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Medical facilities on most of the islands are very limited, with the most reliable hospital located in Port Blair. We request that you follow sensible practices in your choice of places to stay, food and drink and the appropriate and timely use of medication, insect repellant, etc.
Tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are no more prevalent in the Andaman Islands as they are in other similar destinations in South-east Asia. We recommend that you follow the advice of your doctor with regards to any vaccinations and medication you might require for the duration of your travels. Please bring these and any other medicinal products you might require with you, as availability on the islands cannot be guaranteed.
The dive centre has a well stocked first aid kit as well as oxygen for any diving related emergencies. Please note that the Andaman Islands do not have a recompression chamber at present. Please follow safe diving practices and respect the knowledge and guidance of our staff.
There is very little crime on the islands. However, the general rules of safety apply to all travelers, and we request that you exercise caution in your interactions with strangers and with the storing of your valuables. Our resort provides lockers to guests staying at Barefoot Scuba Dive Resort.
Although the islands are developing as a tourist destination, certain conveniences are still to come. We recommend that you bring the essentials for your travels with you when you visit.
Being a tropical island, the days are generally warm and sunny, while the evenings can be cool, especially in the winter months. Bring appropriate sun protection, especially for the boat rides to the dive sites, and adequate clothing, insect repellant and a small flashlight for the evenings. We also recommend bringing your own small medical kit with any prescription items you might require, including disinfectants and dressings, anti-diarrheal, motion-sickness and pain medication.
Salt-water crocodiles ('Salties') live in mangrove creeks in the South Andamans and certain islands around Havelock, often changing habitat via the sea. While travelling near crocodile habitats, observe safety signs and do not swim in rivers, estuaries or mangrove shores. Avoid swimming alone at night. There has been a fatal accident involving a tourist in the recent past and we request guests to exercise caution and vigilance while entering the waters in the Andaman Islands.
Lastly, we request you to be mindful of the dogs and the sand flies that share some of the beaches with tourists. The dogs can be aggressive on occasion, and carrying a stick with you is enough of a deterrent. For protection from the sand flies we suggest liberal amounts of insect repellant (with Deet) and lots of luck.
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