Andaman Islands in 5 Days: Havelock, Neil & Port Blair
Port Blair · Havelock Island · Neil Island — 4 complete plans, real budgets, ferry guide and the island mistake that ruins most Andaman trips.
The Andaman Islands are India's best-kept secret — a tropical archipelago in the Bay of Bengal with water clearer than Thailand, beaches emptier than Maldives, and prices that make both look absurd. Most Indians have never been. Most who go can't believe it's part of India.
⚡ Pick Your Plan in 10 Seconds
Best for most people: Plan B (Couple). The Andamans are India's #1 honeymoon destination after Kashmir — turquoise water, empty beaches, candlelit dinners at sunset. Even if you're not honeymooning, this plan gives you the best version of the islands.
5 Days
Ideal duration
₹18,000+
Budget from
Oct – May
Best time
Asia #1
Radhanagar Beach
🏝️ The 3 Islands — What to Expect
Each island is completely different. Here's what you're actually getting into.
🏙️ Port Blair
1 dayThe capital — your entry and exit point. Not a destination in itself but has two important things: the Cellular Jail (British colonial prison, deeply moving) and the ferry terminal to the outer islands. Stay one night, see the jail, move on.
🏖️ Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
2–3 daysThe main event. Radhanagar Beach (Asia's Best Beach) is here — 2km of white sand, turquoise water, backed by forest. Completely undeveloped. Also: Elephant Beach for snorkeling, Kalapathar Beach for sunrise. The best scuba diving in India is at dive sites around Havelock.
🌿 Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
1 dayThe quieter sibling — smaller, more relaxed, less touristy than Havelock. Natural Bridge (coral rock arch over the sea), Laxmanpur Beach for sunset, Bharatpur Beach for snorkeling. Better for cycling than Havelock. Day trip or overnight.
⛴️ Ferry Guide — The Most Important Section
Ferries are your only way between islands. Getting this wrong ruins your trip. Most people miss ferries, get stranded, or waste days waiting.
Book ALL ferries before you arrive
Makruzz and Green Ocean are the two main operators. Book online at makruzz.com at least 3–5 days ahead during peak season. Walk-in tickets often sold out. Missing a ferry can mean a 24-hour wait for the next one.
Ferries leave early — don't be late
Most ferries depart 6am–8am. Reach the jetty 30 minutes before departure. The ferry will NOT wait for you. Port Blair to Havelock: 1.5–2hrs on Makruzz speedboat (Rs.1,200–Rs.1,800). Government ferry: 2.5hrs (Rs.400) but slower.
Monsoon ferries get cancelled
June–September: rough seas, frequent cancellations. Even in peak season (Dec–Feb), ferries can cancel due to weather. Always have one extra buffer day in Port Blair before your return flight.
The best island circuit
Port Blair (Day 1) → Havelock (Day 2–4) → Neil Island (Day 4 afternoon/Day 5) → Port Blair (Day 5 evening). This avoids backtracking. Port Blair → Havelock → Neil → Port Blair is the correct order.
Ferry Routes & Times
Book at: makruzz.com or greenoceanferries.com
📅 The Itineraries
Couple Plan — Rs.45,000–Rs.75,000 for two
Beachfront resort · Private water activities · Sunset dinners
- ●Stay at Sinclairs Bayview or Fortune Resort Bay Island (Rs.4,000–Rs.8,000/night) — sea-view rooms, pool, Port Blair harbour view.
- ●Cellular Jail at 4pm + Sound & Light Show at 7:15pm. Book dinner at Anju-Coco Resto after — best seafood in Port Blair (Rs.1,500–Rs.2,500 for two).
- ●WHY start with Port Blair: understanding the Cellular Jail together gives the rest of the trip more meaning — you're visiting an archipelago that was once India's most feared exile colony.
- ●Makruzz ferry 6am (Rs.2,400 for two). Stay at Barefoot at Havelock or Symphony Palms (Rs.5,000–Rs.12,000/night) — beachfront cottages with ocean view.
- ●Day 2: Radhanagar Beach at 5:30am — arrive before anyone else. The sunrise on an empty beach is extraordinary. Stay until 10am when it gets busier.
- ●Day 2 evening: private sunset cruise (Rs.2,500–Rs.4,000 for two) — arranged through your resort. Champagne, sunset over the Indian Ocean, dolphins occasionally visible.
- ●Day 3: Couple's scuba diving at Nemo Reef or Aquarium — PADI certified dive centres offer intro dives (Rs.3,500–Rs.5,000/person). Underwater coral gardens with sea turtles and reef sharks.
- ●Day 4: Elephant Beach by private boat (Rs.1,500–Rs.2,000 for two). Pack a lunch from your resort. Have the beach to yourselves until 11am.
- ●Ferry Havelock → Neil (Rs.1,600 for two). Day trip or overnight at Pearl Park Beach Resort (Rs.4,000–Rs.7,000/night).
- ●Natural Bridge and Laxmanpur Beach — cycle together (Rs.200 for two bikes). The quiet of Neil Island after Havelock is striking.
- ●Sunset at Laxmanpur — the sky turns orange behind the coral rocks. One of Andaman's most romantic moments.
- ●Return Port Blair → depart. Or stay one extra night in Neil.
🤿 Diving & Snorkeling Guide
The Andamans have the best scuba diving in India — better visibility, more marine life, and better reef health than anywhere else on the Indian coast.
For non-divers
Elephant Beach glass-bottom boat (Rs.350) gives you the coral view without diving. Bharatpur Beach Neil Island has shallow snorkeling with just a mask (Rs.150 rental). North Bay Island near Port Blair is excellent for beginners.
First-time divers (intro dive)
PADI intro dive at Barefoot Scuba or Dive India — Rs.3,500–Rs.5,000 including equipment, 2-3hrs total, 45-min underwater. No certification needed. Age 10+. The most popular activity in Havelock.
Certified divers
2-dive day trip: Rs.3,000–Rs.5,000 including equipment. Best sites: Nemo Reef, The Wall, Mac Point (manta rays seasonally), Johnny's Gorge (advanced). November–April best visibility (15–30m).
Best operators
Barefoot Scuba (Havelock) — most reputable. Dive India (Havelock) — large operation, good for beginners. Ocean Tribe (Port Blair + Havelock). Always check PADI certification of instructors.
💰 Budget Breakdown
| Category | 💰 Budget | 💑 Couple | 🤿 Adventure | 👨👩👧 Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flights (Chennai return) | ₹5,000–₹9,000 | ₹10,000–₹18,000 | ₹5,000–₹9,000 | ₹20,000–₹36,000 |
| 🏨 Accommodation (5N) | ₹4,500–₹7,500 | ₹20,000–₹45,000 | ₹5,000–₹9,000 | ₹20,000–₹35,000 |
| ⛴️ Ferries | ₹2,500–₹3,500 | ₹5,000–₹7,000 | ₹2,500–₹3,500 | ₹8,000–₹12,000 |
| 🍽 Food | ₹2,000–₹3,500 | ₹5,000–₹9,000 | ₹2,500–₹4,000 | ₹6,000–₹10,000 |
| 🤿 Activities | ₹2,000–₹4,500 | ₹5,000–₹10,000 | ₹12,000–₹22,000 | ₹5,000–₹9,000 |
| TOTAL per person | ₹18,000–₹28,000 | ₹22,500–₹37,500 | ₹27,000–₹47,500 | ₹14,750–₹25,500 |
Flights from Delhi or Mumbai cost Rs.4,000–Rs.8,000 more. Cheapest flights are from Chennai (1hr 15min direct).
Where to Stay in Andaman Islands Havelock
Verified prices · Instant booking
Barefoot at Havelock
Eco Resort · Havelock Island
Symphony Palms
Beach Resort · Havelock
Pearl Park Beach Resort
Beach · Neil Island
Fortune Resort Bay Island
4★ · Port Blair
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Things to Do in Andaman Islands Havelock
Tours & experiences · Instant confirmation
Havelock Island Scuba Diving
Must doRadhanagar Beach Sunset Tour
Top ratedElephant Beach Snorkeling + Boat
Cellular Jail Sound & Light Show
Ross Island + North Bay Day Trip
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Where to Stay
Hotels in Andaman
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Compare prices across hundreds of hotels, guesthouses, and resorts in Andaman. Best price guarantee on Booking.com.
Search Hotels in Andaman →Opens Booking.com · Free cancellation options available
Andaman Islands — Must-See Places
India's most beautiful islands — click to explore.
📸
Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach
Asia's Best Beach — 2km of white sand, turquoise water, forest backdrop. Completely undeveloped. Arrive at 6am for sunrise on an empty beach.
❌ Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Not booking ferries in advance
The single biggest mistake. Makruzz and Green Ocean sell out during peak season (Dec–Jan). Missing a ferry means a 24-hour wait or a very expensive private speedboat. Book at makruzz.com before you leave home.
❌ Not leaving a buffer day before return flight
Ferry cancellations happen — weather, maintenance, low season. Always book your return flight one day after your planned return to Port Blair. Getting stranded on Havelock with a cancelled flight is a nightmare.
❌ Visiting June–September
Monsoon season — rough seas, frequent ferry cancellations, poor visibility for diving and snorkeling. October to May only. December–February is peak but March–April is the sweet spot: fewer crowds, good weather, lower prices.
❌ Touching or standing on coral
The coral reefs in Andaman are some of the healthiest in India. Standing on coral kills it instantly. Always wear fins while snorkeling, never touch anything underwater, and choose operators who brief you on this.
❌ Flying from Delhi or Mumbai directly
Direct flights from Delhi to Port Blair cost Rs.8,000–Rs.18,000. Instead: fly Chennai to Port Blair (Rs.2,500–Rs.5,000, 1hr 15min). Add a one-night Chennai stopover if needed — saves Rs.5,000–Rs.10,000 per person.
💡 Pro Tips
Radhanagar Beach at 5:30am
The beach opens at sunrise. Arrive before anyone else and you have 2km of Asia's best beach to yourself for 2 hours. By 9am the day-trippers arrive.
November–April for best diving visibility
15–30m visibility during this period. Outside this window, monsoon runoff reduces visibility to 5–8m. Book diving trips for morning — afternoon visibility drops.
Neil Island is best explored by bicycle
Rs.100–Rs.150/day. The entire island circuit is 15km — do it in 2hrs, stop at every beach. No one takes taxis here and you shouldn't either.
Dolphins near the ferry routes
Spinner dolphins frequently visible from the Havelock ferry — stand at the bow and watch the water. Free. More reliable than any 'dolphin spotting tour'.
BSNL has the best network in Andaman
Airtel and Jio are patchy on the outer islands. Get a BSNL SIM (Rs.149) at Port Blair airport. Havelock has decent signal near the market; Neil Island is mostly offline.
Try the mud crab at Havelock
The local mud crab (Rs.800–Rs.1,500 per crab) is the best seafood in Andaman. Fat Rock Cafe and Anju-Coco prepare it best. Order in advance — takes 45 minutes to prepare.
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