Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Best Time to Visit
- Top Child-friendly Beaches & Places
- Family-friendly Tourist Circuits
- Activities for Kids
- Festivals & Seasonal Events
- How to Reach
- Accommodation Options
- Estimated Costs
- Local Food, Shopping & Culture
- Sample Family Itineraries
- Budget Tips
- Travel Tips by Traveler Type
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
The Andaman Islands are a dream for families: palm-fringed beaches, shallow lagoons, warm seas, and a relaxed island pace. This guide collects the most child-friendly beaches in Andaman—where the sand is soft, waters are calm, facilities are nearby, and activities are age-appropriate—along with practical travel details to make your family holiday smooth and memorable.
Safety note: Sea conditions change with tides and weather. Always observe lifeguard flags, ask locals about currents, and use flotation for young swimmers.
Best Time to Visit
- Peak family-friendly months: November to April (calm seas, clear water, most water activities operating).
- Shoulder: Late September–October and May (warmer, occasional showers; fewer crowds, better deals).
- Monsoon: June–August (rough seas, frequent rain; many water sports limited; good for quiet, scenic stays and beach walks).
Top Child-friendly Beaches & Places
Port Blair & Around
- Corbyn’s Cove: Gentle surf, lifeguards, changing rooms, and easy access from the city. Ideal for short swims and beach play.
- North Bay Island: Great for glass-bottom boat rides and beginner snorkelling from a protected area. Good supervision and gear rental available.
- Wandoor Beach: Scenic, shaded, and picnic-friendly near the Marine National Park. Swimming may be restricted on rough days—ask on arrival.
Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island)
- Govind Nagar Beach (No. 2/3): Shallow, reef-protected waters with many family-friendly resorts steps from the sand. Calm most mornings.
- Radhanagar Beach (No. 7): Wide arc of powdery sand and gentle gradient; pick calmer hours (morning) and stay in the flagged zone.
- Elephant Beach: Boat-accessed; clear shallows for older kids to try guided snorkelling. Check currents and follow instructor advice.
- Kalapathar Beach: Best for tide pooling and sandcastle time; rocky seabed makes it more of a paddling spot than a swim beach.
Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island)
- Bharatpur Beach: A standout for kids—shallow turquoise lagoon, glass-bottom boats, snorkelling close to shore, and snack shacks.
- Laxmanpur Beach 1: Sunset walks, shell spotting, and family photos; not ideal for swimming due to rocks.
- Sitapur Beach: Peaceful sunrise beach; stronger surf—stick to shoreline play.
Rangat, Mayabunder & Diglipur (North Andaman)
- Ramnagar Beach (Diglipur): Gentle slope and fewer crowds; basic facilities. Watch for seasonal jellyfish—ask locally.
- Kalipur Beach (Diglipur): Turtle nesting site (seasonal evening viewings with forest guides); swimming often limited due to rocks and occasional stingers.
Honourable Mentions (Non-beach family stops)
- Samudrika Naval Marine Museum (Port Blair): Engaging marine exhibits for kids.
- Cellular Jail Light & Sound Show: History presented in an accessible format for school-age kids.
- Chidiya Tapu: Nature trails and birdwatching; shore is rocky—come for the sunset, not swims.
Family-friendly Tourist Circuits
South Andaman Easy Circuit (3–4 days)
- Base in Port Blair; day trips to Corbyn’s Cove, North Bay, Wandoor, Cellular Jail.
- Focus: Short transfers, dependable facilities, minimal boat time.
Classic Family Beach Circuit (5–6 days)
- Port Blair → Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) → Shaheed Dweep (Neil) → Port Blair.
- Focus: Govind Nagar and Radhanagar for swims; Bharatpur for lagoon fun and glass-bottom rides.
Explorer Circuit (7–8 days)
- Port Blair → Havelock → Neil → Diglipur (Ramnagar/Kalipur) or Rangat/Mayabunder.
- Focus: Quieter beaches, turtle-viewing (seasonal), more road/ferry travel.
Activities for Kids
- Lagoon swims and paddling: Calm mornings at Govind Nagar and Bharatpur are ideal.
- Glass-bottom boat rides: Bharatpur and North Bay—great for non-swimmers.
- Beginner snorkelling: Shallow reefs at Elephant Beach, Bharatpur, and select Havelock house reefs (with guide and life vests).
- Sea walk: Available at North Bay/Elephant Beach; typically for ages 10+ with operator screening.
- Kayaking (guided): Mangrove and bioluminescence tours at Havelock—best for older kids who can sit still and follow instructions.
- Nature time: Tide-pooling at Kalapathar, shell spotting at Laxmanpur 1, birding at Chidiya Tapu.
- Learning stops: Samudrika Museum and Fisheries Museum in Port Blair.
What to pack for activities: UV rash guards, reef-safe sunscreen, wide-brim hats, water shoes for rocky patches, reusable water bottles, and basic motion-sickness tablets for boat rides (after consulting your doctor).
Festivals & Seasonal Events
- Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, typically Dec–Jan): Cultural performances, food stalls, and family-friendly showcases.
- Subhash Mela (around late January in select islands like Swaraj Dweep): Local fairs, crafts, and performances.
- Turtle Nesting (Nov–Feb, Kalipur and select beaches): Guided, conservation-led observations where permitted.
How to Reach
By Air
- Fly to Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), Port Blair from major Indian cities (Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai).
- Flight times: ~2–2.5 hours from Chennai/Kolkata; 5–6 hours (often via) from Delhi/Mumbai.
By Sea
- Long-haul government ships from Chennai/Kolkata/Visakhapatnam operate occasionally; not recommended for short family vacations due to duration (2–3 days) and limited comforts.
Inter-Island Transfers
- Private catamarans: Makruzz, Nautika, Sea Link, ITT—fast and comfortable between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil.
- Government ferries: Economical; book in person; slower but reliable.
- Road to North Andaman: Via Andaman Trunk Road with regulated convoys; long travel times—better for older kids.
Accommodation Options
Port Blair
- Mid-range city hotels near Aberdeen Bazaar and the seafront; easy access to Corbyn’s Cove and museums.
Swaraj Dweep (Havelock)
- Beachfront resorts at Govind Nagar (No. 2/3) with family cottages, in-house reefs, and on-site restaurants.
- Upscale stays near Radhanagar for quieter evenings and wide sands.
Shaheed Dweep (Neil)
- Small resorts and homestays near Bharatpur/Laxmanpur; pick properties with shaded gardens and easy beach access.
North Andaman
- Basic to mid-range lodges in Diglipur/Rangat; expect simple facilities and plan meals ahead.
Family-friendly features to look for: interconnecting rooms, on-site dining, shaded play areas, reliable power backup, and proximity to calm-water beaches.
Estimated Costs
- Flights (round-trip, per person): INR 8,000–25,000+ depending on season and origin.
- Hotels (per night): Budget INR 1,500–3,000; Mid-range INR 4,000–9,000; Upscale INR 10,000–25,000.
- Inter-island ferries (one-way, per person): Government INR 400–1,000; Private INR 1,200–3,000.
- Activities: Glass-bottom INR 500–1,000; Snorkelling INR 800–1,500; Sea walk INR 3,500–4,500; Intro scuba INR 3,500–6,500.
- Local transport: Private cab INR 2,500–4,000 per day (short island); autos for short hops are cheaper.
- Meals: INR 400–900 per person per meal at casual restaurants.
For a family of 3–4 on a 5-night classic circuit, expect a total of roughly INR 85,000–2,00,000+ depending on hotel class and activities.
Local Food, Shopping & Culture
Food
- Fresh seafood grills, coconut-based curries, and island-style thalis; plenty of vegetarian and South/North Indian options.
- Kid-friendly picks: grilled fish, rotis with dal, fruit smoothies, and pancakes at beachfront cafes (Havelock/Neil).
Shopping
- Government Emporium “Sagarika” for crafts, textiles, and spices at fair prices.
- Avoid buying coral/shells and never collect from beaches—it’s illegal and harms reefs.
Culture
- Island life blends Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Nicobari influences; respect local customs and protected areas.
- Tribal reserves are strictly off-limits to visitors—observe rules and signages.
Sample Family Itineraries
3 Days: Port Blair Mini-Break
- Day 1: Arrive, Corbyn’s Cove splash, Cellular Jail show.
- Day 2: North Bay glass-bottom + Ross Island lawns and deer.
- Day 3: Wandoor picnic, depart.
5 Days: Havelock + Neil Highlights
- Day 1: Fly in, ferry to Havelock, sunset at Radhanagar.
- Day 2: Morning lagoon swim at Govind Nagar; optional intro snorkel.
- Day 3: Boat to Elephant Beach for guided snorkelling; evening ferry to Neil.
- Day 4: Bharatpur Beach glass-bottom rides and sandcastle time; sunset at Laxmanpur 1.
- Day 5: Return to Port Blair; museum stop if time permits; fly out.
7 Days: Easy Pace Family Explorer
- Day 1: Port Blair sights and Corbyn’s Cove.
- Day 2–3: Havelock (Govind Nagar swims, Radhanagar morning, optional night bioluminescence kayak for older kids).
- Day 4–5: Neil (Bharatpur lagoon days, Laxmanpur sunset, Sitapur sunrise walk).
- Day 6: Port Blair museums/shopping; buffer day for weather.
- Day 7: Departure.
Budget Tips
- Book flights and private ferries early for school-holiday periods.
- Travel Oct–Nov or Feb–Mar for calmer seas and value pricing.
- Choose stays within walking distance of Govind Nagar or Bharatpur to save on daily transfers.
- Use government ferries for one-way legs; reserve cushion time for schedules.
- Pack snacks, medications, floaties, and reef-safe sunscreen to avoid resort markups.
- Carry some cash; ATMs and network can be patchy on smaller islands.
Travel Tips by Traveler Type
Families with Young Kids
- Plan beach time in the morning; rest midday to avoid heat.
- Bring sun tents/umbrellas, swim diapers, and quick-dry towels.
- Use life vests for all boat rides and lagoon swims.
- Check jellyfish signage and ask lifeguards about conditions.
Honeymooners
- Pick sunset-friendly beaches (Radhanagar, Laxmanpur 1) and boutique stays.
- Opt for quieter time slots (early morning/late afternoon) for photos and privacy.
- Consider a private guided snorkel/sea walk for a shared first-time experience.
Friends/Groups
- Split costs with family cottages or villas; prebook ferries as a group.
- Try adventure add-ons: night kayaking, intro scuba, or a long beach day at Bharatpur.
- Rent scooters on Havelock/Neil for short hops; ride safely with helmets.
FAQs
Q: Which beaches are safest for toddlers in Andaman?
A: Bharatpur Beach (Neil) and Govind Nagar Beach (Havelock) have typically calm, shallow lagoons. Corbyn’s Cove (Port Blair) is also good for short, supervised dips. Always check the day’s flags and local advice.
Q: Can kids try snorkelling or scuba in Andaman?
A: Yes. Guided shore snorkelling is suitable for confident swimmers using life vests. Most operators allow “try dives” for ages 10+ (with medical screening). Younger children can enjoy glass-bottom boats instead.
Q: Is monsoon a good time for a family beach holiday?
A: Beaches are lush and quiet, but seas can be rough and many water activities pause. If water sports are a priority, visit November–April. If you go in monsoon, plan museum visits, short beach walks, and buffer days for ferry changes.
Q: Do foreigners need special permits for Havelock and Neil?
A: Currently, most travelers do not need Restricted Area Permits for Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), or Neil (Shaheed Dweep). Carry your passport/ID, and note that certain islands and all tribal reserves remain off-limits. Rules can change—check official advisories before travel.
Q: Are jellyfish or marine stingers a concern?
A: They can appear seasonally. Wear rash guards, follow lifeguard advice, and avoid swimming where warning signs are posted. First-aid posts often have vinegar for mild stings.
Conclusion
For families, the Andaman Islands deliver calm lagoons, soft sands, and easy-going days. Center your plans around Govind Nagar and Radhanagar in Havelock, Bharatpur in Neil, and Corbyn’s Cove in Port Blair for the most child-friendly beach time, add glass-bottom rides and gentle snorkelling, and keep an eye on tides and flags. With smart pacing and early bookings, an Andaman beach holiday can be both relaxing and unforgettable for all ages.
