Our writer covers the Andaman & Nicobar Islands beat for TravelTriangle, working from the company’s trip-planning data across thousands of island holidays and the published climate records for Port Blair. Every weather figure on this page is drawn from long-term Port Blair climate normals and operator schedules, not estimates – so you can plan your January trip on numbers you can trust.
January is the single best month to visit the Andaman Islands. It sits in the heart of the peak dry season: daytime temperatures hold around 29–30 °C, the sea stays calm at roughly 28 °C, rainfall drops to about 40 mm across only 2–4 wet days, and underwater visibility opens up to 15–30 metres, the clearest water of the year for scuba and snorkelling. That combination of warm, dry, settled weather is exactly why the Dec–Jan window is the most-booked time on the islands. Below you’ll find the full January weather breakdown, the 12 best things to do in Andaman this month, what to pack, how many days you need, and what it costs, all anchored to January, not generic island advice.
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Why Visit Andaman in January
January is peak season in the Andamans for one simple reason – the weather is as good as it gets. The southwest monsoon is long gone, the seas are flat, and the humidity that defines the rest of the year eases to the mid-70s. For travellers, that’s three concrete advantages.
- Clearest diving and snorkelling of the year. January falls inside the optimal dry-season window when underwater visibility runs 15–30 m. Marine life at sites off Havelock and Neil is easy to spot, and conditions are forgiving for first-time divers.
- Calm seas and reliable ferries. Flat water means the Port Blair-Havelock-Neil ferries run on schedule and open-water islands like Jolly Buoy and North Bay are accessible – both can be off-limits in rougher months.
- Comfortable days, mild evenings. Warm sunshine without the sticky heat of summer, and just enough of an evening breeze to need a light layer after dark.
The trade-off is crowds and price. January is the most popular month, so flights, ferries and the better hotels book out early – plan and lock your dates well ahead.
For the same peak-season weather either side of January, see our guides to Andaman in December and the wider things to do in Andaman through the year. To compare months at a glance, the best time to visit Andaman guide maps the full calendar.
Andaman Weather in January
January is the driest, most settled month in the Andaman calendar. Days are warm and sunny, nights are mild, the sea is swim-warm, and rain is rare and brief. The table below is built from long-term Port Blair climate normals and Havelock sea-temperature records – the figures you should actually plan around.
| Metric | January value | Why it matters for your trip |
| Average daytime high | 29–30 °C | Warm, sunny beach and boat days |
| Average nighttime low | 23–24 °C | Mild evenings — carry one light layer |
| Sea temperature (Havelock) | ~28 °C | Swim-warm; comfortable for long water sessions |
| Monthly rainfall | ~40 mm | Low; the driest stretch of the year |
| Rainy days | 2–4 days | Brief showers at most — rarely disrupts plans |
| Humidity | ~74% | Noticeably drier and more comfortable than summer |
| Underwater visibility | 15–30 m | Clearest water of the year for diving/snorkelling |
| Best for | Scuba, island hopping, beach days | Every signature activity is in season |
Source: Port Blair long-term climate normals and Havelock Island sea-temperature records. Pack for warm, dry days, carry a light layer for the evening breeze, and expect the calmest, clearest sea of the year.
12 Best Things To Do in Andaman in January 2026
Every signature Andaman experience is in season in January - the dry weather and calm seas mean water sports, island hops and open-sea rides all run at their best. Here are the 12 things worth building your January itinerary around, with where to do each.
Explore Popular Destination In Andaman
Sightseeing in Port Blair
Start at the Cellular Jail and its evening light-and-sound show, then work through Corbyn’s Cove, Chatham and the Marine Museum. January’s clear skies make the harbour and Ross Island views their sharpest, and the cooler mornings are ideal for walking the historic sites before the midday sun.
Related Tour Packages
Island Hopping
Base in Port Blair and fan out to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep), North Bay, Long Island and Baratang. January’s flat seas mean the inter-island ferries run reliably and the crossings are smooth – the single best month for an island-hopping circuit.
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Trekking to Mount Harriet
The trek up Mount Harriet (Mount Manipur) National Park near Madhuban rewards you with views over Port Blair harbour. January’s mild mornings and low humidity make the climb comfortable, and the dry trail is far easier underfoot than in the wet months.
Related Tour Packages
Water Activities
Sea walking, jet-skiing, banana-boat rides, parasailing and snorkelling all run off Havelock, North Bay and Jolly Buoy. January’s calm water and 15–30 m visibility make this the prime month – first-timers in particular benefit from the settled conditions.
Bird Watching at Chidiya Tapu
Chidiya Tapu, the southern tip of South Andaman, is the islands’ best bird-watching spot and a famous sunset point. January’s dry, clear evenings are perfect for spotting parakeets, sea eagles and the resident woodland species along the mangrove edges.
Dolphin Watching
Boat trips out of Port Blair toward North Passage and the quieter bays regularly sight bottlenose and spinner dolphins. The calm January sea keeps boats steady and the animals close to the surface, so sightings are at their most reliable this month.
Semi-Submarine Ride
At North Bay, the semi-submarine takes you below the surface to see coral and reef fish without getting wet – ideal for families and non-swimmers. January’s high visibility means the coral gardens are at their most colourful through the viewing windows.
Aberdeen Bazaar
Port Blair’s main market is the place for souvenirs, shell craft, local spices and a feel for island life. The pleasant January weather makes an afternoon of browsing and street food comfortable rather than sweaty – a good rest-day activity between island trips.
Cruise to Havelock
Private high-speed cruises and ferries make the Port Blair-Havelock run in comfort. With the January sea calm and flat, the crossing is smooth and the on-deck views of the open water and approaching islands are at their best – book ahead, as peak-season sailings fill fast.
Helicopter Tour
Inter-island helicopter services out of Port Blair give you an aerial view of the archipelago’s reefs and islets. January’s clear, low-cloud skies make for the cleanest visibility of the year from the air, a memorable splurge if your dates line up.
Forest Museum, Chatham
On Chatham Island, the Forest Museum and one of Asia’s oldest sawmills tell the story of the islands’ timber and ecology. It’s a quick, weather-proof stop that pairs naturally with Port Blair sightseeing on a January city day.
Visit Elephant Beach
Reached by a short boat ride or jungle trek from Havelock, Elephant Beach is the islands’ go-to for snorkelling and beginner water sports over a shallow coral shelf. January’s clear, calm water makes the reef easy to see and the boat approach smooth.
Want all of this organised into one trip? Browse customisable Andaman tour packages that bundle the island hops, water sports and ferries for the January window.
January vs Other Popular Months - How It Compares
January sits at the centre of the peak season, but it helps to see where it falls against the months either side and the off-season. Use this matrix to decide if January is your month.
| Month | Weather | Crowds & price | Sea & diving | Best for |
| December | Dry, peak season; festive buzz | High, peaks at New Year | Calm; great visibility | Christmas/New-Year trips |
| January | Driest, calmest, ~29–30 °C | High but eases after New Year | Best visibility (15–30 m) | Diving, island hopping, honeymoons |
| February | Dry, warm, settled | High; slightly easier than Jan | Calm; excellent diving | Beaches, water sports |
| June | Monsoon onset; humid, wet | Low; cheapest | Rougher; some ferries paused | Budget trips, green scenery |
Deciding between months? Compare with our Andaman in June and Andaman in August guides for the off-season, or Andaman in December for the festive peak right before January.
What to Pack for Andaman in January
January is warm and dry, so packing is light – but the evening breeze and full sun on the water both catch people out. Cover these and you’re set:
- Light cottons and beachwear for warm 29-30 °C days, plus swimwear you can wear under clothes for spur-of-the-moment water stops.
- One light layer, a thin jacket or shrug for the cooler 23-24 °C evenings and breezy boat rides after sunset.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat – the January sun is strong on open water even when the air feels mild.
- Water shoes or sturdy sandals for rocky entries, coral shelves and the short jungle walk to Elephant Beach.
- A dry bag and a power bank for ferry days and island hops where charging points are scarce.
Leave the heavy rain gear behind – with only 2–4 wet days expected all month, a compact travel umbrella is more than enough.
How Many Days & What It Costs in January
Five to six days is the sweet spot for a January Andaman trip: two days in and around Port Blair, two to three on Havelock, and a day on Neil. That covers the headline islands and the main water sports without rushing the ferry connections. With seven days you can add Baratang or a slower Havelock stay; with only three to four, focus on Port Blair plus a single overnight on Havelock.
On cost, January is peak season, so rates sit at the top of the year’s range. As an indicative guide, a budget 3N/4D land package (hotels, transfers and basic sightseeing, excluding flights) typically starts around ₹12,000–18,000 per person, while a mid-range 5N/6D itinerary with island ferries and a few activities runs about ₹22,000–35,000 per person. Scuba dives, sea walks and premium ferries are usually priced separately. Because January inventory moves fast, the best value goes to travellers who book early.
For current January rates and a trip built around your dates, see TravelTriangle’s Andaman tour packages – every itinerary is customisable.
Getting Around: Ferries & Island Access in January
Most of an Andaman trip is spent moving between islands, and January is the easiest month to do it. The flat, dry-season sea keeps the Port Blair-Havelock-Neil ferries running on time, and the open-sea islands that close in rough weather are all accessible.
- Private high-speed ferries such as Makruzz and Nautika run daily between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. They sell out fast in peak season – book your seats a few days ahead.
- Jolly Buoy and the marine park are open in January (Jolly Buoy operates roughly 15 November-15 May). You’ll need a forest-department permit, and the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park enforces a strict no-plastic rule.
- North Bay near Port Blair is the easiest reef-and-watersports island and runs all month on the calm January sea.
How to Plan Your Andaman Trip in January - Step by Step
- Lock your dates and flights early. January is peak season and the Port Blair flights and best hotels fill weeks ahead, with the New-Year window the busiest of all.
- Map your islands: plan a Port Blair base, two to three nights on Havelock, and a day or overnight on Neil for a balanced 5N/6D route.
- Pre-book your inter-island ferries (Makruzz/Nautika) as soon as dates are fixed, peak-season sailings sell out.
- Arrange your Jolly Buoy / Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park permit through the forest department, and pack a no-plastic day bag.
- Reserve scuba dives and water sports in advance to use January’s best-of-the-year visibility – and to secure beginner slots, which go quickly.
- Pack light cottons, one evening layer, reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes, then confirm your final package and transfers before you fly.
Plan Your January Andaman Trip
January gives you the Andamans at their best: dry, warm days, calm seas, the clearest water of the year and every island and activity fully in season. The only catch is that everyone else knows it too, so the peak-season islands reward travellers who plan and book early.
When you’re ready to turn this into an itinerary, browse customisable Andaman tour packages or start with the wider Andaman travel guide to shape your trip around the January peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions: Andaman in January
Yes - January is widely considered the best month to visit. It sits in the peak dry season with warm 29–30 °C days, calm seas around 28 °C, very little rain (~40 mm over 2–4 days) and the clearest underwater visibility of the year at 15–30 m. Every signature activity, from scuba to island hopping, is in season, which is exactly why it is the most-booked month.
January is peak season, so yes, the islands are at their busiest - especially in the first week after New Year. Flights, ferries and the better hotels book out early and prices sit at the top of the annual range. It rarely feels unpleasant, but you should reserve your dates, ferries and water sports well in advance to avoid sold-out slots.
January is the driest, most settled month. Expect daytime highs of 29–30 °C, mild nights of 23–24 °C, sea temperatures near 28 °C, humidity around 74% and only about 40 mm of rain across 2–4 days. These figures come from long-term Port Blair climate normals, and they make January ideal for beaches, boats and diving alike.
Pack light: cottons and beachwear for the warm days, one light layer for the cooler 23–24 °C evenings and breezy boat rides, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, plus water shoes for rocky and coral entries. A dry bag and power bank help on ferry days. With only 2–4 wet days all month, a compact umbrella is enough - skip the heavy rain gear.
January is peak season, so rates are at their yearly high. As an indicative guide, budget 3N/4D land packages (excluding flights) start around ₹12,000–18,000 per person, and mid-range 5N/6D itineraries run about ₹22,000–35,000 per person, with scuba and premium ferries priced separately. Booking early secures the best value, as peak-season inventory moves fast.
Yes - January is the best month for it. Dry-season visibility runs 15–30 m, the warmest, calmest water of the year, which makes scuba diving, snorkelling, sea walking and jet-skiing both safer and more rewarding. Havelock, Neil, North Bay and Elephant Beach all run water sports through the month, and conditions are especially forgiving for first-timers.
Five to six days is ideal: two around Port Blair, two to three on Havelock and a day on Neil, which covers the main islands and water sports without rushing ferries. Three to four days works for a Port Blair plus one-island taster, while seven days lets you add Baratang or a slower Havelock stay. In peak season, build in buffer time for ferry connections.
Very - January's calm, dry-season sea is when the inter-island ferries run most reliably. Private high-speed services such as Makruzz and Nautika operate daily between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. They do sell out in peak season, so book your seats a few days ahead and keep your itinerary flexible around the morning sailings.
No - the Andamans stay warm and tropical year-round. January days are around 29–30 °C and nights cool only to 23–24 °C, so it never gets cold. The most you'll want is a light layer or shrug for the evening breeze and post-sunset boat rides; there's no need for warm clothing.
Yes. Jolly Buoy is open in January (it operates roughly 15 November–15 May) and is one of the best snorkelling spots in the marine park - you'll need a forest-department permit and must follow the no-plastic rule. North Bay, near Port Blair, is open all month and is the easiest island for reef viewing, the semi-submarine and beginner water sports.
