This is to announce that the Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T) and the Forest Department shall open the gates of North Cinque Island Wildlife Sanctuary for responsible day tourism beginning May 15, 2025. Conservation work and infrastructure upgrades have kept the island closed for months. The immaculately preserved island with dense evergreen forests, vibrant coral reefs, and some rare bird species will again be open to 372 visitors daily.

A Unique Island Experience

Cinque Island is truly one of the Andaman’ best-kept secrets:

With its untouched wet evergreen and mangrove forests, the island’s interior remains largely undisturbed, offering a glimpse of ancient tropical woodlands where native birds flourish.

Pristine Coral Reefs

A complex tapestry of hard and soft corals is rolled around the Island on all sides and points, providing habitat to a parade of fish, mollusks, and marine invertebrates.

Scenic Sandbar

The island includes two parts joined by a narrow sandbar that connects through a natural bridge that emerges at low tide and forms the backdrop for the most breathtaking of Instagram pictures.

Historic Lighthouse

The lighthouse, maintained by the Lighthouse Department and dating back a century, serves as a landmark offering views across the seas.

Visitor Guidelines & Permits

Safety procedures for the fragile ecosystem are as follows:

Wildlife Sanctuary Crisis

Issued through the Single Window System at the IP&T office, Port Blair (08:30–17:00 daily).

Fees: Rs. 1,000 per foreign adult; Rs. 500 per foreign child (under 12); Rs. 100 per Indian adult; Free for children under 12

Daily Carrying Capacity

Visits will be capped at 372 tourists daily.

Four government-certified (class VI) boats will take visitors, first in, first out.

Timings

Day tours run from 08:30 AM to 04:00 PM, seven days a week.

Safety & Environment

Close to shorelines and reefs, all vessels shall maintain a speed of ≤3 knots.

Operators shall keep guests briefed on the “leave no trace” principles, emergencies, and no-go zones on the island.

Any kind of organic and inorganic waste shall be brought back for disposal in Port Blair.

Permitted Activities

The low-impact activities selected for visitors have been specially curated:

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving in designated zones around the island.

Guided Nature Walks to learn about avian and plant diversity.

Kayaking along the coastline and sandbar.

Workshops for Photography and Painting on local flora and fauna.

Beach Games (volleyball, soccer) in designated areas.

Conservation workshops and beach-cleaning sessions (“plogging”).

Important Restrictions

To protect the wildlife and habitat:

Camping, fires, or firearms are not allowed.

No one should feed, touch, or distress local wildlife.

No loud music or drones unless authorized beforehand.

All scraps and refuse have to be taken away from the island.

How to Book

You get at least three days to apply for permits through the Single Window System, provided you are either a tour operator or an individual. Detailed instructions and the online application are available on the official website.

Once the permit is issued, seats on certified vessels can be booked at Phoenix Bay Jetty, subject to availability.

A Commitment to Conservation

The reopening certainly heralds a major milestone in eco-tourism for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All monies collected as permits and penalties would be directed toward the sustenance of ongoing conservation works, habitat restoration, and community outreach programs.