While rare during the prime travel season (October to May), weather delays can happen. Premium private cruises like Makruzz or Nautika are highly reliable, but if a ferry is cancelled due to rough seas, the cruise operators will reschedule you for the next available slot. Local tour planners are usually excellent at shifting your hotel check-ins or swapping your sightseeing days seamlessly so you don't lose out on your itinerary.

No. To protect the delicate marine ecosystem, it is strictly illegal to collect, pack, or carry wild corals or sea shells from the beaches. Even if you purchase shell handicrafts from local markets, you must keep the official merchant receipt. Airport security at Port Blair is highly stringent and will confiscate any unbilled marine items from your luggage, which can result in heavy fines.

Yes, absolutely. While high-end resorts and major scuba centers in Havelock accept cards and UPI, digital payments are notoriously unreliable on Neil Island and at smaller beach shacks due to unstable internet connectivity. ATMs are scarce and frequently run out of cash on the smaller islands. Carry enough hard cash to cover your daily meals, souvenir shopping, and local auto-rickshaw rides.

Network coverage has improved significantly, but it can still be patchy. Airtel and BSNL offer the most reliable calling and data services across Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island, while Jio has limited coverage in remote areas. Expect hotel Wi-Fi to be slow or restricted to reception areas. It is highly recommended to download your flight tickets, hotel vouchers, and offline maps before you land.