Andaman Islands in Peak Season: October to May Is When the Magic Happens
Andaman Islands in Peak Season: October to May Is When the Magic Happens
The Andaman Islands have two modes: accessible and inaccessible. From October to May, the seas are calm, visibility for diving hits 20-30 meters, ferries run on schedule, and Radhanagar Beach earns its "Asia's best" reputation every sunset.
From June to September, the monsoon turns the Bay of Bengal into a washing machine. Ferries cancel. Dive shops close. Beaches get battered. The islands are technically open but practically hostile.
This guide is about the good months.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
October-November: The Opening Monsoon receding. Seas calming. Visibility improving to 15-20m. Hotels reopening after seasonal closure. Prices are at their lowest for the season. Weather is warm (25-30°C) with occasional late rain. Great for budget travelers who don't mind a little uncertainty.
December-January: Peak Peak Season The best weather. Calm seas, 25-30m dive visibility, almost no rain, temperatures 24-30°C. But: highest prices, fully booked ferries, and Radhanagar at sunset looks like a flash mob. Book everything — hotels, ferries, dive courses — 4-6 weeks ahead. Christmas/New Year week is peak of peak.
This is also prime time for bioluminescence. On moonless nights (new moon period), certain beaches glow electric blue from plankton. Best Dec-Feb. Ask local dive shops for current conditions.
February-March: The Sweet Spot Still excellent weather. Crowds thin slightly after New Year. Dive visibility remains strong. Prices drop 10-20% from December. Water temperature is perfect for snorkeling without a wetsuit. My favorite window.
April-May: The Closing Temperatures climb (28-33°C). Humidity increases. Pre-monsoon showers start in late May. The sea is still diveable but visibility drops to 10-15m. Hotels offer 20-40% discounts. Good for budget travelers who handle heat.
Diving by Season
| Month | Visibility | Water Temp | Best Sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct-Nov | 15-20m | 27-29°C | Barracuda City, The Wall |
| Dec-Feb | 20-30m | 26-28°C | Aquarium, Dixon's Pinnacle |
| Mar-Apr | 15-25m | 28-30°C | Johnny's Gorge, Lighthouse |
| May | 10-15m | 29-31°C | Sheltered sites only |
PADI Open Water course: INR 25,000-35,000 over 3 days. Discovery dive for beginners: INR 4,000-6,000 per dive. Dive India and Barefoot Scuba on Havelock are reputable operators.
The Essential Itinerary
Day 1-2: Port Blair Cellular Jail (INR 200 foreigners, sound-and-light show at 6 PM English), Ross Island (ferry INR 150, atmospheric British-era ruins), and arranging forward travel.
Day 3-5: Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) Radhanagar Beach (free, arrive by 3:30 PM for golden light), Elephant Beach snorkeling (boat INR 600-1,000 return), and diving. Stay minimum 2 nights — 3 is better.
Day 6: Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) Quieter, less developed. Cycle the entire island in 3 hours (rental INR 200/day). Laxmanpur Beach sunset, Bharatpur Beach snorkeling, natural rock bridge formation.
Day 7: Return to Port Blair Last shopping at Aberdeen Bazaar. Flight out.
Pricing by Season
| Category | Oct-Nov | Dec-Jan | Feb-Mar | Apr-May |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget stay | INR 1,000 | INR 2,000 | INR 1,500 | INR 1,000 |
| Mid-range | INR 3,000 | INR 6,000 | INR 4,500 | INR 3,000 |
| Luxury | INR 12,000 | INR 25,000 | INR 18,000 | INR 10,000 |
| Makruzz ferry | INR 1,200 | INR 1,800 | INR 1,500 | INR 1,200 |
| Dive (discovery) | INR 4,000 | INR 5,500 | INR 5,000 | INR 4,000 |
Cash Warning
ATMs on Havelock and Neil run out of cash frequently, especially weekends and holidays. SBI ATM at Havelock is the most reliable. Carry INR 10,000-15,000 in cash when leaving Port Blair. Many dive shops and boat operators are cash-only.
Booking Strategy
Ferries: Makruzz and Green Ocean catamarans (Port Blair to Havelock, 1.5 hours, INR 1,000-1,800) sell out 2-3 days ahead in peak season. Book at makruzz.com or andamantrunk.com immediately after confirming flights.
Combine the Andaman's beaches with Kerala's backwaters for India's ultimate tropical itinerary.
If the Andaman feels remote, Goa offers a more accessible beach alternative on the mainland.
Flights: Chennai to Port Blair is the cheapest and most frequent route (2 hours, INR 4,000-8,000). Also direct from Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for December.
For more practical details, check out our complete guide to Andaman Islands.
For insider tips, read our Andaman Islands travel tips.
Hotels: Barefoot at Havelock and Taj Exotica book out months ahead for Christmas week. For mid-range, try Havelock Island Beach Resort or Symphony Palms. Budget stays are easier to find but still book ahead.
The Andaman in peak season is India's best tropical experience. But it requires planning — this isn't a show-up-and-figure-it-out destination. Book early, carry cash, and give yourself at least 5 nights.
