The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, an archipelago of 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal, is India's tropical island paradise — home to some of Asia's finest beaches, world-class diving and snorkeling in pri...
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Emerald Islands in Azure Waters
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
4.9
Pristine BeachesCoral ReefsMarine Life
islandbeach
Duration: 5–7 Days
Budget/day: ₹2,500 – ₹8,000
Best season: Nov – May
Altitude: Sea level
Nearest airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Nearest railway: No railway. Nearest mainland railway: Chennai or Kolkata.
Best places to visit in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Things to do in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- No photoAdventure / Water SportsView full guide
2–4 hours per dive session
Scuba Diving
Dive into the Andaman's extraordinary underwater world — rated among Asia's top 5 dive destinations. Explore coral gardens teeming with reef fish, sea turtles, manta rays, white-tip reef sharks, lionfish, moray eels, and macro life around dive sites like Barracuda City, the Wall, Aquarium, and the famous WWII-era wreck dives near Havelock Island.
- No photoWater Sports / NatureView full guide
1–3 hours
Snorkeling
Snorkel in the crystal-clear shallows of Elephant Beach (Havelock), Jolly Buoy Island, and Red Skin Island — pristine coral reef ecosystems accessible to non-swimmers in just 1–3 metres of water, teeming with clownfish (Nemo), parrotfish, sea turtles, and vibrant hard and soft corals.
- No photoNature / LeisureView full guide
1–2 hours
Glass Bottom Boat Ride
View the underwater coral world without getting wet — glass-bottom boats at North Bay Island (near Port Blair) and Elephant Beach allow visitors to see colourful reef fish, sea anemones, sea turtles, and living coral through glass panels in the boat's floor.
Best Time to Visit and Weather Info
Best time: November to May
Monsoon (June–September) brings very heavy rain and rough seas — most island activities suspended. October can also have rough seas.
Winter & Spring
Best Time ⭐Nov – May
23°C – 32°C
The only season for snorkelling, scuba diving, island hopping, and beach activities. Sea is calm and water visibility is excellent for diving.
- Book scuba diving and snorkelling tours from certified operators in advance
- Havelock and Neil Islands require ferry booking well in advance
Monsoon
Avoid 🔴Jun – Sep
25°C – 32°C
Heavy monsoon with extremely rough seas. Ferry services are often cancelled. Most water activities suspended.
- Most island hopping is not possible
- Cellular Jail and Port Blair city can be visited
How to Reach
✈️By Air
Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair (Within Port Blair city)
Duration: 2 hrs from Chennai or Kolkata; 2.5 hrs from Delhi
Flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Flying is the most practical way to reach the Andamans.
Taxi: ₹300 – ₹600 (Airport to Port Blair city)
Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, GoAir
🚂By Train
Station: No railway in Andaman & Nicobar. Nearest mainland: Chennai Central or Kolkata Howrah.
Take a train to Chennai or Kolkata, then a ship (2–3 days) or fly to Port Blair.
- Ships from Kolkata/Chennai/Visakhapatnam — Major ports (50–60 hrs by sea (Andaman Shipping Service))
🚌By Road
Inter-island transport is by government and private ferries. Within Port Blair, taxis and auto-rickshaws are available.
- Port Blair to Havelock (Neil's Cove Jetty): Sea route, 1.5–2 hrs by ferry via Government ferry or private speed boat
- Havelock to Neil Island: Sea route, 30–45 mins by ferry via Private speed boat or government ferry
Itineraries
Local Food
Andaman's cuisine reflects its diverse settler population — Bengali, Tamil, Malay, and Nicobarese influences combine with an abundance of fresh seafood.
Grilled Barramundi
Fresh sea bass grilled with local island spices — the quintessential Andaman seafood experience.
Where: Full Moon Café, Havelock; Anju Coco Resto, Port Blair
₹350 – ₹600
Amritsari Fish Curry
Bengal-influenced fish curry — a staple of the Bengali settler community of the islands.
Where: Local restaurants in Port Blair
₹200 – ₹400
Coconut Prawn Curry
Tiger prawns in a Malay-inspired coconut and turmeric gravy — a uniquely Andamanese fusion dish.
Where: Beach restaurants on Havelock and Neil Islands
₹300 – ₹600
Red Snapper Tikka
Red snapper marinated in Indian tandoor spices and grilled — fresh island fish at its best.
Where: Restaurants near Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Port Blair
₹300 – ₹500
Nicobarese Coconut Crab
Rare and delicate coconut crab from the Nicobar Islands — available in select upscale restaurants.
Where: Premium restaurants in Port Blair
₹600 – ₹1,200
Andaman Lobster
Fresh local lobster grilled or in a butter-garlic sauce — one of the best seafood experiences in India.
Where: Any beach restaurant on Havelock Island
₹500 – ₹1,500 depending on size
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) has the best restaurant scene — from budget beach shacks to quality seafood restaurants. Book in advance during peak season.
FAQs
- The Andamans are famous for Radhanagar Beach (Asia's best beach), Cellular Jail (Kala Pani prison), snorkelling and scuba diving at Havelock, bioluminescent beaches, sea turtles, and pristine coral reefs.
Best Places Similar
Havelock Island
Havelock Island, officially renamed Swaraj Dweep, is the crown jewel of the Andaman archipelago and home to Radhanagar Beach — consistently rated one of the best beaches in Asia for its extraordinary combination of pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush forest backdrop. The island offers some of the finest scuba diving and snorkeling in India, with thriving coral gardens, sea turtles, and diverse tropical fish accessible from the shore. Elephant Beach — reachable by boat or a forest trek — and the world-famous Radhanagar sunset are experiences that make Havelock Island a must-visit for anyone seeking India's most spectacular island scenery.
Neil Island
Neil Island, officially renamed Shaheed Dweep, is the smallest and most laid-back of the major tourist islands in the Andamans, offering an idyllic combination of pristine beaches, natural coral bridges, and a pace of life so relaxed it feels like time has stopped. The iconic Natural Bridge rock formation at Laxmanpur Beach, carved by waves into an arching coral doorway, is one of the Andamans' most photographed natural wonders. With excellent snorkeling directly from its beaches, firefly-lit evenings, and a handful of charming guesthouses serving fresh seafood, Neil Island is the perfect antidote to modern travel stress and a paradise for those seeking simple, authentic island living.
Goa
Goa, India's smallest state nestled on the Konkan Coast, is the country's premier beach destination and a unique cultural fusion of Portuguese colonial heritage, vibrant Hindu traditions, and a cosmopolitan party spirit that draws millions of domestic and international tourists year-round. From the lively club scene of Baga and Calangute in North Goa to the serene palm-fringed shores of Palolem and Agonda in the south, Goa caters to every type of traveler. The spice markets of Old Goa, the baroque cathedrals and churches of Portuguese heritage, the seafood shacks on the beach, and the legendary Goa Carnival make this coastal paradise endlessly appealing.
Nearby destinations
Neil Island
43 km · Neil Island, officially renamed Shaheed Dweep, is the smallest and most laid-back of the major tourist islands in the Andamans, offering an idyllic combination of pristine beaches, natural coral bridges, and a pace of life so relaxed it feels like time has stopped. The iconic Natural Bridge rock formation at Laxmanpur Beach, carved by waves into an arching coral doorway, is one of the Andamans' most photographed natural wonders. With excellent snorkeling directly from its beaches, firefly-lit evenings, and a handful of charming guesthouses serving fresh seafood, Neil Island is the perfect antidote to modern travel stress and a paradise for those seeking simple, authentic island living.
Havelock Island
46 km · Havelock Island, officially renamed Swaraj Dweep, is the crown jewel of the Andaman archipelago and home to Radhanagar Beach — consistently rated one of the best beaches in Asia for its extraordinary combination of pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush forest backdrop. The island offers some of the finest scuba diving and snorkeling in India, with thriving coral gardens, sea turtles, and diverse tropical fish accessible from the shore. Elephant Beach — reachable by boat or a forest trek — and the world-famous Radhanagar sunset are experiences that make Havelock Island a must-visit for anyone seeking India's most spectacular island scenery.
Konark
1146 km · Konark, a small town on Odisha's coast 35 kilometers from Puri, is home to one of India's greatest architectural wonders — the Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I, conceived as a colossal stone chariot of the Sun God Surya with 24 intricately carved wheels and seven horses. The temple's thousands of sculptures depicting celestial beings, erotic carvings, animals, and mythological scenes represent the apex of Odishan temple architecture and craftsmanship. The annual Konark Dance Festival held against the dramatic backdrop of the illuminated Sun Temple is one of India's most magnificent cultural events.