The Andaman Islands are India’s answer to a tropical-island holiday — Radhanagar’s white sand, some of the country’s best scuba diving, and a slower island pace, all without a passport. This guide covers how to reach, the season, costs in ₹, and a 5-day Port Blair–Havelock–Neil plan.
A sample 5-day Andaman itinerary
A realistic, low-backtracking route. Generate your own — shaped to your dates, budget and pace — in ~45s.
Port Blair
Arrive, Cellular Jail and the evening light-and-sound show.
Ferry to Havelock
Cross to Havelock, sunset at Radhanagar.
Havelock water day
Scuba/snorkel at Elephant Beach, reef time.
Neil Island
Ferry to Neil — natural bridge and quiet beaches.
Return & fly
Ferry back to Port Blair, North Bay or shopping, depart.
Best time to visit Andaman
October to May is the best time to visit the Andamans — dry, sunny and calm seas for water sports. The monsoon (June–September) brings rough seas that can disrupt ferries. December–January is peak; the shoulder months are excellent value.
| When | Weather | Crowd | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct–Dec | Dry, calm seas | High | Great conditions; Dec peak |
| Jan–May | Sunny, warm | Medium | Excellent for diving |
| Jun–Sep | Monsoon, rough seas | Low | Cheapest; ferries can be disrupted |
Getting to Andaman
Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Delhi — the only practical way in (the passenger ship from Chennai/Kolkata/Vizag takes 3–4 days). Between islands, government and private ferries connect Port Blair, Havelock and Neil; book the inter-island ferries in advance.
- Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai/Kolkata/Bengaluru/Delhi
- Inter-island ferries to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) & Neil (Shaheed Dweep)
- Pre-book private ferries (Makruzz/Nautika) in peak season
- Local autos/scooters on the islands
Permit note: Indian citizens do NOT need a permit for the main tourist islands (foreigners need a separate RAP). Some tribal/restricted islands remain off-limits to everyone.
Andaman trip cost from India
Andaman costs are driven by flights and ferries; on-island spend is moderate. Per-person, per-day excluding flights:
Guesthouses, govt ferries, local food
Good resorts, private ferries, a dive
Premium beach resorts, curated diving
Ballpark for a 5-day trip: ₹30,000–55,000 per person incl. flights (comfort).
Veg & Jain food in Andaman
Seafood is the star, but vegetarians manage well — South Indian veg meals, North Indian thalis and café fare are available on Port Blair and Havelock. Choice narrows on smaller islands, so pure-veg/Jain travellers should plan meals around the bigger hubs.
Safety & scams
The Andamans are safe and laid-back. The practical risks are sea conditions (heed ferry cancellations and beach flags), limited mobile network on the islands, and respecting marine-life and coral while diving.
- ⚠Ferry sell-outs — book inter-island tickets in advance
- ⚠Patchy network beyond Port Blair — carry cash, download maps
- ⚠Unlicensed dive operators — choose PADI/SSI-certified centres
Andaman FAQs
Do Indians need a permit for the Andamans?
No — Indian citizens do not need a permit for the main tourist islands (foreigners need a RAP). Some tribal/restricted islands are off-limits to all.
What is the best time to visit the Andamans?
October to May for dry weather and calm seas; the monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings rough seas that can disrupt ferries.
How do you reach the Andamans?
Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Delhi; inter-island ferries connect Havelock and Neil — book them ahead.
How much does an Andaman trip cost?
A comfortable 5-day trip is roughly ₹30,000–55,000 per person including flights, with flights and ferries the main costs.