Few places in India feel as dreamlike as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Once infamous as “Kala Pani,” today the archipelago is loved for emerald waters, powder beaches, and shipwrecks turned coral gardens. You’ll balance history at the Cellular Jail with slow-island days and technicolor reefs at Havelock and Neil.

Expect world-class snorkeling and beginner-friendly scuba, especially around Elephant Beach, Nemo Reef, and Bharatpur. Radhanagar Beach regularly ranks among Asia’s best, while mangrove creeks hide bioluminescence you can paddle through on moonless nights. Day trips to Ross Island’s British-era ruins or the limestone caves of Baratang add variety beyond beaches.

Practical notes: Best time is October–May; June–September brings monsoon swells. Carry reef-safe sunscreen, cash for small ferries and beach shacks, and download offline maps (signal can be patchy). Respect protected areas—do not approach or photograph Indigenous communities, and avoid buying corals/shells. Ferries sell out in season—prebook seats and keep buffers in your schedule.

Port Blair

Port Blair is your gateway to the islands—an easygoing capital with a storied past. Visit the sobering Cellular Jail, stroll Corbyn’s Cove at golden hour, and boat to Ross (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose) Island to wander vine-wrapped colonial ruins where deer now roam.

• Top sights: Cellular Jail & Light-and-Sound Show, Ross Island & North Bay, Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, Anthropological Museum, Corbyn’s Cove, Chidiya Tapu sunset.
• Where to eat: Amaya (rooftop grills and seafood with harbor views), New Lighthouse Restaurant (crab, lobster, whole grilled reef fish), Icy Spicy (vegetarian thalis, chaats, baked snacks), Annapurna (South Indian vegetarian staples).
• Good to know: Jolly Buoy/Red Skin operate seasonally inside Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (plastic-free rules—carry steel bottles).

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Port Blair or compare hotels on Hotels.com Port Blair.

Getting in: Fly into Veer Savarkar (IXZ) via Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, or Mumbai. Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

Havelock is the archipelago’s beach-and-reef superstar. Radhanagar’s sunsets feel cinematic; calm coves like Nemo Reef are ideal for first dives, while Elephant Beach thrills with snorkel-friendly coral gardens just offshore.

• Top sights: Radhanagar Beach (No. 7), Elephant Beach (by speedboat or forest trail), Kalapathar Beach sunrise, Nemo Reef for beginners, Lighthouse & Aquarium sites for certified divers.
• Eat & drink: Anju Coco (grills, island curries, fresh juices), Something Different – A Beachside Café (global comfort food, sea views, kids’ area), Bonova Café & Pub (wood-fired pizzas, mocktails), The Settlers at Taj Exotica (islander recipes with a refined twist; advance booking advised).
• Experiences: PADI Discover Scuba Diving, sunset cruises, mangrove kayaking by day and bioluminescence at night.

Stay: See island stays on VRBO Havelock Island or compare on Hotels.com Havelock Island.

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Neil is Havelock’s gentler sister—sleepy lanes, glassy shallows, and starry nights. Cycle between beaches, time the tides for the Natural Bridge, and laze at reefy Bharatpur where the water is a painter’s palette.

• Top sights: Bharatpur Beach (snorkeling, glass-bottom boats), Natural Bridge (low tide), Sitapur Beach (sunrise), Laxmanpur Beach (sunset).
• Eat: Beach shacks at Bharatpur for grilled catch-of-the-day and fresh coconuts, SeaShell Neil’s Bon Bar (tandoor and seafood), local vegetarian thalis near the bazaar.

Stay: Options on VRBO Neil Island and Hotels.com Neil Island.

Day 1: Arrive Port Blair, Cellular Jail, and Harbor Views

Afternoon: Land at IXZ and transfer to your hotel (15–25 minutes, ₹300–₹600 by taxi). Shake off the flight with a seaside stroll at Corbyn’s Cove; hire a lounger and sip tender coconut water.

Evening: Tour the Cellular Jail and stay for the Light-and-Sound Show (tickets ~₹300; arrive 30–45 minutes early). Dinner at Amaya for tandoor prawns and Andaman fish curry; vegetarians can opt for Icy Spicy’s thali and rasmalai.

Day 2: Ross Island Ruins and North Bay Snorkeling

Morning: Jetty boat to Ross (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose) Island and North Bay (combo ₹900–₹1,200 per person; 15–20 minutes each leg). On Ross, photograph banyan-draped churches, a fern-filled bakery, and peacocks.

Afternoon: North Bay is a natural aquarium—snorkeling (~₹800–₹1,500) and glass-bottom rides (~₹500–₹800). Sea-walks (~₹3,000–₹3,500) are popular for non-swimmers. Snack on fried fish and lime soda at the beach shacks.

Evening: Browse Aberdeen Bazaar for spices and handicrafts (avoid corals/shells). Feast at New Lighthouse Restaurant—try butter garlic crab or whole grilled snapper.

Day 3: Baratang Limestone Caves Adventure

Early Morning: Depart ~4:00–4:30 AM by permitted convoy toward Baratang (2.5–3.5 hours each way). You’ll pass through reserve forests—no stops or photography allowed.

Late Morning–Afternoon: Boat through a mangrove tunnel to Baratang and walk ~1.5 km to the limestone caves—stalactites like frozen chandeliers. Quick lunch at a local dhaba; optional detour to the mud volcano. Expect to return by early evening. Typical day-trip costs: private vehicle ₹7,000–₹10,000 + boat/entry ₹700–₹1,200 per person.

Evening: Light dinner at Annapurna (dosa, idli, curd rice) and turn in early.

Day 4: Ferry to Havelock and Radhanagar Beach Sunsets

Morning: Fast ferry Port Blair → Havelock (1.5–2.5 hours; ₹1,400–₹2,500 economy, ₹2,500–₹3,500 premium). Prebook seats; report 60–90 minutes prior.

Afternoon: Check in and laze post-lunch. Many resorts dot Govind Nagar and Vijay Nagar beaches—perfect for hammock time and a dip.

Evening: Head to Radhanagar Beach (No. 7) for a peerless sunset. Dinner at Something Different—order the tandoori platter, grilled fish, and a fresh watermelon-mint cooler.

Day 5: Scuba or Snorkel Day—Elephant Beach

Morning: Do a PADI Discover Scuba Diving session (₹4,500–₹6,500 per person; 3–4 hours). Nemo Reef is calm and clear—perfect for beginners—while certified divers can request Lighthouse/Aquarium sites.

Afternoon: Speedboat to Elephant Beach (~20 minutes; boat/permit ₹900–₹1,200; forest fee ~₹100). Snorkel above branching corals with parrotfish and anemone clownfish. Grab a beach bhel or grilled fish from shacks.

Evening: Sundowners and thin-crust pizzas at Bonova Café & Pub; night walk on the sand to spot ghost crabs under starlight.

Day 6: Kalapathar Sunrise, Mangrove Kayaking, and Bioluminescence

Morning: Catch Kalapathar Beach at sunrise—turquoise shallows against a black-rock shoreline. Breakfast at Anju Coco (smoothie bowls, masala omelets, banana pancakes).

Afternoon: Free time for spa or a second dive. Coffee lovers: try cold brew and brownies at a local café near Govind Nagar.

Night: Guided mangrove kayaking (₹2,000–₹3,000). On moonless nights, bioluminescence sparkles with each paddle stroke—among the Andamans’ most magical experiences.

Day 7: Ferry to Neil Island and Natural Bridge

Morning: Ferry Havelock → Neil (≈1 hour; ₹900–₹1,500). Check into your stay and rent bicycles or a scooter (₹400–₹800/day; helmet mandatory).

Afternoon: Time your visit to Natural Bridge for low tide—look into tidal pools for starfish and baby clams. Keep reef-walks gentle to avoid damaging life.

Evening: Sunset at Laxmanpur Beach. Dinner at SeaShell Neil’s Bon Bar—tandoori tikka, chili crab, and naan; vegetarians can opt for paneer lababdar and dal tadka.

Day 8: Reefy Bharatpur and Slow-Island Day

Morning: Snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat at Bharatpur Beach (snorkel ₹600–₹1,200; glass-bottom ₹400–₹700). The lagoon is shallow and beginner-friendly.

Afternoon: Nap in a hammock, then cycle to Sitapur Beach for a dramatic eastern shoreline. Refuel on thalis or stir-fry noodles at a bazaar café.

Evening: Stargazing from the beach; dinner at a local seafood shack—try lemon-butter squid or a coconut curry with steamed rice.

Day 9: Back to Port Blair—Museums and Chidiya Tapu

Morning: Ferry Neil → Port Blair (1–1.5 hours; ₹900–₹1,500). Drop bags and head to the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum to understand the islands’ biodiversity, then the Anthropological Museum for context on local communities (no photos of tribal exhibits).

Afternoon: Optional Wandoor Beach for a quiet swim, or café-hop around town. Snack on samosas and filter coffee.

Evening: Drive to Chidiya Tapu for a blaze-orange sunset. Farewell dinner at Amaya: grilled tiger prawns, a cumin-lime salad, and tender coconut payasam.

Day 10: Easy Morning and Departure

Morning: Souvenir run in Aberdeen Bazaar—look for island spices, wooden crafts, and local honey. Avoid buying shells/corals (illegal to collect/export).

Afternoon: Airport transfer for your flight. Check updated fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and aim to be at IXZ 2 hours before departure.

Island Logistics and Costs at a Glance

• Ferries: Port Blair–Havelock 1.5–2.5 hrs (₹1,400–₹3,500). Havelock–Neil ~1 hr (₹900–₹1,500). Neil–Port Blair 1–1.5 hrs (₹900–₹1,500). Report 60–90 minutes early with photo ID.
• Taxis: Airport–city ₹300–₹600; Port Blair day hire ₹2,500–₹3,500. Havelock/Neil scooter ₹400–₹800/day.
• Activities: Snorkel ₹600–₹1,500; glass-bottom ₹400–₹800; DSD scuba ₹4,500–₹6,500; kayaking ₹2,000–₹3,000; Ross/North Bay combo ₹900–₹1,200.
• Connectivity: Airtel, BSNL, and Jio work in town areas; speeds drop on beaches and boats. Carry cash; UPI works at many cafés but not all.

Optional India Stopover Add‑Ons (if routing via Delhi/Mumbai)

If your flights route through Delhi or Mumbai, add a culture-rich day before or after the islands with these highly rated experiences:

• Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available

  

• Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

  

• Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour: TRAVELLERS CHOICE AWARDED

  

For all intercity flights to your Andaman gateway, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Ten days in the Andamans will recalibrate your pace—mornings in jade lagoons, afternoons among mangroves and museums, and evenings under sherbet skies. You’ll leave with salt in your hair, sea on your palate, and a deeper sense of India’s most dazzling islands.