For beaches and diving, nowhere in India beats the Andamans. The water is clear, there's reef a short swim from the sand, and forest runs right down to the beaches. Most people spend their time on two islands, Havelock and Neil, plus a day or two in Port Blair for the history.
Don't expect Goa prices or Goa's hostel scene. You have to fly in, every island hop is a paid ferry, and there are only a handful of hostels. Below: where the islands are, getting there, permits, how long to stay, beaches and dive sites, costs, and staying safe in the water.
Andaman island location: where are the islands?
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands sit between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east. The territory has 836 islands and islets, and only 31 are permanently inhabited. It's split into two groups: the Andaman Islands in the north, where almost all tourism happens, and the Nicobar Islands to the south, which are closed to tourists.
On a map, the islands look much closer to Southeast Asia than to India. Port Blair is about 1,190 km from Chennai and 1,255 km from Kolkata. The southern tip of the territory is only about 165 km from Indonesia, and the islands are about 280 km from Myanmar. That's why people sometimes ask whether the "Indian Andaman" islands are the same as Thailand's Andaman coast. They share a sea, but they're a separate island chain and part of India.
Port Blair was officially renamed Sri Vijaya Puram by a gazette notification on 14 September 2024. You'll see both names on ferry tickets, booking sites and signs, so don't let it confuse you.
Getting there
Flights to Port Blair
Nearly everyone arrives at Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), about 2 km south of Port Blair. It got a new terminal in July 2023. All flights are domestic, so you connect through a mainland city. In September 2026 there were direct flights from:
- Chennai and Kolkata: the busiest routes, several flights a day, about 2 hours 15 minutes.
- Bengaluru: about 2 hours 40 minutes.
- Delhi: about 3 hours 45 minutes.
- Hyderabad and Mumbai: fewer flights.
IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air fly these routes. There's no direct flight from Kochi, so if you're coming from Kerala you change in Chennai or Bengaluru. The fastest connections take about 3 hours 45 minutes.
Port Blair is also an e-visa entry point, but in practice international travellers enter India somewhere else first and fly in on a domestic ticket. Read our India visa guide before you book.
Permits: what you need in 2026
For years, foreigners needed a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for the Andamans. That has changed. Under the A&N Tourism notice published in March 2026:
- 29 islands no longer need a RAP, including Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep).
- 11 more islands are open to foreigners for day visits only.
- The exemption runs until 31 December 2027.
- It doesn't apply to citizens of Afghanistan, China or Pakistan, or people of those origins. They still need a permit approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Citizens of Myanmar still need a permit for Mayabunder and Diglipur.
- Tribal reserves (such as the Jarawa reserve), reserved forests, sanctuaries, defence areas and any island not open to tourism stay off-limits without separate permission.
The notice doesn't set a maximum stay. Older websites still quote "30 days plus 15", but that isn't in the current rules. If you plan to stay a long time, check with the Foreigners Registration Office in Port Blair. Keep your passport with you, because ferry bookings and some sights, such as Ross Island, ask for it.
How long to stay, with itineraries
Give the Andamans at least five nights. The flight and the ferries take time, and ferries can be cancelled in rough weather, so a tight plan is a risky one.
5 days
Two nights on Havelock and one on Neil is the minimum. Fly into Port Blair in the morning, take an afternoon ferry to Havelock, spend a full day at Radhanagar Beach and Elephant Beach, ferry to Neil, then return to Port Blair to fly out. You'll skip Port Blair's sights, or squeeze in the Cellular Jail light and sound show on the first or last evening.
1 week
Add Port Blair properly. Spend the first night there for the Cellular Jail and Ross Island, then three nights on Havelock and two on Neil. That's enough time for a try dive or a couple of snorkel trips without rushing.
10 days to 2 weeks
With ten days or more, stay longer on Havelock and do a PADI Open Water course (it takes about four days). With two weeks, add a day trip to Baratang for the limestone caves. The India itinerary guide shows how the Andamans fit onto a longer route through the rest of India.
Where to stay: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil
Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram)
The capital is a working town, not a beach resort. Stay a night for the history, the airport and the ferry port. It's also where you'll find the islands' best-known backpacker hostel.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Havelock is the main island for travellers. Most dive shops, cafes and budget huts are near the ferry jetty, in and around Govind Nagar and Vijay Nagar. Radhanagar Beach is on the west coast, about 12 km from the jetty. Havelock is busier and more developed than Neil.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
Neil is smaller and slower, with a small village, a few beaches and flat roads that are easy to cycle. Many people like it more than Havelock because it's calmer. One or two nights is plenty unless you're diving.
Things to do in the Andamans
Radhanagar Beach
Also called Beach No. 7, Radhanagar is the one you've probably seen in photos: a long curve of white sand backed by tall forest on Havelock's west coast. Time magazine named it one of the world's best beaches in 2004, and it has a Blue Flag certificate. Lifeguards work the beach during the day, and swimming is only allowed inside the marked zones. Visitors are asked to leave around sunset, so go in the afternoon and stay for the late light.
Elephant Beach
Elephant Beach, on Havelock, has shallow reef close to shore and is the easiest place for a first snorkel. You can take a boat from the jetty area (about 20 minutes, roughly ₹950 to ₹1,500 return) or walk a forest trail of about 2 to 2.5 km each way. The trail is muddy after rain. A crocodile sighting led to a temporary closure of the beach in May 2025, and the forest department said it would reopen after a safety assessment. An upgraded floating jetty for water sports and diving was inaugurated there in July 2026. We couldn't find a clear reopening notice, so ask your boat operator or dive shop whether the beach is open that day and where swimming is allowed.
Kala Pathar Beach
About 6.5 km from the Havelock jetty, Kala Pathar takes its name from the black rocks along the shore (kala pathar means "black stone" in Hindi). It's quieter than Radhanagar. You'll need a scooter or an auto to get there.
Neil's beaches and the Natural Bridge
On Neil, Bharatpur Beach has shallow, calm water that's good for swimming. People go to Laxmanpur Beach for sunset, and the Natural Bridge, a rock arch shaped by the sea, is nearby. Go at low tide, when you can walk out to it. Sitapur Beach, on the other side of the island, is the sunrise spot.
Scuba diving and snorkelling
The Andamans are India's main place to learn to dive. Havelock has most of the dive centres, and PADI's directory lists several there, including Ocean School Andaman, Havelock Farms Scuba, Experience Scuba, Scuba India, Lacadives and United Scuba. In September 2026, a PADI Open Water course cost roughly ₹20,000 to ₹28,000, and a try dive for beginners started at around ₹3,500. Ask what's included (equipment, GST, boat dives) and how many students each instructor takes before you pay.
The dive season runs from about October to May. If you've already dived in Thailand, it's interesting to compare: our Thailand diving guide covers Koh Tao and the Thai Andaman coast.
The Cellular Jail and the light and sound show
The Cellular Jail in Port Blair is a colonial prison where the British held Indian freedom fighters. It's now a national memorial. It's open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 12:30 and again from 13:30 until late afternoon, and it's closed on Mondays. Entry costs about ₹100 for foreigners and ₹30 for Indian citizens, plus ₹50 for a camera. The evening light and sound show (about ₹300, around 45 minutes) tells the prison's story in the courtyard. There are Hindi and English shows, and the English one isn't on every night, so check the schedule at the ticket counter.
Ross Island
Ross Island, officially Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, was the British headquarters. Today it's a small island of ruined colonial buildings. Boats leave from Aberdeen Jetty in Port Blair and take about 15 to 20 minutes. It's reported to be closed on Wednesdays.
Baratang: limestone caves and the Jarawa reserve
Baratang, north of Port Blair, is known for its limestone caves, which you reach by a boat through mangrove creeks and a short forest walk. The road there passes through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve. Vehicles drive in escorted convoys at fixed times, and you can't stop, take photos or videos, or interact with the Jarawa people in any way. Photographing them is a criminal offence. If you'd rather not drive through the reserve, Makruzz also runs a ferry from Port Blair to Baratang, which skips the reserve road. Expect a very long day either way, with an early start.
Best time to visit the Andaman Islands
The islands are warm all year, with average temperatures between about 23°C and 31°C. Rain is what decides when to go:
- November to April is the main season, with calmer seas, smoother ferry crossings and the clearest water. January to April is the driest stretch.
- Late May to September brings the south-west monsoon and most of the year's rain. Seas get rough and ferries are cancelled more often.
- October to December has the milder north-east monsoon, with showers that usually pass quickly.
Around Christmas and New Year, book ferries and rooms early. For the rest of India season by season, see the best time to visit India.
Getting around
Ferries between the islands
Private catamarans link Port Blair, Havelock and Neil several times a day. The main operators are Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean and ITT Majestic. Government ferries are cheaper and slower. Approximate one-way fares, checked September 2026:
| Route | Time | Private ferries | Government ferry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Blair to Havelock | 1 h 30 to 2 h 15 | ₹1,100 to ₹3,400 | ₹400 to ₹700 (about 2 h 30) |
| Havelock to Neil | 45 min to 1 h 15 | ₹1,000 to ₹3,200 | |
| Neil to Port Blair | 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 | ₹1,050 to ₹3,300 | about ₹675 |
The cheaper end is economy or early-morning seats, and the top end is business class. A ₹50 port security fee is added per passenger. Private ferries sell out in peak season, so book a few days ahead. Government ferry seats are released only a couple of days before sailing and go fast. Leave a spare day before your flight home in case a sailing is cancelled.
On the islands
On Havelock and Neil, most people rent a scooter (about ₹400 to ₹700 a day in September 2026) or use autos. You'll need a valid driving licence, and your travel insurance should cover you on a scooter. On Neil, a bicycle is enough.
How much does a trip to the Andamans cost?
The Andamans cost more than most of India. The flight and ferries are the big fixed costs, and diving adds a lot. Approximate prices, checked September 2026, at September 2026 rates of about ₹96 to US$1:
| Item | Price (₹) | About (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed, Port Blair | from 879 | from 9 |
| Simple beach hut on Havelock, per night | 700 to 1,200 | 7 to 12 |
| Ferry, Port Blair to Havelock (economy) | 1,100 to 1,400 | 11 to 15 |
| Scooter rental, per day | 400 to 700 | 4 to 7 |
| Cellular Jail entry (foreigners) | 100 | 1 |
| Light and sound show | 300 | 3 |
| Boat to Elephant Beach, return | 950 to 1,500 | 10 to 16 |
| Try dive | from about 3,500 | from about 36 |
| PADI Open Water course | 20,000 to 28,000 | 210 to 290 |
Mobile data is patchy. Airtel is usually the fastest on Havelock and in Port Blair, BSNL has the widest coverage, and Jio is reported to be weak once you leave Port Blair. UPI payments often fail near the beaches when the signal drops, so take out enough cash in Port Blair before you get on the ferry. For costs across the rest of the country, see how much India costs.
Hostels and where to stay for solo travellers
There are far fewer hostels here than in Goa or Rishikesh. In September 2026, the only hostel with dorm beds that Hostelworld listed for the islands was Zostel Port Blair, rated 8.1 from a small number of reviews, with dorms from about ₹879. It's a good first night if you land in the afternoon, and a place to meet other travellers heading to the same ferries.
On Havelock, dorm beds are rare. Hostel Nemo on Govind Nagar Beach describes itself as a dive hostel for solo travellers and backpackers, and Classic Hostel is listed on MakeMyTrip. Most budget travellers stay in simple beach huts and guesthouses instead. Huts start at around ₹700 to ₹1,200 a night with a fan and mosquito net, according to AndamanTourism.org's 2026 budget guide. If you're diving, staying near your dive shop is an easy way to meet people, since you'll be on the same early boats every day.
Safety tips for solo travellers
Most of the specific risks here are in and around the water.
- Crocodiles: saltwater crocodiles live in the creeks and mangroves, and they sometimes turn up at beaches. In 2010 a young American snorkeller was killed by a crocodile in a cove near Radhanagar Beach on Havelock, and swimming at Radhanagar has been stopped for short spells after sightings since then. Read the warning signs, swim only where swimming is allowed, stay out of the water at dusk and after dark, and keep away from creek mouths and mangroves.
- Currents and boats: the UK government warns that there are strong currents off many Indian coasts, that most beaches have no warning flags or lifesaving equipment, and that small tourist boats rarely carry safety gear. Swim in lifeguarded zones and ask for a life jacket on boats.
- Diving: choose a PADI centre, check the kit, and make sure your insurance covers scuba diving to the depth you'll dive.
- Health: TravelHealthPro rates malaria as a low risk in the Andamans, where avoiding bites is enough: use repellent, cover up in the evenings and sleep under a net where you're given one. Ask a travel clinic about your own needs.
- Rules: stay out of tribal reserves, and leave coral and shells where they are.
For general advice on travelling alone in India, see our India safety guide.
Our trips and the Andamans
We run a dedicated Andaman Islands trip: eight days out of Port Blair, with three nights on Havelock and two on Neil, a Cellular Jail visit, Radhanagar Beach, a snorkel trip to Elephant Beach and an optional try dive.
If you'd rather see more of India first, both India North to South and the India Golden Triangle end near a city with flights to Port Blair, so you can add the islands on afterwards.
After India North to South. Our 21-day trip travels from Delhi through Rajasthan, Mumbai, Goa and Hampi to Kerala. The trip page lists current dates. It ends in Alleppey after breakfast on Day 21, about two hours by road from Kochi airport. From Kochi you can fly to Port Blair with a change in Chennai or Bengaluru and spend a week on the islands before flying home.
After the India Golden Triangle. This seven-day trip starts and ends in Delhi and runs from October to March. Delhi has direct flights to Port Blair, about 3 hours 45 minutes.
For beaches on the mainland, our Goa travel guide is the other place to go in the same months. Or head back to the India travel guide to plan the rest of your trip.
