No, Indian citizens do not need a permit to visit most parts of Andaman. However, foreign nationals require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which is issued on arrival at the Port Blair airport. Special permits are required for visiting some tribal or restricted areas like Nicobar Islands and North Sentinel Island (which is off-limits).

The best time is October to May, when the weather is pleasant, sea is calm, and activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and beach hopping are at their best. Avoid June to September due to heavy monsoons and ferry disruptions.

You can reach Port Blair (Veer Savarkar Airport) by direct flights from major cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad. There are also occasional passenger ships from Chennai, Kolkata, and Vizag (which take 3–4 days), but flights are more practical.