Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Mobile Network & Internet in Andaman
- Top Cities and Places
- Tourist Circuits
- Activities & Things to Do
- Festivals & Events
- Sample Itineraries
- How to Reach
- Accommodation Options
- Estimated Costs
- Budget Tips
- Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Tips for Families, Honeymooners, and Friends
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a dream for beach lovers and divers—but staying connected can be tricky. Network coverage varies dramatically between Port Blair, popular islands like Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep), and the remote northern stretches. This guide blends on-the-ground connectivity advice with a complete travel overview, so you can plan your trip—and your data usage—without surprises.
Mobile Network & Internet in Andaman
Coverage Overview by Area
- Port Blair (capital): Best overall coverage; 4G from Jio and Airtel in most neighborhoods; BSNL widely available. Broadband and some fiber-backed Wi‑Fi exist.
- Havelock / Swaraj Dweep: 4G in main markets (Vijay Nagar, Govind Nagar). Patchy to weak at Radhanagar Beach and Elephant Beach trails.
- Neil / Shaheed Dweep: 3G/4G near Bharatpur/Laxmanpur beach markets; speeds fluctuate.
- Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur (North Andaman): Intermittent 3G/4G; many dead zones. Expect slow speeds outside town centers.
- Baratang & ATR (Andaman Trunk Road): Very patchy. Little to no signal through forest/Jarawa Reserve stretches.
- Little Andaman: Limited coverage around Hut Bay; expect slow data.
- On ferries/boats: Often no signal once offshore; don’t rely on data or calls at sea.
Who Typically Performs Best?
- Jio: Generally strongest 4G in Port Blair; decent in Havelock/Neil town areas. Patchy in remote north.
- Airtel: Competitive 4G in Port Blair; mixed on outer islands.
- BSNL: Broad geographic reach but slower data; a useful fallback where private networks drop.
Note: 5G is not reliably available on the islands yet. Expect 4G/3G with occasional downgrades, especially during bad weather.
Internet Speeds & Reliability (Typical)
- Port Blair: 10–30 Mbps on mobile data; hotel Wi‑Fi can be 20–80 Mbps where fiber exists; power cuts can affect uptime.
- Havelock: 5–15 Mbps in markets; 1–5 Mbps or dropouts near remote beaches.
- Neil: 3–10 Mbps in central areas.
- North Andaman: Often <5 Mbps; frequent dropouts.
The Chennai–Andaman undersea fiber (CANI) improved latency and backhaul, but last‑mile coverage still varies by location and weather.
SIM Cards & eSIM for Tourists
- Where to buy: Operator stores/retailers in Port Blair (Aberdeen Bazaar area). Occasional airport counters operate; availability varies.
- Documents: Passport, valid Indian visa/e‑visa, local address (hotel), and a passport-size photo (retailers can often take a scan).
- Activation time: Usually 1–24 hours after KYC.
- eSIM: Airtel/Jio support eSIM, but you typically must first activate a physical SIM; eSIM conversion can be done later via carrier process.
- Roaming on foreign SIMs: Expensive and unreliable on outer islands—buy an Indian SIM for better coverage.
Data Plans & Costs (Indicative)
- Starter SIM: INR 250–500 (plan-dependent).
- 28‑day packs: ~INR 299–399 for 1–1.5 GB/day; ~INR 499–699 for 2–3 GB/day bundles.
- Top‑ups: INR 100–300 common. Recharges via apps may require OTP—ensure signal or use a shop.
Prices and plans change frequently; check current offers at the store.
Wi‑Fi, Broadband & Workation Reality
- Port Blair: Some hotels/cafés have fiber-backed Wi‑Fi; request a live speed test (screenshot) before booking for work.
- Havelock/Neil: Many stays offer Wi‑Fi but often shared and speed‑limited. Bring a dual‑SIM phone with Jio+Airtel as backup.
- Power & backups: Carry a high‑capacity power bank and a travel surge protector.
At Sea, Remote Beaches & Dive Boats
- Assume no connectivity on open water and secluded beaches.
- Download e‑tickets/QR codes and offline maps before boarding ferries.
- Satellite phones are restricted; follow local regulations.
Payments, OTPs & Security
- UPI/cards: Widely accepted in Port Blair; sporadic on islands. Keep cash for outages.
- Bank/UPI OTPs: May fail during low signal. Handle critical banking in Port Blair or mainland.
- Security: Use a VPN on public Wi‑Fi; avoid sensitive logins on shared networks.
Essential Offline Prep
- Google/Apple Maps offline for Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, North Andaman.
- Offline translators, e‑ticket PDFs, hotel directions, and emergency numbers saved locally.
- Entertainment for ferries and rainy days (offline playlists/podcasts).
Top Cities and Places
- Port Blair: Cellular strongest; museums, Cellular Jail, Corbyn’s Cove. Good base for recharges and SIM issues.
- Havelock (Swaraj Dweep): Radhanagar, Elephant Beach, diving hubs. Coverage decent in markets; weak near trailheads/beaches.
- Neil (Shaheed Dweep): Sunset points at Laxmanpur; calmer vibe; moderate coverage near jetty.
- Rangat/Mayabunder: Nature walks, mangroves; expect patchy networks.
- Diglipur: Saddle Peak treks, Ross & Smith Islands; limited connectivity outside town.
Tourist Circuits
- Classic 5–6 days: Port Blair → Havelock → Neil → Port Blair. Best balance of connectivity and beaches.
- North Andaman loop: Port Blair → Baratang → Rangat → Mayabunder → Diglipur → return. Scenic but weakest networks en route.
- Little Andaman: For surfers and waterfalls; assume minimal data.
Activities & Things to Do
- Diving & snorkeling: Havelock/Neil prime sites. Guides coordinate via SMS/WhatsApp—confirm meeting points while you have signal.
- Beaches: Radhanagar, Laxmanpur, Bharatpur—download maps/tickets in advance.
- History & culture: Cellular Jail Light & Sound—book tickets when in good coverage.
- Treks & mangrove cruises: Carry offline navigation and inform your hotel of plans due to weak coverage.
Festivals & Events
- Island Tourism Festival (Jan): Port Blair fairs and shows; networks can be congested at peak hours.
- Beach festivals: Occasional events on Havelock/Neil; expect slower data during crowds.
- Local fairs: Village melas cause temporary congestion on single towers.
Sample Itineraries
4 Days: Highlights with Reliable Signal Windows
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair; SIM purchase; Cellular Jail.
- Day 2: Ferry to Havelock; Radhanagar at sunset (weak signal on beach).
- Day 3: Elephant Beach snorkeling (assume offline); evening market for recharges.
- Day 4: Return to Port Blair; last‑minute bookings while on strong data.
6–7 Days: Add Neil
- Days 1–3: Port Blair + Havelock as above.
- Day 4–5: Neil (moderate coverage near jetty/markets).
- Day 6–7: Port Blair museums, shopping, and dependable Wi‑Fi before departure.
How to Reach
- By Air: Daily flights to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad. Download boarding passes offline.
- By Ship: Government passenger ships from Chennai/Kolkata/Visakhapatnam (2–3 days). Assume no mobile data at sea.
- Inter‑island Ferries: Government and private ferries connect Port Blair–Havelock–Neil; book ahead when you have strong signal or via agents.
Accommodation Options
- Budget guesthouses: INR 1,000–2,500/night; Wi‑Fi basic; rely on mobile data.
- Mid‑range resorts: INR 3,000–8,000/night; Wi‑Fi common but speeds vary; ask for a recent speed test.
- Upscale beachfront: INR 9,000+; better power backups; still expect occasional dropouts.
- Workation tip: Choose Port Blair properties advertising fiber; confirm router placement in room.
Estimated Costs
- Daily budget (per person):
- Shoestring: INR 2,000–3,500 (local food, budget stays, government ferries).
- Comfort: INR 4,500–9,000 (mid‑range stays, some activities).
- Premium: INR 10,000+ (beach resorts, private transfers, guided dives).
- Connectivity: SIM + 28‑day data pack ~INR 300–600; café Wi‑Fi often free for customers.
- Ferries: Govt ferries INR 150–600; private fast ferries INR 1,000–2,800 (no reliable Wi‑Fi onboard).
Budget Tips
- Pick a single robust data pack (1.5–2 GB/day) rather than multiple small top‑ups.
- Use offline maps and download media on mainland/Port Blair Wi‑Fi to save data.
- Carry both Jio and Airtel SIMs in a dual‑SIM phone; keep BSNL as a backup if heading north.
- Recharge at shops to avoid failed OTPs; keep small cash for fees.
Local Experiences: Food, Shopping, Culture
- Food: Fresh seafood, Bengali and South Indian influences; popular cafés in Port Blair/Havelock often have Wi‑Fi—ask before ordering if you need to work.
- Shopping: Aberdeen Bazaar (Port Blair) for pearls, shell crafts (buy ethically); UPI accepted but keep cash for signal drops.
- Culture: Respect protected areas and tribal reserves; drones often require permits/are restricted—check rules before flying.
Tips for Families, Honeymooners, and Friends
Families
- Download kids’ shows/games offline; bring power banks and waterproof cases.
- Share hotel and day plans with your property since live location sharing may fail.
Honeymooners
- Choose stays with in‑room routers or private hotspots; confirm beforehand.
- Plan photo backups offline; cloud uploads may stall on beaches.
Friends/Groups
- Create a meetup plan in case of signal loss; set fixed times/locations.
- Buy different carriers across the group to improve collective coverage.
FAQs
Q: Which mobile network works best in Andaman?
A: In Port Blair, Jio and Airtel usually provide the fastest 4G. On outer islands, performance varies by spot; BSNL can be a useful fallback in remote areas, though it’s slower.
Q: Is there 5G in Andaman?
A: As of recent updates, 5G is not reliably available on the islands. Expect 4G/3G with occasional downgrades.
Q: Can foreign tourists buy a SIM in Port Blair?
A: Yes. Bring your passport, visa, and local address. Buy at operator stores/authorized retailers in Port Blair; activation typically takes 1–24 hours.
Q: Will I have internet on ferries and remote beaches?
A: Usually no. Download tickets, maps, and media in advance and inform your hotel of plans.
Q: Is Andaman suitable for remote work?
A: It can be, mainly in Port Blair properties with fiber. For Havelock/Neil, carry dual SIMs and expect variable speeds; avoid critical meetings during bad weather.
Conclusion
In Andaman, connectivity is best in Port Blair and fades as you venture into quieter islands and forests. Plan for 4G in towns, limited data on beaches, and no signal at sea. With a local SIM, offline prep, and realistic expectations, you can enjoy the islands’ natural beauty while staying just connected enough to navigate, book, and share your journey.
