Andaman Travel Guide: Beaches, Islands, Diving and Travel Tips

Welcome to our Andaman travel guide. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar than to mainland India. Hundreds of green islands are ringed by white beaches, turquoise water and coral reefs, and only a few are open to visitors. This guide covers the best islands and beaches, things to do, ferries, permits, the best time to visit and how to get there.

The Andaman Islands at a Glance

Here are the key facts in our Andaman travel guide.

• Capital: Sri Vijaya Puram, still widely called Port Blair
• Main islands for visitors: South Andaman (Port Blair), Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep)
• Known for: Radhanagar Beach, scuba diving, snorkelling and the Cellular Jail
• Days needed: five to seven
• Best time: October to May
• Airport: International Airport, Port Blair

History and People

The islands have been home to indigenous peoples such as the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese for thousands of years. Their lands are protected and closed to visitors. In British times, Port Blair became a penal colony, and the Cellular Jail held many freedom fighters. Today people from Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and other states live here, and Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and English are all heard.

Best Islands and Beaches

This part of our Andaman travel guide covers the places most visitors see.

Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram)

Visit the Cellular Jail and its evening light and sound show, Corbyn’s Cove beach, the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum and the Anthropological Museum. Take a boat to Ross Island, the old British headquarters, now Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, with its ruins and deer, and to North Bay for coral and water sports. Watch the sunset at Chidiya Tapu.

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

Havelock is the star of every Andaman travel guide. Radhanagar Beach, also called Beach No. 7, has soft white sand and famous sunsets. Elephant Beach is the place for snorkelling and sea walking, and Kalapathar Beach is quiet and lined with black rocks. Havelock is also India’s top place for scuba diving.

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Small, calm and green, Neil Island is best explored by bicycle. See the Natural Bridge rock arch at low tide, the sunset at Laxmanpur Beach, the sunrise at Sitapur Beach and the shallow coral at Bharatpur Beach.

Baratang Island

Baratang has limestone caves reached by boat through mangrove creeks, and a small mud volcano. The road there passes through a protected tribal reserve, so vehicles travel at set times and stopping or taking photos on the way is not allowed.

Other Islands

Jolly Buoy and Red Skin islands in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Wandoor have clear water and coral; they open in season. Ross and Smith islands near Diglipur are joined by a sandbar. Barren Island, India’s only active volcano, can be seen from a boat on special diving trips, but landing is not allowed.

Things to Do in the Andaman Islands

Our Andaman travel guide lists the best activities:

• Scuba diving: try dives for beginners and courses at Havelock and Neil.
• Snorkelling: Elephant Beach, North Bay, Bharatpur Beach and Jolly Buoy.
• Sea walking and glass-bottom boats: see the coral without swimming.
• Kayaking: through mangrove creeks on Havelock.
• History: the Cellular Jail light and sound show and Ross Island.
• Sunsets: Radhanagar, Laxmanpur and Chidiya Tapu.

Shamrock travel tip: do not touch or stand on coral, use reef-safe sunscreen and never take shells or coral home, which is against the law. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

How to Reach the Andaman Islands

This part of our Andaman travel guide explains how to get there.

By Air

Port Blair airport has direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Delhi, and connecting flights from Mumbai and other cities.

By Ship

Passenger ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, taking about three days, but schedules are not regular. Most visitors fly.

Getting Around: Ferries Between the Islands

Ferries are a key part of any Andaman travel guide. Fast private ferries and government ferries link Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. Port Blair to Havelock takes about two hours, and Havelock to Neil about one hour. Seats sell out in season, so book early, and keep a free day before your flight home in case of weather delays.

Permits and Rules

Every Andaman travel guide must cover permits. Indian citizens do not need a permit for Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. Foreign visitors need a valid Indian visa, and permit and registration rules for some islands can change, so check the latest rules before you travel. Tribal reserves and some islands are closed to everyone.

Best Time to Visit the Andaman Islands

Our Andaman travel guide suggests October to May as the best time, with calm seas and clear water. December to February is the busiest. March to May is warmer but excellent for diving. June to September is the monsoon, with rough seas, fewer ferries and some water sports closed.

Andaman Travel Tips

Before you go, read these tips from our Andaman travel guide.

• Carry cash; ATMs on Havelock and Neil can run out, and some shops do not take cards.
• Mobile signal and internet are weak outside Port Blair.
• Pack light cotton clothes, swimwear, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Do not fly within 24 hours after a scuba dive.

Andaman Travel Guide FAQs

How many days do I need in the Andamans?

Five to seven days are enough for Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island.

Which is better, Havelock or Neil?

Havelock has the famous beaches and diving; Neil is quieter and slower. Most visitors see both.

Can I use credit cards in the Andamans?

Yes, in most hotels and larger shops in Port Blair and Havelock, but carry cash for small places.

What languages are spoken?

Hindi is the main language, with Bengali, Tamil and English also common.

Is the Andaman Islands good for families?

Yes. The beaches are calm, the ferries are short and there are easy activities for all ages.

Ready-Made Andaman Tours

If you want us to plan everything, these private tours include ferries, hotels and transfers. See all our Andaman tour packages.

• 6-day Amazing Andaman Islands tour: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island: the classic Andaman 5 nights 6 days package.
• 7-day Mesmerizing Andaman Islands tour: more time on Havelock for beaches, snorkelling and diving.
• 8-day Captivating Andaman Islands tour: adds Baratang’s limestone caves and mangrove creeks.
• 10-day Andaman Taj Mahal tour: the islands with Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Plan Your Andaman Trip

We hope this Andaman travel guide helps you plan. Combine the islands with the Taj Mahal on our Golden Triangle tour, see our cultural tours of India, our honeymoon packages and all our India tour packages. Request your free quote

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