The Andaman Islands blend coral-blue seas with storied history. Once a British penal colony, Port Blair’s Cellular Jail now stands as a moving memorial and a must-see for history lovers. Beyond the capital, jungle-clad isles like Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) promise quiet beaches, snorkeling, and sunsets that linger.

For photographers, the soft white sand of Radhanagar Beach, the turquoise shallows at Bharatpur, and the pier silhouettes at Laxmanpur offer varied frames. Underwater, you’ll find parrotfish, clownfish, and occasional turtles—visibility is often best in the mornings. April–May is hot and humid, but seas are generally calm to moderate, ideal for snorkeling and boat trips with midday breaks.

Practical notes: carry cash (ATMs can be patchy on the smaller islands), respect marine protected areas, and avoid plastic litter. Inter-island ferries are reliable; government boats are cheaper while private catamarans are quicker. Plan for early starts, long pauses in the shade, and seafood-heavy meals at simple, clean eateries.

🏛️ Port Blair

Port Blair is your gateway, with a working harbor, museums, and colonial-era sites. Don’t miss the Cellular Jail & Light & Sound Show for a powerful retelling of India’s freedom struggle. Close by, the seaside promenade and Marina Park make easy evening strolls.

Eating on a budget is easy: try fish thalis, crab curry, masala dosas, and fresh fruit juices. Local favorites include simple seafood shacks near the water and vegetarian canteens around Aberdeen Bazaar.

• Where to stay (budget areas): Aberdeen Bazaar/MG Road (walkable food + transport), Dairy Farm/Delanipur (quiet, good value), Haddo/Foreshore Road (near jetties).
• Find stays: VRBO Port Blair | Hotels.com Port Blair
• Getting there (flights): Fly into Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

🏝️ Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

Havelock is famed for sugar-soft sand, clear lagoons, and easy reef access. Radhanagar Beach delivers legendary sunsets, while Elephant Beach is the go-to for boat-access snorkeling and shallow coral gardens.

Eat at budget cafes in Govind Nagar and Vijaynagar for grilled fish, prawn curry, coconut-laced veg, and parathas. Cycle or rent a scooter to hop between beaches and snack spots.

• Where to stay (budget areas): Govind Nagar (Beach 2/3; near market), Vijaynagar (Beach 5; quiet, value), Radhanagar outskirts (limited, book early).
• Find stays: VRBO Havelock | Hotels.com Havelock

🌿 Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Smaller and slower, Neil charms with shallow blue bays, coral shelves, and palm-lined lanes. Bharatpur Beach is perfect for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat rides, while Laxmanpur Beach serves up glowing sunsets.

Expect homestyle fish thalis, banana fritters, and fresh coconuts from stalls near the jetty and village markets. Mornings are best for water clarity and beating the heat.

• Where to stay (budget areas): Bharatpur village (near jetty and lagoon), Ramnagar (quiet stretch), Lakshmanpur village (sunset side).
• Find stays: VRBO Neil | Hotels.com Neil

🚤 Ferries you’ll use (budget notes)

• Port Blair ↔ Havelock: Government ferry ~2.0–2.5 hrs (typical morning 6:00–7:00), cheapest; private catamaran ~1.5–2.0 hrs (typical 8:00 and 13:30), faster. Budget: ₹450–900 (govt) or ₹1,200–1,800 (private) per person.
• Havelock ↔ Neil: 1.0–1.5 hrs; common departures 9:00–10:30. Budget similar to above (govt cheaper).
• Neil ↔ Port Blair: 1.5–2.0 hrs; afternoon sailings 14:00–15:30 are common.
• Book early in peak season (April–May). Times can shift with weather; always reconfirm one day prior.

📅 Day 1 – Port Blair arrival + Cellular Jail

Morning: Fly into Port Blair (IXZ). Compare routes and prices on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Take a prepaid auto-rickshaw to your stay in Aberdeen/Delanipur for value and walkability.

Afternoon: Lunch near Aberdeen Bazaar—try a fish thali, veg thali, or masala dosa with lime soda. Rest during the hottest hours.

Evening: Visit Cellular Jail (allow 1–1.5 hrs). Stay for the Light & Sound Show after sunset (book early; carry a light shawl for sea breeze). Dinner at a simple seafood place near Marina Park—grilled fish, dal–chawal, and fresh juice.

🏝️ Day 2 – Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island) + North Bay Island

Morning: From the Water Sports Complex jetty, take the combined boat (common departure 8:30–9:30). Ross Island first: stroll banyan-draped ruins, the old church, and deer-populated paths (note: usually closed on Wednesdays). Wear sturdy sandals.

Afternoon: Continue to North Bay Island for snorkeling or a glass-bottom ride. Expect shallow reefs with sergeant majors and clownfish. Eat a simple beachside lunch—lemon rice, egg curry, or fried fish.

Evening: Return to Port Blair. Sunset walk at the seafront. Dinner ideas: a veg canteen for dosas and filter coffee or a budget multicuisine joint for tandoori tikka and naan.

🚤 Day 3 – Ferry to Havelock + Radhanagar Beach

Morning: Catch an early Port Blair → Havelock ferry. Budget pick: government boat (~2–2.5 hrs, first light sailings). Quicker but pricier: private cat (~1.5–2 hrs). Auto to your stay in Govind Nagar or Vijaynagar.

Afternoon: Light lunch at a market-side café—veg curry, butter rotis, coconut water. Rest under a fan.

Evening: Head to Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7) for the famed golden-hour swim and photos. Lifeguards mark safe zones—respect flags. Dinner nearby or back in Govind Nagar; try prawn curry, veg korma, or dal fry with jeera rice.

🤿 Day 4 – Elephant Beach snorkeling + easy island time

Morning: Boat to Elephant Beach (tickets at the jetty; common departures 8:00–9:30). Included snorkeling is often short—negotiate extra time if you want more, or bring your own mask. Expect 10–20 m visibility in calm seas.

Afternoon: Return for lunch—grilled fish or paneer rolls—and a siesta. Optional scooter rental to explore backroads (helmet on; ride slowly—free-roaming cattle and speed bumps).

Evening: Visit Kalapathar Beach for late-day shade and streaked skies. Dinner at a simple beachside café—veg fried rice, chili chicken, or tomato omelet with toast.

⛴️ Day 5 – Havelock → Neil + Bharatpur Beach

Morning: Ferry Havelock → Neil (common 9:00–10:30 departures; ~1–1.5 hrs). Check in near Bharatpur or Ramnagar. Have a coconut and settle in.

Afternoon: Walk to Bharatpur Beach—ideal for easy snorkeling and glass-bottom rides over coral bommies. Eat a simple fish thali or veg pulao at a stall near the jetty.

Evening: Stroll the village lanes at dusk. Dinner: egg curry, chapatis, and a fresh lime soda. Sleep early for sunrise options.

🐢 Day 6 – Neil highlights: Natural Bridge + Laxmanpur sunset (optional scuba)

Morning: Visit Natural Bridge (low tide best)—look for starfish and sea cucumbers in the tidepools. Divers can book:

Boat Scuba Diving at Neil Island — a boat dive on healthy reefs with chances to spot turtles.

Afternoon: Cool off back at Bharatpur. Snack on banana fritters or pakoras with chai. If you prefer a comfy island circuit, consider:

Neil Island Exclusive Cab Package — an easy way to cover scattered spots in the heat.

Evening: Head to Laxmanpur Beach for a long, glowing sunset. Ferry back to Port Blair on a typical 14:30–15:30 departure (1.5–2 hrs) so you’re set for an easy airport run tomorrow. Dinner in Port Blair—try crab curry or a simple veg thali.

🧳 Day 7 – Port Blair easy morning + departure

Morning: If you’re up early, consider a sunrise drive to Chidiya Tapu (bird-rich and scenic; keep it short to avoid heat). Otherwise, shop around Aberdeen Bazaar for spices, honey, and shell curios (buy only legally sourced items).

Afternoon: Quick lunch—veg biryani, egg rolls, or idli-sambar—then head to IXZ for your flight. Check fares and timings again on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Departure day—buffer extra time for airport queues and security. Keep water handy; it’s hot.

🍲 Budget eats you’ll like

• Port Blair: New Lighthouse-side seafood stalls (grilled reef fish, squid fry), Aberdeen veg canteens (masala dosa, thali), Marina Park snack carts (chaat, corn, juices).
• Havelock (Govind Nagar/Vijaynagar): Beach cafés for grilled catch of the day, veg curries, parathas; bakeries for omelets, banana pancakes, and cold coffee.
• Neil (near Jetty/Bharatpur): Simple shacks with fish thali, egg curry, veg pulao, fresh coconuts, and pakoras.

🌤️ April–May weather, sea conditions + what to pack

• Weather: Hot and humid—daytime 30–34°C, feels hotter; strong sun; brief pre-monsoon showers or thunderstorms possible late afternoons.
• Sea: Generally calm to moderate. Morning trips = smoother rides and clearer water. Boat operations pause in rough spells—flex your schedule.
• Pack: Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+), sunhat, UV shirt/rashguard, quick-dry towel, flip-flops + sturdy sandals, light cottons/linens, reusable water bottle, basic meds + motion-sickness tabs, portable charger, dry bag, snorkeling mask if you want your own, cash (ATMs limited on smaller isles), photocopies of IDs.
• Safety: Swim inside flagged zones; heed lifeguards. Don’t touch coral or collect shells. Respect no-plastic and no-litter rules on beaches and boats.

💸 Daily budget (₹) for a couple + money-saving tips

• Accommodation (budget, clean): ₹2,000–3,500 per night.
• Local transport: Autos/buses ₹200–600 per day; scooter rental (islands) ₹500–800 + fuel.
• Food: ₹1,600–2,400 per day (two people) at local joints.
• Ferries: Govt ₹450–900 pp/sector; private ₹1,200–1,800 pp/sector.
• Activities: Elephant Beach boat ₹1,200–1,800 pp; snorkel top-up ₹500–1,000 pp; glass-bottom ₹400–700 pp; scuba (optional) often ₹3,500–5,500 pp.

• Day 1: ₹3,800–6,500 (entries + local transport + dinner + stay).
• Day 2: ₹4,200–7,500 (Ross/North Bay boat + snacks + stay).
• Day 3: ₹6,200–9,700 (ferry to Havelock + local transport + meals + stay).
• Day 4: ₹5,000–9,000 (Elephant Beach boat + snorkel top-up + meals + stay).
• Day 5: ₹6,000–9,500 (ferry to Neil + meals + scooter/auto + stay).
• Day 6: ₹4,000–11,000 (local sights + optional scuba or cab + ferry back + stay).
• Day 7: ₹3,500–6,000 (local snacks + airport transfer; excludes flight).

• Cost-saving tips: Favor government ferries; book L&S show and boats directly; eat thalis and veg meals at canteens; carry a reusable bottle; rent one scooter per couple; bundle activities (ask for snorkel add-on price before boarding); travel early to avoid A/C taxis; avoid high-priced resort cafés—choose market-side eateries.

🗺️ Practical transport notes

• Within Port Blair: Autos and local buses are cheapest; consider a short evening walk along the seafront.
• Within Havelock/Neil: Scooter (₹500–800/day) or bicycle (₹150–300/day). Helmets are mandatory; carry DL. Night riding is not advised—poor street lighting and wildlife.
• Ferry buffers: Be at the jetty 60–90 mins early for ID checks and boarding queues.

That’s a relaxed, value-forward loop through Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil with all your must-sees covered: Cellular Jail, Ross & North Bay, Radhanagar, Elephant Beach, Bharatpur, and Laxmanpur. Expect early ferries, lazy midday breaks, and big sunsets—plus seafood, simple cafés, and plenty of photo ops.