The Andaman Islands in a nutshell
The Andaman Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal and belong to India. Together with the Nicobar Islands they form the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the capital is Sri Vijaya Puram, still printed as Port Blair on most ferry timetables. The Andaman group covers 6,408 km² of the territory's 8,249 km². Time is Indian Standard Time, UTC+05:30, and the currency is the Indian rupee.
Most visitors fly into Port Blair and then split their time between three places: the capital with the Cellular Jail, Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) with Radhanagar Beach, and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). There is no road link to either island, so a ferry is part of every plan. This site covers tours and day trips, scuba diving, snorkeling and sea walks, ferries, permits, weather, hotels, the airport and history.
Our picks: Andaman tours
The 4-day dive package suits you if you want hotels and transfers arranged in one booking. The Ritchie's boat trip adds several snorkel stops, the PADI dive is a guided first dive, and the kayak paddle is a short evening option on Havelock.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
4-day Andaman trip with a scuba dive
- Scuba dive with photos and video
- Elephant Beach boat trip and snorkeling
- 3 hotel nights with breakfast
Hotels in Port Blair and Havelock, a private vehicle and a coordinator are included, and the itinerary has the ferry to Havelock and back. Ask whether ferry tickets and entrance fees are included before you book.
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Ritchie's Archipelago snorkel and beach boat trip
- Two guided snorkel stops
- Turtle Beach stop
- Water, juice and snacks
Four hours by boat with equipment and life jackets. The special-area permit is extra and paid in cash on the day.
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Havelock scuba dive with a PADI instructor
- PADI-certified instructor
- Full dive equipment
- Boat to the dive sites
Hotel pickup within 5 km of the dive centre is included. Ask whether the marine park fee and the ferry to Havelock are covered before you book.
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Bioluminescence and mangrove kayaking on Havelock
- Guided kayak tour
- Safety equipment
- Bioluminescence and mangroves
A two-hour paddle through the mangroves. Ask whether hotel pickup is included before you book.
Check availability →Andaman tours and island trips
Island hopping, boat trips, diving and sightseeing in Port Blair, with live prices and availability.
A few things to know before you go
Names, permits and seasons that change how you plan.
Port Blair is now Sri Vijaya Puram
The new name was announced on 13 September 2024. Havelock is Swaraj Dweep and Neil is Shaheed Dweep, both announced on 30 December 2018. Ferry operators still print Port Blair, so you will see both names on your ticket and on road signs.
Port Blair guide →Permit rules for foreign visitors
A notice of 5 March 2026 confirms tourist exceptions to the Restricted Area Permit until 31 December 2027. It excludes 29 islands, and visitors from some countries still need a permit in advance. Forest and reserve permits apply on top, for example for Jolly Buoy and the Baratang caves.
Permit rules →The Nicobar Islands are not open to tourists
The ferry authority asks for a tribal pass for the Nicobar group and does not let foreign visitors travel beyond Hut Bay. Plan your trip around the Andaman group.
Jolly Buoy has a season
The island in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is open from mid-November to mid-May and needs a forest permit. Visitors are capped at 280 a day, so book ahead.
Jolly Buoy guide →North Sentinel Island is closed
Tourists may not visit North Sentinel Island, and no tour goes there. The protected zone extends 5 km from the shore.
Why it is closed →Plan your Andaman trip
Start with tours, diving and ferries, then pick the islands you want.
Andaman tour packages
A six-day route, what to budget on top and how to split the days.
Scuba diving
Dive areas off Havelock and Neil, the park fee and first dives.
Snorkeling and sea walk
Where to snorkel, and how glass boats and sea walks differ.
Port Blair to Havelock ferry
Government and private ferries, crossing times and indicative fares.
Havelock Island
Radhanagar, Elephant Beach and Kalapathar on Swaraj Dweep.
Radhanagar Beach
Opening rules, swimming zone and the evening light.
Neil Island
Beaches, the Natural Bridge at low tide and quiet evenings.
Port Blair
The capital's sights, beaches and museums.
Cellular Jail
Tickets, show times and the history of the national memorial.
Ross Island and North Bay
Ruins, coral viewing and the boats from Aberdeen.
Andaman tourism: places, seasons and practical pages
The rest of the islands and the details that decide a trip.
Baratang
Limestone caves, a mud volcano and the convoy road.
Jolly Buoy Island
Season, permit and daily limit.
Diglipur
Ross and Smith, Saddle Peak and turtle beaches.
North Sentinel Island
The visit ban and the protected zone.
Places to visit
Islands, beaches and sights in one list.
Weather and best time
Monthly rain and temperature, and the dry months.
Permits for 2026
RAP exceptions, restricted islands and forest permits.
Where to stay
Port Blair, Havelock or Neil: which base fits.
Port Blair Airport
Flights, the terminal and the way into town.
History and peoples
The penal colony, the war years and the island communities.
Andaman Islands: frequently asked questions
Is this the official site of Andaman Tourism?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration or Andaman Tourism, and it is not connected to any tour operator, dive centre, ferry company or hotel.
How many days do I need for the Andaman Islands?
The tourism department's sample route takes 6 days and combines the capital, Havelock and Neil. Add more days for Baratang or the north. Ferries depend on the weather, so keep a spare day near your flight home.
Do foreign visitors need a permit?
A notice of 5 March 2026 extends the tourist exceptions to the Restricted Area Permit until 31 December 2027. Visitors from some countries still need a permit in advance. Forest and reserve permits, for example for Jolly Buoy or the Baratang caves, are separate. Read the permit page before you book.
What is the best time to visit the Andaman Islands?
October to May is the preferred travel period. In Port Blair the long-term average is 14.2 mm of rain in February and 505.2 mm in September, so January to March is the driest stretch. Heavy rain starts as early as May.
How do I get from Port Blair to Havelock?
By ferry. Government ferries and private catamarans run from the capital to Havelock, and the private timetables give about 90 minutes for the crossing. Details and indicative fares are on the ferries page.
Can I visit North Sentinel Island?
No. Tourists are not allowed to visit, and entering the protected zone can lead to arrest. No tour goes there.