Nestled in the Indian Ocean, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands make the most beautiful beach destination of the Indian subcontinent. Its pristine azure beachline, stunning flora and fauna, and island life make it worth visiting.

Best time to visit: October to May

Itinerary for Andaman:
Day 1: Arrive in Port Blair, relax, and head out to some local sightseeing. From historical monuments to gorgeous beaches, Port Blair offers a number of things to do.

What to see in Port Blair?

Visit the Naval Museum, Cellular Jail, and Marina to make the most of your time in Port Blair. Don’t miss the evening light and sound show at Cellular Jail, it will show you the glory and valor of the Indian Freedom Struggle. It takes place in three slots: 5:15 PM, 6:15 PM, and 7:15 PM, and costs Rs50/- per person.

Where to stay in Port Blair?

Olive Hotel & Suites are decently priced and offer a comfortable stay in the heart of Port Blair.

Places to eat in Port Blair

Happy Belly at the Marina and Mehfil Restaurant.

Day 2: Transfer to Havelock Island

Your trip to the islands starts from here. Take a ferry from Port Blair to Havelock Islands, also known as Swaraj Deep. There are two carriers: Nautika and Majestic. I took Nautika which charges Rs 1499 per person and offers a world-class cruise experience. Usually, they start early and take around 2 hours to reach Havelock.

What to do in Havelock?

You will reach Havelock Islands before lunchtime and you will have an entire day to soak up some Andamanian sun and tropical vibes. A pro tip to avoid last-minute hassle is to sign up for snorkeling, scuba diving, or island tours that you want to do in the coming days. Stroll on the soft sands of Kalapthar Beach or just relax in your resort. I suggest booking a beachside resort to ensure a full-fledged beach vacation. I love walking on the beach multiple times a day.

Day 3: Radhanagar Beach, Havelock

Start your day early with a sunrise walk at Kalapathar Beach. An interesting fact about Havelock is that you can witness both sunrise and sunset here. Sunsets at Radhanagar Beach, which is also a Blue Flag Beach, are beyond beautiful. Make sure you reach there before 5 PM IST as the sun sets early in this part of the country. Also, if you plan to enjoy a splash in the sea; you can reach around 3:30-4 PM. Get ready for the amber hues that the Andaman Sea has to offer.

Where to stay in Havelock?

CoralReef Hotel and Resort, Havelock is situated at Vijaynagar Beach offering its guests a luxurious beachside stay. From food to rooms, the pool area to the fitness arena; everything is just perfect.

Day 4: Relax in Havelock or sign up for some adventure

Havelock Islands are known for its crystal-clear waters. The Andaman Sea is rich in marine flora and fauna, hence ideal for scuba diving. I did my Open Water Scuba Diving with The Divemaster Havelock Diving School. The instructors and equipment provided them were great, and the way they detailed the techniques was apt. Leisure divers can opt for them, and sign up for deep-sea diving that starts at Rs 1500/- per dive. Most of the dives happen at Nemo Beach, which is quiet and not frequented by tourists

Adventure Activities in Havelock

If you don’t know how to swim, yet have an adventurous soul- sign up for a snorkeling session at The Elephant Beach where they give snorkeling gear and show you vibrant corals and fishes. At this beach, you can try your hands at jet skiing, banana boating, and sea walks. Although, this is a crowded beach but also the only beach where you can do easy adventure activities.

Where to Eat in Havelock?

Cafe Something Different, Nemo Cafe, Cafe Salt Water, and Cafe Full Moon are my favorites.

Day 5: Transfer to Neil Island

From Havelock, you can take a ferry to Neil Islands. Both Nautika and Majestic operate on this route and it takes 1 hour to reach the tiny island of Neil, also known as Shaheed Deep. You will have one full day to chill and enjoy by the beach. The turquoise waters here are no less than any Maldivian Island. Take your beach towel and allow the tropical sun to give you a nice tan.

Day 6: Sightseeing in Neil

The beach stretch here is spread across 5 km and has gorgeous beaches of Laxmanpur, Sitapur, and Bharatpur. You can cover them within 3 hours and enjoy the sunset at Laxmanpur as it’s located on the tip of the island. Trivia is mobile networks are erratic in Neil, so be prepared for a ‘complete cut-off’ from the world.

Where to stay in Neil Island?

TSG Aura is a beautiful resort located on Sitapur Beach, stay here to encounter the iconic sunrise. This is where you can experience the earliest beach sunrise in India. It happens around 5 AM, and it is easier to witness it when you’re staying so close to the beach. A pro tip: if you’re an offbeat traveler, walk a km ahead of Sitapur Beach where you will find a cave and you can see the sunrise from this spot.

Day 7: Transfer to Port Blair

Next day you can book your return ferry to Port Blair, and chill in Port Blair or visit Chidiya Tapu and Ross Island. These two islands will take approx 4-5 hours, after this, you can enjoy a walk at the Marina and end your trip with good food at Happy Belly. 🙂

Day 8: Fly back from Port Blair

Time to fly back!

What to wear in Andamans?

As the weather is tropical, it gets hot and humid you should carry loose cotton clothes.

You can plan your trip based on this itinerary or ask Journey Empires to do that because they offer the best tour services on the islands.