The Andaman & Nicobar Islands offer some of the world's best beaches, crystal-clear water, and vibrant coral reefs — all within India, no passport needed. From the famous Radhanagar Beach on Havelock to bioluminescent plankton at Neil Island, Andaman is a destination that rivals any international beach holiday.
How do you reach Andaman from India?
Fly to Port Blair (Veer Savarkar Airport) from Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Flights take 2–2.5 hours from the mainland. IndiGo and Air India operate frequent routes. Book 1–2 months ahead for the best fares (₹6,000–14,000 per person one way).
Ships also sail to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. The South Andaman district administration says there are three to four sailings a month from Kolkata and from Chennai, one a month from Visakhapatnam, and that the voyage takes about 50 to 60 hours in fair weather. It is scenic, but it is not practical for a short trip.
How do you get from Port Blair to Havelock and Neil?
By ferry. Havelock is officially Swaraj Dweep and Neil is Shaheed Dweep, so expect to see both names on tickets and signboards.
- Government ferries: the Directorate of Shipping Services runs regular ferries from Phoenix Bay Jetty in Port Blair. Tickets are issued at the STARS counters at the same jetty.
- Private ferries: in the tourist season private luxury boats run from Phoenix Bay Jetty to Havelock and back, and the administration notes that they cut the travel time considerably.
- Day boats: private boats leave Aberdeen Jetty for Ross Island and North Bay, and boats for Jolly Buoy leave from Wandoor.
Seats sell out in season, so book the ferries two to three days ahead. When we plan an Andaman trip, the ferry tickets are booked with the hotels so the island days and the flight home line up.
Do Indians need a permit to visit Andaman?
No. Indian citizens do not need a permit to visit the Andaman Islands, and no passport or visa either, because it is a domestic trip. Carry a government photo ID for the flight and the ferries. The rules below are from the official entry formalities page of ANIIDCO, the Andaman and Nicobar administration's development corporation, read in October 2026.
- Indian nationals: no permit is needed for the Andamans. That covers Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep), Baratang, Long Island, Diglipur and Little Andaman outside the tribal reserve.
- Tribal areas: visiting the tribal areas of the Andaman and Nicobar districts is prohibited. A Tribal Pass is issued only by the Deputy Commissioner, on a government department's recommendation, so it is not something a holiday visitor applies for. North Sentinel Island and the Jarawa Reserve stay strictly off-limits.
- Foreign nationals: foreigners need a permit to stay in the islands. It is given on arrival at Port Blair by the immigration authorities for 30 days and can be extended by 15 days with permission. If someone in your group holds a foreign passport, tell us before we book.
Which islands and beaches should you visit in Andaman?
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Havelock is the crown jewel of Andaman. Radhanagar Beach (Beach 7) consistently ranks among Asia's best beaches — powder white sand, emerald water, and forested hills as a backdrop. Elephant Beach is the snorkelling hotspot with vivid coral gardens.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
Smaller and quieter than Havelock, Neil is ideal for couples and solo travellers. Bharatpur Beach is great for swimming; Laxmanpur Beach is famous for its natural rock arch and bioluminescent plankton at night (best April–October). Rent a bicycle to explore the entire island in 3 hours.
Port Blair
Your gateway to Andaman. Visit the Cellular Jail (evening sound-and-light show is excellent), Ross Island (abandoned British administrative headquarters, now home to deer and peacocks), and North Bay Island for glass-bottom boat rides and water sports.
What water sports can you do in Andaman, and what do they cost?
Andaman has some of India's best diving. PADI dive courses start at ₹12,000. Top water sports available:
- Scuba diving: Elephant Beach, Barracuda City, Lighthouse — ₹3,500–5,000/dive
- Sea walking: North Bay Island — ₹3,000–4,000 per person
- Snorkelling: Elephant Beach, Jolly Buoy — ₹500–1,000
- Kayaking through mangroves: Baratang — ₹1,500–2,000
- Jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat: North Bay — ₹800–2,000
How do you spend 5 days in Andaman?
| Day | Location | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Port Blair | Arrive, Cellular Jail sound-and-light show |
| Day 2 | Port Blair | Ross Island, North Bay water sports, Corbyn's Cove |
| Day 3 | Havelock Island | Radhanagar Beach sunset, scuba diving |
| Day 4 | Havelock + Neil | Elephant Beach snorkelling, Neil Island bioluminescence |
| Day 5 | Port Blair depart | Shopping at Aberdeen Bazaar, fly home |
Five days is the shortest trip that covers Port Blair, Havelock and Neil without rushing. With a sixth or seventh night, spend it on Havelock: Radhanagar Beach and Elephant Beach each deserve a slow day. With only a weekend, drop Neil and keep one night in Port Blair and one on Havelock.
How much does an Andaman trip cost for a couple?
A 5-night Andaman trip for a couple costs about ₹55,000 to ₹1,37,000 in total, including return flights from Bangalore, accommodation, food, local transport, water sports and the inter-island ferries. The table shows where the money goes, per couple for 5 nights.
| Item | Cost (couple) |
|---|---|
| Return flights from Bangalore | ₹20,000–35,000 |
| 5 nights accommodation | ₹15,000–60,000 |
| Food & local transport | ₹10,000–18,000 |
| Water sports & entry fees | ₹8,000–20,000 |
| Ferry tickets (inter-island) | ₹2,000–4,000 |
| Total per couple | ₹55,000–1,37,000 |
Two lines move the total most:
- Accommodation: the widest range in the table, ₹15,000 to ₹60,000 for 5 nights. Where you stay on Havelock decides most of it.
- Water sports: one scuba dive is ₹3,500 to ₹5,000 per person and sea walking is ₹3,000 to ₹4,000, so one dive and one sea walk each comes to ₹13,000 to ₹18,000 for a couple.
A family should plan for more. Our summer family holiday guide budgets 5 nights for a family of four at ₹80,000 to ₹1,50,000 including flights. To see the figure change with the number of nights and the month, try our trip budget calculator.
When is the best time to visit Andaman?
November to April has the best weather: calm sea, clear water and every water sport running. May to September is the monsoon, and it is the stretch to avoid.
- November to February: the most popular months, so book flights one to two months ahead and ferries before you land.
- March and April: still good beach weather. Our summer family guide also counts April and May as workable for families, before the rain sets in.
- May to September: the monsoon months. Plan the trip for another time of year if you can.
Is Andaman good for a honeymoon?
Yes, for couples who want beaches and water sports without a passport. Our India honeymoon guide ranks Andaman among the best honeymoon destinations in the country and budgets 5 nights at ₹60,000 to ₹1,20,000 per couple including flights. Neil Island is the quiet one, and Radhanagar Beach on Havelock is the sunset to plan a day around.
What Andaman does not have is the overwater villa. If that is the point of the trip, read our Andaman vs Maldives comparison before you decide.
Which Andaman packages does Curate Your Vacation offer?
We list five Andaman trips on our packages page. Each is priced on request for your dates and your city, so no price is shown here.
| Package | Nights | Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman Weekend: Port Blair and Havelock | 2 | Port Blair 1, Havelock 1 |
| Andaman Family Classic | 4 | Port Blair 3, Havelock 1 |
| Escorted Andaman with Havelock | 4 | Port Blair and Havelock, group tour with a tour manager |
| Three Islands: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil | 5 | Port Blair 3, Havelock 1, Neil 1 |
| Andaman for Two: Port Blair and Havelock | 6 | Port Blair 3, Havelock 3 |
All five include the ferry transfers. The couples' trip adds snorkelling and a candlelight dinner on Havelock, and the three-island trip adds a full day at North Bay Island.
How do you plan an Andaman trip from Bangalore or Coimbatore?
Curate Your Vacation plans Andaman from two offices in South India:
- Bangalore office: call or WhatsApp 9945534012. Port Blair has flights from Bangalore, and the budget table above uses return fares of ₹20,000 to ₹35,000 per couple from Bangalore.
- Coimbatore office: No 23, M.S. Palaniappan Nagar, P N Pudur, Coimbatore 641041. Call or WhatsApp 9994042247. We check the best routing from Coimbatore for your dates before we quote.
Tell us your travel month, how many nights and who is travelling. We send back a day-by-day plan with flights, named hotels in Port Blair and on Havelock, ferry tickets and sightseeing, quoted for your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indians need a permit or passport for Andaman?
No. Indian nationals need no permit to visit the Andamans and no passport, because it is a domestic trip. Carry a government photo ID. Visiting the tribal areas is prohibited.
How many days are enough for Andaman?
Five days covers Port Blair, Havelock and Neil without rushing. A weekend is enough for Port Blair and one night on Havelock, and a sixth or seventh night is best spent on Havelock.
What does a 5-night Andaman trip cost for a couple?
About ₹55,000 to ₹1,37,000 in total for a couple, including return flights from Bangalore, accommodation, food, local transport, water sports and inter-island ferries.
What is the best time to visit Andaman?
November to April has the best weather. May to September is the monsoon, which our guide suggests avoiding.
How do you get from Port Blair to Havelock?
By ferry from Phoenix Bay Jetty in Port Blair. Regular government ferries run from there, and private luxury boats run in the tourist season. Book two to three days ahead because seats sell out.
Can Curate Your Vacation plan an Andaman trip from Coimbatore?
Yes. Our Coimbatore office at P N Pudur (9994042247) and our Bangalore office (9945534012) both plan Andaman trips, with flights, hotels, ferries and sightseeing quoted for your dates.
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