Andaman Islands 2026 – First-Time Visitor’s Complete Guide

Andaman is the cheapest international-feeling destination accessible to Indians without a passport. Crystal clear waters, world-class diving, untouched beaches. Here’s how to actually plan it.

Permits + Logistics

Indians need NO permit. Just board the flight. Foreigners need a Restricted Area Permit (free, issued on arrival).

How to reach: Only by flights to Port Blair (Veer Savarkar Airport). Direct from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad. 3.5-4.5 hours. Round-trip Rs.18,000-35,000 depending on season.

The 3 Main Islands to Visit

• Port Blair – Capital, gateway, base for 1-2 nights. Cellular Jail, Corbyn’s Cove Beach.
• Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) – Main beach destination. Radhanagar Beach (Asia’s best beach by multiple rankings). 2.5-hour ferry from Port Blair. Stay 3-4 nights.
• Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) – Quieter, smaller, fewer crowds. Bharatpur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach sunset. 1.5-hour ferry. Stay 1-2 nights.

7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Port Blair afternoon. Cellular Jail visit + Sound & Light show evening (Rs.250, mandatory). Dinner at Excel Restaurant.

Day 2: Morning Ross Island + North Bay Coral Island combo ferry (Rs.800, includes snorkeling). Afternoon Chidiya Tapu sunset.

Day 3: Catch Makruzz Premium Ferry to Havelock (Rs.1,500/person, 90 min). Check in. Radhanagar Beach sunset.

Day 4: Discover scuba diving at Lighthouse Reef or Aquarium (Rs.3,500/person, no certification needed). Afternoon Elephant Beach speedboat trip + snorkeling.

Day 5: Cycle around Havelock village, visit Kalapathar Beach, sunset at Radhanagar (yes, again – it’s that good).

Day 6: Ferry to Neil Island (1.5 hours, Rs.1,000). Bharatpur Beach snorkel, Natural Bridge at Howrah Bridge formation, Laxmanpur sunset.

Day 7: Morning Sitapur Beach (sunrise), ferry back to Port Blair (3 hours), evening flight home.

Scuba Diving

Andaman has the best diving in India – water visibility 20-30m. Operators: Barefoot Scuba, Dive India, Ocean Tribe. Open Water Certification (4 days, Rs.22,000-28,000). Discover Scuba (single dive, no certification, Rs.3,500). Manta rays, turtles, dugongs occasionally.

Budget for Couple, 7 Days

• Round-trip flights: Rs.30,000-55,000
• 6 nights stays (mix): Rs.30,000-65,000
• Inter-island ferries: Rs.6,000-9,000
• Food: Rs.10,000-15,000
• Activities, dives, ferries to small islands: Rs.15,000-30,000
• Local transport, scooter rental: Rs.4,000-6,000

Total: Rs.95,000-1,80,000 for couple’s 7 days.

Best Time

October-May: Dry season, calm seas, all activities running. Peak December-January.

June-September: Monsoon, ferries irregular, but hotels 40-50% cheaper, fewer crowds. Diving still possible on calm days.