tourism will replace tree-felling as the main source of revenue on the Andamans. However, the extra visitor numbers envisaged are certain to overtax an already inadequate infrastructure, aggravating seasonal water shortages and sewage disposal problems. Given India’s track record with tourism development, it’s hard to be optimistic about how these issues will be managed.

Consequently, it’s no small mercy that plans to allow flights from Southeast Asia and even further afield to enter India at Port Blair seem to be on permanent hold, as the impact on this culturally and ecologically fragile region could be catastrophic. The point of arrival for boats and planes is the small but busy capital, Port Blair in South Andaman , which holds almost half the total population. The only island to have fully developed a tourist infrastructure is Havelock , although its smaller neighbour Neil is heading in the same direction. The other places where foreigners can spend the night are on the large islands of Middle and North Andaman , connected to South Andaman by the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), diminutive Long Island and remote Little Andaman , a long voyage to the south. The outlying islands are richest in natural beauty, with the beaches of Smith and the coral around Cinque of particular note. Such spots are not always easy to reach, as connections and transport can be erratic, frequently uncomfortable and severely limited. Brief history The earliest mention of the Andaman and Nicobar islands is found in Ptolemy’s geographical treatises of the second century AD.

Other records from the Chinese Buddhist monk I’Tsing some five hundred years later and Arabian travellers who passed by in the ninth century depict the inhabitants as fierce and cannibalistic. It is unlikely, however, that the Andamanese were cannibals, as the most vivid reports of their ferocity were propagated by Malay pirates who held sway over the surrounding seas, and needed to keep looters well away from trade ships that passed between India, China and the Far East. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, European missionaries and trading companies turned their attention to the islands with a view to colonization. A string of unsuccessful attempts to convert the Nicobaris to Christianity was made by the French, Dutch and Danish, all of whom were forced to abandon their plans in the face of hideous diseases and a severe lack of food and water. Though the missionaries themselves seldom met with any hostility, several fleets of trading ships that tried to dock on the islands were captured, and their crews murdered, by Nicobari people.

In 1777, the British Lieutenant Archibald Blair chose the South Andaman harbour now known as Port Blair as the site for a penal colony, although it was not successfully established until 1858, when political activists who had fuelled the Mutiny in 1857 were made to clear land and build their own prison. Out of 773 prisoners, 292 died, escaped or were hanged in the first two months. Many also lost their lives in attacks by Andamanese tribes who objected to forest clearance, but by 1864 the number of convicts had grown to three thousand. The prison continued to confine political prisoners until 1945 and still stands as Port Blair’s prime “tourist attraction”. During World War II the islands were occupied by the Japanese, who tortured and murdered hundreds of indigenous islanders suspected of collaborating with the British, and bombed the homes of the Jarawa tribe. British forces moved back in 1945, and at last abolished the penal settlement.

After Partition, refugees – mostly low-caste Hindus from Bengal – were given land in Port Blair and North Andaman, where the forest was clear-felled to make room for rice paddy, cocoa plantations and new industries. Since 1951, the population has increased more than tenfold, further swollen by repatriated Tamils from Sri Lanka, ex-servicemen given land grants, economic migrants from poorer Indian states including thousands of Bihari labourers, and the legions of government employees packed off here on two-year “punishment postings”. This replanted population greatly outnumbers the Andamans’ indigenous people, who currently comprise around 0.5 percent of the total. The Andaman Islands

Question: The government of the Andaman Islands archipelago is divided between India and which other country?
Answer: Burma (Myanmar)