Andaman Tour Packages

What is the Andaman Islands as a travel destination for Indian travellers?

The Andaman Islands is a Union Territory of India located in the Bay of Bengal, known for clear coastal waters, coral reefs, and forested interiors. Domestic travellers reach the Andaman Islands by flight from major Indian cities. Packages start at ₹50,000 per person for a standard 5-night trip.

The Andaman Islands, a Union Territory administered by the Indian government, comprises over 300 islands with Port Blair as the administrative capital. Port Blair is the primary entry point for all domestic flights arriving from Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi. Most travellers spend 5 to 7 nights across Port Blair, Havelock Island, and Neil Island.

Havelock Island, officially renamed Swaraj Dweep, is the most visited island in the Andaman group. Neil Island, officially renamed Shaheed Dweep, is a quieter alternative suited to couples and slow travellers. Both islands are accessible from Port Blair by government ferry or private speedboat.

Understanding the destination's geography helps in planning the right island combination. The next section covers the best time to visit the Andaman Islands based on weather patterns.

When is the best time to visit the Andaman Islands?

The best time to visit the Andaman Islands is between October and May, when the weather stays dry and sea conditions allow ferry travel and water activities. December to February offers the most stable weather. The monsoon season runs from June to September.

The Andaman Islands experience a tropical climate with two distinct phases: the dry season from October to May and the monsoon from June to September. During the monsoon, ferry services between islands are frequently cancelled due to rough seas. Most tour operators suspend inter-island packages from mid-May to September.

December and January are the peak months for Andaman travel. Hotel rates and flight prices are highest during this period, particularly around Christmas and New Year. Travellers booking in October or November get comparable weather at lower prices.

Choosing the right travel window directly affects which activities are available. The following section explains what activities travellers can do in the Andaman Islands.

What are the main activities to do in the Andaman Islands?

The main activities in the Andaman Islands include snorkelling, scuba diving, sea walking, glass-bottom boat rides, kayaking, and visiting historical sites in Port Blair. Water-based activities are available from October to May. Land-based sightseeing runs year-round in Port Blair.

Scuba diving in the Andaman Islands is conducted at certified dive centres on Havelock Island and Neil Island. Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island is a well-known beach rated among Asia's best by Time magazine in 2004. Elephant Beach on Havelock Island is the primary snorkelling and sea-walking site.

The Cellular Jail in Port Blair is a national memorial built by the British colonial government in 1906. The Cellular Jail hosts a sound-and-light show on most evenings that covers the history of Indian freedom fighters imprisoned there. Entry to the Cellular Jail requires a ticket purchased at the site.

North Bay Island near Port Blair offers glass-bottom boat rides and coral viewing without requiring a diving certification. Ross Island, now renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, is a short boat ride from Port Blair and contains ruins of the British colonial administration. Both sites are day-trip options from Port Blair.

Activities vary by island and season. The next section covers how Andaman packages are typically structured and what they include.

What does an Andaman tour package typically include?

A standard Andaman tour package includes return flights from a major Indian city, hotel accommodation, ferry transfers between islands, daily breakfast, and sightseeing on listed islands. Packages starting at ₹50,000 per person usually cover 5 nights across Port Blair and Havelock Island.

Andaman tour packages are structured around the three main islands: Port Blair, Havelock Island, and Neil Island. A 5-night package typically allocates 2 nights in Port Blair, 2 nights on Havelock Island, and 1 night on Neil Island. A 7-night package adds more time on Havelock Island or includes North Andaman.

Ferry transfers between islands are included in most packages. Private speedboat transfers cost more than government ferries but reduce travel time significantly. Travellers with limited time benefit from speedboat options between Port Blair and Havelock Island.

Package pricing changes based on the travel season, hotel category, and departure city. The next section explains how to reach the Andaman Islands from different Indian cities.

How do you reach the Andaman Islands from Indian cities?

The Andaman Islands are accessible by direct or connecting flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. Flight duration from Chennai is approximately 2 hours. No road or rail connection exists to the Andaman Islands.

Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair is the only commercial airport in the Andaman Islands. Airlines operating on this route include IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, subject to schedule changes. Flights from Chennai are the shortest and often the most affordable.

A passenger ship service also connects Chennai and Kolkata to Port Blair, operated by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration. The ship journey takes approximately 50 to 60 hours from Chennai. Most travellers choose flights for time efficiency.

Once in Port Blair, inter-island travel uses government ferries or private speedboats. The government ferry from Port Blair to Havelock Island takes approximately 2 hours by speedboat. Ferry bookings should be made in advance during peak season.

Arrival logistics set the foundation for the daily itinerary. The next section outlines a practical day-by-day plan for a 6-day Andaman trip.

How do you plan a 6-day Andaman itinerary?

A 6-day Andaman itinerary covers Port Blair on Days 1 and 2, Havelock Island on Days 3 and 4, Neil Island on Day 5, and return from Port Blair on Day 6. This structure balances sightseeing, beach time, and water activities across three islands.

Day 1: Arrival in Port Blair and Cellular Jail visit

Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory and the entry point for all domestic flights. Travellers arrive, check in to their hotel, and visit the Cellular Jail in the evening for the sound-and-light show.

Day 2: North Bay Island and Ross Island day trip

North Bay Island is a coral-rich site near Port Blair offering glass-bottom boat rides and snorkelling. Travellers take a morning boat from Aberdeen Jetty to North Bay Island, then proceed to Ross Island in the afternoon.

Day 3: Ferry to Havelock Island and Radhanagar Beach

Havelock Island, also known as Swaraj Dweep, is the largest tourist island in the Andaman group. Travellers take the morning ferry from Port Blair, check in, and spend the afternoon at Radhanagar Beach.

Day 4: Elephant Beach snorkelling and water activities

Elephant Beach on Havelock Island is the primary site for snorkelling, sea walking, and jet skiing. Travellers book activity slots in advance through their resort or a local operator at Elephant Beach.

Day 5: Neil Island and Bharatpur Beach

Neil Island, also known as Shaheed Dweep, is a smaller and quieter island south of Havelock Island. Travellers take the morning ferry to Neil Island, visit Bharatpur Beach and the natural rock formation called Natural Bridge, and overnight there.

Day 6: Return to Port Blair and departure

The return ferry from Neil Island to Port Blair takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours by speedboat. Travellers check out, do last-minute shopping at Aberdeen Bazaar, and depart from Veer Savarkar International Airport.

This itinerary suits first-time visitors to the Andaman Islands. The next section addresses common questions travellers ask before booking an Andaman trip.

What are the permit and entry rules for visiting the Andaman Islands?

Indian citizens do not require a permit to visit the main tourist islands of the Andaman group, including Port Blair, Havelock Island, and Neil Island. A Restricted Area Permit is required only for tribal reserve areas and certain remote islands not on standard tourist itineraries.

The Restricted Area Permit for specific Andaman islands is issued at Port Blair on arrival for Indian nationals. Tribal reserve areas such as North Sentinel Island are completely off-limits to all visitors under Indian law. Standard Andaman tour packages do not include any restricted tribal areas.

Indian travellers carry only a valid government-issued photo ID for entry to the Andaman Islands. Foreign nationals require a Restricted Area Permit obtained in advance or on arrival, depending on their nationality. Tour operators handle permit documentation for foreign guests as part of the booking process.

Entry rules are straightforward for domestic travellers. The section below covers what type of traveller the Andaman Islands suits best.

Who should consider an Andaman Islands trip?

The Andaman Islands suit couples on honeymoon, families with children above 5 years, solo travellers interested in water sports, and groups seeking a beach destination within India. The trip requires comfort with ferry travel and some physical activity for water-based excursions.

Couples choose the Andaman Islands for beach stays, private water activities, and quiet evenings on Havelock Island. Honeymoon packages for the Andaman Islands typically include sea-facing rooms, candlelit dinners, and couple spa sessions at resort properties on Havelock Island.

Families with young children find Port Blair and Neil Island more manageable than the longer ferry routes. Neil Island has calmer beaches and shallower water entry points suitable for children. Families should confirm child age policies with ferry operators before booking.

Adventure travellers use the Andaman Islands as a base for scuba diving certification courses, which run over 3 to 4 days on Havelock Island. The Andaman Islands offer some of the best scuba diving sites in India, including sites around Havelock Island and Barren Island. Tripstor customises itineraries based on traveller type and travel dates.