Neil Island at a glance
Neil Island is officially Shaheed Dweep, a name announced on 30 December 2018, and both names appear in timetables and on maps. It is a regular ferry stop between Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) and Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), so many travellers add one or two nights here to a Havelock trip.
Three beaches are the island's main beach destinations: Bharatpur, Laxmanpur and Sitapur. Beyond that, Neil is known for a natural rock bridge on the coast, for snorkeling and for a dive area. A named beach is not a blanket permission to swim along the whole coast. If you want to compare water activities across islands, our snorkeling and sea walk guide explains the differences.
Getting to Neil Island by ferry
Neil is reached by sea only. More detail is on our Andaman ferries page.
Havelock to Neil
The crossing takes about 60 minutes. Indicative 2026 fares start at ₹1,700 for a morning departure and ₹1,500 for an afternoon one, depending on the ferry and class. These are starting prices, not checkout totals; check the current price when you book.
Neil to Port Blair
The trip back takes about 60 to 75 minutes. Indicative 2026 fares start at ₹1,800, depending on the ferry and class.
Do not turn ferry time into road time
Ferry times describe the crossing only. They tell you nothing about the road from the jetty to your accommodation, so ask your host for the transfer.
Our pick: a walk on Neil Island
A guided low-tide shorewalk that takes place on Neil.
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.
Neil Island tours and activities
Island trips, snorkeling and diving around Neil with live prices and availability. Check the tide and ferry plan for your date before you book.
Natural Bridge: see it at low tide
The natural rock bridge is a stone arch over the sea on the coast. It is best visited at low tide, when the rocks underneath are exposed. There is no fixed time for this, because tides change every day. Look up the low tide for your date and plan your visit around it, and wear shoes that can handle wet, uneven rock.
Access depends on the tide, so a visit at high water may not be possible at all. Do not climb or stand where waves can reach you.
Bharatpur Beach
Bharatpur is the beach where boats gather on the sand, and it is the island's beach for snorkeling and sea walk. Whether an activity runs on a given day depends on sea conditions and clearance, so confirm it with the provider when you book.
Neil is also an approved dive area. Diving in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park carries an extra fee per person and day, ₹500 for Indians and ₹1,000 for foreigners (2026), plus prior permission. If you are new to it, read our scuba diving in the Andamans guide first.
Laxmanpur Beach and Sitapur
Laxmanpur is the beach for sunset and Sitapur is the one for sunrise. Together they let you see both ends of the day without leaving the island. At Laxmanpur, trees lean over the sand, and the shore is calm to walk along.
As on Bharatpur, not every part of the coast is safe for swimming. Look for signs, watch what locals do and ask your host before you enter the water.
Where to stay on Neil Island
Neil has accommodation, and the choice mostly comes down to location. Staying near Laxmanpur puts the sunset beach close, a base near Sitapur suits sunrise, and a place near the jetty keeps ferry days easy. There is no price ranking between the three areas, so compare options for your own dates. Where to stay in the Andamans compares the islands.
Heavy rain falls from May to September, and the tourism season runs from October to May. Check the best time to visit before you fix dates.
Neil Island: what to do and when
| Place | Best time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Bridge | Low tide | No fixed hour, check the tide |
| Bharatpur Beach | Daytime | Snorkeling, and Neil is a dive area |
| Sitapur Beach | Sunrise | Early start needed |
| Laxmanpur Beach | Sunset | Calm walk along the sand |
For most visitors, one night on Neil with the rock bridge at low tide, Bharatpur by day and Laxmanpur at sunset is the right amount.
Neil Island: frequently asked questions
Is Neil Island the same as Shaheed Dweep?
Yes. Shaheed Dweep is the official name announced in 2018. Neil is still used in timetables and on maps.
When should I visit the natural rock bridge?
At low tide. The hour changes every day, so check the tide for your date.
How long is the ferry from Havelock to Neil?
About 60 minutes on a typical private ferry sailing. Check the current timetable before you go.
Which beach for sunset on Neil?
Laxmanpur. Sitapur is the beach for sunrise.
Can I swim at every beach on Neil?
Not necessarily. Look for signs, watch what locals do and ask your host before you enter the water.