Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Top Cities and Places in Andaman
- Best Tourist Circuits for Island-Hopping
- Activities and Experiences
- Festivals and Events
- Sample Itineraries: Best Island-Hopping Routes
- Best Time to Visit the Andamans
- Practical Travel Information
- Budget Tips for Andaman Island-Hopping
- Local Culture, Food, and Shopping
- Traveler-Specific Tips
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
The Andaman Islands are a tropical archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, famed for sugar-white beaches, sapphire lagoons, and some of India’s best coral reefs. Island-hopping here isn’t just a way to get around—it’s the essence of the experience. From the sunset glow of Radhanagar Beach on Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) to the coral gardens off Shaheed Dweep (Neil) and the sandbar magic of Ross & Smith Islands in the north, this guide maps the most rewarding routes, when to go, how to move, and what each island does best.
Top Cities and Places in Andaman
Port Blair (Gateway)
- Cellular Jail and Light & Sound Show
- Corbyn’s Cove, Chidiya Tapu sunsets
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island (formerly Ross Island) and North Bay for glass-bottom boats and snorkelling
Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island)
- Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7), often rated among Asia’s best
- Elephant Beach for snorkelling and water sports
- Kalapathar Beach for sunrise and quiet coves
Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island)
- Bharatpur Beach for shallow snorkelling
- Laxmanpur Beach for epic sunsets and natural rock bridge
Baratang (Middle Andaman)
- Limestone Caves via mangrove creeks
- Mud Volcano
Rangat, Long Island, and Lalaji Bay
- Offbeat beaches and dense mangroves
- Boat trips to Guitar and Button Islands (subject to permits and schedules)
Diglipur (North Andaman)
- Ross & Smith Islands connected by a sandbar
- Kalipur turtle nesting (seasonal) and Alfred Caves
Best Tourist Circuits for Island-Hopping
- Classic South Andaman Triangle: Port Blair – Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) – Shaheed Dweep (Neil) – Port Blair
- Marine Park & Baratang Loop: Port Blair – Wandoor (Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park: Jolly Buoy/Red Skin) – Baratang – Port Blair
- Middle & North Explorer: Port Blair – Rangat/Long Island – Diglipur (Ross & Smith) – Port Blair
- Dive-Focused Circuit: Extended stay on Havelock with optional Neil and specialty dive sites
Activities and Experiences
- Snorkelling and scuba diving: Coral reefs at Elephant Beach, Lighthouse, Nemo Reef (Havelock); Bharatpur (Neil); reefs near Wandoor
- Kayaking in mangroves: Night bioluminescence tours around Havelock (seasonal visibility)
- Glass-bottom boat rides: North Bay; Jolly Buoy when open
- Trekking: To limestone caves in Baratang; short forest walks on Havelock
- Beaches and sunsets: Radhanagar and Laxmanpur are sunset royalty
- History and culture: Cellular Jail, colonial ruins on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island
Festivals and Events
- Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, usually January): Cultural shows, food stalls, and handicrafts
- Beach Festival (Port Blair, typically April): Music, food, and beach games
- Subhash Mela (Swaraj Dweep, around January): Local fairs and performances
Sample Itineraries: Best Island-Hopping Routes
Route 1: Classic 5D/4N – First-Timer’s Favorite
Best for: Balanced beaches, light activities, easy logistics.
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair. Cellular Jail + Light & Sound. Overnight Port Blair.
- Day 2: Morning ferry to Havelock (1.5–2.5 hrs). Afternoon at Radhanagar Beach. Overnight Havelock.
- Day 3: Snorkelling or intro scuba at Elephant Beach. Sunset at Radhanagar. Overnight Havelock.
- Day 4: Morning ferry to Neil (1 hr). Bharatpur Beach reef walk; sunset at Laxmanpur. Overnight Neil.
- Day 5: Ferry back to Port Blair (1–1.5 hrs). Optional North Bay/Ross island hop if time permits. Depart.
Ferry note: Book private ferries (Makruzz, Nautika, Sea Link, Green Ocean) 10–20 days in advance in peak season.
Route 2: Active 7D/6N – Marine Park + Baratang Adventure
Best for: Nature lovers, families with teens, photographers.
- Day 1: Port Blair arrival. Sunset at Chidiya Tapu.
- Day 2: Wandoor to Jolly Buoy/Red Skin (Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park; entry permits needed; islands open on a rotational basis). Snorkelling and glass-bottom rides.
- Day 3: Morning city highlights (Cellular Jail museums). Afternoon to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island + North Bay.
- Day 4: Early convoy to Baratang. Boat through mangroves to Limestone Caves; visit Mud Volcano. Return Port Blair.
- Day 5: Ferry to Havelock. Beach time.
- Day 6: Dive or kayak bioluminescence (night, conditions permitting).
- Day 7: Neil Island hop en route back to Port Blair. Depart.
Permit tip: Marine Park trips are capacity-controlled; arrange permits via tour desks or Wandoor counters a day prior.
Route 3: North Andaman Explorer 8D/7N – Offbeat and Rewarding
Best for: Repeat visitors, explorers, and photographers.
- Day 1: Port Blair arrival.
- Day 2: Overland to Rangat (6–7 hrs via Andaman Trunk Road, in regulated convoys through Jarawa Reserve—no halts/photos). Overnight Rangat.
- Day 3: Boat to Long Island; hike/boat to Lalaji Bay. Overnight Long Island (basic stays).
- Day 4: Continue to Diglipur (Kalipur). Overnight Diglipur.
- Day 5: Ross & Smith Islands sandbar day trip (permit and boat from Aerial Bay).
- Day 6: Alfred Caves trek (season-dependent) or Kalipur turtle beach (nesting season typically Dec–Feb).
- Day 7: Return toward Port Blair (break in Rangat).
- Day 8: Port Blair departure.
Logistics note: North Andaman has limited premium stays and variable boat schedules—build buffer time.
Route 4: Dive-Centric 7D/6N – Focus on Reefs
Best for: Divers and adventure friends’ groups.
- Day 1: Port Blair arrival. Transfer to Havelock by afternoon ferry.
- Days 2–5: Four days of diving around Havelock (sites like Johnny’s Gorge, Dixon’s Pinnacle for certified divers; Nemo Reef for beginners). One evening mangrove kayaking.
- Day 6: Neil Island for relaxed snorkelling and rock bridge walk.
- Day 7: Return to Port Blair and depart.
Dive seasons: Best visibility Jan–Apr; water 27–29°C. Intro dives ~30–45 mins bottom time with instructor.
Best Time to Visit the Andamans
- Peak (Nov–Mar): Calm seas, best visibility, higher rates and demand.
- Shoulder (Oct, Apr–May): Warm, good water, occasional showers; good for deals.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep): Rough seas, sporadic ferry cancellations; some water activities suspended.
Practical Travel Information
How to Reach the Andamans
- By air: Fly to Port Blair (IXZ, Veer Savarkar International Airport) from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other Indian hubs.
- By sea: Government ships from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam (2–3 nights; infrequent; basic cabins). Not ideal for short trips.
Entry notes: Indians do not need permits for notified areas. Foreign nationals can visit most open islands but require special permission for restricted zones; Nicobar and tribal reserves are off-limits. Always check current advisories.
Inter-Island Transport and Ferry Tips
- Private ferries (fast, comfortable): Makruzz, Nautika, Sea Link, Green Ocean. Book online 1–3 weeks ahead in peak season.
- Government ferries (cheaper, fewer seats): Book at counters; schedules can change; carry ID and reach early.
- Typical durations: Port Blair–Havelock 1.5–2.5 hrs; Havelock–Neil ~1 hr; Neil–Port Blair 1–1.5 hrs.
- Road travel north: Overland via Andaman Trunk Road in regulated convoys through Jarawa Reserve—no halts, photography, or interaction allowed.
Accommodation Options
- Port Blair: Mid-range hotels, business stays, boutique B&Bs near Aberdeen Bazaar and Corbyn’s Cove.
- Havelock: Beachfront resorts, dive lodges, eco-cottages at Govind Nagar/Vijay Nagar and near Radhanagar.
- Neil: Small resorts and homestays near Bharatpur/Laxmanpur.
- North Andaman: Simple guesthouses in Rangat, Diglipur; limited upscale options.
Estimated Costs
- Private ferry one-way: INR 1,500–2,800 (sector-dependent, class).
- Government ferry one-way: INR 200–700.
- Intro scuba dive: INR 3,500–6,500 per person (photos/video extra).
- Snorkelling/boat to Elephant Beach: INR 800–2,000.
- Glass-bottom rides (North Bay/Jolly Buoy): INR 500–1,200.
- Car with driver (day in Port Blair/Baratang): INR 3,500–7,000 depending on distance and vehicle.
- Daily budgets (per person): Backpacker INR 2,500–4,000; Mid-range INR 6,000–12,000; Premium 15,000+.
Budget Tips for Andaman Island-Hopping
- Travel shoulder months (Oct, Apr–May) for lower rates and good weather.
- Mix ferries: Use government ferries for shorter hops; splurge on one private fast ferry for comfort.
- Base yourself longer on one island (e.g., 3 nights Havelock) to cut transfers and get better room rates.
- Eat local: Simple seafood thalis and Tamil/Bengali eateries in Port Blair and Havelock are great value.
- Bundle activities with reputable operators; check if your resort offers guest discounts.
- Carry cash backup; ATMs can run dry and card machines depend on network.
Local Culture, Food, and Shopping
Food
- Seafood stars: Grilled fish, Andaman mud crab, prawns, lobster (seasonal), coconut-based curries.
- Influences: Bengali, South Indian, and settler cuisines; plenty of vegetarian choices.
- Cafes: Beach shacks on Havelock; bakeries and seafood joints in Port Blair’s Aberdeen area.
Shopping
- Sagarika Government Emporium for handicrafts.
- Avoid buying corals, shells, or turtle products—it’s illegal and harms reefs.
Etiquette and Responsible Travel
- Do not enter or photograph tribal reserves; North Sentinel Island is strictly prohibited.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, no littering, no stepping on coral; follow lifeguard flags.
- Drones require local permissions; ask your hotel/tour operator for current rules.
Traveler-Specific Tips
Families
- Pick gentle beaches: Bharatpur (Neil) and Radhanagar’s shallows (calm days).
- Carry kid-size snorkel sets, floatation vests, hats, and reef-safe sunscreen.
- Choose morning boats for calmer seas; keep motion-sickness meds handy.
Honeymooners
- Stay 2–3 nights in a beachfront cottage on Havelock.
- Sunset walks at Laxmanpur and Radhanagar; arrange a private beach dinner through your resort.
- Consider a couple’s intro dive or tandem kayak in mangroves at dusk.
Friends and Adventure Seekers
- Target dive-heavy plans or the North Andaman Explorer route.
- Book night bioluminescence kayaking on new-moon phases for best effect.
- Rent geared scooters on Havelock/Neil for flexibility (carry license; helmets mandatory).
FAQs
Q: How many days are ideal for island-hopping in the Andamans?
A: Five to seven days cover the classic Port Blair–Havelock–Neil circuit. Add 2–3 more days if you want Baratang, Long Island, or Diglipur.
Q: Do I need permits to visit Andaman islands?
A: Indian nationals don’t need permits for standard tourist zones. Foreign nationals can visit notified open areas without special permits, but some islands and tribal reserves remain restricted. Always verify current rules before travel.
Q: Can I book ferries after I arrive?
A: In peak months (Nov–Mar), popular ferries sell out. Pre-book private ferries online when possible; for government ferries, arrive early at counters and stay flexible.
Q: Is monsoon a bad time to visit?
A: June–September brings rough seas and intermittent cancellations. If you must travel, plan buffer days and expect limited water activities.
Q: Is scuba diving safe for non-swimmers?
A: Yes, intro dives are tandem with certified instructors in shallow, calm waters. Operators conduct safety briefings and provide all gear.
Conclusion
The best Andaman island-hopping routes combine ease of travel with the region’s natural highs—untouched beaches, clear reefs, and mangrove-lined creeks. For first-timers, the Port Blair–Havelock–Neil triangle delivers a perfect snapshot. Add Baratang and the Marine Park for variety, or go north for offbeat gems at Ross & Smith. With smart ferry planning, reef-friendly habits, and a little buffer for island time, your Andaman hop will feel effortless and memorable.
