Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Top Cities and Places to Visit
- Tourist Circuits
- Top Activities and Experiences
- Festivals and Events
- Suggested Itineraries
- Best Time to Visit
- How to Reach
- Where to Stay
- Estimated Trip Costs
- Food, Shopping, and Culture
- Tips for Families, Honeymooners, and Friends
- Packing List and Safety Essentials
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
The Andaman Islands are India’s emerald necklace in the Bay of Bengal—where powdery white beaches meet coral gardens and rainforests. This guide curates the very best places to visit across the Andaman group (Port Blair, Havelock/Swaraj Dweep, Neil/Shaheed Dweep, and the northern isles), along with practical tips on getting around, costs, stay options, and travel-ready itineraries.
Top Cities and Places to Visit
Port Blair
The capital is more than a gateway—its layered history and coastal viewpoints set the tone.
- Cellular Jail: Witness the light & sound show recounting freedom struggles.
- Corbyn’s Cove: Easy-access beach for a breezy evening.
- Chidiya Tapu: Sunset hotspot; nearby Biological Park for birding.
- Anthropological & Samudrika Museums: Context on island communities and marine life.
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
Andaman’s showstopper with postcard beaches and India’s most popular dive sites.
- Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7): Iconic sunsets, soft white sand, lifeguard presence.
- Elephant Beach: Snorkeling, sea walks, and beginner-friendly reefs.
- Kalapathar Beach: Sunrise and moody black rock coast.
- Diving & Courses: Sites like Nemo Reef, Lighthouse; discover scuba for non-swimmers.
Neil (Shaheed Dweep)
Laid-back island life, shallow lagoons, and natural rock bridges.
- Laxmanpur I & II: Sunset points; Natural Bridge at low tide.
- Bharatpur Beach: Clear waters for glass-bottom rides and snorkeling.
- Sitapur Beach: Early sunrise views on a quiet arc.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island (Ross) & North Bay
A half-day historical-nature combo from Port Blair.
- Ross Island: Ruins of colonial-era buildings beneath fig roots; deer and peacocks.
- North Bay: Coral gardens, sea walk, snorkeling (the lighthouse on the ₹20 note).
Wandoor & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Gateway to protected reefs and glassy waters.
- Jolly Buoy/Red Skin Islands (seasonal rotation): Best visibility for corals; permits required.
- Wandoor Beach: Boardwalks, tranquil vibes; heed crocodile advisories.
Baratang Island
A day trip through mangroves into geologic wonders.
- Limestone Caves: Boat ride via narrow mangrove creeks, short jungle walk.
- Mud Volcano: Rare natural phenomenon (modest visuals but unique).
Note: The route transits through a tribal reserve corridor; follow all restrictions and photography rules.
Rangat & Mayabunder
Quieter middle Andaman stretches with eco-parks and mangroves.
- Amkunj Beach Eco Park (Rangat): Driftwood seating, rocky shoreline.
- Dhaninallah Mangrove Walkway: 1 km boardwalk through mangroves.
- Karmatang Beach (Mayabunder): Sea turtle nesting zone (seasonal).
Diglipur & Ross–Smith Islands
North Andaman’s wild side and the famed twin-island sandbar.
- Ross & Smith Islands: Sandbar walk between turquoise lagoons.
- Saddle Peak National Park: Highest point in Andamans (trek with permits).
- Kalipur & Ramnagar Beaches: Turtle nesting (seasonal; follow guidelines).
Long Island & Little Andaman
For slow travelers and offbeat seekers.
- Long Island: Lalaji Bay, trips to Guitar Island; minimal-commercial vibe.
- Little Andaman: Butler Bay (surfing), White Surf & Whisper Wave waterfalls.
Special Excursions: Barren & Cinque
- Barren Island: India’s active volcano—live-aboard/charter sightseeing (no landing).
- Cinque Island: Dazzling sandbar and reefs; restricted permits, pristine day trips.
Tourist Circuits
- Classic Island Hop (5–6 days): Port Blair → Havelock → Neil → Port Blair (Ross/North Bay or Wandoor).
- Extended Middle Andaman (7–9 days): Add Baratang (Limestone Caves) and Rangat/Mayabunder.
- Northern Explorer (9–10 days): Continue to Diglipur for Ross–Smith and Saddle Peak.
- Offbeat Slow Travel (7–10 days): Long Island base with day trips; add Little Andaman for waterfalls and surf.
Top Activities and Experiences
- Scuba Diving: Discover Scuba (no swim needed) and Open Water courses; best Oct–May.
- Snorkeling & Sea Walks: Elephant Beach, North Bay, Jolly Buoy.
- Kayaking: Bioluminescence tours (Havelock), mangrove paddles (Port Blair/Rangat).
- Trekking: Saddle Peak (challenging), Mount Harriet–Madhuban trail (moderate).
- Boat/Island Hopping: Ross, North Bay, Jolly Buoy/Red Skin, Baratang mangrove creeks.
- Wildlife & Birding: Chidiya Tapu, Mahatma Gandhi Marine NP (glass-bottom boats).
- Sunrise/Sunset Chasing: Sitapur (sunrise), Radhanagar & Chidiya Tapu (sunset).
- Responsible Beach Leisure: Tide-pooling, stargazing, and reef-safe practices.
Festivals and Events
- Island Tourism Festival (Jan): Cultural shows, local cuisine, crafts in Port Blair.
- Beach Festivals (seasonal, Apr/Oct): Music, food stalls, beach sports on major islands.
- Netaji Subhash Jayanti (Jan 23): Commemorative events on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island and around the UT.
Suggested Itineraries
5-Day Classic Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair; Cellular Jail, light & sound show; Corbyn’s Cove.
- Day 2: Ferry to Havelock; Radhanagar Beach sunset.
- Day 3: Havelock diving/snorkeling; evening leisure.
- Day 4: Morning ferry to Neil; Bharatpur + Natural Bridge; evening ferry to Port Blair.
- Day 5: Ross & North Bay or Wandoor; depart.
7-Day Leisure & Nature
- Days 1–2: Port Blair city + Ross/North Bay.
- Days 3–4: Havelock (dive + Elephant Beach; Radhanagar)
- Day 5: Neil Island (Bharatpur, Sitapur, Laxmanpur sunset).
- Days 6–7: Wandoor + Jolly Buoy/Red Skin (permits) or Baratang day trip; depart.
10-Day Explorer (North Added)
- Days 1–6: As per 6–7 day plan.
- Day 7: Early start to Rangat/Mayabunder; Dhaninallah walkway.
- Day 8: Diglipur; Ross–Smith Islands.
- Day 9: Saddle Peak trek or Kalipur beach; return toward Port Blair.
- Day 10: Buffer day; depart.
Best Time to Visit
- Peak Season (Nov–Mar): Calm seas, best for diving/snorkeling and island hopping.
- Shoulder (Apr–May): Hotter, excellent underwater visibility; occasional jellyfish—wear rash guards.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep): Lush landscapes, fewer tourists; rough seas, many water activities curtailed.
- Post-Monsoon (Oct): Weather improves; good time before peak crowds.
How to Reach
- By Air: Fly into Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), Port Blair.
- Direct/connecting flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and seasonal connections from Mumbai and others.
- No international flights; connect via mainland India.
- By Sea (Government Ships): Infrequent passenger ships from Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam (2–3 days; basic cabins). Suitable for slow travelers; schedules limited.
- Inter-Island Transfers:
- High-speed ferries (e.g., Makruzz, Sea Link, Green Ocean) between Port Blair–Havelock–Neil.
- Government ferries are cheaper but sell out early; carry ID and reach jetty 60–90 minutes prior.
- Permits & Rules:
- Indians: No special permit for most tourist islands.
- Foreigners: Permit regimes have relaxed for many islands; carry passport/visa and follow current advisories. Nicobar group and tribal reserves remain off-limits.
- Drone use requires DGCA and local permissions; many areas are restricted.
Where to Stay
- Port Blair: Convenient for museums, Ross/North Bay, Wandoor; choose sea-view hotels or city B&Bs.
- Havelock: Beachfront resorts near Radhanagar, Govind Nagar; dive lodges close to centers.
- Neil: Small boutique stays near Bharatpur/Laxmanpur; peaceful, value options.
- North Andaman: Basic to mid-range lodges in Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur; book ahead.
Price guide (per night, double, tax extra):
- Budget: ₹1,000–₹2,500 (guesthouses, homestays)
- Mid-range: ₹3,000–₹7,000 (comfort resorts, boutique stays)
- Premium/Luxury: ₹12,000–₹35,000+ (beachfront villas, upscale resorts)
Estimated Trip Costs
- Daily Spend (per person, excluding flights):
- Budget: ₹3,000–₹5,000 (govt ferries, local eats, shared cabs)
- Mid-range: ₹5,500–₹10,000 (fast ferries, sit-down meals, activities)
- Luxury: ₹12,000–₹25,000+ (top resorts, private transfers, premium dives)
- Common Activity Costs (approx.):
- Fast ferry: ₹1,100–₹3,500 per sector
- Discover Scuba Diving: ₹3,500–₹6,500
- Open Water Course (3–4 days): ₹22,000–₹35,000
- Snorkeling/Glass-bottom: ₹500–₹1,500
- Sea walk (North Bay/Elephant Beach): ₹3,000–₹4,000
- Jolly Buoy day trip (permit + boat): ₹1,200–₹1,700
- Baratang day tour (shared): ₹2,000–₹3,500
- Scooter rental: ₹500–₹800/day + fuel
- Food: ₹300–₹800 per meal at mid-range restaurants.
Food, Shopping, and Culture
Food
- Fresh seafood: Grilled fish, lobster, crab, and prawn curries with coconut.
- Regional influences: Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and North Indian flavors.
- Cafés on Havelock and Neil: Casual menus, beachside breakfasts, bakes, and smoothies.
Shopping
- Sagarika Government Emporium: Local handicrafts, shell-inspired art (avoid buying live coral/shells).
- Spices, coconut products, and handmade souvenirs from regulated outlets.
Culture & Etiquette
- Diverse settler communities; respect local customs and dress modestly away from beaches.
- Strictly avoid tribal areas; North Sentinel and designated reserves are entirely off-limits.
- Plastic reduction rules apply in many zones; carry refillable bottles.
Tips for Families, Honeymooners, and Friends
Families
- Choose calm, lifeguarded beaches (Radhanagar, Bharatpur).
- Book ground-floor rooms and family cottages; confirm extra beds.
- Carry snacks, baby food, sun protection, and motion-sickness meds for ferries.
Honeymooners
- Pick beachfront stays on Havelock or Neil; schedule a sunset at Radhanagar and sunrise at Sitapur.
- Plan one signature experience: private dinner on resort property or a couple’s dive.
- Keep itineraries relaxed; account for ferry timing and weather buffers.
Friends & Adventure Seekers
- Base in dive-friendly areas; rent scooters to roam beaches and cafés.
- Try a night kayak (bioluminescence) and a full-day island-hopping boat.
- Consider North Andaman for trekkers and Ross–Smith for sandbar chills.
Packing List and Safety Essentials
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, breathable clothing, light rain jacket (monsoon).
- Waterproof phone pouch, dry bag, quick-dry towel, snorkel mask if you prefer your own.
- Aqua shoes for rocky entries; basic first-aid, seasickness tablets.
- Cash backup: ATMs are limited outside Port Blair; digital payments may be patchy.
- Connectivity: BSNL/Airtel/Jio work best in Port Blair/Havelock; expect slow data elsewhere.
- Safety: Observe beach flags, respect crocodile advisories (Wandoor/Chidiya Tapu zones), avoid night swims.
- Environment: No touching or standing on corals; carry back all trash; drones need permissions.
FAQs
Q: What is the best month to visit the Andaman Islands?
A: November to March offers the calmest seas and pleasant weather. October and April–May are also good, with excellent underwater visibility but warmer days.
Q: Do foreigners need special permits to visit Andaman?
A: Many tourist islands are accessible without a Restricted Area Permit under relaxed rules, but a valid passport/Indian visa is required, and certain islands/tribal reserves remain prohibited. Check the latest advisory before travel.
Q: Can non-swimmers try scuba diving?
A: Yes. Discover Scuba Diving is designed for beginners and non-swimmers, with pool/shallows training and close instructor supervision.
Q: Are the Nicobar Islands open to tourists?
A: No. The Nicobar group and tribal reserves are off-limits to general tourism to protect indigenous communities and ecosystems.
Q: Is alcohol available in the Andamans?
A: Yes, via licensed shops and some restaurants/hotels, mainly in Port Blair and Havelock. Availability is limited on smaller islands; carry valid ID and follow local rules.
Conclusion
The Andaman Islands blend serene beaches, thriving reefs, and rainforest treks with a poignant history. Base yourself between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil for classics, add Wandoor and Baratang for variety, and venture north for wild sandbars and peaks. With the right season, ferries, and eco-conscious habits, your Andaman journey will be as effortless as it is unforgettable.
