Andaman

Travel Guide

Andaman's four main islands are Havelock, Neil, Ross, and North Bay. Havelock Island hosts Radhanagar Beach and offers scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Neil Island has three beaches — Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, and Sitapur — along with coral reefs. Ross Island contains British colonial ruins from the 1800s, including a church, hospital, and administrative buildings. North Bay Island is known for coral viewing and water sports. Ferry travel from Port Blair takes approximately 2 hours to Havelock Island and 90 minutes to Neil Island. North Bay Island is 15 minutes by boat from Port Blair. Each island serves a distinct purpose: water sports, historical exploration, or beach visits. For more inspiration, see our guide to 12 Must-Visit Islands in Andaman.

Snorkeling at Elephant Beach on Havelock Island, and scuba diving at Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) with visibility reaching 40 meters. Visit Cellular Jail National Memorial in Port Blair, which hosts light and sound shows at 6 PM and 7:15 PM. Explore limestone caves and mangrove creeks at Baratang Island. Water sports at Corbyn's Cove Beach include parasailing and jet skiing. Take glass-bottom boat rides at North Bay Island or try sea walking there. Trek through tropical forests at Mount Harriet National Park, explore colonial ruins on Ross Island, and kayak through mangrove forests at Havelock Island.

Andaman is accessible by air and sea from mainland India. Direct flights operate from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. Flight duration ranges from 2–5 hours depending on departure city. Passenger ships run from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam to Port Blair. Sea travel takes 50–60 hours from Chennai and Kolkata, and 56 hours from Visakhapatnam. Ships operate 3–4 times monthly on each route. Air travel costs more but saves time, while sea travel offers lower fares with longer journey duration.

The Andaman Islands have low crime rates and rare violent incidents involving tourists. Monsoon season runs May to September, potentially disrupting ferry services and flights. Strong ocean currents exist at certain beaches — swim only at designated areas with lifeguards present. Cellular coverage is limited on remote islands. Medical facilities outside Port Blair are basic, so bring necessary medications. Forest department guidelines must be followed in protected areas. Alcohol consumption is prohibited on some islands, including Havelock beaches after sunset. The local population is generally friendly toward visitors.

October to May offers optimal conditions for visiting the Andaman Islands. Temperatures range from 23°C to 30°C with minimal rainfall. Calm seas enable water activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, and reliable boat transfers between islands. Underwater visibility reaches up to 40 meters during December to April.

Monsoon season runs June to September with heavy rainfall averaging 250–300mm monthly. Strong winds and rough seas frequently cancel ferry services and water sports. Many resorts and tour operators reduce services or close temporarily during this period. Flight schedules experience disruptions due to weather conditions. Sea conditions remain unpredictable with limited visibility for diving activities. For a detailed breakdown, see our best time to visit Andaman guide.

Andaman cuisine features fresh seafood including fish, crabs, prawns, and lobsters prepared with coconut milk, curry leaves, turmeric, and red chilies. Common dishes include fish curry, prawn masala, and crab preparations. Food is traditionally wrapped in banana leaves for cooking. The cuisine combines Bengali, Tamil, and Burmese influences from the islands' settlement history. Rice serves as the primary staple, accompanied by tropical fruits like coconut, banana, and jackfruit. Local markets in Port Blair and Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) sell fresh catches daily. Most restaurants serve seafood-based meals priced between ₹200–800 per dish. For a deeper dive into local flavours, Seafood and local cuisine tasting is highly recommended during your visit.

Indian citizens need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit restricted zones including North Sentinel Island, Little Andaman tribal areas, and parts of Middle and North Andaman. Foreign tourists require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for all areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The RAP can be obtained on arrival at Port Blair airport or through Indian missions abroad. It allows stays up to 30 days and covers tourist destinations like Havelock, Neil Island, and Ross Island. Both permits are free. Remote tribal areas remain completely off-limits to all tourists for protection of indigenous communities.