Andaman Tourism

Andaman tourism is built around one simple pitch: white-sand beaches, warm clear water good enough to see coral from the surface, and a slice of Indian history you can walk through at Port Blair's Cellular Jail. The islands sit in the Bay of Bengal, about two hours by flight from Chennai or Kolkata, and travel between them runs on ferries rather than roads. This guide covers when to go, the permit rules, how to reach the islands, what to see and do, roughly what a trip costs, and the packages our travellers book most.

Andaman At A Glance (TravelTriangle Booking Data)

Numbers our own travellers generate, not generic averages:

Andaman Weather and Best Time to Visit, Season by Season

Andaman stays warm all year, roughly 23 to 32 degrees Celsius. The stretch you want is October to May, when skies are clear, the sea is calm, and underwater visibility for snorkelling and diving is at its best. The southwest monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain and rough seas that can suspend ferries and water sports, so plans need to stay flexible in those months.

For a deeper month-by-month read, see our full best time to visit Andaman guide.

Permits, RAP and Entry Requirements

Indian nationals do not need a permit to visit the main tourist islands. You can travel freely to Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) with a government photo ID. A Restricted Area Permit still applies to certain tribal and Nicobar-group areas, and foreign nationals follow separate rules that were relaxed for many islands in 2024 but still cover specific protected zones. Entry to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and a few protected beaches carries a small ticket or permit fee paid at the counter. Carry valid ID for ferry boarding and hotel check-in.

A practical note our desk repeats to every traveller: the Baratang route crosses the Jarawa Tribal Reserve by a timed vehicle convoy where stopping and photography are not allowed, and Saddle Peak needs a Forest Department permit picked up in Diglipur. Sort these the day before, not on the morning of the trip.

Places to Visit in Andaman

Most trips are built around Port Blair and the two main islands, with day-trip islands and a few offbeat spots added if you have the days. Here are the places our travellers rate highest.

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

Havelock, officially Swaraj Dweep since December 2018, sits about 57 km northeast of Port Blair and is a 1.5 to 2 hour fast-ferry ride away. It holds Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7), named Asia's best beach in 2004, plus Kalapathar and Elephant Beach, and it is the base most divers pick.

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Neil, now Shaheed Dweep, is the slow-paced island, about an hour on from Havelock by ferry. Bharatpur and Laxmanpur beaches and the Natural Bridge (a rock arch you can walk out to at low tide) are the draws. Two nights here is plenty.

Saddle Peak

Saddle Peak is the highest point in the whole archipelago and sits in Diglipur in North Andaman. The climb rewards trekkers with a wide view over forest and coast, and it needs a Forest Department permit and a full day, so it suits travellers with six nights or more.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Wandoor)

This marine park off Wandoor, about 30 km from Port Blair, is a nesting ground for sea turtles and one of the best snorkelling zones in the islands. Glass-bottom boats and snorkel trips run out to Jolly Buoy or Red Skin here in season; a small entry ticket applies.

Mount Harriet National Park

Mount Harriet, about 30 km from Port Blair across the harbour, covers roughly 4.62 square kilometres and is the old British-era summer retreat. It is a quiet half-day of forest trails and viewpoints, and the view from the top is the one printed on the old twenty-rupee note.

Campbell Bay

Campbell Bay is the headquarters of Great Nicobar, in the far south. It is home to Indira Point and the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, but the Nicobar group is restricted and largely closed to tourism, so treat this as reference rather than a booking option.

A few day-trip spots round out most itineraries, all reachable from Port Blair or Wandoor:

• North Bay Island, the go-to for a first taste of the reef, with snorkelling, sea walks and glass-bottom boats a short boat ride from Port Blair.
• Jolly Buoy Island (inside the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, from Wandoor), a plastic-free marine reserve with some of the clearest snorkelling water; it closes during monsoon and rotates with Red Skin Island.
• Chidiya Tapu, about 25 km south of Port Blair, is the sunset and birding point, quiet and easy to fit into an arrival or departure day.
• Viper Island, a short heritage day trip near Port Blair with the ruins of a colonial-era gallows and jail.
• Samudrika Marine Museum in Port Blair, a quick indoor stop on marine life and island geology, useful before you snorkel.

See all islands and attractions on our Andaman places to visit hub, or read the full places to visit in Andaman guide.

Things to Do in Andaman

Andaman is a water-sports destination first, with a good amount for non-swimmers and families too. The headline activities:

Scuba Diving

The islands are famous for their coral and the absence of predatory fish near the reefs, which makes them a safe place to learn. Havelock's dive shops run beginner Discover Scuba dives and certified courses; you can be diving on your first morning with no prior experience.

Sea Walk

A sea walk lets you stand on the ocean floor about 6 to 7 metres down, wearing a clear helmet fed with oxygen, and you do not need to swim. It is the calmest way to see live coral up close, which is why non-swimmers, families and nervous first-timers pick it over scuba.

Snorkelling

The easiest way into the reef. With a mask and a few minutes of practice you are floating over coral and reef fish. North Bay, Elephant Beach and the Wandoor marine park are the reliable spots.

Trekking and Bird Watching

Beyond the beaches, the Elephant Beach trek on Havelock and the Saddle Peak climb in Diglipur are the two best-known trails, and the wetlands around Port Blair and Chidiya Tapu are prime bird-watching ground for endemic species.

The rest of the activity list is worth knowing when you plan:

• Night and mangrove kayaking through bioluminescent water, a flagship after-dark experience where the water glows when you paddle, run on new-moon nights near Havelock and the mangroves.
• Game fishing charters out of Port Blair and Havelock for tuna, barracuda and trevally, a half or full day on the water.
• Jet ski, banana boat and speed-boat rides at Corbyn's Cove, North Bay and Elephant Beach for a quick adrenaline hit.
• Glass-bottom and semi-submarine boat trips for travellers who want to see the reef without getting wet, ideal with young kids or grandparents.

Browse every activity on the Andaman things to do hub, or see our seasonal picks in things to do in Andaman.

Getting Around: Inter-Island Ferries and Connectivity

Andaman travel runs on ferries. Port Blair is the gateway, and private fast catamarans plus government ferries connect the main islands. Private operators (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean) are quicker and bookable online; government ferries are cheaper but slower and fill early. Book the Port Blair to Havelock leg well in advance in peak season and keep a buffer day for weather.

How to Reach Andaman

By Air

Daily flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam connect to Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), 2 km south of Port Blair and the only commercial airport in the islands. Reckon on about two hours from Chennai or Kolkata and four to five hours from Delhi or Mumbai, usually via a mainland hub. Foreign travellers route through mainland India.

By Sea

Passenger ships sail from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair three to four times a month, and from Vishakhapatnam about once a month. The crossing takes around three days each way, with the ship docking a couple of days before the return, and schedules open roughly a month ahead. It is the cheapest way in and a real experience, but the cabins are basic and the sea can be rough, so most travellers fly.

Planning from a specific city? We have detailed route guides:

How to reach Andaman from New Delhi, from Mumbai, from Kolkata, from Bengaluru, from Pune and from Chennai.

How Much Does an Andaman Trip Cost, and a Sample 5N/6D Plan

The honest answer is that it depends on flights, the season and how you like to travel. As a planning guide, here is what a 5 nights / 6 days trip tends to cost per person, excluding return flights to Port Blair. Mainland flights typically add roughly Rs 8,000 to Rs 18,000 return depending on city and how early you book. Our lowest-priced Andaman package currently starts at Rs 8,299.

A tried-and-tested 5N/6D shape most travellers are happy with:

• Day 1: Arrive Port Blair, afternoon at Corbyn's Cove, Cellular Jail Light and Sound Show in the evening.
• Day 2: North Bay and Ross Island by boat, then the ferry across to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep).
• Day 3: Radhanagar Beach at sunset and a diving or snorkelling half-day at Elephant Beach.
• Day 4: Ferry to Neil (Shaheed Dweep), Natural Bridge and Bharatpur Beach.
• Day 5: Ferry back to Port Blair, Chidiya Tapu for sunset, last-minute shopping at Aberdeen Bazaar.
• Day 6: Samudrika Museum or Chatham Saw Mill, then fly home.

Prefer a ready-made, customisable version with hotels and ferries bundled in? Compare our Andaman tour packages.

Where to Stay in Andaman

Accommodation clusters around three bases: Port Blair for arrivals, the Cellular Jail and day trips; Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) for the best beaches and diving; and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) for a quieter pace. You will find budget guesthouses, mid-range beach resorts and a handful of premium island properties. Most travellers split nights between Port Blair and Havelock and add Neil for the slow days. Packages that bundle stays with ferries and transfers save a lot of the booking headache.

Food and Cuisine in Andaman

Andaman food is built around the sea. Fresh grilled fish, garlic prawns, crab and coconut-based curries are the stars, with strong South Indian and Bengali influences on the side. Port Blair has the widest spread of restaurants and beach shacks; Havelock and Neil lean toward casual beachside cafes. Vegetarians are well looked after, and tropical fruit is everywhere.

Shopping in Andaman

Shopping centres on Aberdeen Bazaar and the government Sagarika Emporium in Port Blair. Look for pearl and shell jewellery, wood and cane craft, Nicobari mats, and locally roasted spices. One rule matters: collecting or buying certain shells and corals is restricted to protect the reef, so buy only from authorised outlets. For a full list of what to bring home, see our guide to things to buy in Andaman.

Full list: things to buy in Andaman.

Offbeat Andaman: Baratang, Diglipur, Barren Island and the North

Beyond the Port Blair, Havelock and Neil triangle, North Andaman is the quieter half. Baratang, reached through mangrove creeks, is known for its limestone caves and a rare mud volcano. Diglipur, the northernmost town, holds Ross and Smith (twin islands joined by a natural sandbar), Saddle Peak and turtle-nesting beaches. Barren Island, a day's boat ride east, is the only active volcano in South Asia and a dive site reachable by permit. Rangat, Mayabunder and Long Island offer greener, slower alternatives. All of it needs extra days and advance ferry and permit planning.

Andaman Tour Packages

We list 20+ customisable Andaman packages, currently from Rs 8,299 for a short beach-resort trip up to premium honeymoon and family itineraries around Rs 17,000 per person, spanning 2N/3D to 7D/6N. Every package can be tailored to your dates, budget and the islands you want, and each one bundles stays, ferries and transfers so you are not juggling separate bookings. A few our travellers book often:

• Andaman Package for 3 Nights 4 Days, from Rs 8,999, a compact Port Blair and Havelock taster.
• 5 Days 4 Nights Andaman Family Package, from Rs 15,000, paced for kids and grandparents.
• Andaman Honeymoon Package, from Rs 15,599, with private transfers and beach resorts.
• 5 Days 4 Nights Honeymoon with Green Ocean Cruise, from Rs 16,000, for a cruise leg between islands.

Compare all options and get quotes on the Andaman tour packages page, or jump to honeymoon and family packages.

What Travellers Say About Their Andaman Trips

Verified reviews from travellers who booked their Andaman trip through TravelTriangle:

"Our Andaman trip was truly unforgettable. From ferry bookings and hotel arrangements to sightseeing, everything was managed professionally. My suggestion to anyone visiting is to plan at least 6 nights and 7 days to enjoy the islands at a relaxed pace." Jagan Reddy, Bangalore (7-day trip)

"We had an amazing experience with Pearl Andaman through TravelTriangle. Our tour guide and team made the entire trip completely worry-free. They were always responsive and helpful." Amrutha Devanga, Bengaluru (6-day trip)

"Booked through TravelTriangle from the pickup to drop, everything was fantastic. Port Blair, Havelock, Neil Island, each person coordinated well and it was a stress-free trip. I would recommend everyone." Basheerfaraz, Bangalore (5-day trip)

Read more Andaman traveller reviews.

Andaman Reads: More From Our Travel Guides

Deeper reads from our Andaman coverage to help you plan:

• Places to visit in Andaman, the full island-by-island rundown.
• Best beaches in Andaman, ranked with what each one is best for.
• Things to do in Andaman, every activity from scuba to sea walks.
• Places to visit in Andaman in July, monsoon-season planning.
• Things to do in Andaman in May, the shoulder-season guide.
• Things to buy in Andaman, pearls, shells, spices and where to buy them.
• Cruise to Andaman, the ship route from the mainland explained.
• Honeymoon places in Andaman, for couples planning the trip.

How Booking Works

Personalise a package to your dates and budget and send the request. We connect you with up to three trusted local agents so you can compare quotes and customise further. Pick the best deal, pay in easy instalments, and travel. Every trip runs through verified agents with 24/7 support.

Ready to plan? Start with our customisable Andaman tour packages and our Andaman travel desk will shape a trip around your dates.