Scattered like a string of green-and-gold beads across the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are India's own slice of the tropics — think powder-white beaches, water in a dozen shades of blue, dense mangrove creeks, and a colonial past you can still walk through. Of the 500-plus islands in the chain, only a handful are open to travellers, and that is exactly what keeps them so unspoiled.
Whether you are chasing your first scuba dive, a slow beach honeymoon, or a fuss-free family holiday, 2026 is a brilliant year to go: connectivity has improved, the islands are cleaner and greener than ever, and there is a stay to suit every budget. Below is our pick of the best places to visit — and if you would rather have the logistics handled for you, a well-planned Andaman and Nicobar holiday package from Online Vacations ties the ferries, permits and stays together so you can show up and soak it in.
1. Port Blair — The Gateway
Almost every trip begins in Port Blair, the islands' capital and their only major airport. Set aside a day or two here before you move on. The unmissable stop is the Cellular Jail National Memorial—the colonial-era prison that held India's freedom fighters—where the evening light-and-sound show brings its haunting history to life. From the jetty, hop a short boat ride to Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep), once the British administrative headquarters and now a photogenic ruin reclaimed by roots and deer. Round it off with a lazy evening at Corbyn's Cove Beach or a sunset among the birds and mangroves at Chidiya Tapu.
Also read: https://www.onlinevacations.in/blogs/adventure-sports-in-andaman-from-trekking-to-parasailing
2. Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) — Beach Royalty
If you visit just one island beyond Port Blair, make it Havelock. Its crown jewel, Radhanagar Beach, is regularly rated among Asia's finest — a long curve of white sand and glassy shallows made for slow sunset walks. Elephant Beach is the go-to for snorkeling and first-time scuba over shallow coral, while the calmer coves are perfect for doing very little at all. With its dreamy sunsets and boutique beach resorts, Havelock Island is the natural centerpiece of any Andaman honeymoon package.
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3. Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) — Laid-back Island Life
A short ferry from Havelock, Neil Island moves at an even gentler pace. Cycle between three easygoing beaches — Bharatpur for water sports and coral, Laxmanpur for golden sunsets, and Sitapur for sunrises. The star sight is the Natural Bridge (locally called Howrah Bridge), a coral rock arch best explored at low tide among the tide pools. Green paddy fields and unhurried village lanes make Neil the archipelago's quiet counterpoint to busier Havelock.
4. Baratang Island — Caves & Mangroves
About 100 km north of Port Blair, Baratang is an early-start adventure that pays off. Vehicles travel in a morning convoy through protected forest before you glide by speedboat down a serene mangrove creek to the island's famous limestone caves, sculpted over millennia into surreal shapes. Baratang is also home to rare mud volcanoes and the parrot-filled skies of nearby islets at dusk. Remember: a forest permit and the convoy timing are non-negotiable, so plan this one as a full day.
5. Ross & Smith Islands, Diglipur — Twin Islands
Far up in North Andaman, near the town of Diglipur, two islands are joined by a slender natural sandbar you can walk across at low tide — a rare and beautiful sight. The region rewards those who venture this distance: trek up Saddle Peak, the archipelago's highest point, and time your visit to catch turtle nesting on the beaches. Diglipur is a long overnight haul from Port Blair, which is precisely why it stays blissfully crowd-free.
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6. Barren Island — Raw Nature
Home to the only active volcano in South Asia, Barren Island is a stark, smoking cone rising straight from the sea — utterly unlike the lush islands elsewhere in the chain. You cannot land here, but permitted boat and diving trips circle close, and the surrounding waters are a bucket list dive site with dramatic black-sand slopes and vivid marine life. A Forest Department permit is required, so arrange it in advance.
7. Cinque Island — Marine National Park
Part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Cinque is two islets linked by a dazzling sandbar and ringed by some of the richest reefs in the Andamans. Snorkellers and divers come for the coral, starfish, and turtles, while the near-total absence of development makes it feel like a castaway fantasy. Day trips run by boat, subject to weather and permits.
Also read: https://www.onlinevacations.in/blogs/places-to-visit-in-andaman-nicobar-islands
8. Jolly Buoy & Red Skin Islands — Coral Windows
These protected marine islands off Wandoor are the place for glass-bottom-boat rides over living coral gardens without getting your hair wet—though snorkeling is glorious too. To keep the reefs pristine, entry is plastic-free and issued according to daily forest quotas, and the two islands are open in alternating seasons. It is easy, family-friendly reef time at its best.
9. Little Andaman — Waterfalls & Surf
South of the main cluster, Little Andaman is for travellers who like their paradise a little wilder. Two lovely waterfalls — White Surf and Whisper Wave — spill through the rainforest, while Butler Bay Beach draws a small but devoted surfing crowd. Add empty coves, palm plantations, and long forest drives, and you have one of the archipelago's best-kept secrets.
10. Long Island — Offbeat & Quiet
Reachable only by ferry and blessed with almost no traffic, Long Island is the retreat of choice for slow travellers. The postcard-perfect beach at Lalaji Bay—accessed by a short jungle walk or boat—is soft, empty, and ringed by reef. It is also a launch point for the Button Islands, known among divers for their marine life. Bring your own supplies and expect to unplug completely.
11. North Bay Island — Adventure Hub
Just a short boat ride from Port Blair, North Bay is the islands' water-sports playground—sea walking, snorkeling, jet skis, and glass-bottom boats all in one easy day trip. Its lighthouse famously features on the back of the twenty-rupee note, making it a fun, low-commitment introduction to the underwater Andamans before you head deeper into the chain.
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Best time to visit in 2026
The sweet spot runs from October to May, when skies are clear, seas are calm, and diving visibility is at its best. December and January are peak-season lively, so book ferries and stays early. The monsoon months (roughly June to September) bring rain and rougher crossings, though the islands turn especially green and rates soften.
How to Reach
By air: Direct flights reach Port Blair's Veer Savarkar International Airport from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, and other hubs.
By sea: Passenger ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam—slower, but an adventure in itself.
Between islands: Government and private ferries connect Port Blair with Havelock, Neil, and beyond. Seats sell out fast in season, so pre-booking is wise.
Permits: Islands like Baratang, Barren, Cinque, and Jolly Buoy need forest or entry permits — usually arranged locally a day ahead or bundled into a package.
Plan it the easy way with Online Vacations
The Andamans reward thoughtful planning — the right ferry connections, the right permits, and the right stays can make or break a trip. That is where Online Vacations comes in: from a relaxed Andaman honeymoon package to a value-packed Andaman and Nicobar holiday package for the whole family, every itinerary is built to take the stress out of the islands and leave only the wonder. Whichever islands you choose in 2026, they are waiting — bluer, greener, and more inviting than ever.
Book Your Trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Experience the tranquility and adventure of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with Online Vacations. Let us be your travel planner in India and take you through these islands.
Phone: +91 998855 4232
mailto: enquiry@onlinevacations.in
