5D / 4N
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Andaman Family Holiday For 4 Nights 5 Days
- Hotel
- Meals
- Sightseeing
- Transfers
₹23,574
₹18,990 /pp
Andaman is famous for pearls and shell jewellery, coconut and cane handicrafts, and Nicobari woven mats. Shoppers also carry home organic spices, wild forest honey and cold-pressed coconut oil. The signature buys are the sea-based crafts and tribal weaves. The most practical are the spices, honey and oils, which pack flat and clear airport checks without fuss.
Key Takeaways
- Buy pearls and shell jewellery, coconut and cane handicrafts, Nicobari mats, organic spices, wild forest honey and cold-pressed coconut oil.
- Start at Aberdeen Bazaar and the government Sagarika and Samudrika emporiums in Port Blair, where you get a proper receipt as standard.
- Budget around Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 for a mix of spices, jute, cane pieces, honey and oil. Pearls and fine Nicobari weaving cost more.
- Keep every receipt in your hand luggage. Airport security can ask you to prove that shells, wood, pearls and tribal items came from a licensed seller.
- Never buy turtle shell, coral or sea fans. They are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and carry heavy penalties.
Andaman Shopping At A Glance
A quick scan of what to buy, roughly what it costs, and where to find it. Prices are indicative starting points; always confirm at the counter.
| What to buy | Best for | Indicative price | Where to buy |
| Pearls | Signature keepsake, jewellery | From ~Rs 400; graded pearls cost more | Sagarika emporium, certified jewellers |
| Shell & pearl jewellery | Affordable gifts | From ~Rs 40 | Aberdeen Bazaar, beach stalls |
| Nicobari mats & weaving | Heritage textile | Varies by size; ask at cooperative | Sagarika, tribal cooperatives |
| Coconut handicrafts | Home decor | Ask at counter | Government emporiums, craft markets |
| Cane & bamboo goods | Light, practical decor | Low; ask at counter | Aberdeen Bazaar, emporiums |
| Organic spices | Practical, packable gift | From ~Rs 20 a pack | Government emporiums, bazaars |
| Wild forest honey | Edible souvenir | ~Rs 250 to Rs 400 for 250 g | Emporiums, Aberdeen Bazaar |
| Cold-pressed coconut oil | Edible and skincare | ~Rs 150 to Rs 300 for 500 ml | Emporiums, bazaars |
| Timber & wood crafts | Decor, model ships | Ask at counter; keep receipt | Licensed government emporiums |
| Jute products | Eco bags, hats | Ask at counter | Bazaars, emporiums |
| Sarongs & hats | Beachwear | Inexpensive | MG Road, beach markets |
| Fishbone & marine artefacts | Curios, maritime decor | Inexpensive | Beach markets, Aberdeen Bazaar |
| Tribal & Nicobarese artefacts | Collector piece | Ask at cooperative | Sagarika, recognised cooperatives |
Andaman
Andaman
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13 Famous Things To Buy In Andaman
Here is the full list, roughly in the order most travellers end up buying them. Each one is genuinely local, and each one packs for a flight if you handle it right.
Why Shopping in Andaman Is More Than Just Souvenirs
Most of what fills the Andaman markets started as something the islands actually needed. Cane and bamboo became baskets and furniture because they grow everywhere. Shell and coconut work grew out of the fishing economy. Nicobari mats came from tribal households that have woven them the same way for generations. So when you buy well here, you are taking home a piece of how the islands live, not a factory trinket flown in for tourists.
That also means quality swings a lot from stall to stall. The government emporiums set the honest baseline for price and authenticity. The bazaars and beach markets are cheaper and more fun, but you have to look closer at the finish. The rest of this guide is built around that split, so you know when to bargain and when to pay for the real thing.
13 Famous Things to Buy in Andaman
01
Pearls
Pearls are the island’s signature buy, and the range is wide. At the bottom you get inexpensive shell-pearl trinkets from beach stalls, which look good and cost little. At the top you get graded saltwater pearls set in silver or gold, which is where you want a certificate and a proper receipt. Sagarika and established jewellers are the safe bet for anything above trinket money. Prices are indicative, so confirm the current rate at the counter.
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02
Shell & Pearl Jewellery
Shell necklaces, anklets, earrings and bangles are the most bought souvenir on the islands, and for good reason. They are attractive, they are cheap, and they weigh almost nothing in a bag. Aberdeen Bazaar and the beach stalls near the jetties have the widest choice. Buy the finished, polished pieces rather than raw shell, and never anything made from turtle shell or coral, which is illegal.
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03
Nicobari Mats & Weaving
This is the heritage purchase of the trip. Nicobari mats are hand-woven by tribal households, and a good one has tight, even weaving with no loose ends. They are not cheap, and they should not be, since the price reflects real hand-work. Buy from the government Sagarika emporium or a recognised tribal cooperative so the money reaches the artisans and you get a receipt that clears any export question.
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04
Coconut Handicrafts
The coconut is put to work here as bowls, vases, wind chimes, small figurines and lampshades. The best pieces are light, smoothly finished and show off the natural grain of the shell. They make excellent gifts because they survive a suitcase and cost very little. Government emporiums and the Port Blair craft markets carry the widest range.
05
Cane & Bamboo Goods
Island craftspeople turn cane and bamboo into hats, baskets, bags, pitchers, photo frames, keychains and even flutes. The prices are low and the workmanship can be excellent. Your quality check is the weave: tight and even means it will last, loose and gappy means it will not. Aberdeen Bazaar and the emporiums have the best selection.
06
Organic Spices
Andaman grows cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, betel and black pepper, and the spices are fresher and often cheaper than mainland shops. Buy the sealed, vacuum-packed packs from a government emporium so they travel safely in checked baggage. Alongside the spices you will also find jars of mango, lime and fish pickle, and packs of sun-dried fish, prawn and squid, all sealed for the flight. These edible souvenirs are the easiest thing to carry and the most used once you get home.
07
Wild Forest Honey
Wild honey collected from the island forests is one of the few things you cannot really get the same way on the mainland. A small jar runs an indicative Rs 250 to Rs 400 for around 250 g, so confirm at the counter. Look for honey sold through the emporiums or forest cooperatives, which is more likely to be genuine wild honey rather than a blended commercial jar.
08
Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil
Local cold-pressed coconut oil is a practical, well-priced buy, useful in the kitchen and on skin and hair. A 500 ml bottle runs an indicative Rs 150 to Rs 300, so confirm at the counter. Bottle it tightly and pack it in checked baggage inside a sealed bag, since airline cabin rules limit liquids.
09
Timber & Wood Crafts
Andaman is known for fine hardwoods, and the markets carry carved decor, small furniture and detailed wooden model ships and ships-in-a-bottle that make a striking maritime keepsake. Here you must be careful: some hardwoods carry transport restrictions, so buy only from a licensed government emporium and keep the seller’s receipt. That paperwork is what lets the piece pass an airport check.
10
Jute Products
Jute is a flourishing eco-friendly craft on the islands, worked into sturdy bags, footwear, hats, jewellery and clothing. Quality is consistently high and the products are practical, which is why they sell well as gifts. The bazaars and emporiums carry the fullest range.
11
Sarongs & Hats
For beachwear and easy gifts, the sarongs, cotton wraps and sun hats along MG Road and the beach markets are inexpensive and genuinely useful. They fold flat, they suit every size, and they cost little enough to buy several.
12
Fishbone & Marine Artefacts
Decorative pieces made from fishbone and other marine materials are light, inexpensive and distinctly Andamanese. They sit somewhere between a curio and a keepsake and make cheap, characterful gifts. Buy the finished decorative items, and stay well clear of anything made from protected coral or turtle shell.
13
Tribal & Nicobarese Artefacts
Beyond the mats, tribal and Nicobarese artefacts such as small carvings, ornaments and woven pieces are the most collectable buy on the islands. Because some tribal items carry restrictions, buy only from the government Sagarika emporium or a recognised cooperative that can give you a receipt and confirm the piece is legal to take home.
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Handicrafts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
If you want to understand island craft in one place, the handicrafts fall into four families. Sea-based work covers shell, pearl and coconut craft, born from the fishing and coastal life. Forest-based work covers cane, bamboo, jute and timber, using what grows across the islands. Tribal weaving covers the Nicobari mats and artefacts, the oldest and most valued tradition here. Edible craft covers the spices, honey, oil, pickles and dried seafood that come out of island farms and forests.
Knowing these families makes shopping faster, because you can head straight for the counter you want. For the full picture of island culture and where each craft comes from, the Andaman travel guide is a useful companion read.
Where To Shop In Port Blair
Port Blair is where almost all of this comes together, and a short list of names covers most of it. Aberdeen Bazaar is the main market, best for shell jewellery, cane goods, sarongs and general souvenirs at bargainable prices. Sagarika Government Emporium is the trusted address for authentic Nicobari mats, tribal artefacts, pearls and sealed spices, with fixed, fair prices and receipts. The Samudrika complex pairs a marine museum with a shop and is handy for spices and gifts. The Andaman Handicrafts Emporium and the beach stalls along MG Road round out the options for coconut and jute craft.
Beyond Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) have small market strips near their jetties and resorts, good for last-minute shell jewellery, sarongs and coconut pieces, though the range is narrower and prices run a little higher. For a wider look at island retail, see the Andaman shopping experiences guide.
How To Buy Authentic Andaman Souvenirs (Without Getting It Wrong)
Shopping in Andaman is low-stress, but a handful of rules separate a good buy from a regret. Follow these six steps:
- Start at a government emporium (Sagarika or Samudrika) to see honest quality and a fair benchmark price before you bargain anywhere else.
- Check the finish. On cane and mats, look for tight, even weaving. On shell and coconut, look for smooth joins and no rough edges.
- Ask for a receipt that names the seller and the item, especially for shells, wood, pearls and tribal pieces.
- For anything expensive in pearls, ask for a certificate. Skip unbranded high-value pearls sold without one.
- Refuse protected materials outright. Turtle shell, coral and sea fans are illegal to buy or carry.
- Seal your edibles. Vacuum-pack spices, honey, oil, pickles and dried seafood, and put liquids in checked baggage.
- Keep every receipt in your hand luggage so you can show proof of a licensed purchase during an airport check.
Planning Your Andaman Trip
Shopping is best treated as the easy last day of the trip, after the beaches and the diving are done. Keep the final morning in Port Blair free for Aberdeen Bazaar and the emporiums, since that is where the range and the receipts are. Carry some cash, as the smaller stalls and ferry counters do not always take cards, and leave a little space and weight in your bag for the pearls, honey and mats you did not plan to buy.
If you are still working out the islands, the days and the season, a ready-made Andaman tour package bundles the flights, ferries, stays and transfers so you can spend your energy on the trip rather than the logistics.
The Short Version
Buy your pearls, mats and pricey pieces from the government emporiums with a receipt, and save the shell jewellery, cane and sarongs for the bazaars. Keep your receipts, seal your edibles, and leave turtle shell and coral well alone. Do that and everything you carry home will be genuine and trouble-free. When you are ready to plan the trip around it, an Andaman tour package takes care of the flights, ferries and stays so shopping can be the fun part.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Pearls, shell jewellery, coconut and cane handicrafts, organic spices, wild forest honey, cold-pressed coconut oil, jute products, Nicobari mats and tribal artefacts rank highest. Pearls and shells are the signature buys, while spices, honey and oils are the most practical because they pack flat and clear airport checks easily.
The islands grow cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, betel and black pepper. Buy them sealed at government emporiums and bazaars, where quality is reliable. Vacuum-sealed packs travel safely in checked baggage, so you can carry a full spice haul home without any airport trouble.
Port Blair craft markets carry wooden pieces, from small carvings to model ships. Government emporiums are the safest option, because some island hardwoods carry transport restrictions and you need a receipt from a licensed seller. Always keep that receipt in your hand luggage for the airport check.
Yes. Keep all receipts in your hand luggage, because airport security may ask you to verify a legal purchase from a licensed seller. This matters most for shells, wood, pearls and tribal items, where the paperwork is what proves the piece is genuine and legal to carry home.
Yes. Jute is a flourishing eco-friendly craft here, producing sturdy bags, footwear, hats, jewellery and clothing of consistently high quality. You will find the best range at the bazaars and government emporiums in Port Blair, where the finish and stitching tend to be more reliable than at roadside stalls.
Coconut-shell items such as bowls, vases, wind chimes, figurines and lampshades are the standouts, along with shell work and cane-bamboo pieces. They are light, detailed and survive a suitcase. Nicobari woven mats add real cultural depth if you want one heritage piece rather than several small ones.
Buy from the government Sagarika emporium or a recognised tribal cooperative. Both guarantee authenticity, give you proper receipts and pay artisans fairly, and they steer you away from restricted export items. Avoid tribal-style pieces sold by unlicensed vendors, since these can be fakes or illegal to carry.
Craftspeople make hats, baskets, bags, pitchers, vases, photo frames, keychains and flutes, all at low prices. Look for tight, even weaving as your sign of quality. The emporiums and Aberdeen Bazaar carry the widest range, and the sturdier pieces travel home well if you pad them in your bag.
Avoid turtle shell, coral and sea fans, which are protected marine species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and carry heavy penalties. Also skip unbranded high-value pearls sold without a certificate, and any tribal items from unlicensed vendors, since these may be fake, over-priced or illegal to carry out.
Budget around Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 for a mix of souvenirs such as spices, jute, cane pieces, honey and oil. Pearls, fine Nicobari weaving and certified jewellery run well above this range, so set that money aside separately if a graded pearl or a large mat is on your list.
Yes, in general. Vacuum-seal dried fish, prawn and pickles and pack them in checked baggage, and carry finished shell jewellery with its receipt. Airport security can check high-value or restricted items, so keep receipts handy and never pack anything made from turtle shell, coral or protected species.
Yes. Turtle shell, coral and sea fans are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and cannot be bought or carried. Ordinary finished shell jewellery from licensed sellers is fine, but keep the receipt. When in doubt, buy from a government emporium, which will not stock restricted material.
Yes, at the bazaars and beach stalls, where a friendly negotiation is expected and prices have room in them. Government emporiums such as Sagarika and Samudrika are fixed-price, so there is no bargaining there. A good tactic is to check the emporium price first, then bargain in the open market against it.
