See Formalities for full details of clearing into India.

Advance Preparation:

Make sure your visa has the Andamans named as a destination on your application. See India Immigration for visa details.

After obtaining the visa, before departure for the Andamans, as a courtesy Immigration ask that you send a crew list with passport details, reason for visit is tourism, yacht’s name, home port, and approximate arrival date to the Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Port Blair, Tel. 91-3192-234087, Fax: 91-3192-232656, Email: [email protected]

Cruisers report that using an agent here for clearance is straightforward and simple, but be sure to have all your paperwork in order before arrival. See Noonsite’s Clearance page for a list of agents. Cost approx. US$200. Whilst it is possible to manage without an agent, the paperwork is lengthy and a printer/scanner on board is essential and it will take several days longer to get clearance.

It is essential that you have up to 8 copies of ALL your documents (including Departure documents from your previous port) and the required letters. An embossed boat stamp will also be necessary to impress!

General Clearance:

Yachts must not stop anywhere else before completing formalities at Port Blair (South Andaman).

On Arrival

Try to arrive early in the morning as clearance will take all day. Entry into the harbor is permitted after 05:00.

Call the port authorities on VHF Ch. 16 a few hours before arrival (if possible) and advise them of your ETA.

A recommended place to anchor for clearing it is 11°41.18’N, 92°43.38’E in 3m at LW. Call again on arrival with information of where you are anchored so that they can inform Customs and Immigration.  You will have to ferry the officials to your boat and back by dinghy (3 at a time), so anchor as close to the jetty as possible. There is no where safe to leave your dinghy on the jetty but you should be able to find a reliable boat minder who can take care of it for a small fee.

The Coastguard will visit the yacht with their own boat; Customs and Immigration officials must be collected in your dinghy. A full list of stores and equipment (with serial numbers!) will be required. Remember to list your depth sounder as a ‘fish finder.’

Cruising Plan

Finally, a visit must be paid ashore to the Harbor Master at the Port Management Board (PMB) to submit a cruising plan for the entire duration of your stay, including specific dates and places. If you change your itinerary, you will need to submit a revised plan. Be sure to take all the paperwork you have been given by Customs and Immigration. Many islands are strictly off limits. You will be given the up-to-date list of approved sites on arrival.

The HM should supply data on the radio times and frequencies (via SSB radio) for your required daily radio check-ins. You must report your position to Port Control twice a day at 0800 and 1700. 

Reporting your position by SSB can be time-consuming as ships are also reporting in. Other options for reporting are to use a mobile to send email updates though coverage is intermittent and unreliable, and very often not available. Satellite phones are illegal and will be bonded. If you only have a VHF radio, then your visit will be very restricted.

You must switch on “tracks” on your chart plotter as you will be required to photograph the track at the end of each day to prove where you have been. You will need a clear print out of each day’s track in order to clear out. Note: most electronic charts are out by about 250 yards – eyeball navigation is essential.

On Departure

The departure procedure has been simplified. Visit the Port Captain’s office to pay your dues, then Immigration. You will need a clear print out of each day’s track in order to clear out. When ready to leave, call Port Control with your clearance number.

Notify Port Control in advance of your expected time of departure.

Notes:

• The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) which limited visits to a maximum of 30 days has been abolished until  2022. See here for full details.
• It is illegal to use most types of satellite phones while in the Andaman Sea and in Indian territorial waters. Such communications are monitored and can result in severe penalties, even imprisonment. The exception is the Inmarsat satellite network which is allowed.  Iridium and Thuraya phones are bonded  (with tape and a box you supply) until your departure. See Communications for more detail. 
• There are a number of reports from cruisers in related reports with very useful details on the paperwork.

STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURE FOR FOREIGN YACHTS VISITING A & N ISLANDS (INDIA)

(a) Obtain clearance/permit from the Indian High Commission/Embassy prior to departure from last port of call and intimate the following particulars to the Indian High Commission/embassy.

(i)     Purpose of visit

(ii)    Port of registration

(iii)   Last port of call

(iv)    Next port of call

(v)     Name of local agent  (if any)

(vi)    Particulars of the owner and crew

(vii)   Itinerary of the vessel

(b) Clearance to be obtained from Port Management Board, Port Blair 48 hours prior to entering Indian Territorial waters.

CALL Port Blair Port Radio, Location 11°10’28″ N 92°44’56″ E

FREQUENCY HFTR 2182 8294 6224. TELEPHONE (091) 3192 233683 (091) 03192 33688, (091) 03192 33690,  (091) 03192 33674 (Emergency only). TELEX 625-218 PORT IN. FAX (091) 03192 36069.

(c) Immigration clearance will be given at Port Blair on arrival/departure. On arrival yachts will be inspected by Navy, Customs and Immigration for clearance.

(d) Visit permit is issued by the Immigration Officer. The conditions laid down to in the permit are to be strictly adhered to by the permit holder.

(e) No deviation from the pre-drawn itinerary would be permitted.

(f) Yachts are to be fitted with HFRF sets for communication failing which their visit will be restricted to VHF range.

(g) Yachts when in Indian waters are to inform their location twice a day at 08:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs to Port Management Board Control Room at the above frequencies.

(h) No diving equipment is to be carried on board. The vessel can obtain the diving equipment locally from approved diving agencies.

Recent reports are that diving is now permitted by foreign vessels, with a permit, no longer have to hire equipment locally.

(i) The yacht will not be permitted to pick up commercial passengers, Indian or foreigners on board during the permitted cruise. However, yachts will be allowed to carry passengers to and from Port Blair who have been cleared by Immigration authorities.

(j) Equipment capable of sea and mapping is not to be carried aboard.

(k) No arms and ammunition are to be carried aboard the yacht. Arms, if carried for self-protection, are to be declared on arrival.

(l) Yachts visiting the islands may have an authorized agent at Port Blair.

(m) Clearance of Customs, Port Management Board and Immigration is necessary before departure.

Havelock Island: Take your paperwork in with you the first time you visit as you may be asked for it and add it to a book at the main gate for the ferry terminal.

Button Islands: Whilst you can anchor off any of the Buttons Islands you are not allowed to go ashore.

Cinque Island: You can anchor but you are not allowed to go ashore.

Last updated:  October 2019