Andaman in October 2026: Weather, Places & Things to Do

October is a transition month in the Andaman Islands — it marks the end of the southwest monsoon (roughly June–September) and the start of the long Oct–May dry travel season. Because the islands sit just north of the equator, there is no real summer or winter; temperatures barely move across the year. What changes in October is the rain and the sea, not the thermometer. Expect warm, humid days, frequent but easing showers early in the month, and water that grows calmer and clearer as the weeks pass. Here is the month at a glance, with figures cross-checked against IMD Port Blair normals and Weatherspark.

Sources: IMD Port Blair climate normals; Weatherspark long-term averages for Port Blair (October). Figures are typical-year ranges, not a forecast for a specific date.

The single most useful thing to understand about October is the arc within the month. The first week or ten days still carry the tail of the monsoon — humid, with sudden showers and a sea that can be choppy and stirred-up. By the second half, the rains thin to occasional passing showers, the swell drops, and underwater visibility climbs. If your dates are flexible and your priority is clear water for diving or snorkelling, lean toward the last two weeks of October.

Verdict: Yes — October is a good time to visit Andaman, and a smart-value one. It is the start of the dry season, with warm 29–31°C days and a sea that calms and clears as the month goes on. The trade-off is the early-month showers as the monsoon withdraws and slightly variable diving conditions in the first week. Go in the second half of October for the best water, or early October if you want the lowest crowds and rates and don’t mind the odd shower.

For travellers deciding between months, October sits in a genuine sweet spot: the weather has turned but the December–January rush — and its peak pricing — hasn’t arrived. You get most of the upside of peak season at shoulder-season cost. Compare it directly below, and if you’re weighing nearby months, our Andaman in September and Andaman in December guides cover the shoulders on either side.

October vs Peak Season vs Monsoon — at a glance

October is when the Andaman Sea comes back to life for water activities. Through the monsoon, swell and run-off cut visibility and force many operators to pause; as the system withdraws in October, the swell drops and the water clears — and by the back half of the month, conditions are reliably good. This is one of the most underrated months to get in the water, precisely because the crowds haven’t arrived yet.

• Scuba diving: Dive operators around Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) ramp back up as visibility improves. Early October can be hit-or-miss; late October is dependable. Beginners can do a Discover Scuba dive, while certified divers get clearer water and good marine life as the season opens.
• Snorkelling & sea walking: Elephant Beach and North Bay Island are the go-to spots from Port Blair and Havelock — shallow reefs, easy access, and improving clarity through the month.
• Glass-bottom boats & sea walks: A dry-hair option for non-swimmers at North Bay; a short boat ride from Port Blair.
• Kayaking, parasailing & cruises: Calmer late-October waters make for steadier kayaking and parasailing; the Makruzz and other private ferries run the Port Blair–Havelock–Neil legs.

If diving is the main reason for your trip, weight your dates toward the last two weeks of October and keep a buffer day in case an early-month system lingers. For the full range of operators and activities, see our water sports in Andaman guide.

With the rains easing and crowds still thin, October is an ideal month to cover the headline islands and Port Blair’s history without the peak-season queues. These are the places that reward an October visit.

Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7), Swaraj Dweep / Havelock

Radhanagar — Beach No. 7 on Havelock, renamed Swaraj Dweep in 2018 — was named the “Best Beach in Asia” by Time Magazine in 2004 and is still the islands’ signature stretch of white sand. Post-monsoon October sees the water settling and swimming conditions improving as the month goes on. Time your visit for late afternoon for the sunset.

Elephant Beach, Havelock

Reached by a short boat ride (or a forest walk) from Havelock jetty, Elephant Beach is the islands’ easiest snorkelling spot — shallow coral close to shore. October’s clearing water makes it one of the best-value in-the-water half-days of the trip.

North Bay Island

A short boat ride from Port Blair, North Bay is the activity hub closest to the capital: snorkelling, sea walking, glass-bottom boats and scuba intros all run from here. It’s the natural first-day option while you find your feet on the islands.

Cellular Jail & Ross Island, Port Blair

For history, the Cellular Jail National Memorial is unmissable — the colonial-era prison whose evening Light & Sound show tells the story of India’s freedom struggle. Pair it with Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep), the former British administrative headquarters, now atmospheric ruins reclaimed by deer and forest, a short ferry from Aberdeen Jetty.

Chidiya Tapu & Mount Harriet National Park

For nature, Chidiya Tapu — “Bird Island” — at the southern tip of South Andaman is the spot for birdwatching and one of the area’s best sunsets. Inland, Mount Harriet National Park (now officially Mount Manipur National Park, renamed in 2021) offers forest trails and a high viewpoint over the islands. October’s post-monsoon greenery makes both especially good. See our national parks in Andaman guide for more.

• Island-hop the big three: Port Blair, Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) and Shaheed Dweep (Neil) — the classic loop, with calmer late-October ferry crossings.
• Snorkel or sea-walk Elephant Beach and North Bay as visibility climbs through the month.
• Dive off Havelock — a Discover Scuba dive for first-timers, or fun dives for the certified, in the season’s first clear water.
• Do the Cellular Jail Light & Sound show in Port Blair for the freedom-struggle history.
• Catch sunset at Chidiya Tapu and birdwatch at the southern tip of South Andaman.
• Walk a forest trail in Mount Harriet (Mount Manipur) National Park for the viewpoint over the islands.
• Take a glass-bottom boat at North Bay if you’d rather stay dry but still see the reef.

Almost everyone arrives by air into Port Blair. The city was renamed Sri Vijaya Puram on 13 September 2024, but the airport keeps its name — Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) — with direct and one-stop flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and other metros. Passenger ships also sail from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, but the sea passage takes roughly 60–70 hours, so flying is the practical choice for an October trip. Indian nationals don’t need a passport or permit for the main islands; carry a government photo ID.

What to pack for October

• Light cottons and quick-dry fabrics for warm, humid 29–31°C days.
• A compact rain jacket or travel umbrella — early-October showers are likely.
• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses; the sun is strong between showers.
• Swimwear, a rash guard and water shoes for snorkelling and rocky entries.
• Insect repellent for evenings and forest trails; a dry bag for boat rides.
• Any personal dive/snorkel gear you prefer, plus a power bank — island power can be patchy.

1. Pick your week. Lean late October for the clearest water and water sports; choose early October for the lowest crowds and rates if you’ll accept occasional showers.
2. Book flights into Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), Port Blair. Shoulder-season fares are lower than the Dec–Jan peak; book 4–6 weeks out for the best mix of price and choice.
3. Map a 6–7 day route. A week is the comfortable minimum — typically 2 nights Port Blair, 3 nights Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), 1–2 nights Neil (Shaheed Dweep).
4. Reserve inter-island ferries early. Pre-book private ferries (Makruzz and others) for the Port Blair–Havelock–Neil legs, especially around weekends.
5. Schedule water sports for the back half of your trip. Visibility improves through October, so put scuba and snorkelling on your later days and keep one buffer day for weather.
6. Carry ID and book key experiences ahead. Indian nationals need only photo ID; pre-book the Cellular Jail Light & Sound show and any dives to lock in slots.

October rewards travellers who read the calendar: go in the second half for the clearest water and water sports, or early in the month for the lowest crowds and rates. Either way you get the start of the dry season at shoulder-season value — one of the best risk-adjusted windows the islands offer. When you’re ready to turn this into a fixed itinerary, browse customisable Andaman tour packages, and use our Andaman travel guide to round out the rest of your planning.