Markets In Andaman At A Glance
The best markets in Andaman are clustered in Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram): Aberdeen Bazaar is the islands’ main shopping hub for clothes, accessories and souvenirs, while the government-run Sagarika Cottage Industries Emporium is the safest place for certified, fixed-price handicrafts – shell and coconut craft, padauk-wood carvings, spices and pearls. Almost all serious shopping happens on the main island; Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) have small beach markets for sarongs and souvenirs. Below is every market worth your time — where it is, when it opens, what it sells, how hard to bargain, and the one rule that can get your souvenirs confiscated at the airport if you ignore it.
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The 9 Best Markets In Andaman, One By One
From bustling bazaars in Port Blair to small beach markets on Havelock and Neil Islands, here's a detailed look at the nine best markets in Andaman, including what each is known for, typical opening hours, the best things to buy, and practical shopping tips.
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Sagarika Cottage Industries Emporium, Port Blair - start here
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Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair - the main bazaar
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MG Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road), Port Blair
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Junglighat Market & Craft Shops, Port Blair
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Museum Gift Shops (Anthropological & Samudrika), Port Blair
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Electronics Shops, Aberdeen Bazaar / MA Road
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Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) - beach market & Sagarika
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Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) - small stalls
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Vegetable, Fish & Local Food Markets, Port Blair
Markets In Andaman At A Glance
The nine shopping spots most travellers actually use, where they are, roughly when they open, and what each is best for. Hours are typical – confirm on the day, as island shops keep flexible timings.
| Market | Island / Area | Typical hours | Best for |
| Sagarika Cottage Industries Emporium | Port Blair (MG Road / DAG Colony) | 9 AM–7 PM, closed Mon | Certified, fixed-price handicrafts |
| Aberdeen Bazaar | Port Blair (centre) | ~10 AM–8:30 PM | Clothes, accessories, souvenirs, ATMs |
| MG Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road) | Port Blair | ~10 AM–9 PM | Branded apparel & footwear, eateries |
| Junglighat market & craft shops | Port Blair | ~8:30 AM–7:30 PM | Crafts, daily goods, fish |
| Museum gift shops | Port Blair | Museum hours (closed Mon) | Books, postcards, ethical souvenirs |
| Electronics shops | Aberdeen Bazaar / MA Road | ~10 AM–8 PM | Chargers, cables, accessories |
| Havelock beach market & Sagarika | Swaraj Dweep | ~Noon–8:30 PM | Sarongs, beachwear, wooden jewellery |
| Neil Island stalls | Shaheed Dweep | ~9 AM–6 PM | Souvenirs, shells (certified only) |
| Vegetable, fish & food markets | Port Blair (Mohanpura, etc.) | Early–evening | Spices, produce, dried fish, local food |
Read This First: The Shell & Coral Rule That Trips Up Most Shoppers
Before you buy a single souvenir, know this: under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, trade in corals, sea-turtle shell (tortoiseshell) and several protected sea-shell species is illegal in India – and the Andaman Islands sit inside one of the country’s most strictly protected marine zones. Picking shells or coral off a beach yourself is also an offence, whatever the size or condition. Travellers have been fined and had items seized at airport security.
This does not mean you can’t take a shell souvenir home. It means you buy it from an authorised seller and keep the receipt. Government emporia like Sagarika sell shell and coconut-shell craft that is legally sourced and labelled, and they issue a proper bill. Customs or security at Veer Savarkar Airport (Port Blair) can ask for that receipt before you fly out, so keep it with your boarding pass. Avoid raw coral, black coral, turtle-shell items and unlabelled ‘beach-found’ shells from informal stalls – that’s exactly the stuff that gets confiscated, and buying it fuels the trade the law exists to stop.
In short: buy certified, keep the bill, skip the coral and turtle shell. The market-by-market guide below flags which spots are the safe, certified ones.
Explore Popular Destination In Andaman
Sagarika Cottage Industries Emporium, Port Blair - start here
If you only visit one shop in the Andamans, make it this one. The Sagarika emporium is run by the islands’ administration, so prices are fixed (no bargaining) and the stock is certified and legally sourced – which solves the shell-and-coral problem in one stop. The range covers the islands’ signature crafts: intricate carvings in deep-red padauk wood, coconut-shell lampshades, cups, bangles and salt-and-pepper shakers, shell jewellery, jute bags and mats, paper-mâché tribal masks, T-shirts, island spices and pearls.
You’ll find it in the MG Road / DAG Colony area of Port Blair, with a small Sagarika counter also tucked inside the Cellular Jail complex. It typically opens 9 AM–7 PM and closes on Mondays. Come here for a price benchmark and for certified souvenirs you can fly home with, no questions asked. Because the rates are fixed, use Sagarika to learn the ‘fair’ price of an item, then judge the bargaining stalls against it.
For a deeper look at the individual handicrafts – padauk wood, shell craft, pearls and spices – and what’s genuinely worth buying, see our guide to best things to buy in Andaman.
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Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair - the main bazaar
Aberdeen Bazaar is the commercial heart of Port Blair and has been the islands’ main market for decades. It’s a dense grid of streets packed with garment shops, accessory and footwear stores, souvenir stalls, eateries, pharmacies and, usefully, most of the town’s ATMs and banks. This is where locals shop for everyday things and where you’ll find the widest spread of souvenirs at street-stall prices.
It sits in central Port Blair, walkable from most city hotels. Individual shops typically run ~10 AM–8:30 PM, and the bazaar is quieter on Sundays when some shops close. Come for clothes, bags, accessories and general souvenirs — and to top up cash before you head to the outer islands. Bargaining is normal at the street stalls (not in branded stores), so start well below the asking price.
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MG Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road), Port Blair
Running off the Aberdeen Bazaar area, MG Road is Port Blair’s smarter shopping strip. Alongside everyday stores you’ll find branded apparel and footwear outlets, names like Blue Ink (which carries labels such as Levi’s, Woodland and Allen Solly), Goenka for family clothing, and Khadims for footwear plus restaurants for a mid-shopping break. Prices here are fixed, so it’s the place to go when you want a reliable T-shirt, sandals or a forgotten item of clothing rather than a haggle. Shops open roughly 10 AM–9 PM, and it’s your best bet for branded clothing, footwear and a dependable, no-bargaining shop.
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Junglighat Market & Craft Shops, Port Blair
A short ride from the centre, Junglighat is both a working fishing-harbour neighbourhood and a quieter spot for craft shopping, with ANIIDCO-linked handicraft outlets open daily (typically around 8:30 AM–7:30 PM). The adjoining fish market is the place to see – and smell – the island’s catch come in early in the morning. Come here for crafts without the Aberdeen Bazaar crowds, and for a glimpse of everyday island life rather than a polished tourist market.
Museum Gift Shops (Anthropological & Samudrika), Port Blair
The gift counters at the Anthropological Museum and the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum are an underrated, genuinely ethical place to shop. They stock well-curated souvenirs, books on the islands’ tribes and natural history, postcards and prints — the kind of thoughtful gift you can’t get at a beach stall, and all properly sourced. You can fold this into a sightseeing morning since you’re visiting the museums anyway. The counters keep museum hours and generally close on Mondays, and they’re best for books, postcards and ethically sourced keepsakes.
Electronics Shops, Aberdeen Bazaar / MA Road
Forgotten a charger, a cable, a memory card or a power bank? The cluster of electronics and accessory shops around Aberdeen Bazaar and MA Road (the old ‘Electrical Plaza’ area) covers the basics – phone and laptop chargers, camera accessories, adapters and the like. Don’t expect mainland variety or the latest gadgets, but for a travel-day fix it does the job. The shops open roughly 10 AM–8 PM, and they’re for travel-tech emergencies rather than serious electronics shopping.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) - beach market & Sagarika
On Havelock, shopping is small but fun. The beach-side market near Govind Nagar (sometimes signposted as ‘Market No. 3’) sells sarongs, beachwear, wooden and shell jewellery, garments made from recycled saree fabric, and swimming and snorkelling odds and ends. There’s also a Sagarika government emporium branch here for the same certified handicrafts as Port Blair, usually a bit cheaper than the tourist stalls. Most stalls open from around noon to 8:30 PM. Come for holiday clothing, beach accessories and a few souvenirs, but for serious handicraft shopping, stock up in Port Blair, where the choice is far wider.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) - small stalls
Neil is the quietest of the three main islands, and its shopping reflects that: a handful of souvenir and craft stalls near the jetty and around Laxmanpur and Bharatpur beaches, selling shells, handicrafts and beachwear. It’s pleasant for a browse, but the range is limited and prices can be steep for captive beach customers. Buy shell items only if they’re clearly certified with a bill – the same Wildlife Protection Act rules apply here. Come for a light souvenir or two, not a shopping day.
Vegetable, Fish & Local Food Markets, Port Blair
For a taste of real island life – and for edible souvenirs – head to Port Blair’s produce and fish markets, such as the Mohanpura vegetable market and the central fish market. They open early and wind down by evening (they are not 24-hour markets, despite what some older guides claim). This is where to pick up island spices – cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper – local honey, coconut oil and dried fish to carry home. Get there in the morning for the freshest produce and the liveliest atmosphere. It’s the place for spices, honey, dried fish and a genuine local-market experience.
What To Buy In Andaman: A Quick Buyer's Snapshot
Knowing the markets is half the job; knowing what’s actually worth buying and what a fair price looks like is the other half. Here’s a snapshot of the islands’ signature buys with indicative price ranges (per piece; they vary widely by size, quality and season, so treat them as a starting point for bargaining).
| What to buy | Where it’s best | Indicative price (per piece) |
| Padauk / timber wood carvings | Sagarika emporium | ₹500 – ₹5,000+ |
| Coconut-shell lamps, bowls, bangles | Sagarika, Aberdeen Bazaar | ₹300 – ₹1,500 |
| Shell jewellery & craft (certified only) | Sagarika, museum shops | ₹100 – ₹500 |
| Pearls | Sagarika, trusted Port Blair shops | ₹500 – several thousand |
| Island spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper) | Vegetable/food markets, Sagarika | ₹100 – ₹400 / pack |
| Nicobari cane & bamboo baskets / mats | Sagarika, craft shops | ₹300 – ₹2,000 |
| Sarongs, beachwear, printed tees | Havelock & Neil beach markets | ₹200 – ₹800 |
| Andaman honey, coconut oil, Noni products | Food markets, emporia | ₹150 – ₹600 |
This is the shortlist – for the full rundown of every island speciality, what makes it special and how to spot the genuine article, read our detailed guide to things to buy in Andaman. For a broader overview of the islands’ shopping scene, see our Andaman shopping guide
Government Emporium vs Street Bazaar vs Beach Stall: Where Should You Shop?
The same souvenir can cost very different amounts and carry very different legal risk – depending on where you buy it. This is the decision most shoppers get wrong. Here’s how the three kinds of seller compare.
| Factor | Government emporium (Sagarika) | Street bazaar (Aberdeen) | Beach stall (Havelock/Neil) |
| Pricing | Fixed, fair, no bargaining | Negotiable — bargain hard | Negotiable, often higher to start |
| Authenticity & sourcing | Certified, legally sourced | Mixed — inspect carefully | Mixed — verify shell/coral items |
| Receipt / bill | Always issued | Usually, if you ask | Often not — insist on one |
| Best for | Handicrafts, pearls, gifting | Clothes, accessories, variety | Beachwear, quick souvenirs |
| Legal risk on shells | None — safe to fly with | Low if billed; avoid loose shells | Higher — buy certified + billed only |
The smart play: anchor your prices at Sagarika first (it’s the islands’ fixed-rate yardstick), then bargain at the bazaars and beach stalls for clothing and general souvenirs – and only ever buy shell or coral-look items where you get a proper bill.
How To Shop Smart (And Legal) In Andaman: A 7-Step Guide
Follow this order and you’ll get fair prices, authentic goods and zero trouble at the airport.
- Step 1: Withdraw cash in Port Blair first. ATMs are concentrated around Aberdeen Bazaar; many small stalls are cash-only and UPI/card networks get patchy on Havelock and Neil. Carry enough for the outer islands.
- Step 2: Visit the Sagarika emporium early in your trip. Use its fixed prices as your benchmark for what handicrafts, pearls and shell craft should cost before you bargain anywhere else.
- Step 3: Buy your certified handicrafts and gifts at Sagarika (Port Blair). Widest range, legal sourcing and a proper bill – the safest place for anything made of shell, coral or wood.
- Step 4: Bargain at Aberdeen Bazaar and beach stalls for clothes, bags and general souvenirs. Start at roughly half the quote and settle in the middle; smile, and be ready to walk away.
- Step 5: Refuse raw coral, turtle shell and unlabelled ‘beach-found’ shells outright. They’re illegal to trade, can be seized, and buying them harms the reef. Stick to certified, billed shell craft.
- Step 6: Keep every receipt with your boarding pass. Security at Veer Savarkar Airport can ask for proof of legal purchase on shell and wood items before you fly out.
- Step 7: Pack fragile buys in your hand luggage. Shell craft, coconut-shell lamps and pearls don’t survive checked baggage well – wrap them and carry them with you.
Bargaining, Cash & Practical Tips
- Where to bargain and where not to: haggle freely at Aberdeen Bazaar street stalls and the Havelock/Neil beach markets; don’t bother at the Sagarika emporium or branded MG Road stores, where prices are fixed.
- How hard to bargain: a 30–50% discount off the first quote is realistic at tourist stalls. Buying several pieces from one seller gives you the most leverage.
- Cash is king on the outer islands: Port Blair takes cards and UPI widely; Havelock and Neil are far more cash-dependent and connectivity is patchy, so stock up before you sail.
- There’s no true night market: most shops close by 8–9 PM. A few Aberdeen Bazaar eateries and stalls stay open later, but plan your shopping for daytime, not after dinner.
- Sundays and Mondays are slow: many Aberdeen Bazaar shops shut or run reduced hours on Sundays, and the Sagarika emporium and museums close on Mondays. Shop on a weekday for the fullest experience.
- Shop on the main island: Port Blair has by far the widest choice. Treat Havelock and Neil as places for a holiday top-up, not your main souvenir haul.
When To Go & How To Fit Shopping Into Your Trip
The markets run year-round, but the best time to visit Andaman for the whole trip, shopping included – is October to May, the dry season, when ferries to Havelock and Neil run reliably and getting around Port Blair is easy. The monsoon (June–September) brings rough seas and frequent ferry cancellations, which can strand you and cut your island-hopping (and beach-market browsing) short.
Practically, slot your Port Blair shopping for the start or end of your trip – most travellers fly in and out of Port Blair, so it’s the natural time to hit Aberdeen Bazaar and the Sagarika emporium without eating into beach days on Havelock. Leave the bulky or fragile buys for the last day so you’re not lugging them between islands.
Planning the wider trip? See our guides on how to reach Andaman and the best time to visit Andaman, or browse the Andaman tourism guide for itineraries and things to do.
The Bottom Line
Shopping in the Andamans really comes down to a simple plan: do your handicraft and souvenir buying at the government Sagarika emporium in Port Blair for certified, fixed-price goods, use Aberdeen Bazaar for clothes, variety and cash, and keep every receipt – especially for anything made of shell. Get that right and you’ll come home with genuine island craft and no trouble at the airport. When you’re ready to turn the shopping list into a trip, browse our customisable
Andaman tour packages to build an itinerary that leaves room for a market morning in Port Blair.
Frequently Asked Questions About Markets In Andaman
Aberdeen Bazaar in Port Blair is the best all-round market for clothes, accessories and general souvenirs, while the government-run Sagarika Cottage Industries Emporium is the best place for certified, fixed-price handicrafts - padauk-wood carvings, shell and coconut craft, pearls and spices. Most serious shopping happens in Port Blair; Havelock and Neil have only small beach markets.
The main shopping areas in Port Blair are Aberdeen Bazaar (the central hub for clothes, accessories, souvenirs and ATMs), MG Road (branded apparel and footwear), the Sagarika government emporium (certified handicrafts), Junglighat (crafts and the fish market), and the museum gift shops at the Anthropological and Samudrika museums for books and ethical souvenirs.
Buying loose shells, coral, black coral or turtle-shell items is illegal - trade in them is banned under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and picking them off beaches yourself is also an offence. You can legally buy certified shell or coconut-shell craft from authorised sellers like the Sagarika government emporium, as long as you keep the receipt. Airport security can ask to see proof of purchase before you fly out.
The island specialities are padauk-wood carvings, coconut-shell craft (lamps, bowls, bangles), certified shell jewellery, pearls, Nicobari cane and bamboo baskets, and island produce - cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, local honey and coconut oil. Buy handicrafts at the Sagarika emporium and spices at the Port Blair food markets. See our full things-to-buy guide for the detail.
Not really. Andaman doesn't have true late-night bazaars - most shops, including Aberdeen Bazaar, close by 8–9 PM. A few eateries and stalls stay open later, but plan your shopping for the daytime. Older guides that say the markets are 'open 24 hours' are inaccurate.
Most Port Blair shops open around 10 AM and close by 8:30–9 PM. The Sagarika emporium runs roughly 9 AM–7 PM and is closed on Mondays; Junglighat craft shops open earlier (around 8:30 AM); and the vegetable and fish markets open early and wind down by evening. Many Aberdeen Bazaar shops are quieter or closed on Sundays.
Yes, at street stalls in Aberdeen Bazaar and at the Havelock and Neil beach markets, where a 30–50% discount off the first quote is realistic - buying several items gives you more leverage. Don't bargain at the Sagarika government emporium or branded MG Road stores, where prices are fixed (the Sagarika fixed rates are a useful benchmark for fair prices).
The Sagarika Cottage Industries Emporium in Port Blair is the best place - it's government-run, the prices are fixed and fair, and everything is certified and legally sourced, from padauk-wood carvings to coconut-shell craft and shell jewellery. There's also a Sagarika branch on Havelock. The museum gift shops are good for books and ethical keepsakes.
Yes. Port Blair has vegetable and fish markets - such as the Mohanpura vegetable market and the central fish market - that open early and sell island spices, produce, local honey, coconut oil and fresh and dried fish. They're the best place to pick up edible souvenirs and to see everyday island life.
Both islands have small beach markets rather than big bazaars. On Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), the Govind Nagar beach market and the local Sagarika branch sell sarongs, beachwear, wooden jewellery and certified handicrafts. On Neil (Shaheed Dweep), a few stalls near the jetty and beaches sell souvenirs and shells - buy shell items only if they come with a bill. For variety, do your main shopping in Port Blair.
Yes, carry cash. Port Blair accepts cards and UPI widely and has plenty of ATMs around Aberdeen Bazaar, but the outer islands - Havelock and Neil - are far more cash-dependent and mobile connectivity is patchy. Withdraw enough in Port Blair before you sail across, as small market stalls are usually cash-only.
Yes, with two caveats. Keep the receipt for any shell, coral-look or wood items - security at Veer Savarkar Airport (Port Blair) can ask for proof of legal purchase. And pack fragile buys like shell craft, coconut-shell lamps and pearls in your hand luggage, as they rarely survive checked baggage. Never carry raw coral or turtle-shell items; they're illegal and will be seized.
