Most Andaman trips follow the same loop. You fly into Port Blair, take the ferry to Havelock, hop across to Neil and come back. This plan gives each island enough time that you needn’t rush, with two nights on Havelock for Radhanagar Beach and a day in the water.
Expect to see two sets of names. Port Blair was officially renamed Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024, Havelock is Swaraj Dweep and Neil is Shaheed Dweep. Ferry tickets and signs use both the old names and the new ones.
Andaman itinerary for 6 days: day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram)
Once you’ve landed and checked in, go to the Cellular Jail, where the British held Indian freedom fighters, and stay on for the evening light and sound show. If there’s time before that, spend an hour at Corbyn’s Cove beach.
Day 2: Ferry to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Radhanagar Beach
Catch a morning ferry to Havelock, which takes about two hours depending on the boat. In the afternoon, go to Radhanagar Beach, a long arc of white sand backed by forest, and stay until sunset.
Day 3: Snorkelling at Elephant Beach
Get to Elephant Beach by boat from the jetty or along the forest trail, and snorkel over the reef. Havelock is also where most people try scuba diving for the first time. The dive centres run short introductory dives, and you don’t need any experience. In the evening, walk along quiet Kalapathar Beach.
Day 4: Ferry to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
The ferry to Neil takes about an hour. It’s a small, slow island, and you can cycle around most of it. At Bharatpur Beach, snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat. Walk out to the Natural Bridge rock formation at low tide (check the tide times first), then watch the sunset at Laxmanpur Beach.
Day 5: Back to Port Blair
Be at Sitapur Beach for sunrise before you take the ferry back to Port Blair. Late in the afternoon, head south to Chidiya Tapu for sunset over the sea.
Day 6: Ross Island or North Bay, then fly out
With an afternoon flight, you have time for a morning boat to Ross Island (now Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep). The old British settlement there lies in ruins, and deer wander among the trees. If you’d rather spend the morning snorkelling, go to North Bay instead.
Best time to visit Andaman
- October to May is the season. December to March has the calmest seas and the clearest water for snorkelling and diving.
- Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks, so book flights and ferries well ahead.
- June to September is the monsoon. Heavy rain and rough seas often cancel ferries and water sports.
How to reach Andaman
- By flight: Veer Savarkar International Airport in Sri Vijaya Puram has direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi and other cities. For most people, flying is the only practical way in.
- By ship: passenger ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, and the voyage takes two to three days.
- Between islands: government and private ferries link Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. The private boats are faster and sell out sooner.
How many days are enough for Andaman?
Four days is enough for Port Blair and Havelock. Six days (5 nights), as in this plan, adds Neil and lets you slow down. If you have eight, add Baratang’s limestone caves and mangroves, or go north to Long Island or Diglipur.
What affects the cost of an Andaman trip
- Flights: these are usually the biggest cost, and fares rise sharply in peak season.
- Ferries: private catamarans cost more than government ferries, but they’re faster and easier to book.
- Where you stay: beach resorts on Havelock cost much more than guesthouses a short walk from the sea.
- Water sports: scuba dives, sea walks and boat trips add up, so pick the one or two you care about most.
Andaman travel tips
- Book ferries early: in peak season the good sailings fill up days ahead.
- Cash: ATMs on Havelock and Neil can run out, so carry enough with you.
- Mobile data: expect slow or patchy connections, especially on the smaller islands.
- Coral: don’t touch or stand on coral. Taking coral or shells off the islands is against the law.
- Swimming: swim only where signs and locals say it’s safe. Saltwater crocodiles live in some creeks and mangroves.
- Plastic: the islands restrict single-use plastic, so bring a refillable bottle.
Updated . Roads, ferries and rules change, so check the latest before you book.