Visakhapatnam

Visas

Everyone needs to get an e-visa before arriving in India and this should be done well in advance of any trip as it can take a a while. The costs varies but expect it to be between US$80 and US$100 . The e-visa lasts for 60 days.

Getting There

Kerala All visitors must apply for a visa before travelling. Trivandrum (TRV) is linked by flights to Cochin, Chennai, Delhi, Goa and Mumbai. International flights also operate to Colombo, Malé, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. Beware, domestic flights are pricy in India. Trains are part of the local experience but favour buses if you have a large boardbag. Andaman Islands Port Blair is served weekly by Indian Airlines flights from Calcutta (5) and Madras (3). Jet and East-West private airlines have 4 flights from Chennai. Book very early. Ferries are slow, taking 56h from Calcutta! Andhra Pradesh 6-month visas are easy to get. Indian Airlines flies to Vizag (VIZ) daily from Mumbai, Calcutta, Hyderabad and Chennai. Domestic flights are fairly expensive ($300 r/t from Mumbai, cheaper from Chennai) but no extra charge for boardbags. Trains and buses are dirt-cheap, but journeys can take days. 30mins transfer to Park Hotel.

Getting Around

Kerala Avoid driving in India; rent tourist taxis ($50/d) or local transport. Try out the throaty Enfield 350cc for a truly vintage motorcycling experience outside urban areas - the MC road can take you deep into the hills. From Trivandrum, take an autorickshaw to Kovallam ($2-3, $6-8 by taxi), only 20mins drive away. Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (AP) is the 5th largest state in India; it takes 12h by train from the capital city Hyderabad. Once in Vizag, rent an Ambassador taxi ($25/day), a 4WD jeep if you’re a group ($100/day) or just a rickshaw ($0.50/short trip) for nearby spots. Traffic is hair-raising, take a driver! Andaman Islands Port Blair has buses, taxis and a few auto rickshaws and there are no beggars in the street like in Calcutta. Boats from the mainland moor at Haddo Jetty, 1km north of Phoenix Jetty; arrival point for inter-island ferries and live aboard surfing charters from Phuket, 50h+ away. SEAL is the most experienced operator. Get around Port Blair by moped, on hire for $3/day.

Accommodation

Lodging and Food – All the rooms in the 5 star Park Visakhapatnam Hotel have sea views and direct access to the beach. Full luxury facilities costs $110 with full board including safe, not-so-spicy food. Next door is Palm Beach; A/C double room is $20. Avoid street food!

Activities

Nature and Culture – Visit some temples including the XIth Simhachalam. Beach Road is fairly entertaining. Climb Kailashgiri Park for Lord Shiva Parvathi statue and Lawson’s Bay view. Check Dolphin's Nose, a huge rock promontory jutting out into the sea, sheltering the harbour.

Hazards & hassles

Hazards and Hassles – Hundreds of shitters on the beach may cause bad smell, diarrhoea and possibly transmit disease. Favour rising tides! If you cut yourself, heal carefully and avoid infections. The flat rocks on the points don’t require booties. Drink lots of fluids to withstand the intense heat. Be alert in the streets, more because of traffic than street crime.

Handy Hints

Handy Hints – No need for a gun but a longboard will be useful for the smaller days. Take lots of wax and be ready to surf long waves with no-one but your crew, so come in a group. Be ready to face poverty and infirmity. Wake up and surf early. May-June are the best months. Learn to understand the local way of saying yes, nodding the head sideways.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.