Andaman Islands

About the Andaman Islands

Coral reefs, colonial history
& Asia's finest beaches

The Andaman Islands sit closer to Myanmar and Thailand than to mainland India, a remote Bay of Bengal archipelago of 572 islands holding some of Asia's most celebrated beaches alongside a profound layer of colonial and independence-era history.

Port Blair's Cellular Jail — the colonial-era prison built to isolate India's freedom fighters — anchors the archipelago's historical weight, its evening Sound and Light Show narrating a story of resistance still deeply felt across India today.

Havelock Island's Radha Nagar Beach is consistently rated among Asia's finest, while the quieter, less-developed Neil Island offers a genuine 'Havelock 15 years ago' atmosphere for travellers wanting to go further off the beaten path.

Must-See Experiences

Six reasons the Andamans reward the extra distance to reach them

⛓️

Cellular Jail, Port Blair

The colonial-era prison built to isolate India's freedom fighters, now a National Memorial — its evening Sound and Light Show is genuinely moving.

🏖️

Radha Nagar Beach, Havelock

Consistently rated among Asia's finest beaches — wide, powder-white sand meeting impossibly clear turquoise water, framed by dense tropical forest.

🤿

Elephant Beach Snorkelling

Reached by traditional dinghy boat, Elephant Beach offers some of the archipelago's best shallow-reef snorkelling, suitable for complete beginners.

🐬

North Bay Coral Island

Vivid coral reefs and ornamental fish just off Port Blair, with the option of snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride.

🏝️

Neil Island's Quiet Beaches

Sitapur, Bharatpur, and Lakshmanpur beaches — considerably quieter and less developed than Havelock, ideal for travellers seeking real solitude.

🌊

No Road or Rail Access

The only way to reach Port Blair is by air or sea — a genuine sense of remoteness that keeps the islands feeling wonderfully undeveloped.

When to Visit

Planning your perfect Andaman Islands trip

The Andamans' tropical maritime climate makes the winter-to-spring window by far the most reliable for both sightseeing and water activities.

November – May (Peak)

Calm seas, excellent underwater visibility for snorkelling, and pleasant temperatures of 24–31°C — the reliable window for inter-island ferries and water sports.

Recommended

November & April-May Shoulder

Still good conditions at the edges of peak season, with slightly fewer crowds at Havelock's most popular beaches.

Good

June – October (Monsoon)

Rough seas and reduced ferry reliability between islands; water sports are significantly limited, and travel between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil becomes less predictable.

Avoid

Explore by Region

3 regions, 3 islands

Port Blair

Havelock Island

Neil Island

Port Blair, History Meets the Harbour

The Andamans' capital and only city, built around the Cellular Jail — the colonial-era prison that held India's freedom fighters, now a National Memorial.

Corbyn's Cove Beach, a harbour cruise past Viper Island, and North Bay's coral reefs give Port Blair a genuine mix of history and easy coastal introduction.

Cellular Jail & Sound and Light Show
Corbyn's Cove Beach
North Bay coral snorkelling
Ross Island nature walk

Havelock Island, Asia's Best Beach

Home to Radha Nagar Beach, consistently rated among Asia's finest — wide, powder-white sand meeting impossibly clear turquoise water.

Elephant Beach's dinghy-boat snorkelling excursion adds a genuine adventure dimension to what is otherwise the Andamans' most relaxed island stop.

Radha Nagar Beach (Beach No. 7)
Elephant Beach snorkelling
Kalapathar Beach
Scuba diving excursions

Neil Island, The Quiet Alternative

Considerably smaller, quieter, and less developed than Havelock — no large resorts or crowds, just a handful of guesthouses and three distinctive beaches.

Sitapur for sunrise, Bharatpur for calm swimming, and Lakshmanpur for sunset and dramatic rock formations — genuinely peaceful, unhurried island time.

Sitapur Beach (sunrise)
Bharatpur Beach
Lakshmanpur Beach (sunset)
Natural bridge rock formation

Coral reefs, colonial history
& Asia's finest beaches