With remote destinations and their associated untouched natural beauty of significant interest to yacht owners and guests, the Andaman Islands are landing on more and more cruising itineraries. Heavily tourism dependent, the region has nonetheless been challenging to access due to tight visa and cruising permit restrictions. However, Andaman Islands superyacht cruising has become simpler, as have the rules on what you can and can’t do in the local waters.
Nearly 600 islands make up the Andamans, a.k.a. the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Only 37 of them have inhabitants, too. They have earned renown for their white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and overall quiet natural beauty. Other highlights include active volcanoes and rainforests. Superyachts especially visit the islands of Inglis, Sister, Passage, Brother, Barren, Narcondum, Little Andaman, Interview, Neil, Cinque, Henry, Lawrence, and Button. Ahead of government-backed marinas developing, Asia Pacific Superyachts set up an office, in anticipation of the growing interest.
During a recent captains’ meeting hosted by Asia Pacific Superyachts, R. Rathman, owner-agent of the company’s office for the Andaman Islands and India, shared the updates. The government is striving to turn the islands into a high-end tourism destination. Yachting visitors who enjoy combining cruising and shoreside stays will have a handful of eco-oriented resorts from which to choose. Over the next several years, for instance, resorts will appear on Long Island, Aves Island, and Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island). The existing Megapode Resort in Sri Vijaya Puram will undergo redevelopment, too. Already, the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is along the renown Radhanagar Beach at Havelock Island.
As for Andaman Islands superyacht cruising permits, previously, yachts could visit for a maximum of 30 days. This came under a Restricted Area Permit, since the region is ecologically sensitive. Fifteen-day extensions were possible, but only for emergencies. Now, though, foreign visitors no longer need the permit. Instead, they can remain as long as their visas are valid.
Similarly, obtaining visas has become easier. The application process is now entirely online, versus in-person at an Indian embassy in one’s home country. One-month, one-year, and five-year visas are all possible as well, mailed within three to five days following approval. “The visa process is hugely simplified,” says Rathnam.
Finally, owners and guests enjoying Andaman Islands superyacht cruising are indeed allowed to scuba dive and fish from their yacht.
As much as this will open up more itineraries, captains have had concerns about immigration clearances and fueling. Previously, inward clearance times were unknown. In other words, there was no way to know how long the wait would be. Rathnam reports that for now on, yachts arriving in the morning will receive clearance that evening. He further reports that there’s no problem with the quality of the fuel. Asia Pacific Superyachts agents have assisted several visiting yachts, none of which have had issues.
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