Andaman Travel Guide 2026 | Itinerary, Cost, Permits

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands deliver white-sand beaches and turquoise water that rival Maldives — at half the cost. With direct flights from 8 Indian cities, no visa, and Radhanagar beach ranked among Asia's best, it's the ideal tropical escape from India. Here's the complete Andaman travel guide for 2026.

Andaman quick facts

Reach: Direct flights to Port Blair (IXZ) from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Vizag, Bhubaneswar
Permits: Free RAP issued automatically on arrival for Indians (just show Aadhaar)
Best time: November to April (peak); avoid May–September monsoon
Currency: Indian Rupee (limited ATMs on Havelock — carry cash)
Network: BSNL, Airtel work in Port Blair/Havelock; spotty on Neil and remote islands

Recommended 6N/7D Andaman itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Port Blair → Cellular Jail Light & Sound show evening
Day 2: Port Blair → Ross Island + North Bay snorkelling → return
Day 3: Ferry to Havelock (2 hr) → Radhanagar Beach sunset
Day 4: Havelock — scuba diving / Elephant Beach snorkelling
Day 5: Ferry to Neil Island (1 hr) — Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Natural Bridge
Day 6: Neil → Port Blair → Chidiya Tapu sunset
Day 7: Departure

Andaman trip cost from India — 6N/7D per person

🟢 Budget (3★): ₹38,000–₹48,000 (land-only)
🔵 Standard (4★, most popular): ₹55,000–₹72,000
🟡 Premium (5★ Taj Exotica/Barefoot): ₹1,15,000–₹2,40,000

Add ₹14,000–₹26,000 round-trip flights from Indian metros.

Best beaches in Andaman

Radhanagar (Havelock): Asia's #7 beach — white sand, sunset point
Elephant Beach (Havelock): Best for snorkelling, water sports
Bharatpur (Neil): Calm shallow lagoon, glass-bottom boats
Laxmanpur (Neil): Sunset beach with shells
Natural Bridge (Neil): Limestone arch, photogenic
Chidiya Tapu (Port Blair): Sunset, mangroves, less crowded

Scuba diving in Andaman — costs & operators

Andaman has the most affordable PADI diving in India.

Try-Dive (no certification, 1 dive): ₹4,500
PADI Open Water 4-day course: ₹26,000–₹32,000
Fun dives (certified): ₹4,000 each
Top operators: DIVEIndia, Barefoot Scuba, Dive Andamans

Ferry bookings — the make-or-break of any Andaman trip

Inter-island travel is by ferry — book in advance.

Government ferries: Cheap (₹500–₹1,500) but unreliable, hard to book online
Private ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika): ₹1,200–₹2,200 — book 30 days ahead at makruzz.com
Tip: Always have a private ferry ticket — government ones get cancelled

Best time to visit Andaman

November–February: Peak — best weather, calm seas, highest prices
March–April: Hot but excellent diving visibility
May–September: Monsoon — many activities suspended, avoid
October: Shoulder season, good deals

Important rules every Andaman traveller should know

The Andamans are home to protected indigenous tribes (Jarawa, Sentinelese, Onge). Visiting tribal reserves is illegal. The Andaman Trunk Road convoy passes through Jarawa Reserve — strict rules apply:

No stopping, no photography, no rolling down windows
Convoy timings only (4 fixed slots/day)
No items handed out

Visiting North Sentinel Island is illegal and dangerous. Read our detailed Andaman tribes guide.

What to pack for Andaman

Swimwear, rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen
Snorkelling mask (rentals are expensive)
Quick-dry towel, beach footwear
Power bank (frequent power cuts on Neil)
Cash — limited ATMs on Havelock and Neil
Mosquito repellent

Common Andaman trip mistakes

Spending more than 1 night in Port Blair — it's just a transit hub
Skipping Neil Island — quietest, prettiest of the three
Going in May–September — wasted trip due to weather
Booking only government ferries — high cancellation risk
Trying to visit Barren Island as a day trip — it's a 2-day live-aboard

Andaman vs Maldives vs Bali — for Indians

Andaman is 50% cheaper than Maldives and 30% cheaper than Bali, with similar beach quality. The trade-off: less luxury infrastructure and slower internet. For families and first international-feel beach trips, Andaman is unbeatable.

See our curated Andaman packages with confirmed ferries, scuba operators and beach resorts — or WhatsApp our Andaman desk for a same-day custom quote.