🏝️Beach & island trip checklist
Island trips fail on ferries: they sell out, they get cancelled, and the good slots for snorkelling and diving go first. Book the crossings early, check the sea season, and pack for water — everything else about a beach trip is easy.
Permits
Island entry permit
Indians need no permit for the Andamans, and foreign nationals are RAP-exempt on the main tourist islands — except nationals of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and anyone of that origin, plus Myanmar citizens for Mayabunder and Diglipur. Lakshadweep needs an entry permit for everyone: apply at epermit.utl.gov.in at least 14 days out with a photo and ID. It is valid 30 days and covers only the islands named on it.
Health
Motion-sickness tablets for the ferries
Two hours on open sea; take them 30 minutes before boarding.
Safety
Check the jellyfish and rough-sea season
Rough seas and jellyfish from June to September; swim only where the lifeguards say it is safe.
Learn the rip-current drill
Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the pull, then head in.
Leave a day between the last dive and the flight
Divers Alert Network guidance: at least 12 hours after a single dive, 18 after multiple dives, and 24 is the safe answer. Plan the last day on land, not underwater.
Gear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Oxybenzone-free, SPF 50; ordinary sunscreen damages the coral you came to see.
Dry bag for phone and cash
Boat spray and beach days ruin electronics. A 10 L dry bag covers it.
Water shoes or sandals with grip
Rocks, dead coral and sea urchins near the shore.
Transport
Book ferries early
Port Blair–Havelock–Neil ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean) sell out in season; the government ferry opens three days ahead.
Food
Check shack and water-sport timings
Beach shacks close in the monsoon and water sports stop when the red flag is up.
Everything else
Book snorkelling or dive slots
PADI/SSI slots on Havelock or Grande Island fill up; bring your own mask if you have one.
planning one of these?
Niklo suggests this checklist when your trip heads for a coast or an island — Goa, Gokarna, the Andamans, Lakshadweep.
Tick it off as a crew, not alone.
Put this checklist on a Niklo trip and every item gets an owner, a due state and a crew that can see it — next to the itinerary, the map and the money.