ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS
Pristine white-sand beaches · Coral reefs of the Bay of Bengal · Emerald rainforests · Historic Cellular Jail · Bioluminescent plankton nights · Island-hopping adventures from Port Blair to Havelock to Neil Island
Welcome to India's most spectacular island destination — the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, an archipelago of 572 islands rising from the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal, where world-class coral reefs lie beneath glass-clear waters, dense tropical rainforests crown emerald hillsides, and beaches of such breathtaking beauty that they consistently rank among Asia's finest. Our Andaman Tour Packages are specially designed for Indian travelers, covering the islands' most celebrated destinations including Port Blair, Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), Baratang Island, North Bay Island, Ross Island, Barren Island (India's only active volcano), and the legendary Radhanagar Beach — repeatedly voted one of Asia's most beautiful beaches.
Our Andaman honeymoon packages are among the most sought-after in our portfolio — combining overwater resort stays, private sunset cruises, candlelit beach dinners, couples' scuba diving in untouched coral gardens, and sunrise walks on pristine shell-scattered shores. The Andamans' combination of extraordinary natural beauty, crystal-clear warm waters, and deeply romantic island atmosphere makes it one of India's great honeymoon destinations.
Our Andaman holiday packages start at ₹18,000 and extend to ₹1,20,000+ per person for premium resort and liveaboard diving experiences, depending on itinerary, accommodation category, and season. Travelers can book from all major Indian cities — Andaman Tour Packages from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. All packages include return flights to Port Blair, inter-island ferry tickets, hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, guided sightseeing, water sports, and optional travel insurance.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a Union Territory of India comprising 572 islands, islets, and rocks scattered over approximately 8,250 sq km of the Bay of Bengal — lying closer to Myanmar and Thailand than to the Indian mainland, yet unmistakably and vibrantly Indian in culture and spirit. Only 38 of these islands are permanently inhabited, preserving vast tracts of virgin tropical rainforest, mangrove creeks, and coral reef systems that rank among the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the Indian Ocean.
For Indian travelers, the Andamans represent a unique convergence of world-class beach beauty and powerful historical resonance. The Cellular Jail in Port Blair — where the British colonial administration imprisoned India's freedom fighters in brutal isolation — is one of India's most emotionally charged heritage sites, its evening Sound & Light show moving visitors to tears. And beyond history, the islands deliver a natural spectacle of such concentrated splendour — the bioluminescent plankton that turn night-time waves into ribbons of blue fire at Havelock, the sea turtles nesting on uninhabited beaches, the manta rays cruising over coral pinnacles at dive sites like The Wall and Lighthouse — that even experienced international travelers rank the Andamans among Asia's finest island destinations.
As an Indian Union Territory, no international visa or passport is required for Indian citizens — a domestic flight from major Indian cities brings you to this tropical paradise in 2–3 hours.
The essential Andaman experience covering Port Blair, Havelock Island (Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach snorkelling), and Neil Island — delivered in 5–7 nights. This tour is designed for maximum island impact: the historic Cellular Jail, the country's finest white-sand beach at Radhanagar, snorkelling over vibrant coral reefs at Elephant Beach, and the serene natural bridges of Neil Island. Perfect for families, couples, and first-time island visitors seeking India's best beach holiday.
The Andamans are one of India's most romantically charged destinations — deserted beaches accessible only by private boat, bioluminescent kayaking at night, underwater hand-holding over coral gardens, and candlelit seafood dinners on the sand with the sound of the Bay of Bengal as your soundtrack. Honeymoon packages focus on Havelock Island's premium beach resorts, private beach picnics, couples' snorkelling and sea-walking, sunset cruises around Neil Island, and the extraordinary experience of watching turtle hatchlings enter the sea at dawn on uninhabited beaches.
The Andamans are India's premier scuba diving and water sports destination. Adventure packages include PADI Open Water certification courses, advanced diving at world-class sites including Barracuda City, Lighthouse, The Wall, and Jackson's Bar around Havelock; sea-kayaking through mangrove creeks; deep-sea fishing; surfing at Butler Bay (Little Andaman); and the extraordinary experience of diving to see Barren Island's active underwater volcanic vents — the only such dive in India.
The Andamans are supremely family-friendly — glass-bottom boat rides over coral gardens, sea-walking with underwater helmets, safe snorkelling at shallow reef beaches, elephant encounters at the Andaman Elephant Reserve, the extraordinary bioluminescence night kayaking, and the fascinating colonial history of Ross Island and North Bay. Family packages balance beach relaxation with adventure activities scaled for children, with comfortable hotel accommodation and reliable ferry connections throughout.
For photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, the Andamans offer extraordinary subjects: nesting leatherback sea turtles (largest turtle species on earth), saltwater crocodiles in mangrove creeks, endemic Andaman species including the Andaman wood pigeon and Nicobar pigeon (one of the world's most beautiful birds), manta ray and whale shark sightings on offshore reefs, pristine bioluminescent night beaches, and some of Asia's most photogenic tropical island scenery.
October to February is the finest time to visit the Andamans. The northeast monsoon has retreated, leaving calm, clear, warm seas (water temperature 26–29°C), excellent underwater visibility for diving and snorkelling (15–30 metres), and pleasantly warm days (25–32°C) with low humidity. December and January are the most popular months — the sea is at its calmest, the sky at its clearest, and island-hopping by ferry is reliable and enjoyable. Book accommodation well in advance for the Christmas-New Year period, when popular beach resorts sell out months ahead.
March through May brings rising temperatures (32–36°C) and increasing humidity but still-calm seas and excellent diving conditions. This period offers 20–30% lower accommodation rates than peak season and significantly fewer tourists at popular beaches and dive sites. Water visibility remains very good. May sees the arrival of the pre-monsoon swells — surfers head to Little Andaman's Butler Bay for some of the best waves in Indian waters.
The southwest monsoon transforms the Andamans from June to September — heavy rain, rough seas, and suspended ferry services between islands make this the most challenging time to visit. Many beach resorts and dive operators close. However, the rain-drenched rainforest reaches its most lush and vivid green, waterfalls appear across the island landscape, and adventurous travelers who come specifically for the dramatic weather and empty beaches find the Andamans at their most wildly beautiful. Scuba diving is suspended at most sites during heavy monsoon periods.
The Andamans' greatest culinary gift is the extraordinary freshness and variety of its seafood. Lobster, king crab, tiger prawns, barracuda, red snapper, tuna, and squid are landed fresh daily and grilled, curried, or prepared in South Indian, Bengali, or pan-Asian styles at beach shacks and resort restaurants across Havelock and Neil islands. A fresh grilled lobster on the beach at Havelock at sunset, with the Bay of Bengal turning gold behind you, is one of India's great dining experiences.
The local staple — a rich, coconut-milk-based fish curry (influenced by South Indian, Bengali, and Burmese traditions) served with fragrant Andaman short-grain rice. Variations use barracuda, tuna, or reef fish, spiced with local turmeric, tamarind, and dried red chillies. Available at local dhabas in Port Blair's Aberdeen Bazaar area at extraordinary value.
The islands' abundant coconut palms contribute to virtually every Andaman meal — coconut rice, coconut prawn curry, coconut milk fish stew, and fresh coconut water drunk straight from the shell beneath a palm tree on the beach. The local coconut toddy (fermented coconut palm sap) is a traditional island beverage.
The giant mud crab of the Andaman mangroves is a local delicacy — prepared in a rich masala curry or simply steamed and served with garlic butter. The Andaman mud crab is significantly larger and more flavoursome than mainland varieties and is considered the islands' finest seafood offering alongside lobster.
The islands cultivate over 20 varieties of banana — from the tiny, intensely sweet wild forest bananas to the large red-skinned cooking bananas — sold at local markets and used in island cooking. Fresh island fruit including mangoes, papaya, pineapple, and jackfruit are available throughout the season.
Consistently voted one of Asia's most beautiful beaches — and with good reason. Seven kilometres of powder-white sand, fringed by ancient forest of tropical trees, lapped by turquoise water of extraordinary clarity, and facing a western horizon that produces some of the most spectacular sunsets in the Bay of Bengal. Radhanagar (Beach 7) is the Andamans' crown jewel and a mandatory visit for every traveler.
India's most poignant colonial heritage site — the 'Kala Pani' (Black Water) prison built by the British between 1896 and 1906 to isolate and break India's most dangerous freedom fighters through solitary confinement on a remote island thousands of miles from the mainland. The seven radiating wings of the prison, the solitary cells, and the evening Sound & Light show narrating the stories of the prisoners — Veer Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, and hundreds of others — make this a deeply moving and historically essential experience for every Indian visitor.
The Andamans' most accessible and spectacular snorkelling site — a crescent of white sand backed by rainforest, fronted by a shallow reef of extraordinary coral density and colour, populated by parrotfish, angelfish, sea turtles, and clownfish in their anemone homes. Accessible by a 45-minute boat ride from Havelock jetty or a jungle trek, Elephant Beach delivers the quintessential Andaman underwater experience.
The former administrative headquarters of the British Andaman Islands — now a haunting and beautiful ruin of colonial buildings (church, ballroom, chief commissioner's bungalow, bakery, swimming pool) slowly being reclaimed by the jungle, with roots of enormous banyan trees cracking Victorian-era stone. Spotted deer and peacocks roam freely through the ruins. A 15-minute ferry from Port Blair, Ross Island is one of the Andamans' most atmospheric and photogenic sites.
A full-day adventure from Port Blair — a convoy drive through the dense forest of Middle Andaman (through the tribal reserve of the Jarawa people), a speedboat through mangrove creeks of astonishing lushness, and exploration of the extraordinary natural limestone caves of Baratang, whose stalactite and stalagmite formations are among the finest in India. The mud volcanoes of Baratang — gentle eruptions of grey mud from vents in the earth — are one of the Andamans' most unusual natural phenomena.
The quieter, more intimate alternative to Havelock — a small, flower-carpeted island with three excellent beaches (Bharatpur Beach with its superb snorkelling, the isolated Laxmanpur Beach for sunsets, and the dramatic natural rock bridge at Howrah Bridge Beach), fresh local seafood, bicycle-friendly lanes through vegetable farms and tropical gardens, and a pace of life that is completely unhurried. Neil Island is the Andamans at their most authentically peaceful.
The closest coral reef destination to Port Blair — accessible by a 20-minute ferry, North Bay offers glass-bottom boat rides, sea-walking (underwater helmet diving — no experience required), snorkelling, and the extraordinary experience of feeding sea turtles in their natural habitat. The lighthouse at North Bay's tip provides panoramic views across the harbour and surrounding islands.
A permit-regulated day trip from Port Blair or Havelock — Barren Island houses India's only confirmed active volcano, which last erupted in 2017 and continues to show activity. The boat circumnavigation of the island, with lava fields running down to the sea and smoke visible from the summit, is one of the most dramatic and unusual experiences in all of India. Advanced divers can explore the extraordinary underwater volcanic landscape around the island's base.
Scuba dive at world-class sites including The Wall, Lighthouse, and Barracuda City around Havelock Island
Watch the bioluminescent plankton turn waves into blue fire on Havelock's beaches after dark
Attend the evening Sound & Light show at the Cellular Jail in Port Blair
Snorkel over pristine coral at Elephant Beach or North Bay Island
Sea-walk on the ocean floor with an underwater helmet at North Bay (no diving experience needed)
Take a glass-bottom boat ride to view the coral reefs without getting wet
Watch the sun set from Radhanagar Beach — one of Asia's most beautiful sunset experiences
Kayak through the luminous mangrove creeks of Havelock at dusk
Trek through the dense tropical rainforest to Kalapathar Beach, Havelock
Visit Baratang's limestone caves and mud volcanoes on a full-day adventure
Watch olive ridley and leatherback sea turtles nesting on protected beaches (October–February)
Take a certification scuba diving course (PADI Open Water) — the Andamans are India's best classroom
Explore Ross Island's romantic colonial ruins at sunset, with spotted deer as companions
Hire a bicycle and cycle the quiet lanes of Neil Island through vegetable farms and coconut groves
The Andamans are famous for exquisite shell craft — jewellery, decorative items, and keepsakes made from the islands' abundant shells. The Government Emporium in Port Blair's Aberdeen Bazaar and the Sagarika Emporium (run by the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Forest and Plantation Development Corporation) stock the finest quality items. Note: purchasing items made from protected coral species is illegal — buy only from licensed government stores.
The Andaman Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides), a beautiful reddish-gold hardwood found only in the Andaman Islands, is crafted into exquisite furniture, decorative bowls, picture frames, and keepsake items. Available at the Forest Products Sales Depot in Port Blair — among the most distinctive and genuinely local souvenirs available in India.
Traditional crafts of the Nicobar Islands — woven mat bags (chee mat), coconut shell products, and carved wooden items — are available at government emporiums in Port Blair. Authentic Nicobari handicrafts are among India's most distinctive and least-known tribal crafts.
The islands produce exceptional wild forest honey — harvested from the rainforest by tribal communities, raw and unprocessed, with a distinctive floral complexity unlike any mainland Indian honey. Andaman spices including black pepper, cloves, and nutmeg grown on the island's government spice farms are also excellent and locally distinctive.
Sea pearls cultivated at the Pearl Farm at Wandoor (near Port Blair) are sold as necklaces, earrings, and loose pearls at government-approved stores. Andaman cultured pearls are among India's finest and make extraordinary, genuinely local souvenirs.
Home to Sentinel Island— North Sentinel Island is home to the Sentinelese, one of the world's last uncontacted peoples, who have actively resisted contact with the outside world for thousands of years. Approaching within 3 nautical miles of the island is illegal under Indian law, and the Sentinelese are protected by absolute legal isolation.
India's Only Active Volcano— Barren Island's volcano has been active for over 200 years and last erupted in 2017, making it the only confirmed active volcano in India and one of only a few in South Asia.
World War II History— The Andamans were the only part of British India occupied by Imperial Japanese forces during World War II (1942–1945). The islands' wartime history — including the Japanese occupation and the controversial role of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's visit in 1943 — is one of India's most fascinating lesser-known historical chapters.
Bioluminescent Plankton— The Andamans' beaches, particularly on Havelock Island, are among India's finest locations to observe natural bioluminescence — the blue-green light emitted by dinoflagellate plankton disturbed by wave action. Best witnessed on moonless nights between October and May.
Andaman Nicobar Trunk Road— The Andaman Trunk Road, running 330 km from Port Blair to Diglipur, passes through the forest reserve of the Jarawa tribal people — one of India's most ancient and isolated indigenous communities, legally protected from contact and photography.
Coral Triangle Edge— The Andaman Sea sits on the western edge of the Coral Triangle, the world's most biodiverse marine region. Andaman reefs support over 550 species of fish and 200 species of coral — rivalling the Maldives and Thailand's best dive sites.
The 2004 Tsunami— The Andaman Islands were severely affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off the Sumatra coast just 150 km from the Andamans. The islands have largely recovered, though some changed significantly in geography.
Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is simultaneously the islands' historical heart and their logistical hub. Beyond the Cellular Jail and its unforgettable Sound & Light show, Port Blair offers the Anthropological Museum (covering the islands' indigenous tribal communities — fascinating and sensitively presented), the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum (with exceptional specimens of Andaman corals, shells, and marine life), the Fisheries Museum, and the Aberdeen Bazaar market area for street food and shopping. Day trips from Port Blair reach Ross Island, North Bay, Viper Island (another colonial prison site), and the Wandoor Marine National Park.
Havelock Island is the Andamans' most celebrated destination and deservedly so. Its beaches — particularly Beach 5 (Vijaynagar), Beach 7 (Radhanagar), and Kalapathar — are among the finest in Asia. Its dive sites rank among India's best, and its accommodation options range from budget beach huts to genuinely luxurious eco-resorts. A 2–3 night stay on Havelock is the absolute minimum; 4–5 nights allows full exploration of the island's beaches, dive sites, rainforest, and bioluminescent evening experiences. The ferry from Port Blair takes 90 minutes to 2.5 hours depending on vessel type.
Neil Island is the Andamans' most charming and intimate destination — smaller, quieter, and more authentically island-paced than Havelock, with a strong agricultural character (the island supplies vegetables to much of the Andamans), superb beaches at Bharatpur and Laxmanpur, and the extraordinary natural formation of Howrah Bridge — a sea-eroded rock arch standing in the shallow water at the island's western tip. Neil Island is particularly beloved by couples seeking solitude, photographers, and travelers who want the Andaman experience without the tourist infrastructure of Havelock.
The far north of the Andaman Islands — a full-day journey from Port Blair by road and ferry — rewards adventurous travelers with the Andamans' most pristine and least-visited landscapes. Saddle Peak (732m), the highest point in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, rises above dense primeval forest. Ross and Smith Islands, connected by a natural sandbar that appears at low tide, offer some of the most extraordinary beach scenery in all of India. And the beaches of Kalipur and Ramnagar are among the finest nesting sites for leatherback sea turtles in the Indian Ocean — a wildlife spectacle of global significance.
Little Andaman, south of the main island group, is one of India's best-kept surfing secrets. Butler Bay's long point break delivers consistent, rideable waves from March to May, attracting Indian and international surfers to what remains an undeveloped, genuinely off-grid island. Waterfalls, dense rainforest, and almost completely empty white-sand beaches make Little Andaman the perfect destination for adventurous travelers seeking the Andamans well off the beaten track.
The Andamans offer India's finest scuba diving — and conditions that rival the Maldives, Thailand, and Malaysia for coral health, marine biodiversity, and underwater visibility. Key dive sites around Havelock include The Wall (a dramatic drop-off descending to 40m, populated by barracuda schools, reef sharks, and eagle rays), Lighthouse (a gentle reef dive for beginners, rich in coral and tropical fish), Jackson's Bar (for manta ray encounters), and the dive sites around Barren Island's active volcanic underwater landscape. PADI certification courses are available at multiple Havelock dive shops, making the Andamans India's best location to earn your scuba licence.
One of the Andamans' most extraordinary and least-promoted experiences — on moonless nights between October and May, the shallow waters of Havelock's beaches glow with blue-green bioluminescent light from dinoflagellate plankton disturbed by wave action and human movement. Walking into the sea at night produces ribbons of living blue light around your legs. Kayaking through the bioluminescent water in Havelock's northern beaches creates a magical and genuinely otherworldly experience that visitors consistently describe as one of the most memorable moments of their lives.
The beaches of Turtle Nesting sites in Diglipur (Kalipur Beach), Little Andaman, and several protected beaches in the South Andamans serve as nesting grounds for three species of sea turtle — the Olive Ridley, Leatherback (the world's largest turtle, up to 900kg), and Green Turtle. Guided turtle watching tours, run by the Forest Department, allow visitors to observe nesting females and emerging hatchlings in a strictly regulated and conservation-focused experience (October to February).
Guided kayaking expeditions through the Andamans' mangrove creek networks — particularly around Havelock Island and Baratang — are among the most unique and meditative experiences the islands offer. The creeks' tunnel-like canopies of intertwining mangrove roots, the water below so clear that you paddle over visible crabs and fish, the sound of kingfishers and hornbills above, and the spectacular bioluminescence of the water after dark make this one of the Andamans' most unforgettable activities.
For non-swimmers and families with young children, glass-bottom boat rides over the coral reefs of North Bay Island, Jolly Buoy Island (within the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park), and Elephant Beach provide an extraordinary window into the underwater world without getting wet. The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor, accessible by boat from Port Blair, contains some of the Andamans' most pristine and protected coral reef ecosystems.
The Andamans are more affordable than most international island destinations but require careful budgeting, particularly for inter-island ferry travel and water sports activities. Here is a realistic breakdown for Indian travelers:
Book flights 2–3 months in advance for peak season (December–January); fares spike dramatically near travel dates.
Take government AGTSL ferries (slower but much cheaper) rather than private speedboats for inter-island travel when time allows.
Eat at the local dhabas around Aberdeen Bazaar in Port Blair and the village market on Havelock — fresh seafood at a fraction of resort restaurant prices.
Travel in October–November or March–April for 20–30% lower resort rates and quieter beaches.
Book a certified dive package (multiple dives) rather than individual fun dives — dive operators offer significant discounts on packages of 5 or more dives.
Hire a bicycle on Neil Island — the entire island is bikeable and it eliminates auto-rickshaw costs entirely.
Carry sufficient cash — ATMs on Havelock and Neil Islands are limited and frequently out of service; withdraw at Port Blair before ferrying to the islands.
Purchase a Government Emporium receipt for shell and craft items — this protects against confiscation at the airport as it certifies items are legally sourced.
Inter-island ferry bookings, particularly for the Port Blair–Havelock and Havelock–Neil routes, sell out weeks in advance during peak season (December–February). Book all ferry tickets before departing for the Andamans — walk-up availability during peak season is virtually zero for popular vessels.
The Bay of Bengal can be choppy and uncomfortable even outside the monsoon season. Many visitors experience sea sickness on ferry crossings, particularly on the government vessels. Carry anti-nausea medication, sit on the upper deck in fresh air, and check sea conditions before booking speedboat trips to outer islands.
The evening Sound & Light show at the Cellular Jail (held at 6:00 PM and 7:15 PM, available in Hindi and English on alternate evenings) is one of the most moving cultural experiences in India. Many visitors skip it in favour of an extra beach hour — a serious mistake. Book tickets at the jail entrance earlier in the day; shows sell out during peak season.
The sale of products made from protected corals, sea turtles, and certain shell species is illegal in India. Do not purchase coral jewellery, turtle shell items, or shells of protected species from unlicensed beach vendors — confiscation at the airport and legal penalties apply. Purchase only from the government Sagarika Emporium, which stocks legally certified items.
ATMs on Havelock and Neil Islands are scarce and frequently malfunction. UPI and card payments are limited at smaller beach restaurants and activity operators. Carry adequate cash for your entire stay on outer islands, withdrawn from reliable ATMs in Port Blair before departure.
The Cellular Jail, religious sites, and local markets require modest dress. Pack lightweight full-length clothing for sightseeing days in Port Blair. A rashguard or full-length swimwear is essential for snorkelling (sun exposure at sea level in tropical latitudes causes rapid sunburn) and is required at many dive operators.
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