What To See And Do In Andaman Islands, A Complete Travel Guide

When people think tropical paradise, they imagine the Maldives, Bali or Thailand. They don't realise India has its own stunning archipelago floating in the Bay of Bengal with beaches that rival anything Southeast Asia offers. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, officially named "Emerald Islands" for their lush green forests and turquoise waters, are where salt-white beaches meet ancient rainforests, where teal shallows hide vibrant coral reefs, and where pink sunrises over coconut palms become your daily alarm clock. This is India's answer to an island paradise. And here's the best part: no international passport needed. No visa hassles. No foreign exchange stress. Just a domestic flight from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, or Bangalore, and you're in a world that feels like a different planet altogether. The Andamans offer what most Indians crave from beach vacations: pristine beaches for lazy afternoons, world-class scuba diving and snorkelling, fresh seafood that tastes like the ocean, laid-back island vibes without the chaos, and that Instagram-worthy scenery everyone wants. Whether you're honeymooning, seeking adventure, travelling with family, or just desperate to escape the mainland's noise, the Emerald Islands welcome you with open beaches.

Also Read: Last-Minute Valentine's Getaways: Romantic Spots Near India For Couples

Understanding the Emerald Islands

Photo Credit: Unsplash

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise around 572 islands, though only 37 are inhabited. The main tourist circuit includes Port Blair (the capital), Havelock Island (officially renamed Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), and a few others like Long Island and Little Andaman for the adventurous.

The "Emerald" nickname comes from two sources: the dense, often impenetrable tropical forests covering most islands, and the stunning emerald-green waters that shimmer in every shade from pale turquoise to deep teal depending on depth and light. When you see it in person, you understand why poets and photographers lose their minds here.

How to Reach the Andaman Islands

By Air (Recommended)

Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair connects to major Indian cities. Direct flights operate from:

• Delhi (4-5 hours)
• Mumbai (5 hours)
• Chennai (2 hours—closest and cheapest)
• Bangalore (2.5 hours)
• Kolkata (2 hours)
• Hyderabad (3.5 hours)

Best Time: November to mid-May is perfect. December-March is peak season (crowded but beautiful weather). Avoid monsoons (June-September) as ferries get cancelled and underwater visibility drops.

By Sea (For the Adventurous)

Ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam to Port Blair. Takes 3-4 days. Schedules are unreliable. Only recommended if you have lots of time and love old-school sea voyages.

Inter-Island Travel

Once in Port Blair, you'll need ferries to reach Havelock, Neil, and other islands.

Private Ferries (Recommended):

• Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika, ITT Majestic
• Air-conditioned, comfortable, reliable
• Port Blair to Havelock: 1.5-2 hours (₹1,000-1,500)
• Havelock to Neil: 45 minutes (₹600-1,000)
• Neil to Port Blair: 1.5 hours
• Book 7-15 days in advance online; tickets sell out fast

Government Ferries:

• Cheaper (₹300-500) but crowded, slower (2.5-3 hours), less comfortable
• Tickets often don't confirm
• Only consider if you're on a tight budget and flexible with timing

The Must-Visit Islands

Port Blair: The Gateway

Port Blair isn't where you'll spend most of your time, but it's the necessary starting point. While here:

Cellular Jail: The colonial-era prison where Indian freedom fighters were imprisoned. The sound and light show (₹250, book online) brings history alive. Deeply moving.

Corbyn's Cove Beach: City beach good for quick swimming, water sports (jet ski ₹500, banana boat ₹300).

North Bay Island: Day trip for snorkelling, scuba diving, and glass-bottom boat rides. Vibrant coral reefs.

Ross Island: Former British administrative headquarters, now jungle-covered ruins. Deer roam freely. Haunting beauty.

Where to Stay: Budget (₹1,500-3,000/night), mid-range (₹4,000-8,000), and luxury hotels are available. Stay near the Aberdeen Bazaar for convenience.

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep): The Star

This is why you came. Havelock is the most developed, most beautiful, most activity-packed island.

Radhanagar Beach: Ranked 7th best beach in the world by TIME magazine. White powdery sand. Calm turquoise water is perfect for swimming. Stunning sunsets. Just go. Spend hours. You'll understand why everyone raves about it.

Elephant Beach: Accessible by a 30-minute boat ride or a 2 km jungle trek. THE spot for water sports:

• Snorkelling (₹500-1,000)—coral reefs teeming with colourful fish
• Scuba diving (₹3,500-5,500)—first-timers welcome
• Sea walking (₹3,500)—walk underwater with a helmet
• Jet skiing (₹600)
• Glass-bottom boat (₹1,000)
• Parasailing (₹3,500)

Kalapathar Beach: Named for striking black rocks contrasting with white sand. Not great for swimming, but stunning for photography and quiet walks.

Scuba Diving: Havelock has India's best diving. Multiple PADI-certified dive schools. Water visibility 20-30 metres. See manta rays, turtles, reef sharks, and colourful coral gardens. Discovery dive for beginners (₹4,000-5,000), certified dives (₹3,500), open water certification courses available.

Night Kayaking: Paddle through bioluminescent waters where plankton glow blue when disturbed. Magical. (₹2,500, book in advance)

Where to Stay: 

• Budget beach huts (₹2,000-4,000)
• Mid-range resorts (₹5,000-10,000)
• Luxury properties (₹15,000+)
• Book months in advance, accommodation fills fast

How Long: Minimum 3 days. Ideal: 4-5 days.

Also Read: Why This Surreal Luxury Resort In Red Sea Won A Major Award, First For Saudi Arabia

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep): The Peaceful Escape

Neil is Havelock's quieter, smaller sibling. Just 13.7 sq km. Flat terrain perfect for cycling. Called the "vegetable bowl of Andaman" for its agriculture. Fewer tourists, slower pace, more authentic island life.

Bharatpur Beach: Best for swimming and water sports. Shallow, safe waters. Snorkelling, scuba diving, and glass-bottom boats are available.

Laxmanpur Beach: Famous for stunning sunsets. The "Natural Bridge”; a rock formation that appears during low tide. Beautiful, but swim carefully.

Sitapur Beach: Sunrise beach. Long, quiet stretch. Great for early morning walks.

What to Do: Cycle the entire island (₹100-200/day rental), snorkel, dive, eat fresh seafood, relax.

Where to Stay: Budget beach huts and mid-range guesthouses. More rustic than Havelock. Emerald Gecko, Breakwater Resort recommended.

How Long: 1-2 days. Perfect stopover between Havelock and Port Blair.

What to Eat in the Andamans

The Andamans are a seafood heaven. Freshly caught fish, prawns, lobster, crab, cooked simply but deliciously.

Must-Try Dishes:

• Fish Curry: Local fish cooked in coconut-based curry. Spicy, tangy, perfect with rice.
• Grilled Lobster: Butter-garlic grilled lobster. Expensive (₹1,500-2,500) but worth it.
• Prawn Fry: Massive tiger prawns marinated and fried. Crispy outside, juicy inside.
• Fish Amritsari: Not traditional but popular. Battered fried fish.
• Coconut Prawn Curry: Creamy coconut-based curry with fresh prawns.
• Vegetarian Options: Limited but available. Most restaurants have paneer, vegetable curries, pasta, and noodles. Seafood is the highlight, though.
• Alcohol: Available but limited selection. Mostly Indian brands. Some resorts have bars. Beaches are alcohol-free zones.

What to Experience Beyond Beaches

Barren Island: India's only active volcano. Day trips from Havelock (₹25,000/person—expensive but once-in-a-lifetime). You can't land but seeing the smoking volcano, black lava formations, and surreal landscape up close is incredible.

Mangrove Kayaking: Paddle through dense mangrove tunnels. Peaceful, beautiful, great for birdwatching.

Trekking: Jungle treks through tropical rainforests. See endemic birds, butterflies, maybe spot the rare Nicobar pigeon.

Fishing: Deep-sea fishing tours available. Catch your dinner.

Island Hopping: Visit uninhabited islands for private beach picnics.

Pro Tips for First-Time Visitors

1. Book Everything in Advance: Flights, ferries, accommodation, scuba diving, everything fills up fast during peak season.
2. Carry Cash: ATMs exist in Port Blair and Havelock, but unreliable. Neil has only 2 ATMs. Carry enough cash for the entire trip.
3. Mobile Networks: BSNL works best. Airtel and Jio work in Port Blair and Havelock. Vodafone is patchy. Buy a local BSNL SIM if staying long.
4. Pack Light: You'll be island-hopping. Heavy luggage is a pain on ferries.
5. Sunscreen and Insect Repellent: Non-negotiable. The sun is brutal. Mosquitoes are persistent.
6. Respect the Environment: Don't touch corals, don't litter, use reef-safe sunscreen, and carry reusable water bottles.
7. Weather: Check ferry schedules daily. Rough seas = cancelled ferries = stuck on islands. Build buffer days.
8. Permits: Indian citizens need no permits. Foreigners cleared immigration in 2018 for most islands. Citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, China, and Pakistan still need Restricted Area Permits.

Suggested 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Port Blair. Cellular Jail, Corbyn's Cove, sound and light show.

Day 2: North Bay Island day trip (snorkelling, water sports). Evening ferry to Havelock.

Day 3: Radhanagar Beach all day. Sunset.

Day 4: Elephant Beach (scuba diving, snorkelling, water sports).

Day 5: Kalapathar Beach. Night kayaking. Relax.

Day 6: Morning ferry to Neil Island. Bharatpur Beach, Laxmanpur sunset.

Day 7: Sitapur sunrise. Ferry back to Port Blair. Departure.

Also Read: From Panchganga To Assi: 6 Ghats You Must Visit In Varanasi This Maha Shivratri

The Emerald Island Of India

The Andaman Islands aren't just India's tropical islands. They're proof that you don't need to leave the country for world-class beaches, diving, and island paradise experiences. The Emerald Islands offer something rare: genuine natural beauty that hasn't been completely commercialised yet, adventure for thrill-seekers and relaxation for beach bums in equal measure, affordability compared to international beach destinations, and the comfort of travelling within India; same currency, no visa stress, and domestic flight prices. Whether you're watching sunset at Radhanagar, diving among coral reefs at Elephant Beach, cycling through Neil's quiet lanes, or simply lying on white sand listening to waves, the Andamans remind you why islands have always represented escape. This is India's emerald crown. And it's waiting for you to discover it.