info re Andaman islands

Would appreciate info on costs re accommodation and average daily food costs on Andaman Islands. we%26#39;ll be there for a week in February; happy with 3 star hotels or even 2 star hotels - clean, etc. Also, info on flight costs from Chennai and back to Chennai. Would like to snorkel as well; any advice where and how much it would cost. Would you advise on cost of ferry to Havelock? Thank you

info re Andaman islands

Hi Andras

I%26#39;m not sure about costs we stayed in Barfoot on Havelock 2007 which is the dearest resort although cheap by western standards( your profile does not show where you are from)From memory the ferry is about 200 rupees.Snorkelling costs nothing unless you go Elephant Bay when you%26#39;ll need to take a boat trip very cheap though.If you look back you%26#39;ll see my review and also other posts about Havelock including information on local tourist contacts. There are very few posts so it%26#39;s easy to find them

Regards

Doug

info re Andaman islands

thanks for the info, we are from Canada

Barefoot would be the upsegment resort in Andaman Islands and as Indian Standards its expensive and cheaper for Westerners so based on this logic overall everything should look cheaper for you.

An update on costs in the Andaman islands for Feb 2009.

Port Blair-Aashinaya lodge 500 r%26#39;s. It%26#39;s near the Phoenix wharf. Ask rickshaw (20r%26#39;s) to take you %26amp; tell driver you have a booking there. Better still google %26amp; make a booking. I have lost their card, sorry! Wonderful muslim owners. So friendly %26amp; helpful. We love this place!

Ferry to Havelock 260 r%26#39;s, takes 4 hrs, ferry to Long Island (5hrs) %26amp; Little Andaman 55r%26#39;s-go figure that one out! Fast ferry better to Little Andaman! Slow boat takes 9 hrs! Little Andaman is magic for chill-out. Very quiet village %26amp; nice beaches. Good bus service to beaches for max 10 r%26#39;s. Gorgeous waterfall. Great food %26amp; magic fish lunches %26amp; dinners. Excellent coffee but lots of barking dogs! Good places to stay in village 1km from ferry wharf and opposite ferry wharf for around 300 r%26#39;s a double.

Havelock-beach no.1-Sundaze Resort-ok swimming, clean bungalows with good beds %26amp; attached toilet/shower 600 rupees, share shower/toilet 300r%26#39;s, meal in local cafe of thali(veges, dahl,chappatis) 50r%26#39;s with fish 3 pieces extra 45r%26#39;s. Havelock has a good beer shop Kingfisher 60r%26#39;s a large bottle. Buy a snorkel in Chennai for around 500r%26#39;s. The local hire stuff is not good!Lots of cheap places 100-300r%26#39;s a double on no.2, no.3 %26amp; no.5. No.7 cheapest place to stay was 400r%26#39;s on road 300 metres from beach. Jeep to beach from Havelock ferry wharf max 30 r%26#39;s pp. with luggage maybe 100 r%26#39;s pp.

Long Island is glorious but owner of Blue Planet resort has monopoly on places to stay. We disliked Blue Planet(flimsy walls %26amp; expensive menu) and ended up staying at the Forestry Guesthouse. Sometimes they will rent rooms to foreigners 200 r%26#39;s a bed. See Forestry Office on right side corner of road to Blue Planet from ferry wharf. Glorious position overlooking wharf. I love Lalligi Bay %26amp; the walks around the island. Friendly locals %26amp; not many other tourists. Excellent fish as you would expect.

The Andamans are for people who want to relax, love nature %26amp; wonderful beaches %26amp; respect local people %26amp; native culture. The noisy dance party set should stick to Goa!

advice on passing