The Complete Andaman Islands Guide: Beaches, Diving, and India's Tropical Paradise
The Complete Andaman Islands Guide: Beaches, Diving, and India's Tropical Paradise
The Andaman Islands are 1,200 km from mainland India, sitting in the Bay of Bengal closer to Myanmar than to Chennai. Pristine coral reefs, white-sand beaches, colonial history, and some of India's best diving — all in a union territory that most Indians haven't visited.
Overview
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise 572 islands, of which about 37 are open to tourists. The main tourist triangle is Port Blair (capital), Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). Nicobar Islands are off-limits to tourists.
Best Time to Visit
October to May: Dry season. Calm seas, best diving visibility (20-30m), reliable ferries. December-January is peak.
June to September: Monsoon. Heavy rain, rough seas, ferry cancellations, most water activities suspended. Avoid.
Getting There
By air: Direct flights to Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair (IXZ) from:
- Chennai (2 hours, most frequent, INR 4,000-8,000)
- Delhi (5-6 hours, usually via Chennai/Kolkata)
- Kolkata (2 hours, INR 5,000-10,000)
- Bengaluru (2.5 hours)
By sea: Ships from Chennai and Kolkata take 3-4 days. Only for the truly adventurous. INR 2,000-6,000 depending on class.
Permits
Indian nationals: No permit needed. Foreign nationals: Free 30-day Restricted Area Permit (RAP) issued on arrival at Port Blair airport. Covers Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, and most tourist islands. Carry passport at all times.
Off-limits: North Sentinel Island (home of the uncontacted Sentinelese), most Nicobar Islands.
Where to Stay
Port Blair
- Budget: INR 800-1,500/night
- Mid-range: INR 2,000-5,000
- Base yourself near Aberdeen Bazaar for convenience
Havelock Island
- Budget: INR 1,000-2,000
- Mid-range: INR 3,000-6,000
- Luxury: Barefoot at Havelock (INR 15,000-30,000), Taj Exotica (INR 25,000-40,000)
- Stay near Beach No. 5 or Beach No. 3 for easy access to activities
Neil Island
- Budget: INR 800-1,500
- Mid-range: INR 2,000-4,000
- Quieter, less developed — ideal for the second island stop
What to Do
Port Blair
- Cellular Jail: Colonial prison, entry INR 200 foreigners. Sound-and-light show 6 PM (English) and 7:15 PM (Hindi). Closed Mondays. Allow 2-3 hours.
- Ross Island: British-era ruins overtaken by jungle and deer. Ferry INR 150 return. Closed Wednesdays.
- Anthropological Museum: Free. Small but informative introduction to the islands' indigenous tribes.
Havelock Island
- Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7): 2 km of white sand. Sunset is legendary. Swim in designated areas only. Lifeguards till 5 PM.
- Scuba diving: PADI courses and discovery dives. Barracuda City, The Wall, and Aquarium are top sites. INR 4,000-6,000 per discovery dive.
- Elephant Beach: Snorkeling paradise. Boat (INR 600-1,000 return) or 40-minute forest trek. Gear rental INR 300-500.
- Bioluminescence: Moonless nights, Dec-Feb. Some beaches glow blue from plankton. No flashlights. Check conditions with dive shops.
Neil Island
- Natural rock bridge (Howrah Bridge): Erosion-formed rock arch. Low-tide access only.
- Laxmanpur Beach: Best sunset on Neil.
- Bharatpur Beach: Snorkeling from shore.
- Cycle the island (INR 200/day rental). 3 hours covers everything.
Inter-Island Transport
| Route | Government Ferry | Private Catamaran |
|---|---|---|
| Port Blair → Havelock | INR 400-600, 2.5h | INR 1,000-1,800, 1.5h |
| Havelock → Neil | INR 400, 1h | INR 700-1,200, 45min |
| Neil → Port Blair | INR 400-600, 2h | INR 1,000-1,500, 1.5h |
Private operators: Makruzz and Green Ocean. Book 2-3 days ahead at makruzz.com. Carry seasickness medication.
Food
Fresh seafood is the highlight. Fish thali at local restaurants: INR 200-350. Grilled lobster at beachside shacks: INR 500-1,000. The seafood is caught daily and cooked simply.
Andaman is pricier than mainland India due to import costs. Budget INR 400-800/day for food.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Budget/Day | Mid-Range/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Stay | INR 1,000-2,000 | INR 3,000-6,000 |
| Food | INR 300-600 | INR 600-1,200 |
| Transport | INR 200-500 | INR 500-1,500 |
| Activities | INR 300-1,000 | INR 2,000-6,000 |
| Total | INR 1,800-4,100 | INR 6,100-14,700 |
Safety
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.
- Swim only at beaches with lifeguards. Radhanagar has rip currents.
- Box jellyfish present Nov-May. Wear a rash guard.
- Never touch coral. It's alive and protected.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen only (no oxybenzone).
- No collecting shells, coral, or sand. Punishable by fine.
- No drones without permission.
- Carry SPF 50+ — equatorial sun is severe.
- Never approach North Sentinel Island. It's illegal and dangerous.
Planning around the calendar? See our seasonal guide to Andaman Islands.
For insider tips, read our Andaman Islands travel tips.
Packing Essentials
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Rash guard for snorkeling/diving
- Waterproof phone case
- Cash (INR 10,000-15,000 minimum)
- Seasickness medication
- Insect repellent
- Quick-dry clothing
