Where to stay in the Andaman Islands
Visitors stay on three main bases: Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram), Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). Each one suits a different part of the trip. Other places on the route are day destinations: Jolly Buoy has no accommodation, and North Bay is a day trip.
Andaman hotels and resorts are spread over the main islands. This page does not rank them. It explains how the bases differ, so you can pick by location. Check the current price, the cancellation terms and what the rate includes before you book.
Do not assume a private beach, free transfers or child discounts. Confirm each of these with the host in writing. If you are still planning the route, start with our Andaman tour packages and island trips, then fit the rooms around the boats.
The three bases compared
Choose by what you want to do and how many boat days you can handle.
| Base | Good for | Getting around | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) | Arrival, ferries, the Cellular Jail, museums and Corbyn's Cove | Taxis from the airport pick-up area; the ferries leave from here | Handy the night before an early ferry |
| Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) | Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach, Kalapathar and water activities | Auto-rickshaws, taxis, buses and motorbikes | Ask how far a stay is from the jetty and from the beaches |
| Neil (Shaheed Dweep) | Bharatpur, Laxmanpur and Sitapur beaches, the Natural Bridge at low tide | Ask your host about transport from the jetty | Beaches are no blanket permission to swim; follow local advice |
For most first-time visitors, a night or two in Sri Vijaya Puram at the start and end, with Havelock and Neil in between, fits the ferry routes best.
Our pick: a package with hotels
Three hotel nights in Port Blair and Havelock are part of this dive package.
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.
Andaman island tours and day trips
Island trips, boat tours and activities around Port Blair, Havelock and Neil, with live prices and availability.
Port Blair: city base for arrival and sights
The capital, Sri Vijaya Puram, is where flights land and where the main ferries leave. The city has the Cellular Jail, the Corbyn's Cove coast, Samudrika, the Anthropological Museum and the Chatham Saw Mill. Aberdeen Bazaar and the Clock Tower form the heart of town.
A night here before an early crossing keeps the morning calm. The private catamarans ask you to be at the jetty 45 minutes before departure, and boarding closes 15 minutes before; check the rule on your ticket. Read our Port Blair guide for the sights and our airport and arrival page for the transfer.
Havelock: beach resorts and activities
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) has resorts and hotels for overnight guests. The beach management plan for Radhanagar treats overnight guests in resorts and hotels as a separate group from day visitors. Do not conclude from this that any building sits directly on the public beach.
Pick Havelock for Radhanagar, the beach for sand and sunsets, and for Elephant Beach, where organised water activities run. Kalapathar is a beach in its own right. Arrive at Radhanagar by 16:00 for the sunset. There is no road link from Port Blair, so you reach the island by ferry. Our Havelock guide and Radhanagar page cover the beaches in more detail.
Neil: beaches and the rock bridge
Neil (Shaheed Dweep) has a tourism base of its own, with Bharatpur, Laxmanpur and Sitapur as the beach areas. Sitapur is the place for sunrise and Laxmanpur for sunset. The Natural Bridge can be seen at low tide, so time your visit with the tide and not with a fixed hour. Read the Neil Island guide before you choose a side of the island.
Andaman resorts and new accommodation projects
A government notice of 10 February 2026 describes planned public-private projects for accommodation on Shaheed Dweep, on Aves and Long islands, and in the capital. These are plans, not open hotels. Do not book a stay based on an announcement. Check that a property is open and that your dates are available.
Before you book any Andaman resort or hotel, ask these questions:
- How far is the stay from the jetty and from the beaches you want to visit?
- How will you get there from the ferry, and is the transfer included?
- What does the rate include, and what is the cancellation policy?
- Is the property open on your dates?
Ferry timetables can change for weather and technical reasons, especially from June to October. Keep a flexible day before an onward flight. See the weather and best time to visit page for the months to plan around.
Plan the rest of your trip
Andaman hotels: frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in the Andamans?
It depends on the trip. Sri Vijaya Puram suits arrival and city sights, Havelock suits beaches and water activities, and Neil suits beach days and the rock bridge. Many visitors combine all three.
Can I stay on Jolly Buoy or North Bay?
No. Jolly Buoy has no accommodation, and North Bay is visited as a day trip.
Are there new hotels planned in the Andamans?
A notice of 10 February 2026 describes planned accommodation projects on Shaheed Dweep, on Aves and Long islands and in the capital. They are plans, not open hotels.
Do Andaman resorts have a private beach?
Do not assume it. Ask the host whether any beach access is exclusive. Most beaches, including Radhanagar, are public and regulated.
Do I need a car or scooter on Havelock?
Auto-rickshaws, taxis, buses and motorbikes are on offer on the island, so a rented vehicle is not the only way around. Check licence and insurance rules before renting one.
How do I get from Port Blair to Havelock?
By ferry. There is no road, and the crossing takes about 90 minutes on a fast catamaran. See the ferry page for times and booking.