Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Top Cities and Beachside Places to Stay
- Tourist Circuits for Beachside Resort Stays
- Best Activities by the Beach
- Festivals and Seasonal Highlights
- Sample Itineraries for Resort-Based Holidays
- Budget Tips and Estimated Costs
- How to Reach the Andaman Islands
- Accommodation Options: Beachside Resorts by Island
- Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, and Culture
- Travel Tips and Packing Guide
- Tips by Traveler Type
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Dreaming of waking up to the sound of waves and powder-soft sand at your doorstep? Beachside resorts in the Andaman Islands make that vision real. From the iconic shores of Radhanagar Beach to the tranquil lagoons of Neil Island, this Indian ocean paradise offers everything from eco-chic hideaways to all-out luxury on some of Asia’s finest coastlines. This guide unpacks the best places to stay by the beach, how to plan your island-hopping, what it costs, and the experiences you simply shouldn’t miss.
Top Cities and Beachside Places to Stay
Andaman is a spread-out archipelago. For beachside resorts, focus on these islands and beaches:
- Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) – The resort heartland.
- Radhanagar Beach (No. 7): Award-winning sunsets, wide sandy crescent; some resorts have forested access near the beach.
- Govind Nagar Beach (Beaches 2–5): Calm lagoons, swimmable shallows; many beachfront stays and dive centers.
- Kalapathar Beach: Quiet, photogenic coastline; boutique stays nearby.
- Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) – Petite and peaceful.
- Bharatpur Beach: Blue lagoons, snorkel-friendly; cluster of beachside resorts and water-sports kiosks.
- Laxmanpur Beach 1 & 2: Best sunsets; select stays within walking distance.
- Port Blair – Gateway city with coastal outlooks.
- Corbyn’s Cove: Sandy city beach; a few seaside resorts and hotels.
- Promenade and cliffside stays with sea views (not always direct beach access).
- Wandoor – Edge of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Quiet beach belts with small eco-stays; good for day trips to Jolly Buoy/Red Skin (seasonal).
- Long Island – For the offbeat. Rustic stays near Lalaji Bay; pristine, minimally developed beaches.
- Rangat, Mayabunder – Fewer resorts; tranquil creeks and mangroves; consider as a nature stopover.
- Diglipur (North Andaman) – For explorers.
- Kalipur & Ramnagar: Black-sand stretches, turtle nesting (seasonal), basic-to-mid beach resorts.
- Ross & Smith Twin Islands: Day trip hotspot; overnight stays are on the main island, not on the sandbar.
Tourist Circuits for Beachside Resort Stays
- Classic Leisure Circuit (5–6 days): Port Blair (1N) → Havelock (3N) → Neil (1N) → Port Blair (fly out).
- Luxury Beach Indulgence (4–5 days): Havelock base (4N) with a day trip to Neil; slow days, spa, fine dining.
- North Andaman Explorer (6–8 days): Port Blair (1N) → Rangat/Mayabunder (1N) → Diglipur (2–3N) → Port Blair (1N). Best for offbeat beaches and nature.
- Eco & Quiet Isles (5–7 days): Havelock (2N) → Long Island (2–3N) → Neil (1–2N). Rustic charm and empty beaches.
Best time to visit: October to May for calm seas and clear skies. December–February is peak season; June–September brings monsoon, fewer ferries, and rough seas.
Best Activities by the Beach
- Snorkeling & Scuba Diving: Havelock and Neil offer accessible house reefs; certified dive shops operate courses and fun dives.
- Kayaking (including bioluminescence): Night mangrove paddles on new-moon phases are magical at Havelock.
- Sea Walk & Glass-Bottom Boats: Family-friendly reef viewing at Bharatpur (Neil) and Elephant Beach (Havelock; boat access).
- Sunset & Stargazing: Radhanagar and Laxmanpur 2 are standouts.
- Spa, Yoga, and Private Dinners: Many beach resorts curate wellness sessions and candlelight meals on the sand.
- Nature Walks: Coastal trails under towering rainforest near Radhanagar and Kalapathar.
Safety notes: Observe red flags and lifeguard advisories; currents can be strong. Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid stepping on coral. Respect no-swim zones and seasonal closures.
Festivals and Seasonal Highlights
- Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, usually January): Cultural shows, food stalls, beach activities.
- Subhash Mela (around January, select islands): Local fairs and performances.
- Beach Festival (Port Blair, some years in spring): Music and games on the shoreline.
- Turtle Nesting (Dec–Mar): Kalipur and Ramnagar in North Andaman (access rules vary; follow ranger guidance).
- Bioluminescence (best Nov–Mar): Seen on dark nights around Havelock’s calm lagoons.
Sample Itineraries for Resort-Based Holidays
3 Days / 2 Nights: Quick Beach Escape
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair → Ferry to Havelock → Sunset at Radhanagar.
- Day 2: Morning dive/snorkel → Afternoon hammock time → Private beach dinner.
- Day 3: Kalapathar sunrise → Ferry to Port Blair → Fly out.
5 Days / 4 Nights: Classic Havelock + Neil
- Day 1: Port Blair sights (Cellular Jail, Marina) → Evening light & sound show.
- Day 2: Ferry to Havelock → Beach time at Govind Nagar → Spa.
- Day 3: Elephant Beach snorkel/boat trip → Radhanagar sunset.
- Day 4: Ferry to Neil → Bharatpur reef glass-bottom ride → Laxmanpur 2 sunset.
- Day 5: Return to Port Blair → Departure.
7 Days / 6 Nights: Indulgent Resort Hop
- Days 1–3: Havelock luxury stay with dive, kayak, and fine dining.
- Days 4–5: Neil island-chic resort; cycling, sandbar walks, tide pools.
- Days 6–7: Port Blair coastal hotel; day trip to Wandoor/Jolly Buoy (seasonal) and markets.
Budget Tips and Estimated Costs
- Resorts (per night, typical ranges):
- Luxury beachside: ₹20,000–₹50,000+ (peak can be higher).
- Mid-range beachfront/beside beach: ₹7,000–₹15,000.
- Budget cottages/guesthouses (near beach): ₹2,000–₹5,000.
- Food: Beachside resort meals ₹700–₹1,800 per person; local seafood thalis ₹300–₹700.
- Ferries: Port Blair ↔ Havelock/Neil (one way) ₹700–₹3,000 depending on class/operator.
- Activities: Guided snorkeling ₹1,000–₹2,000; Discover Scuba ₹3,500–₹6,000; Kayaking ₹2,000–₹3,500.
- Local transport: Scooters ₹500–₹800/day; taxis vary by island (island transfers ₹800–₹2,500).
Sample daily budget (per person):
- Budget: ₹3,500–₹5,500 (guesthouse, local eats, scooter, 1 activity every other day).
- Mid-range: ₹7,000–₹12,000 (beach resort, mix of activities, taxis, nicer meals).
- Luxury: ₹18,000–₹40,000+ (premium resort, spa, private dinners, curated excursions).
Money-saving tips: Travel Oct–Nov or Mar–May (shoulder seasons); pre-book ferries; choose lagoon-facing mid-range resorts; bundle dives/activities.
How to Reach the Andaman Islands
- By Air: Fly into Port Blair (IXZ) from major Indian cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai.
- By Sea: Long passenger ships from Chennai/Kolkata/Visakhapatnam operate occasionally (slow; basic comfort).
- Inter-Island Ferries:
- Government ferries and private catamarans connect Port Blair with Havelock and Neil; advance booking is recommended in peak season.
- Ferry schedules can change due to weather; keep a buffer day in monsoon.
- Local Transport: Taxis, autos, scooters, and cycles. Some resorts arrange transfers. Roads are simple; drive cautiously at dusk.
- Permits & Rules: Most tourist islands are open to visitors; certain tribal/reserved areas are strictly off-limits. Carry government ID; check latest advisories before travel.
Accommodation Options: Beachside Resorts by Island
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
- Luxury: Examples include beachfront/forest retreats near Radhanagar and premium villas along Govind Nagar; well-known names include Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans and Barefoot at Havelock.
- Mid-range: Beach cottages and boutique resorts along Beaches 2–5; many with in-house dive shops and lagoon access.
- Budget: Cozy cabanas and guesthouses near the beach lanes; great for divers and backpackers.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
- Upper mid to luxury: Stylish beach resorts with pools around Bharatpur/Laxmanpur; examples include Symphony Summer Sands and SeaShell Neil.
- Budget to mid: Garden cottages and homestays within walking distance to the shore.
Port Blair & Wandoor
- Seaside hotels: Cliff/promenade properties with sea views in Port Blair; limited direct-beach resorts.
- Wandoor: Quiet eco-stays close to the marine park and beaches.
Long Island, Rangat, Mayabunder
- Simple beach lodges and nature stays; ideal if you prefer off-grid serenity over frills.
Diglipur (North Andaman)
- Basic to mid-range beach resorts near Kalipur/Ramnagar; good base for Ross & Smith excursions and turtle season.
Note: Direct “on-the-sand” construction is restricted for conservation in many areas; many beachside resorts sit a few steps behind the vegetation line with private beach paths.
Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, and Culture
- Food: Fresh seafood grills (lobster, crab, reef fish), coconut-based curries, and island-style fish thalis. Vegetarian South Indian plates are widely available; bakeries and cafes dot Havelock and Neil.
- Beach shacks: Casual eateries near Bharatpur (Neil) and Govind Nagar (Havelock) for juices, pancakes, and tropical bowls.
- Shopping: Aberdeen Bazaar (Port Blair) for handicrafts, shell-inspired art (avoid real coral/shell products), jute items, spices, and local honey.
- Culture: A mix of Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Nicobari, and Ranchi communities; music and dance during fairs; museums in Port Blair for island history.
Responsible travel: Do not buy coral/shells; avoid single-use plastics; keep distance from wildlife; drones may require permission.
Travel Tips and Packing Guide
- Packing: Reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard, wide-brim hat, polarized sunglasses, quick-dry towel, aqua shoes, dry bag, insect repellent, basic meds, motion-sickness tablets, reusable water bottle, waterproof phone pouch.
- Connectivity: Mobile data can be patchy; expect limited Wi-Fi. Download maps/tickets offline.
- Payments: UPI/cards accepted in many places, but carry cash for smaller vendors and remote islands.
- Health & Safety: Hydrate, avoid midday sun, heed lifeguards, respect jellyfish warnings and monsoon advisories.
- Environment: Never touch or stand on coral; keep at least 3–4 meters from turtles; take all trash back to your resort.
- Logistics: Leave buffers for ferries and flights; ferry luggage limits apply; book inter-island transfers early in peak months.
Tips by Traveler Type
Families
- Pick lagoon-facing beaches (Govind Nagar, Bharatpur) with gentle shallows.
- Choose resorts with kids’ menus, pools, and easy beach access; carry flotation aids.
- Plan activities in the morning; keep naps and shade time post-lunch.
Honeymooners
- Opt for private villas or cottages with garden paths to the beach.
- Book a sunset dinner on Radhanagar/Neil shores and a night kayak to see bioluminescence (seasonal).
- Schedule spa sessions and keep unplanned time for slow beach days.
Friends & Adventure Seekers
- Base in Havelock for dives and Neil for cycling and sandbars.
- Rent scooters, split taxis, and bundle water-sports for value.
- Nights are mellow; carry games/music for resort hangouts.
FAQs
Q: When is the best time to book beachside resorts in Andaman?
A: October to May is ideal, with December–February the busiest. For peak dates and beachfront categories, book 6–10 weeks in advance (earlier for Christmas–New Year).
Q: Which island is better for beach resorts, Havelock or Neil?
A: Havelock has the widest range—from eco-luxury to budget—plus top beaches like Radhanagar. Neil is quieter, with beautiful lagoons and sunset points; great for couples and slow travel.
Q: Are beachside resorts directly on the sand?
A: Many properties sit just behind a natural vegetation line for conservation. You’ll often have a short private path to the beach rather than rooms right on the sand.
Q: Do I need a permit to visit Andaman beaches?
A: Most tourist islands and beaches are open without special permits, but restricted tribal areas are strictly off-limits. Carry valid ID and check current advisories before travel.
Q: Can beginners try scuba diving in Andaman?
A: Yes. Licensed operators offer beginner programs (Discover Scuba) in sheltered bays around Havelock and Neil, with pool or shallow-water practice first.
Conclusion
With translucent lagoons, rainforest-fringed sands, and a resort scene that spans barefoot luxury to charming budget cabanas, the Andaman Islands are tailor-made for a beachside escape. Base yourself on Havelock for variety, add Neil for serenity, and consider North Andaman if you crave the offbeat. Travel in the dry months, plan ferries ahead, and keep time free for slow seaside moments—the true luxury of Andaman.
