India · India
Andaman Islands
India's clearest water
Overview
Overview
The Andamans hold the clearest water under an Indian passport — Radhanagar on Havelock is genuinely world-class, and the diving around Neil Island and Johnny's Gorge is superb.
Logistics are the whole game here: ferry timings, weather windows and a small number of properties worth staying in. We handle all of it and keep the island hopping to a sensible minimum.
When to go
Best time to visit
October to May is the season, with January to April the driest and clearest. The monsoon from June to September brings rough seas and cancelled ferries.
Peak
Dec – Mar
Calm sea, best visibility, ideal diving conditions.
PeakShoulder
Oct – Nov, Apr – May
Warm and quiet; occasional showers.
GoodMonsoon
Jun – Sep
Rough crossings and frequent ferry cancellations.
AvoidDiving season
Jan – Apr
Visibility of 25–30 m at the outer sites.
PeakPractical
Visa, currency, weather and flights
Visa
Domestic for Indian nationals. Foreign visitors need a permit on arrival at Port Blair, issued at immigration; some islands remain restricted.
Full visa guide →Currency
Indian Rupee (INR). Draw cash in Port Blair. ATMs on Havelock and Neil run dry regularly and connectivity for card machines is unreliable.
Weather
Tropical maritime — warm and humid year-round with a defined monsoon. Sea conditions matter more than rainfall for your plans.
Flights
Fly to Port Blair from Chennai (2h 15m), Kolkata (2h 10m) or Delhi via a connection. Then private ferry to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) in about 90 minutes.
| Period | Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Mar | 23–31°C | Best window; calm and clear |
| Apr – May | 25–34°C | Hot and humid, still good diving |
| Jun – Sep | 24–30°C | Monsoon, rough sea, ferry disruption |
| Oct – Nov | 24–31°C | Retreating monsoon, greener, quieter |
| Chennai → Port Blair | 2h 15m non-stop | IndiGo, Air India Express |
| Kolkata → Port Blair | 2h 10m non-stop | IndiGo, SpiceJet |
| Port Blair → Havelock | 90m catamaran | Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika |
Where to stay
Hotels we recommend
Havelock · Beach resort
Taj Exotica
Villas in a jungle-fringed cove; the only true luxury resort on the islands.
Havelock · Eco cottages
Barefoot at Havelock
Timber cottages set back from Radhanagar, low impact and genuinely charming.
Neil Island · Boutique
SeaShell Neil
The best base for Bharatpur and Laxmanpur beaches.
Port Blair · Transit
Sinclairs Bayview
A comfortable, well-placed overnight for arrival or departure.
Havelock · Villa hotel
Jalakara
Seven rooms in a former betel plantation on a hill above the coast.
Highlights
Things to do
Discover-scuba at Nemo Reef
A first breath underwater with a PADI instructor, no certification needed.
Elephant Beach snorkelling by boat
Live coral in shallow water, ideal for children and non-swimmers.
Cellular Jail light and sound
Port Blair's colonial prison and the freedom struggle, told well.
Suggested route
Our suggested Andaman Islands journey
- 1
Arrive Port Blair
Cellular Jail and the light-and-sound show. Overnight.
- 2
Havelock
Morning catamaran, check in, sunset at Radhanagar.
- 3
Underwater
Scuba or snorkelling at Nemo Reef and Elephant Beach.
- 4
Havelock
Kalapathar beach, kayaking through mangroves at dusk.
- 5
Neil Island
Ferry across, Bharatpur and Natural Bridge at low tide.
- 6
Return
Ferry to Port Blair, Chidiya Tapu sunset.
- 7
Depart
Morning flight to the mainland.
Gallery
Andaman Islands in pictures
Questions
Frequently asked
Guest stories
What our travellers say
Clearer water than the Maldives trip we priced, at a third of the cost, on a domestic ticket. Radhanagar at sunset is unreal.
Tarun & Ishita Bose
Kolkata · Andamans honeymoon, 6 nights
I dive seriously. Johnny's Gorge and Dixon's Pinnacle were excellent, and the dive centre Azulo used was properly professional.
Rajeev Menon
Chennai · Andaman diving, 7 nights
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