At Andaman Vacations India, we handle everything from flight guidance to ferry bookings, hotel stays, sightseeing, and fully customised itineraries, so a lot of these tips come straight from problems we have helped guests solve in real time.
Before You Travel
A little preparation goes a long way here, mostly because the islands are more remote than the photos let on. Book your flights and inter-island ferries early, especially if you are travelling between December and February when seats fill up fast. If you are a foreign national, you do not need to apply for anything in advance, the Restricted Area Permit is stamped automatically when you land, but it is worth carrying a couple of photocopies of your passport just in case.
It also helps to build a buffer day or two into your plans, particularly around your departure. Ferries between islands sometimes get rescheduled due to tides or weather, and you do not want that affecting a flight you cannot miss.
What Actually Trips People Up
Cash, not cards
ATMs thin out fast once you leave Port Blair. Carry enough cash for a few days when you are headed to Havelock or Neil.
Patchy signal
Phone networks get unreliable on the smaller islands. Tell people back home you might go quiet for a day.
Ferries shift around
Timings can change with the tide or weather at short notice, so keep your plans loosely flexible.
Sun sneaks up on you
The tropical sun here is stronger than it looks. Reapply sunscreen more often than you think you need to.
Pharmacies are limited outside Port Blair
Pack any regular medication with you rather than counting on finding it on Havelock or Neil.
When to Go, Season by Season
Conditions change quite a bit through the year. Here is a rough sense of what to expect depending on when you travel.
| Months | Conditions | Our Take |
|---|---|---|
| November - February | Calm seas, cool evenings, clear skies | The sweet spot, but book early |
| March - May | Warmer, still good for diving | Fewer crowds, slightly hotter days |
| June - September | Monsoon, rough seas, frequent showers | Only for flexible travellers |
| October | Transitional, seas settling down | Decent if you do not mind occasional rain |
Packing Notes
- Stick to light cotton clothing, a swimsuit or two, and a wide-brimmed hat, the humidity is real, even outside the monsoon.
- Reef-safe sunscreen is worth the slightly higher price; regular sunscreen can damage the coral when you go snorkelling.
- A dry bag for your phone and valuables is one of those small purchases that saves a lot of stress around water.
- Comfortable sandals that can get wet beat anything fancy, you will be on and off boats more than you expect.
Once You Are on the Islands
Port Blair is your hub for everything, most travellers spend their first and last night here and use the days in between for Havelock and Neil. Ferries to both islands run daily, but seats are limited, so booking ahead matters more than people expect.
Money, Food, and Getting Around
A few things make daily life on the islands easier once you know them in advance.
Local transport
Auto-rickshaws and scooter rentals work well on Havelock and Neil; in Port Blair, taxis and pre-booked transfers are more practical.
Food and water
Stick to bottled or filtered water, and try the local seafood, fresh catch is a genuine highlight of eating out here.
Respect the reef
Avoid touching coral or standing on it while snorkelling, it takes years to recover from a single careless step.
A Few More Things We Tell Every Guest
- Keep your government ID handy at all times, it gets checked at ferry counters, hotel check-ins, and a few sightseeing spots.
- Book water activities like scuba diving a day in advance during peak season, since slots fill up quickly.
- Tipping is appreciated but not expected; a little extra for boat crews and guides goes a long way.
- Plastic bags are banned across the islands, so carry a reusable bag if you plan to shop or pack snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Indian citizens do not need a separate permit to visit Port Blair, Havelock, or Neil Island, your government-issued photo ID is enough, and it gets checked on arrival. Foreign nationals are granted a Restricted Area Permit automatically on arrival at Port Blair airport or seaport, valid for 30 days. A few remote islands, mainly in the Nicobar group, are off-limits to tourists altogether.
November to May is the most pleasant stretch, with calm seas, clear skies, and good visibility for diving and snorkelling. December and January are the busiest and most expensive months. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings rough seas and frequent ferry cancellations, so it is best avoided unless you are comfortable with a flexible itinerary.
In Port Blair, ATMs and card payments are common and reliable. Once you move to Havelock or Neil Island, ATMs are fewer and sometimes run out of cash, and many small vendors, boat operators, and beach shacks only accept cash. We always tell guests to carry enough cash for two or three days at a time when island-hopping.
Port Blair has decent 4G coverage from BSNL, Airtel, and Jio. Havelock and Neil have patchy coverage that can drop without warning, and some of the more remote islands have none at all. If you need to stay reachable, it is worth telling people in advance that you may be offline for stretches of the trip.
Light cotton clothing, swimwear, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and a pair of sturdy sandals cover most of it. Bring any prescription medication you need, since pharmacies outside Port Blair are limited. A dry bag for your phone and a basic first-aid kit are also worth packing, especially if you plan to dive or snorkel.
Five to seven days is a comfortable length for most travellers, enough time for Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island without feeling rushed. If you also want to see Baratang or North Andaman, we usually recommend stretching the trip to eight or nine days.
Still Have Questions Before You Book?
That is exactly what we are here for. Tell us your travel dates and what you are hoping to see, and our team in Port Blair will put together an itinerary that actually fits how you like to travel.
Call or WhatsApp us on +91 99320 89893 and someone on the ground will answer.
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