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The 2026 ranking of every beach worth your time, mapped so you can plan.
The best beaches in Andaman run from the white sand of Radhanagar on Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) to the black volcanic shore of Kala Pathar and the quiet coves of Neil (Shaheed Dweep). Andaman’s single most famous beach is Radhanagar, which Time magazine named Asia’s best beach back in 2004, and it is still the one most trips are built around. Below we rank the top 25 for 2026, then map every beach island by island, so you can match the right stretch of sand to swimming, snorkelling, sunsets or seclusion and turn the list into a real itinerary.
Key Takeaways
- Radhanagar (Havelock) is the best beach overall for swimming and sunsets. Elephant Beach is the water-sports and snorkelling hub.
- Fly into Port Blair (Veer Savarkar International, code IXZ). Corbyn’s Cove, 7 km from town, is the easy first-afternoon swim.
- For a Port Blair day trip, pair Chidiya Tapu (sunset), North Bay (coral and water sports) and Jolly Buoy (marine-park snorkelling).
- Go November to April for calm seas and reliable water sports. Skip late-May to September, when the monsoon suspends ferries and rides.
- Indian nationals need no permit for the main beaches. A few protected spots (Ross & Smith, Jolly Buoy) need a forest or park permit.
Best Beaches in Andaman
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All 25 Beaches in Andaman & Nicobar, Island by Island
Here is every beach worth planning around, grouped by the island it sits on so you can build the trip in the order you would actually travel it. Start in Port Blair, move out to Havelock and Neil, and add the northern islands only if you have the days to spare.
Top 5 Best Beaches in Andaman (Ranked, 2026)
These five are the consensus headliners, ranked on what travellers actually decide on: water clarity, swimming safety, crowds and how easy each is to reach.
- Radhanagar Beach (Havelock / Swaraj Dweep), best overall. A kilometre of powder-white sand backed by forest, calm enough for long swims at the right tide and famous for its sunsets. It is 12 km (about 20 minutes) from the Havelock jetty. Aim to be there by late afternoon.
- Elephant Beach (Havelock / Swaraj Dweep), best for water sports and snorkelling. Shallow, coral-fringed water and the island’s main snorkelling and sea-walk hub, reached by a 20 to 30 minute boat ride or a 2.5 km forest trek. Boats stop running around noon, so pre-book a day ahead. Entry runs roughly ₹500 to ₹800.
- Kala Pathar Beach (Havelock / Swaraj Dweep), best for a quiet escape. Named for the dark rocks along its shore and far less crowded than Radhanagar. Better for sunbathing, long walks and photos than for swimming, and it is 12 km from the jetty.
- Corbyn’s Cove Beach (Port Blair), best for arrival day. The closest swim-and-water-sports beach to Port Blair, 7 km (a 15-minute drive) from town. Coconut-lined and easy to reach the day you land, with seakart, jet-ski and speedboat rides on the sand.
- Laxmanpur Beach (Neil / Shaheed Dweep), best for sunsets and seclusion. A long, shallow, low-tide beach known for its natural rock formations and the best sunset viewpoint on Neil. It is about 2 km from the jetty and quieter than the Havelock headliners.
Honourable mentions: Bharatpur and Vijaynagar for easy swimming, Wandoor as the gateway to Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Sitapur for sunrises, and the Diglipur and Long Island beaches for true seclusion. All 25 are mapped by island below.
Best Beaches in Andaman: Quick Comparison
A fast way to match a beach to what you want from the day. All of these rank best from November to April, when the seas are calm and the skies clear.
| Beach | Island | Best for | Famous for | Best season |
| Radhanagar | Havelock | Swimming & sunsets | Time 2004 ‘Asia’s best beach’ | Nov to Apr |
| Elephant | Havelock | Water sports & snorkelling | Coral reefs, sea walking | Nov to Apr |
| Kala Pathar | Havelock | Quiet walks & photos | Dark-rock shoreline | Nov to Apr |
| Corbyn’s Cove | Port Blair | Arrival-day swim | Closest beach to Port Blair (7 km) | Nov to Apr |
| Chidiya Tapu | Port Blair | Sunset & birdwatching | Sunset point, Munda Pahad trek | Nov to Apr |
| North Bay | Port Blair | Coral & water sports | Lighthouse on the old ₹20 note | Nov to Apr |
| Jolly Buoy | Port Blair | Marine-park snorkelling | Plastic-free coral island | Nov to mid-May |
| Laxmanpur | Neil | Sunsets & seclusion | Rock formations, sunset point | Nov to Apr |
| Bharatpur | Neil | Families & easy swimming | Shallow lagoon, glass-bottom boats | Nov to Apr |
| Wandoor | Port Blair | Marine-park day trip | Gateway to MG Marine NP | Nov to Apr |
25 Best Beaches - Ranked In Andaman
01
Best Beaches in Port Blair
Port Blair is the arrival point and the base for a cluster of half-day and day-trip beaches you can reach without an overnight ferry. If you only have your first or last day here, this is the group to work through.
| Beach | Best for | How to reach | Entry / permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corbyn’s Cove | Arrival-day swim | 7 km by road from town | Free |
| Chidiya Tapu | Sunset & birdwatching | 25 km by road, south tip | Free |
| North Bay | Coral & water sports | 15-20 min boat from Aberdeen Jetty | Boat fare |
| Wandoor | Marine-park gateway | 30 km by road, then boat | Small park entry |
| Jolly Buoy | Snorkelling in the marine park | Boat from Wandoor jetty | Forest permit + eco-fee |
Corbyn’s Cove is the quick, coconut-lined swim 7 km from town, best on arrival day. Chidiya Tapu, 25 km south at the tip of South Andaman, is the sunset-and-birdwatching beach (chidiya means bird), with the short Munda Pahad trek behind it for a viewpoint over the water. North Bay, a 15 to 20 minute boat ride from Aberdeen Jetty, is the coral-and-water-sports stop, its lighthouse the one printed on the old ₹20 note, and it is usually combined with Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island) on the same boat ticket. Wandoor, 30 km from town, is the gateway to Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, and from its jetty boats run to Jolly Buoy, a plastic-free coral island where the snorkelling and glass-bottom boat rides are the best near Port Blair. Jolly Buoy opens roughly from November to mid-May (it alternates seasonally with nearby Red Skin Island) and needs a park permit and a small eco-fee, both issued at the Wandoor counter. Because it protects live coral, plastic is not allowed ashore.
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02
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Havelock has the strongest line-up in the archipelago and is where most travellers spend the bulk of their trip. Reach it by ferry from Port Blair (about 1.5 to 2 hours by government or private catamaran).
| Beach | Best for | Distance from jetty | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radhanagar | Swimming & sunsets | 12 km (20 min) | Free |
| Elephant | Water sports & snorkelling | Boat, or 2.5 km trek | ₹500-800 |
| Vijaynagar | Calm, shallow swimming | 10 km | Free |
| Kala Pathar | Quiet walks & photos | 12 km | Free |
| Govind Nagar | Coral watching & diving | 8 km | Free |
Radhanagar and Elephant are the two you plan the island around, covered in the ranking above. Vijaynagar, 10 km from the jetty, is the quiet, shallow alternative for a calm swim without the Radhanagar crowd. Kala Pathar, also 12 km out, is for dark-rock scenery and evening walks. Govind Nagar, closer to the jetty at 8 km, is a low-key spot for coral watching, snorkelling and scuba diving.
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03
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
A short ferry from Havelock, Neil is smaller, flatter and slower, and it pairs naturally with Havelock over a Havelock-and-Neil two-island itinerary. Two nights is enough to cover its beaches.
| Beach | Best for | Distance from jetty | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laxmanpur | Sunsets & seclusion | 2 km | Free |
| Sitapur | Sunrise viewing | 3 km | Free |
| Bharatpur | Families & easy swimming | 1 km | Free |
Laxmanpur, covered in the ranking, is the sunset beach with the natural rock arch. Sitapur, at the eastern tip over karst rock, is the one you set an alarm for, since it faces the sunrise. Bharatpur, barely 1 km from the jetty, has a shallow lagoon that suits families and weaker swimmers, plus glass-bottom boats for spotting coral and fish without getting in deep.
Related Tour Packages
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04
Baratang, Diglipur & the Northern Islands
North of the main triangle the beaches turn wild and empty, reached by long road runs up the Andaman Trunk Road or by boat. Add these only if you have eight days or more.
| Beach | Island / area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Baludera | Baratang | Quiet picnics en route to the limestone caves |
| Merk Bay | Baratang (by boat) | White-sand day trip, snorkelling, birdwatching |
| Kalipur | Diglipur | Sea-turtle nesting (Dec-Jan) & the Saddle Peak trek |
| Ross & Smith sandbar | Diglipur | Twin islands linked by a natural sandbar at low tide |
| Lalaji Bay | Long Island | Secluded white-sand bay, dolphin spotting |
| Aam Kunj | Rangat | Landscaped beach park, turtle spotting |
| Karmatang | Mayabunder | Turtle-nesting beach with a coastal-forest park |
| Butler Bay | Little Andaman | The islands’ best-known surf beach |
Kalipur near Diglipur is where four turtle species come ashore to nest, mainly through December and January, and it doubles as the trailhead for Saddle Peak, the highest point in the islands. The Ross & Smith twin islands are joined by a natural sandbar you can walk at low tide, but the crossing sits inside a protected zone: you need a forest permit from the Diglipur Forest Office (₹50 for Indians, ₹500 for foreign nationals), and the office is open 6 am to 2 pm daily except Sunday. Long Island’s Lalaji Bay, reached by boat or a short trek, is the classic secluded bay with eco huts and dolphins offshore. On Little Andaman, Butler Bay is the surf beach that draws board-riders to the far south.
Best Beaches in Andaman for Swimming, Water Sports, Couples & Seclusion
Not every beach in Andaman offers the same experience. Some are perfect for calm swimming, others are known for coral reefs and adventure sports, while a few are ideal for romantic sunsets or complete seclusion. Choosing the right beach based on your travel style can make a big difference to your trip. Below are the best beaches in Andaman, grouped by what they do best, whether you are looking for safe swimming, thrilling water sports, a honeymoon-worthy escape, or quiet stretches of sand far from the crowds.
05
Best for swimming
Radhanagar and Vijaynagar are the safest bets: wide, shallow and relatively current-free at the right tide. Bharatpur’s shallow lagoon on Neil suits families and weaker swimmers. Always check the daily tide and the flag advisory before you get in, and stay out of the water in the monsoon, when currents turn strong.
06
Best for water sports and snorkelling
Elephant Beach is the hub, with snorkelling, sea walking and jet-skiing over shallow coral. Corbyn’s Cove near Port Blair adds jet-ski and speedboat rides on arrival day, North Bay runs glass-bottom boats and scuba over its reef, and Wandoor’s boats reach the coral of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. For a first taste, a banana-boat ride off Corbyn’s Cove or North Bay is the easy, no-experience option.
07
Best for couples
Couples gravitate to Laxmanpur and Sitapur on Neil for sunset and sunrise seclusion, and to Kala Pathar on Havelock for quiet evening walks away from the Radhanagar crowds. The three pair neatly into a Havelock-and-Neil honeymoon route.
08
Most secluded
For real quiet, head north to the Diglipur beaches (Kalipur and the Ross & Smith twin islands) and Long Island’s Lalaji Bay. The long boat or road access is exactly what keeps the crowds away.
How to Plan a Beach-Hopping Trip Across Andaman (Step by Step)
A workable order for a first Andaman trip, built around the ferries rather than the map.
Step 1. Land in Port Blair. Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) is the single gateway. Spend the first afternoon at Corbyn’s Cove, 7 km from town, and keep the evening free for Chidiya Tapu’s sunset if you land early.
Step 2. Ferry to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep). Take a government or private catamaran, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Base yourself here for Radhanagar, Kala Pathar and Vijaynagar.
Step 3. Book Elephant Beach for the morning. Boats stop around noon, so reserve the day before for snorkelling and sea walking, and go early while the water is clear.
Step 4. Ferry across to Neil (Shaheed Dweep). Two nights covers Laxmanpur sunsets, Bharatpur swimming and a Sitapur sunrise, all within a few kilometres of the jetty.
Step 5. Add the northern islands only with time to spare. Diglipur, Long Island and Little Andaman need extra ferries and road travel, so save them for trips of eight days or more. Arrange the Ross & Smith forest permit in advance.
Step 6. Travel in the right window. Aim for November to April for calm seas and clear skies, book ferries early, and avoid late-May to September, when the monsoon brings rough water and frequent water-sports suspensions.
Planning Your Andaman Beach Trip
The permit and marine-park rules on this page are drawn from the Andaman & Nicobar Administration tourism department, which publishes the current entry rules for protected beaches such as the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor, Jolly Buoy and Red Skin) and the Ross & Smith sandbar. Radhanagar’s standing is not just local reputation: Time magazine ranked it Asia’s best beach in 2004, and it has held its place on best-beach lists ever since. Two practical rules decide most Andaman beach days. First, the season: November to April is calm and reliable, while the late-May to September monsoon suspends ferries and water sports. Second, the tide: beaches like Elephant and Bharatpur are shallow and change character between high and low water, so check the daily tide chart before you plan a swim or a boat.
When you are ready to turn this into a booked trip, our Andaman tour packages cover the ferries, island hotels and beach transfers end to end, and the Andaman travel guide has the wider planning detail on getting there, budgets and itineraries.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Beaches in Andaman
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have dozens of beaches across more than 30 inhabited islands, but only a handful are easily visited. This guide ranks and maps the 25 best beaches for travellers, concentrated around Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep) and the northern islands of Diglipur and Long Island.
Radhanagar Beach on Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) is widely regarded as the best beach in Andaman for its white sand, calm water and sunsets — Time magazine named it Asia's best beach in 2004. Elephant Beach follows for water sports and Kala Pathar for a quiet escape. The full ranked top 5 and a comparison table are above.
Radhanagar and Vijaynagar are the safest for swimming — wide, shallow and relatively current-free at the right tide — while Bharatpur's shallow lagoon suits families. Always check the daily tide and flag advisory before entering, and avoid swimming during the monsoon, when seas are rough.
Radhanagar is on Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), about 11–12 km from the Havelock jetty — roughly a 20-minute taxi or auto ride. Reach Havelock first by ferry from Port Blair (about 1.5–2 hours), then drive across to the beach. Aim to arrive before sunset.
Laxmanpur and Sitapur on Neil (Shaheed Dweep) and Kala Pathar on Havelock are the most romantic — quiet, scenic and ideal for sunrise and sunset, away from the busier Radhanagar crowds. They pair naturally with a Havelock–Neil two-island honeymoon itinerary.
November to April is the best time for Andaman's beaches — calm seas, clear skies and reliable water sports. The late-May to September monsoon brings rough seas and frequent water-sports and ferry suspensions, so it is the weakest window for beach time.
For seclusion, head to Long Island's Lalaji Bay and the Diglipur beaches — Kalipur and the Ross & Smith twin islands — in the far north. Long boat or road access keeps the crowds away; the Ross & Smith sandbar needs a forest permit from the Diglipur Forest Office.
Many are, at the right tide — Radhanagar, Vijaynagar and Bharatpur are calm and shallow. But conditions change by tide and season, so follow local lifeguard or flag advisories, swim within marked areas, and stay out of the water during the monsoon months when currents are strong.
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) has the strongest line-up — Radhanagar, Elephant and Kala Pathar — followed by Neil (Shaheed Dweep) for Laxmanpur and Bharatpur. Port Blair's Corbyn's Cove is the most convenient for arrival day, while Diglipur and Long Island reward travellers chasing quiet beaches.
Indian nationals do not need a permit for the main Andaman beaches. A few protected spots have local rules — the Ross & Smith twin islands near Diglipur need a forest permit (₹50 for Indians / ₹500 for foreign nationals), and marine-park beaches like Wandoor and Red Skin involve boat-trip entry. Foreign nationals should check current entry rules before travel.
