By Arjun Mehta · 5 min read · Updated 2026-02-20✓ Verified 2026-02-20

Essential Packing List for Andaman Trip — What to Bring & What to Skipandaman

Packing for the Andaman Islands is different from any mainland India trip. The specific combination of tropical heat, coral beaches, limited shopping, and island power cuts means certain items become absolutely essential — and others are completely unnecessary.

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The Complete Packing List

Priority items ranked by importance:

🔴 ESSENTIAL: BSNL SIM card (buy at Port Blair airport) + power bank 20,000mAh
🔴 ESSENTIAL: Reef-safe zinc sunscreen (not available locally)
🔴 ESSENTIAL: Water shoes/reef shoes (coral cuts are real)
🟡 IMPORTANT: Dry bag/waterproof phone pouch (₹200 locally but unreliable)
🟡 IMPORTANT: Mosquito repellent (Odomos, available locally)
🟡 IMPORTANT: Quick-dry towel + swimwear (limited shopping on islands)
🟢 NICE: Snorkel mask (rental available but own mask = better fit)
🟢 NICE: Underwater camera/GoPro (rental ₹500/day at beaches)
❌ SKIP: Formal clothes, heavy shoes, more than 4 days of clothes (laundry ₹10/item)

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💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know

What should I NOT bring to Andaman?+

Formal clothes (nobody dresses up), leather shoes (will get wet), single-use plastic bags (banned), more than 7 days of clothes (laundry is cheap everywhere).

Is reef-safe sunscreen necessary in Andaman?+

Strongly recommended. The Andaman corals are under stress from warming. Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, octinoxate) accelerate coral bleaching. Zinc-based sunscreen is reef-safe and effective.

Can I buy snorkel gear on Havelock?+

Basic gear available at 2-3 shops near Beach No. 5 market. Quality is low. Rental at beaches is ₹100-200/session. Own mask = better fit and hygiene.

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