Day trips in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
- 01
Port Blair with Cellular Jail
The capital of the Andaman Islands, centred around the Cellular Jail, a grim seven-storey colonial prison built to house political prisoners. The jail is now a museum and memorial to India's independence struggle.
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours for the jail alone; 6–8 hours to include the city and a meal
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to April; visit the jail in the morning when it is less crowded and cooler
- Tickets
- Cellular Jail entry: roughly 30 INR for Indian nationals, 250 INR for foreign visitors. It is managed by the Ministry of Culture. Hours are usually 9 am to 5 pm daily. Photography may be restricted in some areas.
- 02
Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep)
A historical island near Port Blair, once the British administrative hub of the Andamans, now a hauntingly beautiful ruin of colonial buildings, churches and officer's quarters, framed by forest and beaches.
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours, including ferry transfer and a self-guided walk of the island
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to April; morning to mid-afternoon before the light becomes harsh and the ferry schedules tighten
- Tickets
- Ferry: roughly 150–200 INR per person, booked at the Port Blair jetty on arrival. The island itself is free once you arrive; no additional entry fee.
Read the Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) guide →
- 03
Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island)
The largest and most developed island in the Andaman archipelago, 35 km from Port Blair, known for its three famous beaches and the Andaman tourism infrastructure centred there.
- Time needed
- Full day (ferry 2 hours each way, 5–6 hours on the island); overnight stay recommended
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to April; the ferry runs more reliably in the dry season, and the beaches are most pleasant
- Tickets
- Ferry tickets: roughly 800–1,000 INR per person, one-way, for the ferry from Neil Island to Havelock (bookable through hotels/operators or at the dock, subject to availability). Each of the three famous beaches is free; some operators run guided snorkelling trips from the beaches for an additional fee.
Experiences in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
- 04
Island Scooter Route (Village Loop)
A self-guided or guided scooter ride linking the main villages and beaches of Neil Island, roughly 30–40 km depending on stops, taking in all four settlement areas.
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours with stops; full day if you spend time at beaches and villages
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning to avoid midday heat and to see villages when people are out; November to March for comfortable riding temperatures
- Tickets
- No fees for riding the roads. Scooter hire is available in Neil Kendra; rates are roughly 500–800 INR per day. Check the bike's condition before you take it.
- 05
Mangrove Boat Tour
A guided motorboat tour through the mangrove channels and lagoons bordering Neil Island, looking for water birds, crabs, and the root systems of the trees.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours, including boat ride and guide talk
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning (6–8 am) for birds; evening (4–6 pm) for a calmer, warmer light; dry season for calm water
- Tickets
- Guided mangrove tours are usually arranged by homestays, hotels or tour operators in Neil Kendra. Expect to pay 1,000–1,500 INR per person for a group tour, or roughly 3,000–4,000 INR to hire a boat for a small group. Check what the fee includes (guide, binoculars, refreshments).
Neighbourhoods in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
- 06
Ram Nagar Village
A scattered settlement on Neil Island's southern shore, home to farming and fishing families. Its main appeal is quietness and the Ram Nagar Beach at its edge.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon when the beach is quietest and the sun is softer; November to April for dry weather
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The beach is public; respect fishing areas and local nets.
- 07
Sitapur Village
A quiet fishing village on Neil Island's eastern shore, home to the locals who work the waters. It gives an unfiltered look at island life beyond the beaches.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning when fishermen are setting out, or late afternoon when they return; avoid midday heat
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Respect homes and private property; ask before photographing people.
Close enough to combine