A first-timer's guide to the Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands sit far out in the Bay of Bengal — closer to Myanmar and Thailand than to mainland India, and a world away from both. For first-time visitors that distance is the whole appeal: the water is clearer, the beaches emptier, and the pace slower than almost anywhere else in the region. It also means a little planning goes a long way.
This guide covers the questions we are asked most often: when to come, how long to stay, which islands to choose, and how to move between them without losing half your trip to logistics.
Come for the beaches, stay for the quiet. The Andamans reward travellers who slow down.
When to go
The sweet spot runs from late October to early May, the dry season, when seas are calm and the diving is at its best. December and January are the busiest and most expensive months; if you can travel in the shoulder weeks of November or February you'll find the same blue water with a fraction of the crowds. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings heavy rain and rougher ferry crossings — beautiful in its own way, but not ideal for a first visit.
How long to stay
You can see the headline sights in a rushed five days, but the islands aren't built for rushing. We suggest ten days to two weeks: enough to settle into island time, wait out a cloudy morning, and reach at least one island beyond the obvious two.
A simple first itinerary
- Days 1–2 — Port Blair. Arrive, adjust, and visit the Cellular Jail before catching a morning ferry out.
- Days 3–6 — Havelock (Swaraj Dweep). Radhanagar Beach at sunset, a try-dive or snorkel, and long unhurried evenings.
- Days 7–9 — Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). Bicycles, natural bridges and reefs straight off the sand.
- Days 10+ — go further. Long Island or a quiet corner most visitors skip.
Choosing your islands
For a first trip, Havelock and Neil are the natural pairing. Havelock has the famous beach, the dive schools and the easiest connections; Neil is smaller, gentler and a good antidote if Havelock feels busy. If you have more time, one ferry further opens up islands where a single jetty serves the whole community.
What to skip
Several islands are protected tribal reserves and are entirely off-limits — rightly so. Any operator offering "tribal tours" is one to walk away from. Stick to the islands that openly welcome visitors, and treat every closure as final.
Getting around
Inter-island travel is by ferry. Government ferries are cheapest and link the most islands, while private catamarans are faster and more comfortable on the main Port Blair–Havelock–Neil triangle. Book the popular crossings a few days ahead in high season, and always keep a buffer day before your flight home in case the sea has other plans.
Once you understand the rhythm of the boats, the rest falls into place. Our companion piece on diving and snorkelling the reefs picks up where this one leaves off.
One last thing
The Andamans are quiet because people have chosen to keep them that way. Take your rubbish with you, give the reefs room, and the islands will still be like this for whoever comes next.