Andaman Islands — How to Get There and What Nobody Tells You

The Andaman Islands sit 1,400 kilometres from the Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal, yet they remain one of India's least understood travel destinations. Most visitors know about Havelock Island (officially Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). Far fewer know how to reach them efficiently, how to navigate the inter-island ferries, or what the islands actually feel like once you are there.

Getting There — Flights and the Port Blair Transit

There are no direct flights from most Indian cities to anywhere except Port Blair. Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru — IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet all operate routes. Port Blair itself is not the destination; it is the gateway. You will likely spend one night here, visit the Cellular Jail (the former British colonial prison, now a moving sound-and-light show), and move on the following morning to the outer islands. Allow time for this transit; Port Blair is functional, not beautiful.

Havelock Island — The Benchmark

Havelock is where most visitors spend the bulk of their time, and for good reason. Radhanagar Beach on its western shore is consistently ranked among Asia's finest — a two-kilometre arc of white sand backed by dense forest, facing an Andaman Sea that genuinely glows turquoise at low tide. The snorkelling off Elephant Beach is excellent without requiring certification. For experienced divers, the sites around Havelock include wall dives, coral gardens, and occasional encounters with manta rays and whale sharks between December and April. Stay at least two nights, ideally three.

Neil Island — The Quieter Alternative

Neil is smaller, quieter, and significantly less developed than Havelock. The pace drops further. Bicycles are the preferred mode of transport, the restaurants close early, and the beaches — particularly Bharatpur and Laxmanpur — are largely empty. If you find Havelock too crowded during peak season (December to February), Neil offers the same crystalline water and coral reefs with a fraction of the visitors.

What Nobody Tells You

The ferry system between islands is government-operated, unreliable, and often overbooked during peak season. We strongly advise booking government ferry tickets well in advance (they are available online through the Andaman government portal) or using a private speedboat service from Port Blair for flexibility. Accommodation options are limited and the best properties book out months ahead for the Christmas and New Year period. The coral bleaching that affected many reefs in 2016 has partially recovered — the northern sites around Diglipur, which few visitors reach, have some of the least damaged reef in the entire archipelago. The Protected Area Permit (PAP) required to visit the tribal islands is genuinely off-limits; do not attempt to visit the North Sentinel Island or Jarawa territory regardless of what you read online.

Best Time to Visit

October to May is the optimal window. The sea is calm, visibility underwater is excellent (20–30 metres on good days), and the weather is dry. June through September brings the Southwest Monsoon, with rough seas, poor visibility, and ferry services regularly suspended. The post-monsoon period of late October and November is particularly rewarding: the vegetation is lush from the rains, the seas have settled, and visitors have not yet arrived in full force.

Planning an Andaman journey? Explore our Andaman packages or speak to a travel designer.