How to Plan an Andaman Trip

Before you start planning Andaman

The Andamans are logistically different from a typical beach holiday. Flights, ferries and weather link together, and one cancelled ferry can affect the whole plan.

Plan the islands in order and allow buffer time at the end.

When to go to Andaman

November to April is the best season, with calm seas and clear water. May to September is the monsoon, with rough seas and cancelled ferries.

If you are travelling at the edges of the season, choose flexible bookings.

Getting there and getting around

Fly to Port Blair from Kolkata, Chennai and a few other cities, with connections from elsewhere. From Port Blair, government and private ferries connect Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep).

Book ferry tickets early in peak season and carry photo ID.

Where to base yourself

A typical plan is two nights in Port Blair, two in Havelock and one in Neil. Many travellers skip Neil if time is tight.

Keep your flight out of Port Blair at least half a day after your last ferry, in case of delays.

What to book early

• Private ferry tickets for Havelock and Neil.
• Hotels in Havelock in peak months.
• Scuba and snorkelling sessions.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Scheduling an early flight the day after a ferry journey.
• Carrying only cards; ATMs and networks are limited on the islands.
• Touching or standing on coral.
• Visiting during the monsoon without flexibility.

A simple route to start from

Treat this as a starting outline and adjust it to your dates and pace.