Skip to content
Mangrove trees standing in white sand and turquoise shallows
All Destinations
Bay of BengalBeaches, diving, honeymoons

Andaman Islands

Tropical beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a rich colonial history set amidst a stunning archipelago.

Overview

About Andaman Islands

The Andaman & Nicobar archipelago is a chain of more than 500 emerald islands strung along the Bay of Bengal, closer to Southeast Asia than mainland India. Blessed with powder-white coral beaches, untouched tropical rainforests, and some of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet, Andaman represents India's premier tropical island escape.

What makes Andaman truly unmatched is the seamless contrast across its landscapes: a reverent morning exploring the historic corridors of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, followed by an afternoon cruising on a high-speed catamaran across turquoise channels to Havelock, descending 10 metres below the sea surface alongside manta rays and vibrant coral reefs.

Distances across the islands are dictated entirely by the ocean. Private catamarans and ferries connect the main hubs — Port Blair, Swaraj Dweep (Havelock), Shaheed Dweep (Neil), and Baratang. Every itinerary is thoughtfully scheduled around ferry timings and tide windows for the ultimate island-hopping journey.

Trip Highlights at a Glance

Radhanagar Beach at sunset
Scuba diving at Elephant Beach
Cellular Jail Light & Sound Show
Limestone caves at Baratang

Quick Facts

Union Territory

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Capital & Airport

Port Blair · Veer Savarkar Int'l (IXZ)

Primary Islands

Port Blair · Havelock · Neil · Baratang

Ideal Duration

4 Nights / 5 Days to 7 Nights / 8 Days

Languages

Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, English

Entry Permits

No permits needed for Indian nationals

Currency

Indian Rupee (₹) · Cash recommended outside Port Blair

Island Transit

Private Catamarans (Makruzz / Nautika) & AC Cabs

Island-by-Island Guide

Top Places to Visit in Andaman Islands

Explore the unique personality, attractions, and beaches across each key island hub in the archipelago.

The Historical Gateway & Cultural Capital

Port Blair (South Andaman)

The arrival hub of the islands, where national heritage sits alongside coral islands, sunset headlands and the gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

Cellular Jail (National Memorial)Historical Monument

Cellular Jail (National Memorial)

The colonial prison that held India's freedom fighters in solitary confinement. Three of the seven wings survive, alongside the gallows, the museum galleries and the evening Light & Sound show.

  • Freedom fighters memorial
  • Evening Light & Sound show
  • Central watchtower panorama
Explore Cellular Jail
Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep)Heritage Island

Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep)

A twenty-minute boat ride from Port Blair, the former British administrative capital now stands as roofless ruins held together by banyan roots, with spotted deer and peacocks on the old streets.

  • Colonial church & bakery ruins
  • Free-roaming spotted deer
  • Japanese wartime bunkers
Explore Ross Island
North Bay IslandWater Sports Hub

North Bay Island

The lighthouse on the back of the ₹20 note sits on this headland, and the reef below it is where most visitors do their first sea walk, snorkel or glass-bottom boat ride.

  • Underwater sea walking
  • Semi-submarine coral safari
  • The ₹20 note lighthouse
Explore North Bay Island
Corbyn's Cove BeachCity Beach

Corbyn's Cove Beach

The closest beach to Port Blair town, a palm-fringed crescent reached by a coastal drive, with jet skis off the sand and Japanese wartime bunkers in the trees behind it.

  • Jet ski & banana rides
  • Seaside cafes and shacks
  • Ten minutes from town
Explore Corbyn's Cove Beach
Chidiya Tapu (Sunset Point)Nature & Birdwatching

Chidiya Tapu (Sunset Point)

Bird island, 25 km south of Port Blair, with mangrove forest, a biological park, the Munda Pahar cliff walk and the cleanest sunset horizon in South Andaman.

  • Best sunset in South Andaman
  • Munda Pahar beach walk
  • Endemic birdlife at dawn
Explore Chidiya Tapu
Wandoor Beach & Marine National ParkBeach & Park Gateway

Wandoor Beach & Marine National Park

A wild, driftwood-strewn beach an hour from Port Blair, and the permit office and jetty for every boat into the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

  • Tsunami driftwood shoreline
  • Marine park permit office
  • Boats to Jolly Buoy & Red Skin
Explore Wandoor Beach & Marine National Park
Jolly Buoy IslandProtected Coral Island

Jolly Buoy Island

An uninhabited island inside the Marine National Park with the best-preserved shallow coral in South Andaman. Open roughly November to mid-May, and strictly plastic-free.

  • Live coral gardens
  • Glass-bottom boat & snorkelling
  • No plastic, no motor sports
Explore Jolly Buoy Island
Red Skin IslandProtected Coral Island

Red Skin Island

Jolly Buoy's twin inside the same national park, open for the half of the year Jolly Buoy rests — the same live coral and the same rules, with far fewer people.

  • Open May to October
  • Gentle close-in reef
  • Almost no visitors
Explore Red Skin Island
Mount Harriet (Mount Manipur National Park)National Park & Viewpoint

Mount Harriet (Mount Manipur National Park)

The highest point in South Andaman at 365 m, with the harbour view engraved on the ₹20 note, dense evergreen forest and the 16 km Kala Pathar trek down to Madhuban.

  • The ₹20 note viewpoint
  • Kala Pathar forest trek
  • Exceptional butterfly diversity
Explore Mount Harriet
Viper IslandHistorical Ruins

Viper Island

The penal settlement's first jail and its brick gallows, on a small island in Port Blair harbour — the punishment station used for decades before the Cellular Jail was built.

  • Pre-Cellular Jail ruins
  • The old gallows platform
  • Quiet harbour views
Explore Viper Island

The half-day city circuit

City Points & Museums (Port Blair)

The museums, markets and waterfront points that fill the afternoon of a Port Blair sightseeing day. Almost all of them close one fixed day a week, and the days differ — check before you plan around them.

Samudrika Naval Marine MuseumMuseum

Samudrika Naval Marine Museum

The Navy's five-gallery introduction to the archipelago — geography, peoples, archaeology, marine life and corals. The best hour you can spend before going near the reef.

  • Five themed galleries
  • Live reef aquarium
  • Blue whale skeleton
Explore Samudrika Naval Marine Museum
Anthropological MuseumMuseum

Anthropological Museum

A serious, quietly excellent museum on the six indigenous peoples of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, and on why the protected reserves are protected.

  • Tools, canoes and shelter models
  • Historic survey photography
  • Context for the Trunk Road rules
Explore Anthropological Museum
Fisheries Museum (Rajiv Gandhi Aquarium)Aquarium

Fisheries Museum (Rajiv Gandhi Aquarium)

A compact government aquarium near Marina Park holding around 350 species of fish, coral and shells from Andaman, Nicobar and Indian coastal waters.

  • Around 350 marine species
  • Large shell collection
  • Thirty minutes, very cheap
Explore Fisheries Museum
Chatham Saw Mill & Forest MuseumIndustrial Heritage

Chatham Saw Mill & Forest Museum

Working since 1883 on its own island across a short bridge — one of Asia's oldest sawmills, with a forest museum of giant hardwood sections and a Second World War bomb crater.

  • Giant padauk cross-sections
  • WWII Japanese bomb pit
  • Closed Sundays, not Mondays
Explore Chatham Saw Mill & Forest Museum
Science Centre, Port BlairInteractive Museum

Science Centre, Port Blair

Hands-on galleries with an ocean section covering island formation, reefs and the 2004 tsunami. The best rainy-afternoon option in town with children.

  • Ocean & tsunami gallery
  • Hands-on physics exhibits
  • Outdoor science park
Explore Science Centre, Port Blair
Sagarika Government EmporiumHandicrafts

Sagarika Government Emporium

The Administration's own handicraft emporium — shell craft, padauk carving, cane work and pearl jewellery at fixed prices, with the provenance that keeps it legal to carry home.

  • Fixed government pricing
  • Padauk & shell craft
  • Lawful provenance on curios
Explore Sagarika Government Emporium
Marina Park, Gandhi Park & Aberdeen BazaarCity Points

Marina Park, Gandhi Park & Aberdeen Bazaar

The harbour promenade, the memorial park above it and the town's main market — where Port Blair spends its evenings, and where you sort a SIM card and cash before island-hopping.

  • Waterfront promenade at dusk
  • SIM cards, cash and chemists
  • Evening seafood stalls
Explore Marina Park, Gandhi Park & Aberdeen Bazaar
Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports ComplexJetty & Water Sports

Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex

The Marina Park waterfront complex that serves as the departure jetty for every Ross Island and North Bay boat, and as Port Blair's own water-sports centre.

  • Ross & North Bay departures
  • Jet ski and speedboat rides
  • Central on the waterfront
Explore Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex

Asia's Finest Beaches & Scuba Epicentre

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

The crown jewel of Andaman tourism — Radhanagar's white sand, live reef at Elephant Beach, the archipelago's dive centres and the mangrove creeks where the bioluminescence kayaking runs.

Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7)Asia's #1 Beach

Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7)

Two kilometres of powder-white sand backed by mahua forest, named Asia's best beach by Time in 2004 and Blue Flag certified since 2020. Lifeguarded, and no motorised sports by design.

  • Blue Flag certified sands
  • The best sunset in the islands
  • Safe, lifeguarded swimming
Explore Radhanagar Beach
Elephant BeachWater Sports Capital

Elephant Beach

Reached by a 20-minute speedboat or a 2 km forest trek, with live coral a few metres offshore. Havelock's snorkelling, sea walking, parasailing and jet skiing all happen here.

  • Live coral close to shore
  • Parasailing & sea walk
  • Rainforest trek option
Explore Elephant Beach
Kalapathar BeachSunrise & Serenity

Kalapathar Beach

Black rock outcrops against aquamarine water on Havelock's east coast, reached by the island's prettiest coastal ride. The sunrise beach, and usually empty at that hour.

  • Black rock formations
  • Havelock's best sunrise
  • Quiet coastal ride out
Explore Kalapathar Beach
Vijaynagar Beach (Beach No. 5)Resort Coastline

Vijaynagar Beach (Beach No. 5)

A long, mahua-shaded, very shallow beach on the east coast where most of Havelock's beachfront resorts and dive centres sit. The sensible place to base yourself.

  • Mahua shade the whole length
  • Shallow, calm water
  • Dive centres on the doorstep
Explore Vijaynagar Beach
Govind Nagar Beach (Beach No. 3)Village & Kayaking

Govind Nagar Beach (Beach No. 3)

The beach fronting Havelock's village — market, ATMs, dive shops and rentals behind it, and the mangrove creeks where the bioluminescence night kayaking launches.

  • Bioluminescence night kayaks
  • Village market & ATMs
  • Cheapest eating on the island
Explore Govind Nagar Beach

The Rustic Coral Paradise & Vegetable Bowl

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Small, flat and farmed, Neil is best done by bicycle. Coral lagoons beside the jetty, a tidal rock arch at the northern tip, and sunrise and sunset beaches at either end of a five-kilometre island.

Limestone Caves, Mud Volcanoes & Mangrove Creeks

Baratang & Middle Andaman

A pre-dawn convoy up the Andaman Trunk Road, a speedboat through a mangrove tunnel and the strangest geology in the islands. Photography and stopping are prohibited by law where the road crosses the Jarawa Tribal Reserve.

Baratang Limestone CavesPrehistoric Caves

Baratang Limestone Caves

Stalactite and stalagmite chambers in the forest behind Baratang, reached by convoy drive, vehicle ferry, a speedboat through a closed-canopy mangrove creek and a 1.2 km walk.

  • Mangrove creek speedboat
  • Limestone formations
  • Forest and plantation walk
Explore Baratang Limestone Caves
Baratang Mud VolcanoGeological Wonder

Baratang Mud Volcano

One of very few accessible mud volcanoes in India — cool grey slurry pushed up by natural gas through low craters on a bald clay plateau, ten minutes from the caves jetty.

  • Bubbling mud vents
  • Short boardwalk approach
  • Rare accessible geology
Explore Baratang Mud Volcano
Parrot IslandSunset Bird Roost

Parrot Island

An uninhabited mangrove island where thousands of parakeets return to roost at dusk. Seeing it means staying the night at Baratang — the day-trip convoy leaves too early.

  • Thousands of roosting parakeets
  • Watched from an anchored boat
  • Requires an overnight stay
Explore Parrot Island
Baludera BeachQuiet Beach

Baludera Beach

Baratang's own beach — shallow, calm, forest-backed, with a small park and picnic shelters, and almost nobody on it. What to do with an afternoon if you are staying over.

  • Shallow, safe water
  • Picnic shelters and shade
  • Empty on most days
Explore Baludera Beach
Amkunj Beach (Rangat)Eco Park

Amkunj Beach (Rangat)

A Forest Department eco-park 8 km from Rangat with walkways, shelters and sculpture built from driftwood the 2004 tsunami left on this coast. The right stop on the drive north.

  • Tsunami driftwood sculpture
  • Shaded walkways and shelters
  • Halfway on the Diglipur run
Explore Amkunj Beach
Dhani Nallah Mangrove WalkwayNature Walk & Turtles

Dhani Nallah Mangrove Walkway

A kilometre of raised boardwalk through closed-canopy mangrove near Rangat, ending on a beach where all four Andaman sea turtle species nest between December and February.

  • 1 km mangrove boardwalk
  • Four turtle species nest here
  • Forest Department hatchery
Explore Dhani Nallah Mangrove Walkway

Sandbars, Turtle Beaches & the Archipelago's Highest Peak

North Andaman (Diglipur & Mayabunder)

Twelve hours up the Trunk Road or an overnight ferry from Port Blair. Almost nobody on a short itinerary gets here, which is exactly why the water is clear and the beaches are empty.

Adventures & Water Activities

Thrilling Ocean Experiences

From beginner-friendly subsea walks to professional scuba diving and high-altitude parasailing over live coral reefs.

Must Try

Scuba Diving (Shore & Boat Dives)

Havelock Island (Elephant / Nemo Reef) & North Bay

Explore world-class coral gardens, clownfish, turtles, and sea rays accompanied 1-on-1 by certified PADI dive instructors. Includes safety briefing, underwater photoshoot, and HD video.

Non-Swimmers & Swimmers (Age 10+)
Popular

Underwater Sea Walk

North Bay Island & Elephant Beach (Havelock)

Walk effortlessly on the seabed at 5-7 meters depth using a specialised surface-fed air helmet. Your hair and face stay completely dry — no swimming skills required.

Non-Swimmers & Families
Thrilling

Tandem Parasailing

Elephant Beach & Corbyn's Cove

Soar 200 feet above the turquoise ocean harnessed to a high-speed speedboat with a safety parachute. Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree aerial views of island coastlines.

All Adventure Seekers
Classic

Snorkeling on Live Reefs

Elephant Beach, Bharatpur Beach & Jolly Buoy

Equipped with mask, snorkel, and life vest, float over vibrant coral shelves teeming with parrotfish, butterflyfish, and sea anemones with personal guide support.

All Ages & Beginners
Family Friendly

Semi-Submarine Coral Safari

Port Blair (North Bay / Coral Safari)

Cruise inside an air-conditioned underwater viewing cabin with large 45-degree angled glass windows, observing deep marine life and coral formations without getting wet.

Ideal for Seniors & Toddlers
High Energy

Jet Skiing & Speed Boat Rides

Corbyn's Cove, North Bay, Bharatpur & Elephant Beach

Power across ocean swells on powerful watercraft operated with an experienced instructor, feeling the rush of sea breeze and splash across crystal waters.

Adults & Teens
Exclusive

Mangrove Night & Day Kayaking

Havelock Island (Govindnagar Mangrove Creeks)

Paddle tandem sea kayaks through serene mangrove channels. On new-moon nights, witness magical bioluminescence where every paddle stroke sparkles in the water.

Nature Enthusiasts & Couples
Relaxing

Glass Bottom Boat Rides

Bharatpur Beach (Neil), North Bay & Jolly Buoy

Glaze over colorful coral heads and marine ecosystems through transparent acrylic floor panels under the guidance of local boat captains.

All Ages & Families

Island Hopping Logistics

Inter-Island Catamarans & Ferries

High-speed private catamarans connect Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island daily. All our packages include pre-confirmed ferry seats.

Nautika & Nautika Pride

High Speed (1.5 hrs)

Port Blair ⇄ Havelock ⇄ Neil Island

Twin ultra-modern catamarans built with Australian marine standards, luxurious plush seating, panoramic windows, and smooth motion stabilization.

Makruzz (Gold & Pearl)

High Speed (1.5 hrs)

Port Blair ⇄ Havelock ⇄ Neil Island

The pioneer of private passenger transfers in Andaman with three travel classes (Premium, Deluxe, Royal), on-board kiosk, and reliable daily sailings.

Green Ocean 1 & 2

Standard High Speed (1.75 - 2 hrs)

Port Blair ⇄ Havelock ⇄ Neil Island

The only private ferry featuring an open upper deck where travelers can enjoy fresh sea breeze, music, and open-air ocean photography during transit.

ITT Majestic & Govt Ferries

2 - 2.5 hrs

Port Blair ⇄ Havelock ⇄ Neil ⇄ Baratang ⇄ Diglipur

Reliable inter-island transport vessels operating across primary routes and connecting outer island destinations such as Rangat and Diglipur.

Best Time to Visit

Climate & Seasons Guide

Peak Settled Season (Best Time)October – February

Temp: 22°C – 30°C · Sea: Calm & Crystal Clear

Pleasant tropical breezes, calm azure seas, and optimal underwater visibility. Ideal for all water sports, island hopping, and beach leisure. December and January are peak holiday weeks.

Warm & Clear (Great for Diving)March – May

Temp: 25°C – 34°C · Sea: Flat & Highly Visible

Warm sunny days with exceptionally flat seas and top-tier underwater visibility up to 25 meters. A quieter, cost-effective period for dive enthusiasts and photographers.

Monsoon Season (Lush & Dramatic)June – September

Temp: 24°C – 29°C · Sea: Occasional Swells & Rain

The rainforests turn intensely green with dramatic tropical skies. Rain falls in passing spells. Ideal for budget travelers and nature lovers seeking uncrowded serenity.

Travel Logistics

How You Reach Andaman Islands

01

By Air (Fastest & Most Popular)

Direct flights to Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) in Port Blair operate daily from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Flight times range between 2 to 4 hours.

02

Inter-Island Catamarans

Private luxury catamarans (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean) connect Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) in 60 to 90 minutes. Advance seat booking is highly recommended.

03

Road & Ferry Convoys

Travel to Middle & North Andaman (Baratang, Rangat, Diglipur) is conducted via AC tourist cabs and vehicle ferry crossings across the Andaman Trunk Road.

Know Before You Go

Essential Travel Guidelines

  • Carry original Govt Photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / Driving License) at all times — mandatory for ferry boardings and island entry checkpoints.
  • Pre-book inter-island catamarans (Makruzz / Nautika) and scuba diving slots in advance, especially during October to April peak season.
  • Cash is essential on Neil Island and Baratang — while Port Blair and Havelock have working ATMs, digital UPI payments can be intermittent due to remote network bandwidth.
  • Airtel and BSNL provide the most dependable 4G/5G mobile connectivity across Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island.
  • Respect Andaman's fragile ecosystem: avoid stepping on live coral beds, never collect sea shells from beaches (customs penalty at airport), and strictly adhere to zero-plastic guidelines.
  • Foreign passport holders no longer require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for the 30 primary inhabited tourist islands.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A 5 Nights / 6 Days or 6 Nights / 7 Days itinerary is the sweet spot. It allows you to comfortably explore Port Blair (2 Nights), Havelock Island (2 Nights), and Neil Island (1-2 Nights) without rushing.

Curated Itineraries

Featured Tour Packages in Andaman Islands

Fixed-price itineraries with hotels we have stayed in, private transfers throughout, and driving times stated the way they actually run.

Tailor-Made Itineraries

Plan Your Tailor-Made Andaman Islands Journey

Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you actually want out of the trip, and we will build a Andaman Islands itinerary around it — with the driving times stated honestly and nothing hidden under the price.

WhatsApp Expert