Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Top Places for Drone Photography in North Andaman
- Tourist Circuits and Photo Routes
- Activities for Drone Enthusiasts
- Festivals and Seasonal Highlights
- Suggested Itineraries
- Budget Tips and Estimated Costs
- Practical Travel Information
- Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Traveler-Specific Tips
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
North Andaman (the Diglipur region and its surroundings) is where emerald forests meet powder-white sandbars and coral-fringed bays. For aerial artists, it promises some of India’s most dramatic textures—snaking sandbars, teal shallows, volcanic rock, and the archipelago’s highest ridge line. However, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also among India’s most sensitive eco–security zones. Drone flying is tightly regulated, and in many locations, not permitted at all. This guide blends location inspiration with up-to-date practicalities, so you can plan responsibly—whether you secure permissions to fly, or choose to collaborate with a licensed local operator.
Top Places for Drone Photography in North Andaman
Note: Many of the locations below fall under forest, marine, or defense-sensitive zones. Always secure written permissions in advance; expect outright bans in several spots.
Ross & Smith Islands (Diglipur)
- Why it’s special: A photogenic twin-island pair linked by a brilliant white sandbar that appears/disappears with the tide—perfect for abstract top-downs.
- Practical notes: Visitor permits are required to land; launches for private drones are often restricted or denied by authorities. If flying is authorized, plan for low tide and minimal foot traffic.
Kalipur, Ramnagar & Craggy Island
- Why it’s special: Black volcanic rocks, reef shelves, and glassy lagoons provide bold contrasts.
- Practical notes: These are turtle-nesting beaches (Nov–Mar). Drone flights are typically prohibited during nesting and hatchling periods and may be fully disallowed year-round.
Lamiya Bay & Saddle Peak Foothills
- Why it’s special: Wild surf lines beneath the archipelago’s tallest ridge, with lush forest canopies and river mouths.
- Practical notes: Inside Saddle Peak National Park, drone operations are normally not permitted. If any flying is allowed, it would be outside park limits with explicit prior permission.
Ariel Bay & Diglipur Harbour
- Why it’s special: Fishing fleets, mangrove channels, and sunrise color over calm waters make strong maritime compositions.
- Practical notes: Harbours and any vicinity to defense installations are typically no-fly zones. Obtain written clearance from local administration and police; expect restrictions.
Karmatang Beach & Avis Island (Mayabunder side)
- Why it’s special: Long sandy arcs and coconut fringes; Avis Island has clear shallows and reef patterns.
- Practical notes: Technically in the northern Andamans circuit (Middle Andaman district). Avis often requires special permission and may be off-limits for drones.
Tourist Circuits and Photo Routes
2–3 Day Diglipur Loop
- Base: Kalipur or Diglipur town.
- Route: Kalipur/Craggy Island → Ross & Smith → Lamiya Bay → back to base.
- Photo windows: Sunrise at Kalipur/Lamiya; mid–low tide at Ross & Smith; sunset at Ariel Bay.
Mayabunder Extension (1–2 Days)
- Route: Diglipur → Karmatang Beach → Avis Island (permission dependent) → back or onward to Rangat.
- Photo windows: Morning calm for seascapes; afternoon shadows along coconut belts.
Forest–Coast Contrast
- Route: Lamiya Bay foreshore (outside park) → agricultural mosaics around Diglipur → coastal reefs near Ramnagar.
- Focus: Juxtapose deep green canopy with aquamarine flats and black rock.
Activities for Drone Enthusiasts
Planning and Shooting
- Best season: October–April for clearer skies and manageable winds; May–September is monsoon with gusts and low visibility.
- Light and tides: Shoot at golden hour. Pair flights with low tide for sandbars and reef geometry; use tide tables and sun-path apps.
- Compositions: Top-down abstracts of sandbar curves, leading lines from jetties, boat patterns, reef textures, and wave angles on black rock.
- Filters and settings: Polarizer for glare reduction; ND8–ND32 for motion smoothing; bracket exposures over bright sand/sea.
Field Tips
- Wind: Morning is calmer. Keep a conservative return-to-home (RTH) threshold, especially over water.
- Launch/landing: Use a foldable pad; avoid sandy prop intake. From boats, hand-launch/land only if trained and approved by the boatman.
- Batteries: Humidity drains packs; store in a dry bag with silica gel. Expect limited power points in remote stays.
- Backup visuals: When flying isn’t permitted, shoot mast-high handheld panos, climb marked viewpoints, or use a pole for elevated perspectives.
Festivals and Seasonal Highlights
- Turtle nesting (Nov–Mar) at Kalipur and Ramnagar: Spectacular natural event; drone flights are not allowed around nesting zones. Observe only under guidance.
- Dry-season village fairs: Small local gatherings may occur, but details vary year to year.
- Island Tourism Festival is typically hosted in Port Blair (South Andaman), not North Andaman.
Suggested Itineraries
3 Days: Diglipur Aerial Highlights
- Day 1: Port Blair → Diglipur by road; sunset reconnaissance at Ariel Bay (no-fly unless permitted).
- Day 2: Early check for Ross & Smith permits; beach time and shoreline photography; afternoon forest–coast scenes near Lamiya Bay.
- Day 3: Kalipur/Craggy Island seascapes at sunrise; return to Port Blair.
5 Days: North Andaman + Mayabunder
- Day 1–2: Diglipur base with Ross & Smith, Kalipur, Lamiya (permissions as applicable).
- Day 3–4: Shift to Mayabunder; Karmatang Beach; consider Avis Island only with approvals.
- Day 5: Transit back with a break in Rangat for mangrove boardwalk (ground-based photography).
7 Days: Photo Immersion
- Buffer days for weather/permits; mix seascapes, forest edges, and village life. Build in one “no‑fly” conservation day to explore trails and learn local ecology.
Budget Tips and Estimated Costs
- Local operator hire (licensed): Approx. ₹12,000–₹25,000 per shooting day depending on brief and travel.
- Boat to Ross & Smith: Typically ₹1,100–₹1,800 per person round-trip; island entry fee may apply (rates subject to change).
- Road transfers (Port Blair ⇄ Diglipur):
- Government/private bus: ₹800–₹1,500 (12–14 hours).
- Private cab: ₹9,000–₹14,000 one-way (9–10 hours, convoy timings apply).
- Accommodation (per night): Budget ₹1,000–₹2,000; mid-range ₹2,500–₹5,000; higher-end ₹6,000–₹10,000+.
- Meals: ₹300–₹700 per person per day for simple eateries; more in resort restaurants.
- Permits: Costs and availability vary by location and are frequently updated; factor in time and potential application fees.
Practical Travel Information
How to Reach
- Gateway: Fly into Port Blair (IXZ). From there, North Andaman is overland via the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR).
- By road: Port Blair → Diglipur via Rangat/Mayabunder. Convoy timings apply through protected reserves; carry ID and follow rules.
- Ferries/helicopter: Limited inter-island ferries and occasional helicopter services exist but are schedule- and priority-dependent.
- Travel time: 9–14 hours by road depending on vehicle and stops.
Accommodation Options
- Diglipur town: Handy for markets, fuel, and transfers.
- Kalipur/Ramnagar: Beachside stays closer to reefs and sunrise spots.
- Mayabunder: Good for Karmatang Beach and a quieter base.
- Tip: Power cuts can be common; confirm backup power and charging options for gear.
Drone Rules, Permits, and Safety
- India-wide regulations: DGCA Drone Rules (2021) and the DigitalSky “No Permission, No Takeoff” (NPNT) framework apply.
- Foreign tourists: Generally not permitted to fly drones in India in a personal capacity. Consider hiring a licensed Indian operator.
- Indian citizens/residents: Registration, UIN (where applicable), and flight permissions are mandatory. Respect geo-fenced red/yellow/green zones.
- Andaman-specific: Expect additional restrictions near defense assets, national parks, turtle rookeries, and tribal reserves. Local police/administration and the Forest Department may require separate written permissions; many requests are declined to protect wildlife and security.
- Airports/defense: Absolute no-fly zones. Port Blair and the naval air station near Diglipur make large surrounding areas sensitive.
- Ethics: Never fly over crowds, nesting beaches, tribal areas, or wildlife. Maintain line of sight and conservative altitudes even when permitted.
Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Food: Fresh fish thalis, crab and lobster (seasonal), coconut-based curries, and sweet Diglipur pineapples. Simple, hearty home-style meals dominate.
- Shopping: Small-town essentials only. Consider local spices, produce, and legally sourced forest honey from authorized cooperatives.
- Culture: A mosaic of communities from mainland India live here. Respect protected tribal reserves—no photography or stopping on the ATR within reserve zones.
Traveler-Specific Tips
Families
- Long transfers—carry snacks, water, motion-sickness meds.
- Choose stays with on-site dining and reliable power for charging devices.
- Keep drones away from children and crowds; prioritize beach safety.
Honeymooners
- Pick quieter bases (Kalipur or Mayabunder) for privacy.
- Plan sunrise/sunset walks even if flying isn’t approved—light is magical.
- Request sea-facing rooms and confirm mosquito nets/repellent availability.
Friends/Backpackers
- Share long taxi transfers to cut costs; verify convoy timings a day prior.
- Carry cash; ATMs can be patchy.
- If you must have aerials, pool resources to hire a licensed operator rather than risking non-compliant flights.
Packing for Drone-Centric Shoots
- Spare props, batteries, ND/PL filters, landing pad, dry bags, silica gel.
- High-visibility ID sticker with your contact details.
- Printed copies (and digital) of any permissions; a basic first-aid kit.
FAQs
Q: Can tourists fly drones in North Andaman?
A: Foreign tourists are generally not allowed to fly drones personally anywhere in India. Indian citizens/residents can fly only with DGCA compliance and local permissions. In North Andaman, additional bans often apply due to wildlife and security zones.
Q: Is drone flying allowed at Ross & Smith Islands?
A: In practice, authorities frequently restrict or deny drone operations here. You would need explicit written permissions from relevant departments, and even then, flying may be refused to protect the area.
Q: What’s the best time of year for aerial shooting?
A: October to April offers clearer weather and calmer winds. Aim for sunrise and low tide to capture reefs and the sandbar geometry; avoid the monsoon period due to gusts and poor visibility.
Q: Are sub-250 g (nano) drones exempt?
A: No. Even nano drones must follow no-fly zones and local restrictions. National parks, nesting beaches, airports, defense areas, and tribal reserves are off-limits regardless of drone weight.
Q: Will airport security in Port Blair confiscate drones?
A: Without proper paperwork, drones may be denied entry, held, or asked to be shipped back. Rules and enforcement can change—check current DGCA and local administration guidelines before travel.
Conclusion
North Andaman is a spectacular canvas of sandbars, reefs, forests, and far-flung beaches—ideal for aerial storytelling in theory, but governed by stringent regulations in practice. Build your plans around permissions, conservation ethics, and weather, and be ready to pivot to ground-based photography or work with licensed operators. If you approach the region with patience and respect, you’ll come away with meaningful images and a deeper appreciation of its wild character.
