Introduction
There's a moment, somewhere over the Bay of Bengal, when the sea below stops looking like water and starts looking like stained glass — a hundred shades of blue you didn't know had names. That's your first hint that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will not be an ordinary holiday.
Scattered across the bay are around 572 islands, most of them wild and untouched, a handful of them ready to welcome you with white sand, warm rain, and the kind of quiet that makes your shoulders drop the moment you step off the ferry. The capital, Sri Vijaya Puram (you might still know it as Port Blair — it was renamed in 2024), is where almost every trip begins. Here's what to see, what to do, and how to make the most of it in 2026.
Why You'll Fall for the Andamans
It's the beaches first, of course. Radhanagar on Havelock gets all the postcards, and honestly it earns them — a long, soft curve of sand where the sunset seems to last forever. But there are quieter shores too, like Corbyn's Cove near the capital, where you can sit with a coconut and watch the day go by.
Then there's everything under the surface. Slip on a snorkel mask around North Bay or Neil Island and a whole other world opens up: coral gardens, darting clownfish, the occasional turtle gliding past like it owns the place. And if you're lucky enough to be here on a moonless night, some beaches put on a show of their own — the water lights up with a faint blue glow where the waves break. It feels like magic because, in a way, it is.
Inland, the rainforest takes over. Walk through it early in the morning at Chidiya Tapu and you'll hear the birds before you see them — it's a favourite haunt for birdwatchers and sunset lovers alike.
Also read: https://www.onlinevacations.in/blogs/places-to-visit-in-andaman-nicobar-islands
The Places Worth Your Time
Start in Sri Vijaya Puram. The Cellular Jail is a heavy, moving place — this is where India's freedom fighters were imprisoned — and the evening light-and-sound show tells that story in a way that stays with you. Just offshore, Ross Island is the opposite kind of experience: colonial ruins half-swallowed by roots and vines, with cheeky deer wandering the paths.
From there, most people catch a ferry to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) — this is the one island you really shouldn't skip. Radhanagar is the star, but Elephant Beach is where to head if you want to try snorkelling or a first scuba dive in gentle, shallow water.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) is Havelock's sleepier cousin, and I mean that as a compliment. Three easy beaches, a coral rock formation called the Natural Bridge, and not much to do but slow right down.
If you're up for a bit of adventure, Baratang rewards an early start with a boat ride through mangrove creeks to some genuinely strange and beautiful limestone caves. And for a taste of everything at once, North Bay Island packs sea walks, glass-bottom boats, and snorkeling into a single effortless day out.
Just want to get there and unwind? — Andaman Oasis Escape
A short, easy island getaway that covers the highlights without denting your savings — stays, transfers, and beach time all taken care of.
Take a look at these budget andaman tour packages
Things You'll Actually Want to Do
The Andamans are a place where you can say yes to everything. Dive or snorkel over reefs that don't look real. Try a sea walk, where you stroll along the ocean floor with a helmet on and fish nibbling at your ankles. Paddle a kayak through mangroves after dark and watch the water glow around your oar.
Not a water person? No problem. Take a mangrove safari by speedboat, wander Aberdeen Bazaar for shell and bamboo trinkets, or just claim a plastic chair at a beach shack, order the fish of the day, and watch the sky turn orange. Some of my favorite travel memories are made doing absolutely nothing in exactly the right place.
Rather have it all sorted for you? — Andaman Tropical Paradise
Beaches, reefs, and island-hopping rolled into one smooth trip — perfect if it's your first time and you'd like the highlights without the headache.
Browse these andaman tour packages
A Simple 5–6 Day Plan
If you're not sure how to string it all together, here's a rhythm that works well:
Spend your first day easing into Sri Vijaya Puram and visiting the Cellular Jail. On day two, ferry over to Havelock and give yourself entirely to Radhanagar Beach. Day three is for Neil Island — snorkeling, the Natural Bridge, and maybe nesting turtles at Bharatpur if the season's right. Slow things down on day four with the Anthropological Museum and a sunset at Chidiya Tapu. Save day five for a mangrove safari and a cruise as the light fades, and let day six be your gentle goodbye.
It's a loose framework, not a to-do list — leave room to linger wherever you feel like it.
When to Go
Aim for October to May. That's when the skies behave, the sea stays calm, and everything from ferries to diving runs smoothly. It's warm year-round (roughly 20–33°C), so you won't need much more than sandals and sunscreen. The monsoon, from June to September, turns the islands impossibly green and the prices friendly — but the seas get moody, so it's a trade-off
Also read: https://www.onlinevacations.in/blogs/top-10-beaches-in-andaman-islands
Getting There
The quickest way is to fly straight into Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) in Sri Vijaya Puram — there are direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. If you've got time to spare and a taste for the slow road, passenger ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. Once you're there, ferries link the capital with Havelock and Neil — just book ahead in the busy months, because seats vanish fast.
Fancy a little more luxury? — Andaman Tropical Paradise (Premium)
Nicer stays, private transfers, and hand-picked experiences for when you'd rather be looked after properly.
See the premium andaman package
Let Someone Else Handle the Logistics
Here's the truth about the Andamans: the beauty is effortless, but the planning isn't. Ferries sell out, permits have their own rules, and getting the timing right between islands takes a bit of know-how. That's exactly the sort of thing Online Vacations takes off your plate — so all you have to do is show up and enjoy it. Whether you're after value-friendly Andaman tour packages or a more indulgent standard holiday package, there's a trip to suit your travel style.
Book Your Trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Experience the tranquility and adventure of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with Online Vacations. Let us be your travel planner in India and take you through this island.
Phone: +91 998855 4232
mailto: enquiry@onlinevacations.in
