The Andaman Islands sit in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar and Thailand than to mainland India — turquoise water, coral reefs, dense rainforest, and beaches that rank among Asia's best.
By air (recommended): Flights to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore. Chennai: 2 hours. Book 4-6 weeks ahead (₹6,000-15,000 one way). IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet operate the route.
By ship: 3-4 days from Chennai, Kolkata, or Vizag. Only practical for extended trips.
Indian nationals need no permit for main Andaman islands. Foreign nationals get a free permit on arrival (30 days for most nationalities). North Sentinel Island is strictly off-limits — protected uncontacted tribe.
Capital and entry point. Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) is the primary historical sight. Evening sound and light show worth attending. Book your Havelock/Neil ferry immediately on arrival — they fill fast in peak season.
Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7) — consistently ranked one of Asia's best. 2 km arc of white sand, clear water. Sunsets are spectacular.
Elephant Beach — 45-minute boat or forest trek. Excellent shallow-water snorkeling with live coral directly from the beach. Best accessible coral in India.
Kalapathar Beach — sunrise beach, black rocks, blue water, almost always empty in the morning.
Smaller and more relaxed than Havelock. Island circuit by bicycle (22 km, 3 hours). Natural Bridge and Bharatpur Beach for snorkeling are highlights.
October to April. November to February is peak. Avoid May to September — rough seas, reduced boat services, most dive operators close.
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