Heritage2 days
Port Blair history
Colonial prison, ruins and coral snorkelling.
- Port Blair
- Cellular Jail
- Ross Island
- North Bay
Union Territory · Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Emerald forests, white beaches and some of India's best reefs
An archipelago in the Bay of Bengal with Radhanagar's beach, cellular jail history, mangrove creeks, coral reefs and dense forests. Only a few islands and zones are open to visitors; tribal reserves and Nicobar are closed.
- Best time
- October to May (calm seas; cyclone season is rare but possible in monsoon)
- Allow
- 5–8 days
- Getting there
- Airport: Veer Savarkar International, Port Blair; ships from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam
- Permits
- Indians need no permit for open areas; foreigners get a Restricted Area Permit at arrival (30 days) for open islands; Nicobar Islands, Jarawa and Sentinelese zones, and North Sentinel are strictly closed to tourists
- Capital
- Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair)
- At a glance
- 3 districts · 11 places · 4 off the beaten track
Must-see
The unmissable Andaman and Nicobar Islands
01
Radhanagar Beach, Havelock
Wide white sand and clear water, often ranked among Asia's best.
02
Cellular Jail, Port Blair
Colonial prison and memorial, with a nightly light and sound show.
03
Elephant Beach
Snorkelling and sea-walks just off Havelock.
04
Neil Island
Quiet island with Bharatpur and Laxmanpur beaches.
05
Ross Island
Ruined British administration centre being reclaimed by banyan roots.
06
Baratang Limestone Caves
Boat trip through mangrove creeks to cave formations.
07
Chidiya Tapu
Sunset point and forest edge with birdwatching.
08
Scuba diving
Reefs near Havelock and Neil, with certified dive schools.
Tourist circuits
Ready-made routes
Join the dots: each circuit links places that make sense together.
Beach4 days
Havelock and Neil
The beach core of the archipelago.
- Havelock
- Radhanagar
- Elephant Beach
- Neil Island
Nature2 days
Mangrove and caves
Day trip through creeks and forest.
- Baratang
- Mud Volcano
- Limestone Caves
Offbeat4 days
Diglipur and Ross-Smith
Far north: twin islands joined by a sandbar and Andaman's highest peak.
- Diglipur
- Ross and Smith Islands
- Saddle Peak
- Kalipur
District by district
Every district, place by place
3 districts. Open any to see what's worth your time — gold tags mark lesser-known places.
South AndamanHQ Sri Vijaya Puram · 5 places · 1 offbeat
Capital district: Port Blair, Havelock, Neil and Baratang access.
- Must-seeCellular JailColonial-era prison and the memorial of Indian freedom fighters.
- BeachHavelock (Swaraj Dweep)Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and top dive sites.
- BeachNeil (Shaheed Dweep)Calm island with Natural Bridge and Laxmanpur sunset beach.
- HeritageRoss Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep)Ruined British quarters swallowed by banyan roots.
- OffbeatChidiya TapuOffbeatBirdwatching and quiet sunsets at the southern tip.
North and Middle AndamanHQ Mayabunder · 5 places · 2 offbeat
Largest district: forests, caves and the far north beaches.
- NatureBaratang Limestone CavesBoat and trail through mangrove creeks; crosses a tribal reserve road with convoy rules.
- BeachDiglipur and Ross and Smith IslandsTwin islands joined by a sandbar; boat from Kalipur.
- AdventureSaddle PeakTrek to the Andaman's highest peak, with permission from forest office.
- OffbeatLong IslandOffbeatQuiet island with Lalaji Bay beach reached by a boat from Middle Strait.
- WildlifeInterview IslandOffbeatWildlife sanctuary of feral elephants; entry is restricted.
NicobarHQ Car Nicobar · 1 place · 1 offbeat
Closed to tourists. Tribal reserve with restricted access.
- OffbeatNicobar group (restricted)OffbeatNot open to tourists; entry requires special permission only.
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Eat
Signature flavours
- Fresh tuna and snapper
- Lobster at Havelock
- Coconut fish curry
- Bengali-style fish thali
- Sea-food barbecue
Beach resorts and eco-huts on Havelock and Neil; guesthouses in Port Blair; government rest houses in the north.
Festivals
When to time your visit
- Island Tourism Festival — January
- Durga Puja — October
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birth Anniversary — January 23
- Pongal — January
Insider tip
Book inter-island ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika) early and carry a margin day around the flight home, as seas can close services.
Plan Andaman and Nicobar Islands with us
Tell us the circuit, the season and your pace — we'll shape it into a private itinerary. Permits, stays and transfers handled.
Start planning Free trip plannerCompiled from public tourism information and our own knowledge; permits, entry rules, district boundaries, timings and prices change — approximate, verify before travelling. Last reviewed 2026-11-09.