Andaman Islands Travel Guide: Havelock, Neil and Port Blair
Plan an Andaman trip: Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep), Radhanagar Beach, scuba diving, ferries, a 6-day itinerary and costs.
An Andaman trip feels a world away. The Andaman Islands feel far from mainland India in every way: powdery white beaches, water in impossible shades of blue, coral reefs and dense tropical forest. They're also one of the easiest places in Asia to learn to scuba dive.
When to go
October to May, with the best visibility and calmest seas between December and April. The monsoon months bring heavy rain and rough crossings.
Getting there
Fly to Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru and others. From Port Blair, government and private ferries go to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) in about 2–2.5 hours and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) in about 1.5–2 hours. Book private ferries online in advance in peak season.
Port Blair
- Cellular Jail: the colonial prison where freedom fighters were held. The evening light and sound show is powerful.
- Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep): British-era ruins being reclaimed by trees, with friendly deer.
- North Bay Island: glass-bottom boats, snorkelling and sea-walking.
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
- Radhanagar Beach: regularly ranked among Asia's best beaches. Stay for sunset.
- Elephant Beach: snorkelling and water sports, reached by boat or a forest trek.
- Kalapathar Beach: quiet, with black rocks and turquoise water at sunrise.
- Scuba diving: Havelock has many PADI and SSI dive centres. Try a 'discover scuba' dive, or complete an Open Water course over 3–4 days.
Neil (Shaheed Dweep)
A smaller, slower island. See the natural rock bridge at low tide, snorkel at Bharatpur Beach, and catch sunset at Laxmanpur Beach. Cycling around the island is easy.
A 6-day itinerary
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Port Blair. Corbyn's Cove, Cellular Jail light and sound show. |
| 2 | Ross Island and North Bay. |
| 3 | Ferry to Havelock. Afternoon at Radhanagar Beach. |
| 4 | Scuba diving or Elephant Beach snorkelling. |
| 5 | Ferry to Neil. Natural bridge, Laxmanpur sunset. |
| 6 | Ferry to Port Blair, fly out. |
Food
Seafood is the star: grilled fish, crab and lobster at beach shacks. Vegetarians will find Bengali and South Indian food easily, as many islanders have mainland roots.
Budget per person (6 days, excluding flights)
| Style | Approx. |
|---|---|
| Budget | ₹18,000–28,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹35,000–60,000 |
Diving is extra: a single try dive costs a few thousand rupees; certification courses cost more.
Tips
- Mobile data is slow and patchy; download maps offline.
- Carry enough cash, especially for Neil.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and never touch or stand on coral.
- Book ferries and stays early for Christmas and New Year.
- Allow a buffer day in case ferries are cancelled due to weather.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a permit for the Andaman Islands?
No permit is needed for Indian citizens to visit the main tourist islands. Some tribal reserve areas are strictly off-limits.
What is the best time to visit the Andamans?
October to May, with the calmest seas from December to April. The monsoon (June–September) brings rough seas and ferry cancellations.
