How is Andaman in October, November, December and January?

So here comes the best time to come visit the Andaman Islands. Usually, from October onwards, the season begins. Then in November, it picks up and then December and January is the peak time to visit the Andaman Islands when the cost of almost everything goes high because of the huge inflow of travelers to the Andaman.

December and January are among the best months to visit Andaman and most people celebrate their vacations during this time of the year owing to Christmas and New Year. Thus in December and January the cost of almost everything, the hotels, the ferry, the vehicle and the cruises – increases.

During certain months, in addition to the conventional tariff rates, there is an additional premium that is payable. On the 24th and 31st of December, many hotels require their guests to pay an additional fee in order to participate in the special dinner and karaoke that is organised within the hotel or resort. Consequently, you should prepare ready to pay that additional fee if your travel dates fall between the months of December and January.

Though only a handful of travel companies can give you the most competitive pricing during this time of the year as they have booked almost everything in advance for their customers. Experience Andamans is one such company that will give you the best rates at any time of the year.

So what basically happens in the month of October, November, December, and January?

This topic of mine is dedicated towards the following questions usually asked by travelers:

• How is October, November, December, January and February to visit Andaman?
• Will we be able to visit all the major attractions during these months?
• How is the weather from October to January?
• Can we go for underwater activities during these months?
• Can we do all the boat rides, cruise rides and water activities?
  

In this article, I will help you understand about traveling to Andaman in the months of October, November, December and January.  You can also read on to know more about February, March and April also.

Though Andaman Island is an all season destination, however, October to January and even till April are considered to be the best time to come explore Andaman. Usually, in October the Dusshera holidays kick in. Dussehra is the biggest festival of the Bengalis and in Andaman, there are a  lot of Bengali population both in Port Blair and Havelock Island.

Well, all across the islands you will find people from Bengal, right from South Andaman till North Andaman. This festival brings a lot of enthusiastic crowd to Andaman. Plus the island is lit up properly at various temples and specific Pandals are created in all the islands during this time of the year. One of our Andaman Dusshera package that operates in the month of October explains one of this tour.

Then comes November, now usually around the month of November, Diwali is celebrated. Diwali is one festival that is celebrated all throughout India, and in Andaman, we celebrate it in a very nice way. Bursting of crackers and the sweets are distributed among friends and family.

The Andaman island are fairly diversified in its cultural perspective. People from across India have settled in the islands and that’s how we have grown up here. November again is a very good time to visit the islands and every attraction in the island is open for the tourist. All activities are operational, be it scuba diving, sea walking or cruise rides all are operational during this time of the year. Any new product or activity that comes to Andaman are also launched during October and November.

Now, December and January! What do I say about these months? It is possible that now is the finest time to visit the Andaman Islands. When it comes to the Andaman Islands, the period of time between October and April is considered to be among the greatest times to visit for a number of different reasons.

However, among these months also, if you ask me to pick any 2-3 months for vacation in Andaman then I will emphasize on December, January and February. The clear crystal waters, the blue luminescence is experienced during this period of the year, the visibility underwater is fabulous and the humidity quotient goes down as well.

Its a tropical climate in Andaman and throughout the year it is the same kind of weather. Its just that the humidity goes down from October till January. Well, there is monsoon season though during July and August mostly.

With Christmas and New Year in the month of December brings up the vacation period and there is a lot of influx of travelers to Andaman. Though Andaman doesn’t have much nightlife, however, In the month of December and January you can experience some nightlife. Especially on Christmas and New years eve.

All hotels, trips and ferry get booked during these months well in advance. Don’t wait until the last moment to get things done as getting an availability will be a big question during these months.

What cannot be done during these months?

Actually, everything in the Andaman island is possible during these months. From sea walking, scuba diving, glass boat ride, semi submarine, snorkeling, cruise rides in Makruzz, Green Ocean and Coastal Cruise to kayaking, turtle nesting in North Andaman and boat rides to Ross Island, North Bay Island, Jolly Bouy Island and Baratang Island will all be operational and can be experienced to the fullest.

Things to do in Andamans during these months

Here are some best activities to pick for your Andaman tours between October to January: 

The Magical Ecology

Andamans is mostly popular for its beaches. However, if you are planning your visit between December and January, here are two things you can plan to do: 

Enjoy Turtle Nestling

The peak of December and January is to venture around the North Andamans, Diglipur. The spot marks a prehistoric ritual with thousands of Olive Ridley, Green Sea Turtles, and Leatherback making their way to this island. You’ll get to see plenty of them at Kalipur and Ramnagar beaches. They are here for their hatching period. 

You can roam around to experience this ritual as the local forest departments organize supervised night watch tours. A moonlit beach with pin drop silence to watch a giant Leatherback turtle emerging from the surf is itself a spiritual experience. December is the perfect season as the temperatures and cooling sand is simply perfect for incubation. 

Magnificent Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence you can enjoy at any point of the year here at Andamans. However, clear November and December nights offer the best views. The mangrove creeks of the Havelock have witnessed numerous such incidences where the adjacent water glows with a blue neon light. As the island records less rainfall during these months, the water salinity stays stable for the phytoplankton to create this beauty. 

Private Ferry vs. Government Ferry

Peak season traveling follows a different strategy than the off-season. To avoid December rush: 

Private Ferry vs. Government Ferry

Between December and January, Makruzz, Green Ocean, and Nautika are in high demand. Make sure that you book your ferry ride the moment they are open. This window usually happens 30 to 45 days in advance. In case the private ones are already sold, you can still go for government ones. However, you need to visit the STARS counter in Port Blair 2 to 4 days before your departure. Sometimes, you will also find lesser popular private cruises available in the peak January season. 

Even if the Andaman weather remains picture-perfect between October and January, it can still turn unpredictable. You might experience tropical depressions causing suspensions of inter-island ferries. Always reserve your last night stay in Port Blair before you take a flight back to your home. 

Seasonal Andaman Delicacies

Andaman also shows a food preference shift during its peak season. The influx of travelers brings in some fresh catches from the Sea with a specialized ‘shack culture.’ 

October to January is the peak season to explore the local delicacies such as Lobsters, King Prawns, and Red Snappers. The seas stay calm during these months so the local fishermen can easily venture out bringing in high-quality hauls to display on ice outside Havelock and Neil Island displays. There are good dine in places crafting their own seasonal menus during the peak months of December and January. You’ll experience a soothing blend of continental flavors with local island spices. 

The ‘Gala Dinner’

December 24th and 31st are reserved for the ‘Gala Dinner.’ They are key highlights of the social seasons of Andamans. Soak yourself in the local cultures like Traditional Nico Bari dances or local island bands and experience some live beachside BBQ grills. 

Hop into Baratang Island

The island is open throughout the year. However, the journey during the peak seasons here often involves a jungle trek and a boat ride through the dense mangrove cover. While the jungle paths stay muddy during the rainy season with leeches, December weather is almost dry. The Limestone Cave trek is pleasant in this period where the mangrove canopy stays vibrant green so that you can enjoy a peaceful ‘canopy walk’ via a boat ride in a more comfortable non-humid environment.  

Mount Harriet National Park

Mount Harriet is South Andaman’s highest point offering a panoramic view of the island. In the hazy months, you might stumble with low visibility. However, January is crisp on the weather front to experience clarity across the horizon to the North Bay’s lighthouse to capture the distantly situated Ritchie’s Archipelago.

Basically, you are arriving at the best time of the year to Andaman.

Will it be too cold from October until January or February?

In Andaman there is no summer and winter. The temperature usually remains the same all the year round. It is just that the humidity decreases during this time of the year. It won’t be cold, however, you can carry a light sweater just in case if you are planning a walk by the beach at night.

Whom do you recommend to visit Andaman during these months?

Actually, this time of the year is good for everyone. You will just love it here in Andaman.

Can I go for Scuba Diving, Sea Walking, Snorkeling and Other Underwater Activities?

Absolutely, there is no question about it. You can enjoy all kinds of water sports in the Andaman Islands.

What are the best attractions to visit during these months?

Well, you can cover any part of the islands both in South and North Andaman, also the Middle Andaman. What it means it you should cover Port Blair, the capital of Andaman. In Port Blair, you should visit Cellular Jail, Ross Island, North Bay Island, Chidiatapu, Jolly Bouy, City Museums and Corbyn Cove Beach.

In Havelock Island, you should cover all the three attractions Radhanagar Beach, Kalapathar Beach and Elephant Beach.

In Neil Island, you should cover Laxmanpur Beach, Bharatpur Beach and Natural Rock Formation.

In North Andaman, visit Diglipur with Ross and Smith Island, however, to cover North Andaman you will need around 10 Days.

In case you are short of time, then cover Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island only. Also, you can consider a day trip to Baratang from Port Blair. Baratang is another good attraction in the islands. An itinerary should be a combination of all these destinations and attractions so that you can make better use of your time in the islands.

How do you recommend us to come to Andaman?

The best option will be to take a flight from your city to Andaman. It is pretty easy to get to the islands via a direct flight. You can now fly from Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Just check for which sector the flight is operational and you can easily get your tickets done to visit Andaman.

So, In case you wish to visit Andaman in the month of October, November, December, January, February, March and April then don’t overthink too much as you are arriving at the best time of the year and you will surely enjoy it.

Check out my various other blogs about How to Plan, Things to do and about various water sports in Andaman to get an understanding of how to plan a visit to this exotic destination in India. You will surely love your experience during your visit from October until April.

If you need help in planning an itinerary for you vacation, hit us up at www.experienceandamand.com and one of our Island experts will get back to you to understand your requirement before coming back to you with a itinerary as per your travel dates and budget.

Photography Tips

• Photography enthusiasts find these months as unmatched for their picture-perfect moments. The humidity stays low with clear skies to offer a clarity often difficult to witness during other months. Here are some pro tips for the first time photographers here:
• The islands are closer to the equator with the sun sets happening around 5:15 pm to 5:45 pm. Radhanagar Beach shows a beautiful transition through shades of deep amber, violet, and fiery orange. Plan to reach 30 minutes before to experience this transition.
• High tide drives in the water closer to the treeline at the dusk hours. Check for the tidal pools on the sand for your picture-perfect moment of sunset reflection.
• January, the ‘Gold Standard’ offers unrivaled underwater clarity with the visibility reaching 20 to 25 meters deep. You can click some outstanding pictures even with a basic camera like a GoPro.
• The most ideal time for underwater photography is between 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. During these hours, the sun is overhead penetrating deeper into the Nemo Reef coral garden or the Elephant Beach. You can try capturing shots using the black volcanic rocks of Kala Patthar in the backdrops. In this way, the turquoise water will ‘pop’ more in your landscape pictures.

Essential Traveler’s Tips for the Peak Season

• Planning your Andaman tours during its peak season between October and January requires some smart strategy. Here’s how you can plan your Andaman tours during the peak season:
• There’s a spotty network connectivity issue on the Havelock and Neil Islands. It is therefore better to carry some cash with you. You can withdraw it at Port Blair as the ATMs on other smaller islands may often run out of cash or experience technical issues during the peak December months.
• It usually doesn’t get much colder during these peak months. However, you might experience cool sea breezes between November and January. Make sure to pack a cardigan, light shawl and windbreaker in your backpack.
• Sturdy water shoes are an ideal fit to roam around freely in Andamans. You will find several sharp coral fragments alongside the shore that can easily tear apart your flip tops.
• Beach shacks and Andaman sunsets are often prone to flies. Carry an insect repellent.
• The Andaman shares a fragile biosphere. It is strictly illegal to pack or carry sea shells, dead corals, or sand back with you. There are high-tech scanners at the airport to catch you with these items.
• Make sure your bottle is a reusable one. You can use the RO water refills available at several hotels to refill your bottle at a nominal fee or sometimes, even free.