Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Best Time for Island Hopping
- Top Islands and Places
- Tourist Circuits for Island Hopping
- Activities and Experiences
- Festivals and Events
- Sample Itineraries
- Budget and Estimated Costs
- How to Reach Andaman & Inter-Island Transfers
- Where to Stay
- Food, Shopping, and Culture
- Tips for Different Travelers
- Permits, Rules, and Responsible Travel
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a dazzling chain of emerald isles adrift in the Bay of Bengal. Think sugar-white beaches, glassy lagoons, coral gardens, and mangrove creeks—best explored by hopping from one island to the next. This guide distills the must-visit islands, practical ferry routes, budgets, and easy itineraries so you can experience the best of Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep), Baratang, Long Island, Diglipur, and beyond.
Best Time for Island Hopping
- Peak season (Oct–May): Calm seas, clear skies; ideal for ferries, diving, and beach time. Jan–Mar often offers the best underwater visibility.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep): Rougher seas and intermittent rain; some trips and water sports may be suspended. Fares can be cheaper but build buffer days.
- Water clarity: Generally best in winter; plan dive/snorkel-heavy days early in the trip to allow weather flexibility.
Top Islands and Places
Port Blair
- Why go: Gateway city; history, museums, and day trips.
- Highlights: Cellular Jail light & sound show, Corbyn’s Cove, Chidiya Tapu sunset, Wandoor & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Jolly Buoy/Red Skin on a rotation).
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
- Why go: Iconic beaches and water sports.
- Highlights: Radhanagar Beach (often ranked among Asia’s best), Elephant Beach (snorkeling and water activities), Kalapathar Beach sunrise, mangrove kayaking.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
- Why go: Laid-back charm and reef-fringed beaches.
- Highlights: Bharatpur Beach (snorkeling), Laxmanpur Beach sunset, Natural Bridge (at low tide).
Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island) & North Bay
- Why go: Easy day trip from Port Blair.
- Highlights: British-era ruins under giant banyans on Ross; glass-bottom boat and snorkeling at North Bay (reef garden).
Baratang Island
- Why go: Karst landscapes and mangroves.
- Highlights: Limestone Caves via mangrove creeks, Mud Volcano. Access involves convoy through forested areas with regulated timings.
Long Island
- Why go: Offbeat, serene beaches and forests.
- Highlights: Lalaji Bay Beach, trekking, quiet village life, Guitar Island sandbar.
Diglipur (North Andaman)
- Why go: Adventure and unique twin islands.
- Highlights: Ross & Smith twin islands (sandbar), Saddle Peak trek (Andamans’ highest), turtle nesting (seasonal) at Ramnagar.
Little Andaman (Hut Bay)
- Why go: Waterfalls, surfing, and raw nature.
- Highlights: Butler Bay Beach, White Surf & Whisper Wave waterfalls; conditions and permits can vary.
Tourist Circuits for Island Hopping
- Classic Short Loop (Port Blair–Havelock–Neil–Port Blair): Best for first-timers; mixes beaches, snorkeling, and light sightseeing.
- Marine Park Day Circuit: From Port Blair to Wandoor for Jolly Buoy/Red Skin (snorkeling/glass-bottom), plus Chidiya Tapu sunset.
- Adventure North Circuit: Port Blair → Baratang (Limestone Caves) → Rangat/Long Island → Diglipur (Ross & Smith, Saddle Peak) → return by road or ferry.
- Offbeat Ease-In: Port Blair base with day trips to Ross & North Bay, then a 2-night Havelock for diving and beaches.
Activities and Experiences
- Diving and Snorkeling: Havelock (Aquarium, Lighthouse), Neil (Bharatpur), North Bay, Jolly Buoy/Red Skin. Discover scuba is widely available for beginners.
- Kayaking: Bioluminescence tours (seasonal) and mangrove kayaking at Havelock and near Port Blair.
- Trekking: Saddle Peak (Diglipur), nature trails at Chidiya Tapu and Long Island.
- Boat and Creek Rides: Mangrove creeks to Baratang Caves; glass-bottom boats at North Bay and Marine Park.
- Beaches and Sunsets: Radhanagar and Laxmanpur for golden hours; Kalapathar for sunrise.
- Wildlife & Birding: Chidiya Tapu, wetlands around Neil; turtle nesting in select seasons/locations (regulated).
- Culture & Heritage: Cellular Jail, local markets and museums in Port Blair.
Festivals and Events
- Island Tourism Festival (usually January): Cultural performances, food stalls, and exhibits mainly in Port Blair.
- Beach/Cultural Fairs: Occasional local fairs and beach events take place seasonally; check schedules in Port Blair on arrival.
- National Days & Local Observances: Events at Cellular Jail and public grounds often feature parades and shows.
Sample Itineraries
4 Days / 3 Nights: First-Time Essentials
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair; Cellular Jail, Corbyn’s Cove, light & sound show.
- Day 2: Morning ferry to Havelock; Radhanagar Beach sunset.
- Day 3: Elephant Beach water sports/snorkeling; evening ferry to Neil.
- Day 4: Neil’s Natural Bridge and Bharatpur Beach; ferry back to Port Blair; depart.
6 Days / 5 Nights: Classic Island Hopping
- Day 1: Port Blair city and museum circuit.
- Day 2: Jolly Buoy/Red Skin (Marine Park) or Ross & North Bay day trip.
- Day 3: Ferry to Havelock; Radhanagar Beach.
- Day 4: Discover Scuba or advanced dive; Kalapathar sunrise.
- Day 5: Ferry to Neil; Bharatpur snorkel, Laxmanpur sunset.
- Day 6: Return to Port Blair; shopping; depart.
8 Days / 7 Nights: Adventure North
- Day 1: Port Blair city sights.
- Day 2: Baratang Limestone Caves via convoy.
- Day 3: Drive/ferry to Diglipur; relax.
- Day 4: Ross & Smith twin islands.
- Day 5: Saddle Peak trek (full day) or turtle nesting (seasonal).
- Day 6: Travel to Rangat/Long Island; Lalaji Bay.
- Day 7: Return to Port Blair.
- Day 8: Buffer day for weather; depart.
Budget and Estimated Costs
- Daily budget (per person, excluding flights):
- Backpacker: ₹2,500–₹4,500
- Mid-range: ₹5,000–₹10,000
- Luxury: ₹12,000+
- Inter-island ferries (one-way, approx.): Govt ferry ₹100–₹500; private catamarans ₹1,100–₹1,800+ depending on sector and class.
- Airport–hotel transfers: ₹300–₹800 by auto/taxi in Port Blair.
- Scooter rental: ₹500–₹800/day (Havelock/Neil).
- Water activities: Discover Scuba ₹3,500–₹6,500; fun dives ₹3,000–₹4,500 per dive; snorkeling trips ₹700–₹1,500; kayaking ₹1,500–₹3,000.
- Permits/entry fees: Marine Park/glass-bottom and special island fees vary (~₹50–₹600); camera/drone permissions extra where applicable.
How to Reach Andaman & Inter-Island Transfers
Getting to Port Blair (Veer Savarkar International Airport)
- Flights: Daily connections from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi (seasonal frequencies vary). Flight time from Chennai/Kolkata ~2–2.5 hours.
- Passenger ships: Limited, long-duration sailings (3–4 days) from Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam; basic cabins; schedules infrequent.
Inter-Island Transport
- Government ferries: Budget-friendly; tickets at counters (e.g., Port Blair Phoenix Bay/Water Sports Complex). Book early in peak season.
- Private catamarans: Faster and pre-bookable online/agents; popular operators include high-speed services such as Makruzz, ITT Majestic, and Green Ocean (routes and schedules change; check latest).
- Road & convoy: To Baratang/Diglipur via the Andaman Trunk Road with regulated timings and check-posts.
- Local transit: Autos, taxis, and scooter rentals on tourist islands; limited app-based cabs.
Where to Stay
- Port Blair: Convenient for first/last nights; areas near Aberdeen Bazaar, Junglighat, or Corbyn’s Cove.
- Havelock (Swaraj Dweep): Beach No. 5 and Radhanagar areas for resorts and dive shops.
- Neil (Shaheed Dweep): Near Bharatpur/Laxmanpur for quiet stays with easy beach access.
- Budget ranges (per night, approx.):
- Budget guesthouses: ₹1,200–₹2,500
- Mid-range resorts: ₹3,500–₹8,000
- Premium/luxury: ₹12,000–₹30,000+
- Booking tip: Peak-season rooms sell out early; confirm ferries and stays together to avoid gaps.
Food, Shopping, and Culture
- Food: Fresh seafood (grilled fish, prawns, squid), coastal Indian fare, dosa joints, and beach shacks. Plenty of vegetarian options in Port Blair/Havelock.
- Local flavors: Bengali and South Indian influences; try fish curry with steamed rice, coconut-based gravies, and tropical fruits.
- Shopping: Aberdeen Bazaar (Port Blair) for spices, shell-inspired handicrafts, local woodwork. Avoid buying coral, turtle shell, or any wildlife products.
- Culture: Museums and memorials narrate colonial and maritime history. Respect local customs; photography may be restricted in certain areas.
Tips for Different Travelers
For Families
- Choose shorter ferry legs and morning departures (calmer seas).
- Opt for shallow, lifeguard-patrolled beaches like Bharatpur and Radhanagar.
- Carry snacks, motion-sickness bands, and waterproof covers for electronics.
For Honeymooners
- Book sunset-facing stays on Havelock/Neil and plan a private candlelight beach dinner.
- Schedule a couple’s Discover Scuba or tandem kayak under the stars (check moon phase).
- Build a buffer day for weather to keep key moments flexible.
For Friends/Backpackers
- Mix budget ferries with scooters for island exploration.
- Target offbeat stops: Long Island’s Lalaji Bay, Diglipur’s Ross & Smith.
- Consider multi-dive packages for better rates.
Packing and Safety Essentials
- Reef-safe sunscreen, dry bags, fast-dry clothing, hat, sunglasses, insect repellent.
- Basic meds, motion-sickness tablets, reusable water bottle.
- Respect flags and currents; avoid stepping on corals; wear aqua shoes where needed.
- Connectivity is limited; BSNL/Airtel work best in parts of the islands; download maps offline.
- ATMs exist but can run out of cash—carry enough INR for smaller islands.
Permits, Rules, and Responsible Travel
- Access and permits: Tourist access is permitted on designated islands. Certain protected/tribal areas are strictly off-limits.
- Marine Park and special islands: Jolly Buoy/Red Skin and some sites may require entry permits/fees; plastic restrictions are enforced.
- Photography & drones: Drone use typically requires permission from local authorities; follow no-fly rules near airports and sensitive zones.
- Wildlife and tribal reserves: Do not attempt to visit or photograph tribal communities or enter reserve areas.
- Environmental care: No littering; avoid single-use plastic, never touch or remove corals/shells, and keep beaches clean.
FAQs
Q: How many days are ideal for island hopping in Andaman?
A: Four to six days cover Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil comfortably. Add two to three more days for Baratang, Long Island, or Diglipur.
Q: Is it safe to travel during the monsoon?
A: Yes, but seas can be rough and some trips may be canceled. Keep flexible plans, build buffer days, and monitor ferry notices.
Q: Do I need advance bookings for ferries?
A: In peak season, yes—especially for private catamarans between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil. Government ferry tickets can be limited; book early.
Q: Is scuba diving suitable for beginners?
A: Absolutely. Discover Scuba programs are designed for first-timers with pool/shore training and instructor-led dives at shallow reefs.
Q: Can I use credit cards on the islands?
A: Larger hotels and dive shops often accept cards, but connectivity issues are common. Carry sufficient cash for small businesses and remote areas.
Conclusion
Andaman’s island-hopping magic lies in its contrasts: historic Port Blair, dazzling reefs off Havelock and Neil, mangrove creeks to Baratang, and the wild calm of the northern reaches. With smart ferry planning, weather-aware timing, and a respect for the fragile ecosystem, you can stitch together beaches, dives, and rainforest trails into a seamless, memorable journey.
