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 bridg...
Neil Island
The Quiet Jewel of Andamans
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
4.7
Natural BridgeCoral ReefsLaid-back Vibe
islandbeach
Duration: 2 Days
Budget/day: ₹1,500 – ₹5,000
Best season: Nov – May
Altitude: Sea level
Nearest airport: Veer Savarkar Airport, Port Blair (2 hrs by ferry)
Nearest railway: No railway. Base from Port Blair.
Best places to visit in Neil Island
Things to do in Neil Island
- No photoNature / ScenicView full guide
1–2 hours
Natural Bridge (Howrah Bridge) Rock Formation
Neil Island's most iconic landmark is its natural coral rock bridge that arches over the ocean — shaped by centuries of wave erosion into a structure so perfectly arched that locals named it after the famous Howrah Bridge. Visit at low tide to walk beneath it and explore the tide pools.
- No photoNature / Water SportsView full guide
1.5–2 hours
Snorkelling at Laxmanpur and Bharatpur Beach
Neil Island's two main beaches offer some of the easiest and most rewarding snorkelling in the Andamans, with shallow crystal-clear waters and thriving coral gardens just metres from the shore. Sea turtles are frequently spotted here, and the absence of motorized water sports keeps the marine life undisturbed.
- No photoLeisure / AdventureView full guide
2–4 hours
Cycling Around Neil Island
With just 18 square kilometres, Neil Island is perfectly sized for exploring by bicycle. Cycle through paddy fields, spice gardens, fishing villages, and jungle paths to reach each beach at your own pace — Neil's flat terrain and almost total absence of traffic make this the ideal island cycling experience.
Best Time to Visit and Weather Info
Best time: November to May
Same as the broader Andamans — avoid monsoon (June–September) when ferries are frequently cancelled.
Peak & Shoulder
Best Time ⭐Nov – May
24°C – 32°C
Calm seas, coral reefs accessible, and the island's natural bridges and beaches at their best. Quieter and more peaceful than Havelock.
- Neil is much smaller and quieter than Havelock — fewer tourists and a peaceful vibe
- Natural Bridge (Howrah Bridge rock formation) is best seen at low tide
Monsoon
Avoid 🔴Jun – Oct
26°C – 32°C
Rough seas and ferry cancellations. Most water activities shut down.
- Avoid during this period
- Basic guesthouses remain open but beaches are unsafe
How to Reach
✈️By Air
Airport: Veer Savarkar Airport, Port Blair (~36 km by sea)
Duration: ~1.5 hrs by ferry from Port Blair
Fly to Port Blair then take a government ferry or private speed boat to Neil Island.
Taxi: Ferry: ₹300–₹450 (government)
Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet
🚂By Train
Station: No railway. Access only via Port Blair.
No rail connectivity to any Andaman island.
🚌By Road
Neil Island is tiny (18 km²) — rent a bicycle or motorcycle to explore all beaches in half a day.
- Port Blair (Haddo Jetty): Sea route, 1.5 hrs via Government ferry or private boat
- Havelock Island: Sea route, 30–45 mins via Private speed boat
Local Food
Neil Island has a very small restaurant scene — a handful of guesthouses and local cafés near the ferry jetty and beaches.
Grilled Fresh Fish
The freshest catch from surrounding waters — grilled simply with local spices and served with rice.
Where: Tango Beach Resort restaurant; guesthouses near jetty
₹250 – ₹500
Prawn Masala
Locally caught prawns in a spiced onion-tomato gravy — simple island food at its most satisfying.
Where: Local guesthouse kitchens
₹200 – ₹400
Coconut Water & Fresh Fruit
Young coconuts and seasonal tropical fruit grown on the island.
Where: Village market and guesthouse gardens
₹20 – ₹60
Simple South Indian Meals
Rice, sambar, dal, and fish curry — the everyday meal of the Tamil settler community.
Where: Local dhabas near the market
₹80 – ₹150
Andaman Lobster
Available at some guesthouses when fishermen bring a catch — best ordered fresh the same morning.
Where: Enquire at guesthouses
₹600 – ₹1,200
Breakfast Banana Pancakes
Fresh banana pancakes with honey — the universal island backpacker breakfast.
Where: Beach-facing cafés
₹80 – ₹120
Neil Island's food scene is very basic. The charm is in the simplicity — fresh fish, tropical fruits, and eating on open-air terraces with the sound of the sea.
FAQs
- Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) is famous for its secluded beaches (Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur), the natural rock bridge ('Howrah Bridge'), excellent coral snorkelling, and a much quieter and slower-paced vibe than Havelock.
Best Places Similar
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
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 pristine coral reefs, dense tropical rainforests, and some of the world's last surviving isolated indigenous tribes. Port Blair, the capital, is home to the historic Cellular Jail — a sobering reminder of India's freedom struggle — while the turquoise waters and white sand beaches of Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) Islands consistently rank among the world's best beaches. The marine biodiversity, including sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, and rare endemic bird species, make the Andamans a dream destination for divers and nature lovers.
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.
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
Havelock Island
22 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.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
43 km · 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 pristine coral reefs, dense tropical rainforests, and some of the world's last surviving isolated indigenous tribes. Port Blair, the capital, is home to the historic Cellular Jail — a sobering reminder of India's freedom struggle — while the turquoise waters and white sand beaches of Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) Islands consistently rank among the world's best beaches. The marine biodiversity, including sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, and rare endemic bird species, make the Andamans a dream destination for divers and nature lovers.
Konark
1165 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.