Andaman Islands make for a beautiful beach vacation. It is one the most coveted destinations in India and this Step-by-Step planning guide will help you with all the details that will make your vacation absolutely hassle free. There will not be any last-minute unpleasant surprises which will render a perfect trip to Andaman Islands. It is always good to plan a vacation before venturing out for a coveted Andaman trip because a lot of things can then be customized according to your budget and preferences. The major considerations to take into account while planning an Andaman trip is as follows:
Suggested Read: Top restaurants in Andaman and Travel tips for Andaman
- Time of the year – The best time to visit Andaman Islands
- Days required – How many days are required to visit Andaman and the destinations you choose to visit
- Places to visit and things to do – Your itinerary will help you decide on the days of the trip and budget
- Flight cost – Will depend on how early you plan and book and also the time of the flight and whether it is a direct flight (this depends on the place from where you are flying) or via some other place.
- Accommodation costs at all the resorts or hotels on the various islands you plan to stay
- Ferry cost for getting transported from one island to the other
- Cost of Water Activities and Water Sports and rides
- Transportation costs for moving around within the island like Cab/Auto/Two Wheeler etc.
- Food Cost both that are to be included in the package and the rest during sightseeing and package excluded meals
- Conclusive decision taking
We can also help you with day-wise costing so that it is easier for you to decide on your budget while planning your days and stay in Andaman.
Post the conclusion, we will also provide an easy way to plan and calculate your tour cost to the islands. This may help you save time when planning a trip to the Andaman Islands.
Step-by-step plan for a perfect Andaman trip
Step 1 – Identify the ideal time to visit the Andaman Islands
The ideal time of the year to visit the Andaman Islands and enjoy its serenity and classical scenic beauty is between the months of October and May. This time the weather is quite pleasant and ideal for sightseeing, water sports, and beach activities. During these months, the temperature typically ranges from 23°C to 30°C, with clear, warm skies and calm seas sporting clear waters that are perfect for scuba diving, snorkelling, and exploring the coral reefs. The most visited and popular tourist spots like Havelock Island and Neil Island are most accessible and enjoyable during this season.
The monsoon month sees a lot of rainfall and Andaman being a beach destination receives heavy showers during the monsoon months stretching from June to September and is generally not inviting for tourists and travellers. There occurs very heavy rainfall and the islands experience high humidity and rough sea conditions. The seas remain risky for venturing leading to cancellations of boat rides and water activities. Even the beaches will not be open for swimming and any other water sports or activities. However, you might venture to Andaman even during monsoons if you want absolute solitude and attractive off-season discounts. The weather-related limitations will stay and you might not be able to take full advantage of the picturesque beach destination as in other times of the year.
Overall, from November to February due to the festive air that envelops the whole country, Andaman experiences the maximum influx of tourists due to the best combination of climate, activity options, and accessibility. Winter to early summer is the most favourable time to explore the beauty of Andaman Islands. In case you don’t mind a mild rush to the spot, winters are the best for a joyful Andaman trip.
What kind of weather does Andaman enjoy throughout the year?
A look at the weather of Andaman in general will give you an idea of the pros and cons of travelling to Andaman at various times of the year. The weather in the Andaman Islands remains warm and pleasant generally. The temperature ranges from 25 degrees to 33 degrees Celsius. Temperature sees a high during the peak summers and the temperatures at this rise to around 30 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Step 2 – How many days are required to visit Andaman
You can customize your Andaman itinerary to fix your days which will depend on your budget and your preferences. To get an idea of the places in Andaman that you want to cover, you need to study the map of Andaman closely. You shall see that most of the islands of Andaman archipelago are uninhabited. You can visit a few among them and you can stay in even fewer. The Andaman Islands can be classified as North, Middle and South Andaman Islands. Majority of the students who travel to Andaman Islands visit the south Andaman Islands that cover Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island.
To cover the major tourist places in South Andaman Islands you will require a minimum of 6 days Andaman trip is required and the usual itinerary that is followed is as follow to refer
Day 1 – Arrival at Port Blair
Day 2 – Get transported from Port Blair to Havelock Island
Day 3 – Visit Havelock Island
Day 4 – Get transported from Havelock to Neil Island
Day 5 – Return to Port Blair from Neil Island
Day 6 – Departure from Port Blair
If you further plan to cover the middle and north Andaman Islands then you will need 9 – 10 days in total. Add a few more days to the above planned summary to cover some more interesting tourist attractions of Andaman. On Day 6 instead of departure your extended trip will take you to the additional places.
Day 1 – Arrival at Port Blair
Day 2 – Travel from Port Blair to Havelock Island and Stay at Havelock Island
Day 3 – Visit Havelock Island
Day 4 – Travel from Havelock to Neil Island
Day 5 – Return from Neil Island to Port Blair
Day 6 – Port to Diglipur (North Andaman) and visit Baratang Island
Day 7 – Visit Diglipur
Day 8 – Return from Diglipur to Port Blair via Covering Middle Andaman
Day 9 – Departure from Port Blair
You can further extend a couple of days more to follow your passions or fulfil your cherished travel goals at leisure.
So basically, the number of days you want to visit the Andaman Islands varies upon how many places you plan to visit during your stay at the islands. Post the above itineraries you still have some offbeat places such as Long Island to cover which in itself requires 3 days.
For travellers who are limited on days of vacation and budget, a 4-day trip would be ideal. Here apart from seeing around and exploring Port Blair, you travel only to Havelock Island as per the itinerary below. The Andaman itinerary will start and end with Port Blair because the international Veer Savarkar Airport is the only commercial airport of Andaman and it is located in Port Blair. Other islands can be reached via boat/ferry service that operates from Port Blair.
Day 1 – Arrival – Stay at Port Blair
Day 2 – Travel to Havelock Island
Day 3 – Return from Havelock to Port Blair
Day 4 – Departure
Step 3 – Things to visit in Andaman
When you have decided that you are visiting Andaman, in the planning phase you also need to shortlist the islands that you decide to visit. you will need to know what the best things to do in Andaman are and the major places that need to be visited. The top places to visit in the most popular or most visited Islands of Andaman are:
Port Blair – Port Blair in the enchanting capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is a splendid gateway to some of the most secluded beaches of the world and some prominent historic landmarks. It houses the infamous Cellular Jail, a poignant reminder of India’s freedom struggle. Surrounded by turquoise waters, it offers rich marine life, water sports, and scenic island excursions.
Top places to visit in Port Blair
- Cellular Jail National Memorial
- Corbyn’s Cove Beach
- Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island)
- North Bay Island
- Chidiya Tapu (Bird Island)
- Samudrika Marine Museum
- Anthropological Museum
- Fisheries Museum
- Wandoor Beach & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
- Mount Harriet National Park
- Marina Park and Aquarium
- Sagarika Emporium (for handicrafts and souvenirs)
Top tourist attractions in Port Blair
Tour the Cellular Jail and Light and Sound Show: Cellular Jail Complex, Near Aberdeen Bazaar. Soak the patriotic feel as you listen to the heart wrenching tale of India’s independence with a guided walk through this haunting historic prison. The surreal Light and Sound Show at dusk is a must visit.
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling: North Bay Island or the coral-rich spots on Havelock Island are ideal for exploring the vibrant coral reefs and exotic marine life beneath clear blue Andaman waters.
Explore Ross Island: Ross Island is reachable via an easy boat ride from Port Blair Jetty. Choose to wander through overgrown colonial-era structures and serene forests for a peaceful experience in close harmony with nature.
Relax at Corbyn’s Cove Beach: Corbyn’s Cove is just a few kilometres from the central point of Port Blair and is very much accessible by road. Visit this place for a serene, picturesque beach feel perfect for unwinding, swimming, or grabbing a seaside snack.
Visit the Anthropological and Fisheries Museums: Both are located in the Port Blair city and can be included in the day sightseeing trip of Port Blair. These places are perfect for gaining an insight into indigenous tribal cultures at the Anthropological Museum, and learn about Andaman’s aquatic ecosystems at the Fisheries Museum.
Havelock Island – Havelock Island is now officially known as Swaraj Dweep. It has gained its importance in Indian tourism and International tourism for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. It’s home to the world-famous Radhanagar Beach, consistently ranked among the topmost popular beaches in Asia. The island offers thrilling activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, and sea walking amidst vibrant coral reefs.
Top places to visit in Havelock Island
- Radhanagar Beach
- Elephant Beach
- Kalapathar Beach
- Vijaynagar Beach
- Govind Nagar Beach
- Lighthouse (for sunset views)
- Neil’s Cove (near Radhanagar Beach)
- Dive sites like Aquarium, The Wall, and Dixon’s Pinnacle
Top tourist attractions in Havelock Island
- Radhanagar Beach – This beach is famous for sunsets and soft white sand. It is ideal for honeymoon couples and romantic trips. It offers a good ambience for family holidays.
- Elephant Beach – A popular vibrant beach known for water sports and snorkelling. It is the hub of water activities of all kinds for all ages.
- Kalapathar Beach – This beach is extremely picturesque with a scenic shoreline with black rocks. It is ideal for photography and spending isolated moments with loved ones.
- Vijaynagar Beach – This beach is very peaceful. It is a beautiful stretch ideal for walks and relaxation.
- Neil’s Cove – A serene lagoon near Radhanagar, this spot is great for a quiet swim. Just the sea and you, surrounded by enthralling and enchanting marine life.
- Lighthouse – This is a popular sunset viewpoint. The beauty of the golden sun dipping into the azure waters and sending waves of russet layers is mesmeric.
- Popular Dive Sites – Some most popular diving sites include the Wall, Dixon’s Pinnacle, and Aquarium.
Neil Island – The vegetable bowl of Andaman Islands is another very popular island that can be visited for a day or two depending on your itinerary planning.
Top places to visit in Neil Island
- Laxmanpur Beach
- Bharatpur Beach
- Sitapur Beach
- Natural Rock Formation
- Ramnagar Beach
- Howrah Bridge (natural arch)
- Sunset Point at Laxmanpur Beach
Top tourist attractions in Neil Island
- Laxmanpur Beach – Best for sunsets and shell collecting.
- Bharatpur Beach – Ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and glass-bottom boat rides.
- Sitapur Beach – Known for its stunning sunrise views.
- Natural Rock Formation – A natural arch locally called Howrah Bridge.
- Ramnagar Beach – Quiet, scenic, and great for a peaceful stroll.
Optional Addition to your trip (if you are okay to extend your trip)
Baratang Island in Middle Andaman – Baratang Island in Middle Andaman is famous for its exclusive limestone caves, dense mangrove creeks, and rare mud volcanoes as unique expressions of mother nature. This island offers a blend of adventure and natural beauty, attracting both nature lovers and explorers. It is accessible via a scenic drive and boat ride, and calls for an offbeat Andaman experience.
Top places to visit in Baratang Island
- Limestone Caves
- Mud Volcano
- Parrot Island
- Baludera Beach
- Mangrove Creeks (boat rides)
- Guitar Island Beach
- Lalaji Bay Beach
Top tourist attractions in Baratang
- Explore Limestone Caves – Take a boat and short jungle trek to witness fascinating natural rock formations.
- Visit the Mud Volcano – See one of the rare mud volcanoes in India, formed by natural gas emissions.
- Birdwatch at Parrot Island – Enjoy a magical sunset while watching thousands of parrots return to roost.
- Boat Ride through Mangrove Creeks – Glide through dense mangrove tunnels for a serene nature experience.
- Relax at Baludera Beach – Unwind on a tranquil, less-crowded beach with calm waters.
In case your itinerary demands that you have to choose where to spend more time, our experience with our clients says most travellers opt for Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) over Neil Island.
Havelock Island (More Time Recommended): The reason being
- Beaches: Radhanagar, Elephant, Kalapathar are all world-class and diverse.
- Activities: Scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, sea walking, glass-bottom rides.
- Stay Options: Wide range from luxury resorts to budget stays.
- Nature Vibe Blended with Fun: More vibrant, with cafés, nightlife options, and plenty of tours.
Neil Island (Comparatively Shorter Stay)
- Beaches: Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur are calmer and scenic.
- Activities: Mostly relaxation, light snorkelling, cycling.
- Vibe more tamed: Quieter, slower pace, best for a day or two.
So, the ideal would be Havelock for 3–4 days and Neil for 1–2 days. It will also depend on your preference and likeness. If you prefer adventure, variety, and activities, stay longer in Havelock. If you want peace, nature, and solitude, give Neil an extra day too.
Step 4 – Get your flight tickets
Flight tickets to the Andaman Islands can get quite expensive if you are planning your vacation that coincides with public holidays or festivities. The flight tickets for Andaman would be to Veer Savarkar International Airport with the code IXZ located at the capital of Andaman, Port Blair.
Direct flights connect Port Blair to the major metropolitans of India such as from Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Hyderabad while connecting flights are available from all cities with intermittent direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi as well. Book in advance and choose your flight wisely because flight costs take up the lion’s share of your Andaman budget. If you manage to get cheaper airfares then your overall Andaman package cost goes down.
Tips to Score the Best Deal with Andaman Flight Ticket Price
- Be flexible with travel dates: Lowest fares often fall into July and August (monsoon deals)
- Compare multiple platforms: Prices vary across sites and service providers and thus it is worth cross-checking various airline websites. We at Andamantourism.org can do that for you by comparing the prices and offering you the best of deals
- Book early: Advance booking tends to yield better rates and more availability
Approx cost of flight per person from major cities
Major service providers are IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet.
- Chennai (MAA) to Port Blair (IXZ) – Direct Flights – One Way – 4000 – 5000 Rupees per person
- Kolkata (CCU) to Port Blair (IXZ) – Direct Flights – One Way – 6000 – 9000 Rupees per person
- Bangalore (BLR) to Port Blair (IXZ) – Direct Flights / 1 Stop – One Way – 8000 – 12000 Rupees per person
- Hyderabad (HYD) to Port Blair (IXZ) – Direct Flights / 1 Stop – One Way – 8000 – 12000 Rupees per person
- Delhi (DEL) to Port Blair (IXZ) – Direct Flights / 1 Stop – One Way – 10000 – 16000 Rupees per person
- Mumbai (BOM) to Port Blair (IXZ) – Direct Flights / 1 Stop – One Way – 10000 – 16000 Rupees per person
Step 5 – Cost of Accommodation
Now that you dealt with one big expense of the trip (flight tickets), you have a fair idea where you stand in terms of budget. Keeping in view the total budget of the Andaman trip, you can now decide how much you are willing to spend for your accommodation. Select your level of stay on the basis of your dispensable budget.
Majorly, you need to book accommodation for Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island
Port Blair stay cost is comparatively cheaper than that of Havelock and Neil Island because it serves as the main entry and transit hub for the Andaman Islands, with a wider range of hotels, guesthouses, and budget stays catering to all kinds of travellers. The city has better infrastructure, higher competition among properties, and lower logistics costs since it is closer to the airport and main supply points. In contrast, Neil and Havelock are smaller, more tourism-focused islands where most accommodations cater to leisure travellers seeking beach resorts and scenic seclusion. Transporting goods and maintaining services there is costlier, and the limited number of quality stay options push up prices. As a result, Port Blair offers more affordable options, while Neil and Havelock tend to have higher rates for similar standards of lodging.
- Budget accommodation – Approximately 800 – 2500 Rupees per night on double-sharing basis
- 2 Star Properties – Approximately 1500 to 3500 Rupees per night on double sharing basis
- 3 Star Properties – Approximately 3000 – 6000 Rupee per night on double sharing basis
- 4 Star Properties – Approximately 6000 – 10000 Rupees per night on double sharing basis
- 5 Star Properties – Approximately 10000 – 18000 Rupees per night on double sharing basis
At Havelock Island
- Budget accommodation – Less than 1200 – 3000 Rupees per night on double-sharing basis
- 2 Star Properties – 2500 – 4500 Rupees per night on double sharing basis
- 3 Star Properties – 4500 – 7500 Rupee per night on double sharing basis
- 4 Star Properties – 7500 – 12000 Rupees per night on double sharing basis
- 5 Star Properties – 20000 – 40000 Rupees per night on double sharing basis
At Neil Island will have a similar expense chart depending on the varying types of accommodation offered.
How will you decide on your level of stay:
- Budget accommodations – Budget options include beach huts, backpacker hostels, and simple guesthouses, often with basic amenities like fans or air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and sometimes on-site cafés.
- 2-star accommodations – They offer air-conditioned rooms, attached bathrooms, decent furnishings, and often an in-house restaurant.
- 3star accommodations – They usually provide well-furnished rooms, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, in-house dining, and sometimes swimming pools or private beach access.
- 4-star accommodations – They offer upscale rooms or cottages, modern amenities, multi-cuisine restaurants, swimming pools, spa services, and sometimes private beachfront areas.
- 5-star accommodations – They feature luxury villas or suites, private beach access, infinity pools, fine dining, spa and wellness centres, and personalized concierge services. Most are located in prime beachfront areas offering stunning sea views and high-end experiences.
The major cost of your trip to Andaman Islands will be taken up by Flight Cost and Accommodation Cost . This will occupy around 70% of your total package cost in Andaman Islands. Let us take an example to have an idea of the cost so far for your trip to Andaman Islands.
- Chennai → Port Blair flight (one way): ~₹4,500
- Return flight Port Blair → Chennai: ~₹4,500
- Stay in Port Blair: 2 nights (3-star hotel @₹4,500/night) = ₹9,000
- Stay in Havelock: 3 nights (3-star hotel @₹6,000/night) = ₹18,000
- Stay in Neil: 2 nights (3-star hotel @₹5,000/night) = ₹10,000
- Ferry transfers (Port Blair ↔ Havelock ↔ Neil): ~₹3,000–₹4,000 per person
- Local transport & sightseeing: ~₹4,000 per person
- Food & miscellaneous: ~₹6,000 per person for 7 nights
Step 6 – Cost of Ferry connecting one Island to the other
Ferry transportation plays a very crucial role in Andaman trp. Basically, you land on the capital which is an island, Port Blair. Throughout the rest of the trip, you need hop from one island to another and ferry is the only option generally viable for tourists to move from one island to another. Havelock and Neil Island can be reached only via ferried from Port Blair. In case you are travelling to offbeat islands where there is no regular ferry service and you need to book exclusive services for a day, the cost incurred will be then much more.
The major ferries that operate in Andaman Islands are :
- Government ferry – No online booking only counter booking allowed
- Makruzz
- Nautika
- ITT Majestic
- Green Ocean
Except for the Government ferry service, all other ferries can be booked online. Check the ferry booking details offered on Andamantourism.org or they can be booked online.
The ferry charges come to approximately 1500 Per Person for each way. Therefore, if we consider the exemplary itinerary of Port Blair to Havelock Island and then to Neil Island and back to Port Blair for 2 adults.
Ferry cost = 1500 x 2 plus 1500 x 2 plus 1500 x 2 = 9000
Step 7 – Cost of water activities
Thus your flight, hotels and ferry costs have been sorted. Now comes the next part of your trip planning, which is the purely fun part. You need to calculate the cost of water activities in the Andaman islands. The major activities that is done in Havelock Island are as below :
- Scuba Diving costs Rupees 3500 Per Person
- Sea Walking cost Rupees 3500 Per Person
- Jet Ski ride cost Rupees 700 Per Person
- Semi Submarine cost Rupees 2100 Per Person
Likewise varied kinds of activities are available at different islands, please check the detailed list of all the water activities in Andaman on our website. So as per our previous itinerary plan suppose we want to add Scuba diving for 2 people then the package cost will add up 7000.
Step 8- Cost of transportation as per your itinerary
In this section, we will specifically discuss about the package cost for 4 Night and 5 days.
Let us consider the itinerary as below :
Day 1 – Airport Pickup. Then visit to Corbyn’s Cove Beach and Cellular Jail – Overnight at Port Blair
Day. 2 – Travel from Port Blair to Havelock in a ferry and visit Radhanagar Beach – Overnight at Havelock Island
Day 3 – Visit Elephant Beach and scuba Diving at Havelock Island and get transported to Neil Island
Day 4 – Sightseeing of Neil Island — Bharatpur Beach (water activities), Laxmanpur Beach (sunset point) and Natural Rock Formation (Howrah Bridge); Return to Port Blair
Day 5 – Do some souvenir shopping at Sagarika Emporium and prepare for departure
To ferry transport cost will be added the cab cost for the above pickup and drop which will come to approximately 7000 Rupees for all pickup and drops. If you are opting for a 2 wheeler at Havelock Island then the cost only for Port Blair pickup and drop will come by a couple of thousand rupees. The rates for two-wheelers is 500 Per day rental with petrol extra.
So overall in transportation, you will be spending approximately 6000 Rupees.
Also include the cost of entry ticket to Cellular Jail, Light and Sound Show and ferry ticket to Elephant beach . These tickets for couples will cost around 3000 for each couple. Travelling with family will further increase the cost.
Step 9 – Cost of Food during the Andaman Trip Stay
The final step of your budget planning is your meal plan cost. Let’s consider the average meal cost per person is 500.
If we go by the smallest tour package of 4 days, you will be having 8 meals in total comprising lunch and dinner. Approximate cost of food equals 500 per meal for 2 people for 4 days would be = 8000 Rupees. Then we include a lump sum for the intermediate meals and snacking.
Total final trip cost, for example, for five days:
| Broad Expense Heads | Money Spent (in ₹) |
|---|---|
| Flight | 32,000 |
| Hotel | 16,000 |
| Scuba Diving for 2 Persons | 7,000 |
| Transportation | 6,000 |
| Ferry | 9,000 |
| Total | 80,000 |
Therefore, we can safely conclude that an approximate cost of 80000 will be spent on your 5 days trip to Andaman Islands. The key to planning your trip is to get the lowest deals on flight and hotels. If you get it cheaper then you save a lot more during your trip.
Step 10 – Conclusion
Thus, here goes the complete step-by-step guide to your Andaman tour package planning. The cost break-up of the tour will now help you to plan your trip to Andaman Islands. The budget planning will be applicable to almost all the places from where you decide to visit Andaman.
The factors on which the budget will increase can be summarized as follows:
- Number of days increases and the cost of the tour based on your hotel selection increases.
- The longer you take to book the flights, the expensive it gets.
- The more the peak season you choose both flight fare and accommodation costs increase.
