Priya Nair
Destination Specialist
1. The Ferry Schedule Is Everything
There are no road connections between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island — only boats. Government ferries are cheap but infrequent (twice daily) and require advance booking at the Directorate of Shipping Services in Port Blair. Private speedboats (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean) run on schedule, take 60–90 minutes compared to 2.5–3 hours for the government ferry, and can be booked online. Speedboat tickets sell out 2–3 weeks in advance during December–January.
2. Port Blair Is Not the Destination
Most travellers land in Port Blair and move on the same day or the next morning. The Cellular Jail National Memorial is worth three hours of your time — the son et lumière (sound and light) show each evening at 6 PM is remarkably moving. But the real Andamans begin when you board the boat to Havelock or Neil.
3. Radhanagar Beach Is Really That Good
Time magazine's 'Best Beach in Asia' tag from 2004 still holds up. The beach stretches 2 km in a perfect arc of flour-white sand and turquoise water backed by dense forest. Arrive before 10 AM for the best light and before the day-trippers. Swimming is safe in the designated zones (watch for rip currents outside them). The beach closes at 5 PM due to saltwater crocodiles emerging from the mangroves at dusk — take this seriously.
4. Scuba Diving Is Worth Every Rupee
The Andamans sit at the top of the Coral Triangle, one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions. Discover Scuba Diving (no certification required) at Elephant Beach, Havelock is around ₹3,500–4,500 for a 30-minute guided dive. A PADI Open Water certification course costs ₹18,000–22,000 and takes 3–4 days. The best dive sites — Lighthouse, Aquarium, Barracuda City — require certification. Book with a PADI-authorised dive centre.
5. Connectivity Is Minimal, and That Is the Point
BSNL and BSNL postpaid have the most reliable coverage in the Andamans. Private network carriers (Airtel, Jio) have spotty 4G on Havelock and almost none on Neil Island. Embrace it. The Andamans are one of the last places in India where you can genuinely disconnect. Download your maps, books, and playlists offline before you go.
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