Table of Contents
- Andaman in January – Overview
- Weather in January
- Top Islands and Places to Visit
- Classic Tourist Circuits
- Best Activities in January
- Festivals & Events in January
- How to Reach Andaman
- Getting Around & Ferries
- Accommodation Options in January
- Estimated Trip Costs in January
- Local Food, Shopping & Culture
- Traveler-Specific Tips
- What to Pack for January
- Safety, Responsible Travel & Rules
- Sample January Itineraries
- FAQs about Andaman in January
- Conclusion
Andaman in January – Overview
January is peak season in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands: clear skies, calm seas, and superb underwater visibility. Expect warm tropical days, cool breezy evenings, and golden sunsets that arrive early. It’s the best month for beach time, snorkeling and scuba, and inter-island hopping to postcard-perfect shores like Radhanagar, Bharatpur, and Lalaji Bay. Book ferries, stays, and diving slots in advance—availability tightens quickly this month.
Weather in January
- Temperature: 23–29°C (mornings and evenings are pleasantly cool).
- Rainfall: Low; brief showers possible but rare.
- Sea conditions: Generally calm; great for ferries and water sports.
- Underwater visibility: 15–30 m across popular reefs.
- Sunrise/Sunset: Early sunrise (~5:30 AM) and early sunset (~5:10 PM); plan tours accordingly.
Top Islands and Places to Visit
Port Blair (Gateway & Heritage)
- Cellular Jail & Light-and-Sound Show (pre-book tickets; arrive early).
- Corbyn’s Cove for quick beach fix; Chidiya Tapu for sunset and birding.
- Wandoor & Jolly Buoy/Red Skin (Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park) for pristine reefs.
- Samudrika Naval Marine Museum and Anthropological Museum for context.
Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island)
- Radhanagar Beach (Asia’s top-ranked sunset beach).
- Elephant Beach for snorkeling, sea-walks, and water sports.
- Kalapathar for quiet mornings; night kayaking for bioluminescence (moon-phase dependent).
- Island’s best dive sites for beginners and certified divers.
Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island)
- Bharatpur Beach for snorkeling and glass-bottom rides.
- Laxmanpur I & II for tide pools and dramatic sunset vistas.
- Laid-back cafés and budget-friendly stays.
Baratang (Middle Andaman)
- Limestone Caves and mangrove boat ride.
- Parrot Island at dusk (subject to boat availability and tide).
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island (Ross) & North Bay
- Colonial ruins and deer at Ross; lighthouse views at North Bay.
- Popular day trip from Port Blair with snorkeling options.
Diglipur (North Andaman)
- Ross & Smith Twin Islands sandbar (permit at Diglipur jetty required).
- Saddle Peak National Park trek for seasoned hikers.
Little Andaman (Offbeat)
- Butler Bay, waterfalls, and surfing swells (services limited; check ferry schedules).
Classic Tourist Circuits
- Port Blair – Havelock – Neil (5–6 days): Heritage, top beaches, snorkel/dive highlights.
- Port Blair – Havelock – Neil – Baratang (7 days): Adds caves and mangroves.
- Extended North Andaman (9–10 days): Add Diglipur for Ross & Smith and trekking.
- Offbeat Marine Park Loop: Wandoor + Jolly Buoy, full-day snorkeling, and reef walks.
Best Activities in January
- Scuba Diving: Discover Scuba for beginners; 2–3 fun dives for certified divers.
- Snorkeling: Elephant Beach, Bharatpur, Jolly Buoy—clear waters and healthy coral.
- Sea Kayaking & Bioluminescence: Best on dark, moonless nights around Havelock mangroves.
- Sea Walks, Parasailing, Banana/Jet Ski rides: Available at Elephant, Bharatpur, North Bay.
- Trekking: Mount Harriet day hike; Saddle Peak (advanced; full day).
- Sunset & Stargazing: Radhanagar, Laxmanpur I, Chidiya Tapu.
- Birding: Chidiya Tapu and Mount Harriet for endemic species.
Festivals & Events in January
- Island Tourism Festival: Usually held around January in Port Blair—cultural shows, food, and crafts. Dates vary annually.
- Subhas Mela/Netaji Jayanti (Jan 23): Commemorations and local fairs, especially around Port Blair and Swaraj Dweep.
- Republic Day (Jan 26): Ceremonial parades in Port Blair.
Check local schedules a week prior; events and venues may change.
How to Reach Andaman
By Air
- Fly into Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), Port Blair.
- Direct/one-stop flights from major Indian cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad).
- January is peak; book 4–8 weeks in advance for better fares.
By Ship (Mainland India to Port Blair)
- Passenger ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam (approx. 60–70 hours).
- Limited sailings; booking via Directorate of Shipping Services counters. Cabins vary from bunk to deluxe.
- Schedules are weather and maintenance dependent; plan buffer days.
Entry & Permits
- Indian citizens: No special permit for notified tourist areas (some islands are restricted).
- Foreign nationals: Visa required for India; no RAP for most tourist zones, but certain tribal/reserved areas remain strictly prohibited.
- Special permits needed for Jolly Buoy and Ross & Smith; arranged locally.
Getting Around & Ferries
- Inter-Island Ferries: Government ferries and private catamarans connect Port Blair–Havelock–Neil; daytime sailings only.
- Booking: Pre-book private ferries online; government ferries via counters. Carry photo ID.
- Local Transport: Taxis, autos in Port Blair; two-wheeler rentals on Havelock/Neil (helmet mandatory).
- Boats to Elephant Beach, Jolly Buoy, Baratang mangroves operate by fixed slots; confirm a day prior.
- Helicopter services exist in limited capacity; not reliable for tourists in peak season.
Accommodation Options in January
- Port Blair: Convenient for early/late flights; mix of budget hotels and mid-range stays near Aberdeen Bazaar and Corbyn’s Cove.
- Havelock: Beach resorts around Radhanagar (premium), Govind Nagar/Vijay Nagar (mid-range), and budget hostels inland.
- Neil: Boutique beach stays near Bharatpur/Laxmanpur; quieter and value-friendly.
- Diglipur/Little Andaman: Limited inventory; book well ahead if visiting in January.
Typical January nightly rates (approximate):
- Budget: ₹1,200–₹2,500
- Mid-range: ₹3,000–₹7,000
- Premium/Luxury: ₹10,000–₹25,000+
Estimated Trip Costs in January
Indicative per-person costs for a 6-day trip (excluding flights; sharing twin where applicable):
- Budget: ₹18,000–₹28,000 (hostels/guesthouses, public ferries, selective activities)
- Mid-range: ₹32,000–₹55,000 (comfort hotels, private ferries, 1–2 paid activities)
- Luxury: ₹75,000–₹1,50,000+ (resorts, premium transfers, multiple activities)
Line-item guide (typical ranges):
- Flights (mainland–Port Blair return): ₹10,000–₹25,000 in January, city-dependent.
- Private ferry per sector: ₹900–₹2,200; government ferry: lower but limited seats.
- Scuba (Discover Scuba): ₹3,500–₹6,500; certified dives: ₹2,800–₹4,500 per dive.
- Kayaking: ₹2,500–₹3,500; Sea walk: ₹3,500–₹4,500.
- Two-wheeler rental: ₹500–₹800/day; Taxi day hire: ₹2,500–₹3,500.
- Meals: ₹200–₹800 per person per meal (local to café dining).
Prices fluctuate with demand and fuel; confirm current rates before booking.
Local Food, Shopping & Culture
Food You Must Try
- Fresh catch: Grilled fish, prawn curries, lobster (check weight/price before ordering).
- Bengali and South Indian staples: Fish curry–rice, thalis, dosas.
- Café fare on Havelock: Wood-fired pizzas, smoothie bowls, desserts.
Shopping
- Aberdeen Bazaar (Port Blair): Spices, coconut crafts, local art, honey.
- Do not buy: Black coral, sea fans, turtle shells, or protected shells—illegal to trade/possess.
Culture & History
- Diverse settler heritage (Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Ranchi, Nicobari communities).
- Cellular Jail narrates India’s freedom struggle; museums add natural and anthropological context.
Traveler-Specific Tips
For Families
- Choose beaches with gentle slopes (Radhanagar, Bharatpur).
- Book morning ferry slots; kids handle calmer seas better.
- Carry snacks, ORS, reef-safe sunscreen; verify life jackets for all boat trips.
For Honeymooners
- Split stay: 2N Havelock (near Radhanagar) + 1N Neil for quiet sunsets.
- Plan a private candlelight dinner on the beach (through your resort).
- Pick new-moon dates for bioluminescence kayaking.
For Friends/Backpackers
- Use government ferries and two-wheelers to cut costs.
- Time dives around best-visibility sites; join group trips for better pricing.
- Aim for sunrise starts to beat crowds at prime beaches.
What to Pack for January
- Light cotton/linen clothes, swimwear, quick-dry towels.
- Reef-safe sunscreen (zinc-based), sunglasses, wide-brim hat.
- Aqua shoes, dry bag, reusable water bottle (plastic restrictions apply).
- Light jacket for breezy evenings/boat rides.
- Motion-sickness meds, basic first-aid, insect repellent.
- Cash for remote islands (ATMs limited outside Port Blair).
- IDs and copies for ferry/permit counters.
Safety, Responsible Travel & Rules
- Swim only in designated zones; heed red flags and lifeguards.
- Saltwater crocodile advisories exist near some mangroves (e.g., Chidiya Tapu); follow posted signs.
- Do not touch/stand on coral; snorkeling fins off in shallow reefs to avoid damage.
- Strictly no entry to tribal reserves and Nicobar district; drones need prior permission.
- Carry back all waste; avoid single-use plastics; alcohol consumption in public is restricted.
- Network can be patchy beyond Port Blair/Havelock; download e-tickets offline.
Sample January Itineraries
5 Days: First-Time Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair; Cellular Jail + Light-and-Sound; Corbyn’s Cove.
- Day 2: Morning ferry to Havelock; Radhanagar Beach sunset.
- Day 3: Havelock diving/snorkeling; evening café hop.
- Day 4: Morning boat to Elephant Beach; afternoon ferry to Neil; Laxmanpur sunset.
- Day 5: Bharatpur snorkeling; return to Port Blair; fly out next morning or late evening.
7 Days: Marine Park & Caves Add-on
- Day 1: Port Blair city + museums.
- Day 2: Jolly Buoy (permit) for untouched reefs.
- Day 3: Ferry to Havelock; Radhanagar.
- Day 4: Dive/Elephant Beach; optional night kayaking.
- Day 5: Ferry to Neil; Bharatpur + Laxmanpur.
- Day 6: Return to Port Blair; evening at leisure.
- Day 7: Early Baratang Limestone Caves trip; depart next day.
FAQs about Andaman in January
Q: Is January a good month for scuba diving in Andaman?
A: Yes. Seas are calm and visibility is typically 15–30 m, ideal for both beginners and certified divers.
Q: Do I need permits to visit all islands?
A: Most tourist islands (Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, Baratang, North Bay, Ross) need no special permit for Indian citizens. Specific spots like Jolly Buoy and Ross & Smith require day permits. Restricted/tribal areas and Nicobar are off-limits.
Q: Are ferries reliable in January?
A: Generally yes, with multiple daily sailings on popular routes. Still, book early and keep buffer time around flights.
Q: What’s the dress code for beaches and temples?
A: Beachwear is fine on beaches and resorts. For city areas and temples, opt for modest clothing (cover shoulders/knees).
Q: Can I see bioluminescence in January?
A: Often, yes. It’s best on clear, moonless nights during mangrove kayaking tours around Havelock.
Conclusion
With postcard weather, calm seas, and thriving reefs, January showcases the Andamans at their best. Prioritize Havelock and Neil for beaches and underwater life, keep Port Blair for heritage and marine park day trips, and add Baratang or Diglipur if you have extra days. Book ahead, travel light, respect local rules and fragile ecosystems, and you’ll enjoy a seamless island-hopping escape.
