honeymoon

Discover Tropical AndamanHavelock Beaches, Scuba & Tailored Trips

Crystal Waters, Coral Reefs, Radhanagar Beach & Exotic Resort Deals

BeachHoneymoonIslandAdventure

CurrencyINR only

Plug typeType C / D / M (Indian standard · 230V, 50Hz)

VisaNo visa required — domestic Indian travel. Aadhaar/Voter ID/Passport sufficient. RAP free on arrival

LanguagesHindi, Bengali, Tamil, English (at tourist points)

Area8,249 sq km (572 islands)

View Andaman Islands Packages Plan a custom trip

Start here

About Andaman Islands

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are an archipelago of 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal — 1,400km from the Indian mainland, closer to Thailand and Myanmar than to Chennai. Of the 572 islands, only 37 are inhabited and only a handful are open to tourists. Port Blair is the capital and entry point. Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) has Radhanagar Beach — declared Asia's Best Beach by Time Magazine in 2004. Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) is quieter and more intimate. Ross Island is a ghost island of British colonial ruins. The Andaman Sea has 12% of the world's coral species.

At a glance

Key Features of Andaman Islands

Radhanagar Beach, HavelockAsia's Best Beach2km crescent of white sand on Havelock's western coast, backed by forest and facing the sunset. Clear turquoise water, no commercial development on the beach itself. Entry free. Best at sunrise and sunset.
Cellular Jail, Port BlairLiving Colonial HistoryThe British-built prison (1906) where India's freedom fighters were transported — Veer Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt. 696 cells in radial design. Sound and Light show every evening. ₹25 Indian.
Scuba DivingBest in IndiaAndaman has India's finest scuba — Havelock (Elephant Beach, Lighthouse), Neil Island, North Bay. PADI/SSI open water: ₹12,000–₹18,000. Fun dives: ₹3,500–₹5,000. Visibility Oct–May: 20–30m.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)The Main IslandAndaman's largest tourist island — Radhanagar Beach (No. 7), Elephant Beach (snorkelling), Neil's Cove, Kalapathar Beach. Ferry from Port Blair: 2 hours govt / 90 min speedboat.

Why visit

Why Visit Andaman Islands

Andaman is India's only genuine tropical island experience — the coral reefs, the forest-backed beaches, and the Andaman Sea together produce something that no mainland Indian destination replicates. The Cellular Jail adds a historical dimension, making Andaman more than just a beach trip.

Radhanagar Beach at 6 am before a single other person was there. The bay curves for 2km — white sand, the forest behind, the Andaman Sea ahead, turning from grey-green to turquoise as the sun rose. Time Magazine called it Asia's Best Beach in 2004. Standing there alone at 6 am in the monsoon quiet, I understood why.

When to go

Best Time to Visit: Season Breakdown

When to visit, month by month

JanBestPeak Season. Best weather. All water sports. 20–30m dive visibility. Calm ferries. Crowded.
FebBestPeak. Similar to January. Excellent dive visibility. Slightly less crowded toward late Feb.
MarBestExcellent. Fewer tourists than Dec–Jan. Warm but still pleasant. Full water sports operational.
AprBestExcellent value. Warm. Clear seas. Pre-monsoon — last great month for full water sports.
MayGoodPre-monsoon. Slight choppiness beginning. Still good for most activities. Hot.
JunAvoidMonsoon. Rough seas. Some water sports off. Heavy rain. Cheaper but limited.
JulAvoidMonsoon peak. Rough seas. Most water sports restricted. Diving visibility reduced.
AugGoodMonsoon. Islands accessible, prices 20–30% lower. Radhanagar empty. Not ideal for diving.
SepGoodPost-monsoon. Seas calming. Some water sports resuming. Excellent value before peak.
OctBestTop Pick. Post-monsoon. Fewer crowds. Good prices. Water sports back. Clear seas returning.
NovBestPeak season begins. Excellent weather. Full operations. Prices rising into December peak.
DecBestPeak. Most expensive. Best weather. Christmas–New Year fully booked weeks ahead.

BestGoodAvoid

Peak — Best Conditions · October – February

What to expect

October–November: post-monsoon, fewer crowds, good prices. December–January: busiest, most expensive, best weather.

Conditions

Good Season · March – May

March–April excellent

What to expect

May: pre-monsoon, slight choppiness beginning.

Conditions

Monsoon — Vikas's Visit · June – September

Vikas’s field note
August (my visit): islands accessible, seas rough on some days, Radhanagar Beach empty, prices 20–30% lower. Not ideal for diving/snorkelling.

Conditions

Where to go

Top 8 Places in Andaman

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

The Heart of Andaman Tourism

Near Radhanagar roadMid-range stays

Radhanagar Beach at 6 am in August 2018. 2km of white sand, completely empty. The Andaman Sea turning turquoise as the sun rose through the forest behind the beach. I stayed for 2 hours before the first other visitors appeared. This is Asia's Best Beach when it belongs to nobody but you — and in August at 6 am, it does. Havelock has Radhanagar Beach (No. 7 Beach — 2km, Asia's Best Beach 2004), Elephant Beach (snorkelling + glass-bottom boat), Kalapathar Beach (dawn photography, black-and-white pebbles), and Neil's Cove (quiet swimming). The island has the best scuba diving infrastructure in India — multiple PADI-certified dive centres. 90 minutes from Port Blair by speedboat.

Open Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) Guide

Cellular Jail, Port Blair

The Freedom Movement in Stone

City centreBudget stays

The Sound and Light show at Cellular Jail in August 2018 — 40 people in the courtyard, the jail wings illuminated in the monsoon evening. The narration of what happened in these cells from 1906 onward — the solitary confinement, the oil-press labour, the executions — in a space where it actually happened. The monsoon quiet made it more affecting, not less. Built in 1906 by the British to isolate political prisoners from mainland India — 696 cells in a radial design from a central watchtower. Veer Savarkar's cell is preserved and marked. The Sound and Light show (Shyam Benegal directed the original production) is the finest evening cultural experience in the Andaman Islands.

Open Cellular Jail, Port Blair Guide

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

The Quiet Island

QuietBudget stays

Laxmanpur Beach at sunset on Neil Island, August 2018. The natural bridge (a limestone arch formation over the sea) at the north end of the beach, the sunset behind it, and approximately 8 other people on the beach. Three days on Neil Island in the monsoon — the most complete quiet I have found in India. Neil Island (20 sq km) has 3 beaches: Laxmanpur (sunset, natural bridge, stunning), Bharatpur (snorkelling, close to jetty), and Sitapur (sunrise, rocky, raw). Much smaller than Havelock, fewer restaurants and hotels, no nightlife — perfect for couples wanting genuine island isolation.

Open Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) Guide

Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island)

The Ghost Island

The ballroom at Ross Island, August 2018 — the ceiling gone, banyan tree roots coming through where the roof was, the dance floor recognisable under the forest growth. Spotted deer walked through the ruins without acknowledging my presence. This is what 80 years of jungle looks like reclaiming colonial architecture. Ross Island was the British Chief Commissioner's headquarters until the 1941 Japanese occupation — abandoned afterward, the jungle has been consuming the structures since 1945. The church, the ballroom, the Chief Commissioner's bungalow, the swimming pool — all visible, all overtaken. Open 8:30am–4:30pm.

Open Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island) Guide

Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island)

Mangroves, Mud Volcanoes and Limestone Caves

The mangrove creek at Baratang at 7am — the speedboat moving through dense mangrove forest at water level, the roots arching overhead, the creek narrowing and widening. Then the limestone cave at the end — stalactites 20 metres high. Nothing else in Andaman looks like this. Baratang requires joining the government convoy through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve (convoy timing: 6am and 2pm from Jirkatang checkpoint — timings change, check with Port Blair hotels). The convoy is followed by a speedboat through mangrove creek to the limestone caves. Baratang also has a mud volcano (the only one in India) — small but active, bubbling grey mud at the surface.

Open Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island) Guide

North Bay Island

Coral Safari + Water Sports Hub

Sea walk at North Bay Island — the helmet-diving experience where you walk on the coral reef floor at 5–6 metres depth without any scuba training. Fish at eye level, coral branches visible from 1 metre. The Andaman Sea floor at walking distance is a specific experience that no description captures. North Bay Island is the day-trip island for water sports from Port Blair — glass-bottom boat, snorkelling, sea walk (underwater walking with a diving helmet — no training needed), and the most accessible coral viewing in Andaman. 20-minute boat from Port Blair.

Open North Bay Island Guide

Radhanagar Beach

Before Anyone Else Arrives

Radhanagar Beach at 5:30am — the light just beginning, the sea grey-green turning turquoise, the entire 2km beach visible and empty. The forest behind provides the specific combination of island beach — sand, sea, and untouched canopy — that justifies every superlative written about this place. Radhanagar (No. 7 Beach) is Havelock's western beach — 2km of white sand curving in a bay, backed by tropical forest, facing the sunset. The water is safe for swimming (no strong currents in the bay area, lifeguards in peak season). No commercial development on the beach itself — the restaurants and resorts are a 10-minute walk back from the sand.

Open Radhanagar Beach Guide

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor

Coral by Glass-Bottom Boat

Glass-bottom boat at Wandoor — the reef visible through the boat floor, the coral heads at 3–5 metres, parrotfish and angelfish moving below. No diving certification, no getting wet. The Andaman reef, viewed from the surface through a glass floor, is the easiest and most accessible coral experience in the islands. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (281 sq km) at Wandoor Beach covers 15 islands and has some of the most protected coral reefs in the Andaman Sea. Glass-bottom boat tours run from Wandoor jetty — the reef around Jolly Buoy Island (open alternately with Red Skin Island, seasonal) has excellent coral cover. No snorkelling or swimming — glass-bottom boat only to protect the reef.

Open Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor Guide

Experiences

Best 10 Things to Do in Andaman

Curated highlights — open any experience for the insider detail that makes it worth doing.

01Adventure
Scuba Diving — PADI Open Water Course
Andaman has India's finest scuba diving — visibility 20–30m in October–May, 50+ dive sites around Havelock and Neil Island. PADI Open Water Course (3 days, includes theory + pool + 4 open water dives). Fun dive for certified divers. Best dive sites: Lighthouse (Havelock), Elephant Beach (Havelock), Junction (Neil Island).
Explore Andaman Islands travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
Book scuba through Dive India, Barefoot Scuba, or Profish Dive Andaman — all PADI-certified centres on Havelock. Book 1 week ahead in peak season. Must Do (Oct–May). August: Reduced visibility but still possible at Havelock.
02Beach
Radhanagar Beach at Sunrise — 5:30 am
Walk or take an auto-rickshaw to Radhanagar Beach at 5:30 am before the hotel crowds. The beach in the first 90 minutes of daylight — empty, the sea changing colour, no vendors. Return at sunset (5:30pm) for the second-finest Radhanagar experience.
Explore Radhanagar Beach travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
The auto-rickshaw from Havelock jetty area to Radhanagar costs ₹50–₹100. The 7km road passes through the island interior forest — the drive itself is beautiful. Every Day in Havelock. Don't miss both sunrise and sunset.
03Must do
Cellular Jail Sound and Light Show — 7:15pm English
The 7:15pm English show at Cellular Jail, Port Blair. The radial wings illuminated, the narration of the independence movement through the stories of the prisoners who were held here. 45 minutes. ₹25.
Explore Andaman Islands travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
Arrive 30 minutes early for front-row courtyard seating. The Hindi show at 6pm is followed by the English show — if you miss the English show timing, the Hindi show works just as well with the visual narration. Must Do. Don't only visit the jail in daytime — the Sound and Light show is the complete experience.
04Must do
Ross Island Half-Day Trip — Morning
Take the 8:30 am government boat from Phoenix Bay Jetty to Ross Island. Spend 2 hours walking the ruins — the ballroom, the church, the Chief Commissioner's bungalow. Spotted deer everywhere. Return by 11:30 am before the heat peaks.
Explore Andaman Islands travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
Combine Ross Island with North Bay Island on the same day — both are short crossings from Port Blair and can be done together with a total day budget of ₹800–₹1,500. Half Day from Port Blair. Don't rush through in 30 minutes.
05Must do
Sea Walk at North Bay Island — No Training Needed
The underwater walking helmet experience at North Bay Island — walk on the coral reef floor at 5–6 metres depth, fish at eye level, coral branches within arm's reach. No swimming ability or diving certification required. 30-minute experience.
Explore North Bay Island travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
Morning slot (9am) has the clearest water — visibility is best in the morning before boat traffic increases turbidity. Book at Port Blair's Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex or through your hotel the previous evening. Must Do. Don't book in the afternoon when sea conditions are less predictable.
06Must do
Baratang Mangrove Creek at 7am
Join the Jirkatang convoy at 6am (confirm timing from your hotel) and take the speedboat through the mangrove creek to the limestone cave. The creek at 7am in the morning light — the mangrove roots overhead, the boat moving in near-silence — is the most unusual landscape in Andaman.
Explore Andaman Islands travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
Carry water and breakfast from Port Blair — there are minimal food options at Baratang. The entire Baratang trip (convoy + boat + cave visit) takes approximately 6 hours. Must Do. Don't attempt Baratang without confirming convoy timing the evening before.
07Wildlife
Snorkelling at Elephant Beach, Havelock
Take the 20-minute boat from Havelock's beach area or walk the 30-minute forest trail to Elephant Beach. Rent snorkelling gear on site. The reef at Elephant Beach starts 10 metres from the shore — parrotfish, clownfish, surgeonfish, and occasional sea turtles are visible at 1–4 metres depth.
Explore Andaman Islands travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
The forest trail to Elephant Beach (30 minutes) passes through old-growth tropical forest — take it at least one-way for the forest experience rather than the boat both ways. Must Do (Havelock). Don't skip Elephant Beach if not doing scuba — snorkelling here is the accessible equivalent.
08Scenic
Neil Island Laxmanpur Sunset + Natural Bridge
Auto-rickshaw to Laxmanpur Beach on Neil Island for the sunset (5:30 pm). The natural bridge — a limestone arch at the north end of the beach — is the foreground for the sunset over the Andaman Sea. The most photogenic sunset viewpoint in the Andaman Islands.
Explore Andaman Islands travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
Arrive at Laxmanpur by 4:30 pm to walk to the natural bridge (15 minutes from the main beach) before the sunset crowd (small as it is on Neil Island) arrives. In August: approximately 8 people at the bridge at sunset. Must Do (Neil Island evening). Don't miss this for a restaurant dinner — eat after sunset.
09
Night Squid Fishing from Havelock Jetty
The fishing boats near Havelock jetty offer informal squid fishing in the evening (bring your own line or buy for ₹50 from the fishermen). The phosphorescent plankton visible in the Andaman Sea at night — the water glowing blue-green with every movement — is the most unexpected sensory experience in Andaman.
Explore Andaman Islands travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
The bioluminescent plankton (Noctiluca scintillans) in the Andaman Sea is most visible in calm conditions — August monsoon actually produces excellent bioluminescence after rain. Swim or paddle your hand in the dark water and watch the blue-green light. Free/Low Cost Evening. Don't miss the bioluminescence by going to bed at 9pm.
10Food & drink
Seafood at Havelock Village Restaurants — Local Catch
The small restaurants near Havelock jetty serve fresh-caught Andaman seafood at local prices: grilled barracuda, lobster curry, crab masala, and the specific Andaman fish fry (a catch that changes daily). Restaurant dinner: for a full meal with fish. The Anju Coco restaurant and Full Moon Café near the jetty are Havelock institutions.
Explore Andaman Islands travel guide
Vikas's insider tip
Ask what the morning's catch was before ordering — the menu changes daily based on what the fishing boats brought in. The freshest fish is whatever arrived that morning, not what's printed on the static menu. Every Dinner. Don't eat only at resort restaurants — the jetty area local restaurants are significantly cheaper and equally fresh.

Sample plans

Three Itinerary Options

See how each route grows as you add days — from a focused highlights trip to the full journey.

1. Day 1
  Arrive Port Blair
  Cellular Jail 9am + Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex afternoon + Sound & Light show 7:15pm.
2. Day 2
  Port Blair → Havelock
  Morning: Ross Island + North Bay Island (sea walk) · Afternoon speedboat to Havelock · Evening: Radhanagar Beach sunset.
3. Day 3
  Havelock
  Radhanagar Beach 5:30am sunrise · Elephant Beach snorkelling afternoon.
4. Day 4
  Havelock
  Scuba fun dive morning (if certified) OR glass-bottom boat · Village market + seafood dinner.
5. Day 5
  Havelock → Port Blair → Depart
  Morning speedboat back · Airport departure.
Customise this 5-day route
1. Day 1
  Arrive Port Blair
  Cellular Jail + Anthropological Museum + Sound & Light show.
  Vikas's tip for day 1
  Neil Island on Days 5–6 is the most important addition to the standard circuit. The difference between Havelock and Neil Island is the difference between a tourist island and an island — Havelock is developed and lively, Neil is quiet and intimate. Both are necessary for a complete Andaman experience.
2. Day 2
  Port Blair
  Baratang Island full day (6am convoy) · Return Port Blair evening.
3. Day 3
  Port Blair → Havelock (speedboat)
  Arrive Havelock · Radhanagar Beach sunset.
4. Day 4
  Havelock
  Radhanagar 5:30am · Elephant Beach snorkelling · Scuba fun dive.
5. Day 5
  Havelock → Neil Island (30 min speedboat)
  Bharatpur Beach morning · Laxmanpur sunset + Natural Bridge.
6. Day 6
  Neil Island
  Sitapur Beach sunrise · Island cycling · Quiet day.
7. Day 7
  Neil → Port Blair → Depart
  Morning speedboat · Airport departure.
Customise this 7-day route
1. Day 1
  Arrive Port Blair
  Cellular Jail + Sound & Light show.
  Vikas's tip for day 1
  The PADI Open Water Course (Days 5–7) transforms the Andaman trip from a beach holiday into a gateway to one of India's finest underwater environments. After certification, the Havelock dive sites (Lighthouse, Aquarium, Minerva's Ledge) become accessible — these sites have manta rays seasonally and consistent turtle sightings.
2. Day 2
  Port Blair
  Baratang Island (6am convoy — mangrove + limestone cave).
3. Day 3
  Port Blair
  Ross Island + North Bay Island (sea walk) + Wandoor Marine NP.
4. Day 4
  Port Blair → Havelock
  Speedboat + arrival + Radhanagar sunset.
5. Day 5
  Havelock
  PADI Open Water Day 1 (theory + confined water dives).
6. Day 6
  Havelock
  PADI Open Water Day 2 (open water dives 1+2 at Lighthouse site).
7. Day 7
  Havelock
  PADI Open Water Day 3 (open water dives 3+4) + certification + Kalapathar Beach.
8. Day 8
  Havelock
  Fun diving (now certified) · Elephant Beach afternoon.
9. Day 9
  Neil Island
  Full day · Laxmanpur sunset + Natural Bridge.
10. Day 10
  Neil → Port Blair → Depart
  Morning speedboat · Airport.
Customise this 10-day route

Start Planning Your Andaman Trip 2026

Tell us your dates and we'll design a complete Andaman itinerary — covering Port Blair, Havelock, Neil Island, Ross Island, and Baratang.

Start Planning Your Andaman Trip 2026

Where to stay

Where to Stay in Andaman Islands

Choose the base before you choose the hotel — on a multi-region trip the area you pick shapes your days more than an extra star on the hotel does.

Port Blair

Aberdeen Bazaar

Budget

City centre, near Cellular Jail and jetty · Convenient for Baratang/Ross Island day trips

Recommended stays

Guesthouse + local seafood + govt ferry

Havelock

Beach No. 5 (Govind Nagar)

Mid-range

Best for food and cafés

Near Radhanagar road, most guesthouses · Closest to jetty · Local seafood restaurants nearby

Recommended stays

Beach resort

Havelock

Beach No. 7 (Radhanagar)

Mid-range

Best for beach days

Resort zone, beachfront properties · Asia's Best Beach access · Quiet, premium

Recommended stays

Guesthouses

Neil Island

Budget

Best for a slower pace

Quiet, all options near beach · Laxmanpur natural bridge + Sitapur sunrise + Bharatpur snorkelling

Recommended stays

Guesthouses

Budget & trip costs · INR (2026)

Travel Costs for Andaman Islands

Estimate your daily spend across four travel styles — per person, in Indian rupees, covering accommodation, food, local transport and activities. International flights are not included.

Budget
Smart saver
Money-saving travel
₹2,000 – ₹3,500/person / day
Stay
Guesthouse Port Blair/Havelock/Neil
Food
Local seafood + jetty restaurants
Transit
Government ferry (AGTL) + auto-rickshaw
Note7 days incl. flights: ₹20,000–₹30,000/person. Guesthouses, government ferries, local food.
Mid-Range
Most popular
Comfortable everyday travel
₹4,000 – ₹8,000/person / day
Stay
Beach resort, mid-range hotel
Food
Restaurant meals + occasional seafood splurge
Transit
Private speedboat (Makruzz/Nautika) + auto-rickshaw
Note7 days incl. flights: ₹40,000–₹70,000/person. Beach resorts, private ferries, scuba included.
Premium
Upgraded comfort
More space, better locations
₹10,000 – ₹20,000/person / day
Stay
Barefoot / Munjoh / Symphony Palms
Food
Resort dining + dive package meals
Transit
Private speedboat + private car + scuba transfers
Note7 days incl. flights: ₹80,000–₹1,50,000/person. Barefoot resort, dive packages, water villas.
Luxury
Ultra-luxury
Top-end everything
₹25,000 – ₹80,000+/person / day
Stay
Taj Exotica Port Blair · Overwater bungalow
Food
Private chef · Resort fine dining
Transit
Private charter speedboat · Helicopter transfers (limited)
Note7 days incl. flights: ₹2,00,000+. Taj Exotica, private charter, overwater bungalow.

Getting There & Around

How to Reach Andaman and Inter-Island Ferry

Flight connections from the major Indian hubs, then how to move around once you land — fares, journey times and what to book ahead.

Flights from India

Delhi → Port Blair (IXZ)
3.5 hrs
Airlines
IndiGo, Air India, GoAir
NoteBook Andaman flights 6–8 weeks ahead for the October–January peak Port Blair airport (IXZ) has limited capacity — flights book out early for the winter season
Mumbai → Port Blair
3 hrs
Airlines
IndiGo, Air India
Chennai → Port Blair
2 hrs
Airlines
IndiGo, Air India
Kolkata → Port Blair
2 hrs
Airlines
IndiGo, Air India
Port Blair → Havelock (Private speedboat Makruzz/Nautika)
Airlines
Book at makruzz.com or nautikaindia.com — sells out 2–4 weeks ahead in peak season

Getting around Andaman Islands

By Flight
Port Blair → Havelock (Govt ferry AGTL)
Book at Phoenix Bay Jetty in Port Blair. Cheaper but slower than speedboat. Limited advance booking available
By Boat
Havelock → Neil Island
Private speedboat. 30 min
By Boat
Neil Island → Port Blair
Govt ferry / speedboat. 1.5–2 hrs
By Boat
Port Blair → Ross Island
Govt boat from Phoenix Bay Jetty. 15 min

Good to know

Andaman Islands Travel Tips

Practical local advice — money habits, safety rules and the small planning choices that materially change how the trip goes.

Money
2 tips
- Carry sufficient cash before reaching the islands — ATMs on Neil Island, Long Island, and at Havelock have very limited capacity and are frequently empty on weekends; withdraw in Port Blair before inter-island travel.
- Government ferries (Makruz, Nautika) between Port Blair and Havelock are 30–50% cheaper than private speedboat operators for the same route — book at the ferry booking office in Port Blair's Aberdeen Bazaar.
Safety
2 tips
- North Sentinal Island is a protected exclusion zone — approaching within 3 nautical miles of North Sentinel is illegal under Indian law and enforcement is active; the Sentinelese tribe has demonstrated consistent hostility to contact.
- Bioluminescence swimming is available at select beaches after dark — but swimming at night on isolated Andaman beaches without a local guide or without informing your guesthouse is a serious safety risk; tide patterns and currents are unpredictable.
Etiquette
2 tips
- The Andaman tribal communities (Jarawas, Onge) have protected reserve areas — it is illegal under the Andaman Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation to photograph, interact with, or offer food to Jarawa tribal members encountered on the Andaman Trunk Road.
- Do not collect shells, coral, or any marine material from Andaman beaches — it is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act; enforcement has increased significantly and penalties include fines and confiscation of all photography equipment.
Scams and Pitfalls
3 tips
- "Private beach" access fees on government-managed beaches — some operators charge tourists for beach access or parking on beaches that are government-managed and free; Radhanagar Beach is free to access.
- Snorkel tour operators at North Bay and Elephant Beach sometimes misrepresent coral health — the reef at some sites is severely bleached but is marketed as pristine; verify recent visitor reviews from the past 3–6 months before booking.
- Camera rental at diving and snorkelling sites is sometimes offered at ₹500–800/dive with a "deposit" that is not returned due to invented damage claims — bring your own waterproof phone case.

Honest review

What’s Genuinely Worth It in Andaman Islands — and What’s Overrated

An unfiltered assessment of what delivers on its reputation, and what to skip or swap for better value.

Radhanagar Beach 5:30am
Asia's Best Beach when it belongs to nobody. No entry fee.
Cellular Jail Sound & Light Show
History speaking in the space where it happened.
Neil Island 2 nights
The quietest island in Andaman. Laxmanpur natural bridge at sunset. No substitute.
PADI Open Water Course
Permanent certification, access to India's finest dive sites, 4 open water dives in Andaman Sea.
Baratang Mangrove Creek
No other landscape in Andaman looks like this. Limestone caves + mangrove forest.
Sea Walk at North Bay
Coral reef floor at eye level without any training or certification.
Ross Island Morning
Colonial ruins + jungle + free-roaming deer. 15-min crossing from Port Blair.
Bioluminescent plankton at night
The Andaman Sea glowing blue-green in the dark. Most unexpected Andaman moment.

Skipping Neil Island for more Havelock time
Havelock and Neil are 30 min apart. Completely different. Both necessary.
Missing Cellular Jail Sound & Light Show
The jail in daylight is informative. The show at night is the reason to go.
Not booking speedboats and scuba in advance
Oct–Jan: Makruzz speedboats and dive courses fill weeks ahead.
Attempting Baratang without checking convoy timings
Convoy timing changes — confirm from Port Blair hotel evening before.
Going Jun
Sep expecting full water sports — Monsoon restricts some sports, reduces dive visibility. Oct–May for complete experience.
Eating only at resort restaurants
Jetty area restaurants on Havelock: same fresh catch at 40–50% lower prices.
Missing Wandoor Marine NP because "it's far"
29km from Port Blair, glass-bottom boat over coral reefs, ₹500 total.
Not doing Radhanagar Beach twice
Sunrise and sunset are completely different experiences. Both deserve a separate visit.

Tailor-made itineraries

Want this trip personalised for your dates and budget?

Tell us your travel window and what you care about. Vikas Rana builds the day-by-day plan — flights, stays and transfers included.

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Andaman Islands Tour Packages

Ready-made trips our planners run most often — every one of them adjustable to your dates.

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Port Blair, Havelock & Neil Island: 6-Day Best of Andaman Tour Package

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7D · 6NnewAndaman Baratang Limestone Island ExplorerFrom₹49,999₹64,999Per person · CustomisableView package

6D · 5NbestsellerAndaman Classic Havelock Neil Island TourFrom₹33,750₹44,999Per person · CustomisableView package

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Frequently asked questions

Andaman Islands FAQ"

Visas, realistic budgets, seasonal weather and the logistics travellers ask us about most before they book Andaman Islands.

Best Time to Visit Andaman Islands 2026?Timing

October–May. November–February: peak season, best weather, full water sports. December–January: busiest and most expensive. October–November and March–May: excellent value, good weather, fewer crowds. June–September: monsoon — accessible but some water sports restricted, 20–30% cheaper.

Andaman Trip Cost 2026 — 7 Days?Budget

Budget: ₹20,000–₹30,000/person including flights. Mid-range: ₹40,000–₹70,000. Flights: ₹5,000–₹16,000 return depending on origin. Scuba PADI course: ₹12,000–₹18,000 additional. Houseboat not applicable (Andaman = beach hotels + speedboats).

How to Travel from Port Blair to Havelock Island?

Government ferry (AGTL): ₹380–₹1,200, 2–2.5 hours. Private speedboat (Makruzz/Nautika): ₹1,200–₹1,800, 90 minutes. Book speedboats at makruzz.com — sells out 2–4 weeks ahead in peak season. Government ferry: book at Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair (limited advance booking available).

Do Indians Need a Permit for Andaman?

No advance permit required for main tourist islands. A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is issued free on arrival at Port Blair airport for Indian nationals covering all standard tourist destinations. Jarawa Tribal Reserve (transit on highway only — no stopping), North Sentinel Island, and Nicobar Islands are fully restricted.

Is Scuba Diving Available in Andaman?

Yes — India's best. PADI Open Water Course: ₹12,000–₹18,000 (3 days). Fun dives (certified): ₹3,500–₹5,000. Best visibility: October–May (20–30m). August monsoon: 8–15m visibility, still possible. Top dive centres on Havelock: Dive India, Barefoot Scuba, Profish Dive.

Is Neil Island Better Than Havelock?

Different, not better. Havelock: developed, good infrastructure, Radhanagar Beach, more water sports. Neil Island: quieter, more intimate, fewer tourists, Laxmanpur natural bridge. Ideal itinerary: 3 nights Havelock + 2 nights Neil Island.

What is the Cellular Jail Sound and Light Show?Culture

Evening show at the Cellular Jail, Port Blair — Hindi at 6pm, English at 7:15pm. 45 minutes. ₹25. The radial wings of the jail illuminated as the narration covers the imprisonment of India's freedom fighters. Directed by Shyam Benegal. The finest ₹25 experience in India.

Andaman Mein Kitne Din Chahiye?

5 days: Port Blair + Havelock (minimum). 7 days: Port Blair + Baratang + Havelock + Neil Island (recommended). 10 days: above + PADI scuba certification (complete Andaman). Minimum for meaningful Andaman experience: 7 days.

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About Andaman Islands

Key Features of Andaman Islands

Why Visit Andaman Islands

Best Time to Visit: Season Breakdown

Peak — Best Conditions · October – February

Good Season · March – May

Monsoon — Vikas's Visit · June – September

Top 8 Places in Andaman

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

Cellular Jail, Port Blair

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island)

Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island)

North Bay Island

Radhanagar Beach

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor

Best 10 Things to Do in Andaman

Three Itinerary Options

Where to Stay in Andaman Islands

Aberdeen Bazaar

Beach No. 5 (Govind Nagar)

Beach No. 7 (Radhanagar)

Neil Island

Travel Costs for Andaman Islands

How to Reach Andaman and Inter-Island Ferry

✈ Flights from India

Delhi → Port Blair (IXZ)

Mumbai → Port Blair

Chennai → Port Blair

Kolkata → Port Blair

Port Blair → Havelock (Private speedboat Makruzz/Nautika)

🚆 Getting around Andaman Islands

Port Blair → Havelock (Govt ferry AGTL)

Havelock → Neil Island

Neil Island → Port Blair

Port Blair → Ross Island

Andaman Islands Travel Tips

Money

Safety

Etiquette

Scams and Pitfalls

What’s Genuinely Worth It in Andaman Islands — and What’s Overrated

Radhanagar Beach 5:30am

Cellular Jail Sound & Light Show

Neil Island 2 nights

PADI Open Water Course

Baratang Mangrove Creek

Sea Walk at North Bay

Ross Island Morning

Bioluminescent plankton at night

Skipping Neil Island for more Havelock time

Missing Cellular Jail Sound & Light Show

Not booking speedboats and scuba in advance

Attempting Baratang without checking convoy timings

Going Jun

Eating only at resort restaurants

Missing Wandoor Marine NP because "it's far"

Not doing Radhanagar Beach twice

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Andaman Islands Tour Packages

Andaman Islands FAQ"

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Flights from India

Getting around Andaman Islands