Andaman Islands
Reefs, forest and the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, a former colonial prison, draw visitors to the Andaman Islands.
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The Andaman Islands are an archipelago in the northeastern Indian Ocean, southwest of Myanmar's coast. They form part of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Port Blair, also called Sri Vijaya Puram, is the main town and the usual entry point for visitors. About 86% of the land is forest, and the clear water, coral walls and colorful fish around the islands attract snorkelers and divers.
The islands also carry a colonial history. The British founded a penal colony on Chatham Island in 1789, and the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, built to hold Indian freedom fighters, is the main sight today. Only three of its seven wings remain. The climate is warm all year, with sea breezes. The north-east monsoon is usually the drier season, while the south-west monsoon brings heavy rain. Visitors interested in marine life and history will find both here. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan need a Restricted Area Permit approved before arriving in Port Blair, so check that first.
Andaman Islands in five
- Book flights and ferries as one planFerries sail on fixed schedules and are cancelled in rough weather, so leave a buffer day before any international flight. Our itinerary shows a day-by-day route that stays inside ferry limits.Andaman itinerary, 5 days
- Check the permit rules for your passportMost foreign visitors do not need a separate Restricted Area Permit for the main tourist islands under an exemption extended in stages, but some nationalities do. Confirm with Andaman tourism or an Indian mission before you book.
- Pick the sea months, not just the dry onesSeas are calmest and visibility best from roughly November to April, when most dive and snorkel trips run. The southwest monsoon from about May to September brings rain, rough water and cancelled sailings.
- Carry cash and download maps firstATMs are scarce outside Port Blair and sometimes empty, and mobile data is patchy across the islands. Load offline maps and ferry tickets before you leave the mainland, and carry rupees for small bills.
- Choose Havelock first, Neil secondHavelock has the famous beach and most dive operators; Neil is smaller and quieter. Compare the two before you commit nights.Havelock vs Neil Island
Things to do in Andaman Islands
See all attractions in Andaman Islands
Need to know
- Airport
- Veer Savarkar International (IXZ), Port Blair, flights from the mainland
- Getting there
- Flights from Chennai, Kolkata and other mainland cities; slow ships also run
- Getting around
- Government and private ferries; scooters and autos on each island
- Best base
- Havelock for beaches and diving; Port Blair for flights and ferries
- Time needed
- 5–7 days for Port Blair, Havelock and Neil
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, calm seas
- FebruaryDry, clear
- MarchHot, calm
- AprilHot, best diving
- MayMonsoon starts
- JuneMonsoon
- JulyRough seas
- AugustRough seas
- SeptemberMonsoon
- OctoberShowers
- NovemberCyclone risk
- DecemberDry, busy
Right now in Andaman Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 55%
Andaman Islands
04:11 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°23°55%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Wed32°24°43%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Thu31°24°53%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Fri31°24°83%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Sat31°24°84%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Sun30°24°89%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
Updated 01:47 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Havelock Islandabout 1.5–2.5 hours by ferryThe main beach island, with Radhanagar Beach and dive shops.Read the guide
- Ross Island and North Bayabout 30–45 min by boatRuined British headquarters and a snorkeling bay close to Port Blair.
- Baratang cavesabout 3 hours by road, then boatLimestone caves and a mangrove creek; the road crosses a tribal reserve with strict no-stopping rules.
Before you go to Andaman Islands
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Andaman Islands, checked
- Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, and foreign nationals of these origins, need a Restricted Area Permit approved before arriving in Port Blair.Source
- Foreign visitors show their passport to Immigration at Port Blair Airport or Seaport for verification.Source
- Approaches to North Sentinel Island are barred by law within 3 nautical miles.Source
- Do not approach Jarawa or Sentinelese areas or try to make contact; the government protects their privacy and right to live without contact.
Andaman Islands FAQ
How many days do you need in the Andaman Islands?
Five days covers Port Blair, Havelock and one night on Neil with ferry buffers. Seven lets you add dive days or a second beach morning. Fewer than four means most of your time goes to ferries.
When is the best time to visit the Andaman Islands?
November to April for calm seas and clear water, with December to February busiest. May to September is monsoon and sailings can be cancelled, but prices fall. Plan buffer time for any month.
Do foreigners need a permit for the Andaman Islands?
Many foreign visitors do not need a separate permit for Port Blair, Havelock and Neil, but exemptions are extended in stages and some nationalities still need one. Check the current rules with Andaman tourism before you pay for flights.
Is Havelock or Neil better?
Havelock for diving and the famous beach, Neil for quiet and cycling. Most visitors do both, with more nights on Havelock. Our comparison covers ferries and how to split the days.
Can you use cards and phones in the Andamans?
Cards work in some hotels and shops, but carry cash because ATMs are scarce. Mobile data is patchy; load maps and tickets before you leave the mainland and use an eSIM for the mainland leg.