The Andamans are India's best choice for a true island holiday: quiet beaches backed by forest, clear water for snorkelling and diving, and a slower rhythm than the mainland coast. Port Blair, now officially Sri Vijaya Puram, is the arrival point and has the Cellular Jail and its evening light-and-sound show. Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) has Radhanagar Beach and most of the dive schools, and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) is smaller, calmer and good for gentle beach days. It suits couples, families with children and parents who want rest and sea views more than sightseeing.
Everything depends on flights and ferries. You fly in from the mainland, then take ferries between islands that take roughly one to two and a half hours and can be rescheduled or cancelled in rough weather. Much of the territory is closed to visitors, including the tribal reserves and most of the Nicobar Islands, and interacting with or photographing protected tribal communities is prohibited. Healthcare on Havelock and Neil is basic; the main hospitals are in Port Blair.
For seniors, the islands work well if you keep to one or two bases, choose resorts with level paths, and plan ferry transfers in the middle of the day. Boarding ferries involves gangways and some steps, and beaches have soft sand without wheelchair paths. Non-swimmers can still enjoy glass-bottom boats and sea-walk experiences, which are subject to health checks. Allow a buffer day before your flight home in case of weather delays.
- Ideal trip
- 5–8 days
- Destinations
- 3
- Best season
- Roughly November to April offers calm seas, good visibility for snorkelling and diving, and warm, fairly dry weather; December to February is the busiest time. From around May to September, the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain, choppy seas and more ferry cancellations, and water activities may be restricted. October can be a transitional month with some showers.
- Start from
- Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram)
Destinations in this region
The arrival point (Sri Vijaya Puram), with the Cellular Jail, Ross Island and every inter-island ferry.
Read the full Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) guide →Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach snorkelling and most dive schools; the islands' main beach base.
Read the full Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) guide →A smaller, quieter island with shallow, calm beaches, well suited to slow days and gentle wading.
Read the full Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) guide →
Suggested routes
5 days: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil
- Day 1 — Port Blair. Fly in and rest at the hotel through the afternoon heat. In the late afternoon, visit the Cellular Jail and stay for the light-and-sound show. The upper galleries involve stairs, so the ground level and courtyard are enough for most seniors.
- Day 2 — Havelock Island. Take a mid-morning ferry to Havelock (about 1.5–2.5 hours). Check in and rest, then drive to Radhanagar Beach for the late afternoon and sunset. The walk from parking to the sand is short but on soft ground.
- Day 3 — Havelock Island. In the morning, take a boat to Elephant Beach for snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride. The boat transfer involves wading in shallow water, so check before booking. Return for lunch and a long rest, with an easy evening at the resort.
- Day 4 — Neil Island. Take a short ferry to Neil (around an hour). Rest, then visit Laxmanpur Beach for sunset. Seniors should see the rock formation often called the Natural Bridge only at low tide, with a guide, as the rocks are slippery.
- Day 5 — Port Blair. Take a morning ferry back to Port Blair (about 1–2 hours), with a generous buffer before your flight. If there is time, make a short visit to the Anthropological Museum or the Corbyn's Cove seafront.
8 days: an unhurried island stay
- Day 1 — Port Blair. Arrive, rest, and see the Cellular Jail light-and-sound show in the evening.
- Day 2 — Port Blair. Take a short boat trip to Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) in the morning; battery carts may be available for the island's paths. Rest after lunch, then visit the Corbyn's Cove seafront in the evening.
- Day 3 — Havelock Island. Take a mid-morning ferry to Havelock and settle into a beachside resort with level paths. Spend the evening at Radhanagar Beach.
- Day 4 — Havelock Island. Snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat at Elephant Beach in the morning, followed by a long afternoon rest.
- Day 5 — Havelock Island. Spend a free day. Take a discovery dive or try-dive if medically cleared, or enjoy a quiet beach morning and a spa hour. Avoid scheduling flights within about 24 hours after diving.
- Day 6 — Neil Island. Take the short ferry to Neil. Rest, then see the sunset at Laxmanpur Beach.
- Day 7 — Neil Island. Spend an easy morning at Bharatpur Beach, where the calm, shallow water is good for wading. Stay unhurried for the rest of the day, perhaps with a cycle-rickshaw ride around the village for those who want it.
- Day 8 — Port Blair. Take a morning ferry to Port Blair and head to the airport, leaving a comfortable buffer in case the ferry is delayed.
Getting around
How long to plan: 5 days for Port Blair and Havelock with a short Neil stay; 7–8 days for an unhurried trip with more beach time and a buffer day.
Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair has flights from several mainland cities, including Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi. From Port Blair, government ferries and private catamarans run to Havelock (roughly 1.5–2.5 hours) and Neil (about 1–2 hours), and Havelock to Neil takes around an hour. Book private ferries in advance in peak season and confirm timings a day before, since schedules shift with the weather. On the islands, hire a car or auto-rickshaw with a driver; distances are short but roads are narrow. Access to many islands and to tribal reserve areas is restricted or requires permits, especially for foreign nationals, so check the Andaman & Nicobar administration's current rules before travel.
Travelling with parents
- Keep a buffer of half a day to a day before your flight home; ferries can be delayed or cancelled in rough weather.
- Ferry boarding involves gangways and steps, so ask the crew for help and keep hand baggage light.
- Medical facilities on Havelock and Neil are basic, so carry enough regular medication and know where the Port Blair hospitals are.
- Snorkelling, sea-walks and diving need a health declaration; people with heart, lung or ear conditions should consult a doctor first.
- The sun is strong even in winter, so plan beach time for early morning and late afternoon, with hats, sunscreen and plenty of water.
- Choose resorts with level, well-lit paths to rooms; some beach cottages involve sand tracks or steps.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands FAQs
Do Indian citizens need a permit for the Andamans?
Indian citizens do not need a permit for the main tourist islands such as Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. Tribal reserve areas and most of the Nicobar Islands are closed to visitors. Foreign nationals may need permits for some islands, so check the Andaman & Nicobar administration's current rules.
What are the new names of Port Blair, Havelock and Neil?
Port Blair is now officially Sri Vijaya Puram, Havelock is Swaraj Dweep and Neil is Shaheed Dweep. The old names are still widely used on ferry tickets and in conversation.
Is the Andaman trip suitable for elderly parents?
Yes, at a relaxed pace with only one or two island bases. The main strains are ferry boarding, soft sand and heat. Resorts with level paths and midday ferry timings make a big difference.
Can non-swimmers enjoy the underwater world?
Yes. Glass-bottom boats show coral from the surface, and guided snorkelling with life jackets and sea-walk experiences are offered at some beaches, subject to health checks and weather.
How long are the ferry rides between islands?
Port Blair to Havelock is roughly 1.5–2.5 hours, depending on the vessel, Havelock to Neil about an hour, and Neil to Port Blair around 1–2 hours. Timings vary with the weather and the operator.
When is the best time to visit the Andamans?
Roughly November to April, when seas are calmer and visibility is good. The May–September monsoon brings rough seas and more cancellations.
Sources and further reading
- Incredible India
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands — Wikipedia
- Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) — Wikipedia
- Protected Area Permit — Wikipedia
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.