4N / 5D Destination Guide
Andaman Tour Packages & Travel Guide
Andaman packages with MIT — Radhanagar Beach, Cellular Jail, scuba at Havelock & Neil. 4N/5D from ₹72,000 per couple incl. flights. Get a quote.
The Andaman Islands sit in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar and Thailand than to the Indian mainland, and they offer something the mainland cannot: genuinely clear water, living coral reefs, and beaches that regularly appear on lists of Asia's finest. Radhanagar Beach on Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) is the best known, a long curve of white sand backed by forest.
Port Blair, the capital, is where most trips begin, and it carries the islands' harder history — the Cellular Jail, built by the British as a penal colony for Indian political prisoners, is a national memorial and a sobering, necessary visit. From Port Blair, ferries run to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) and Shaheed Dweep (Neil), the two islands most visitors spend their beach days on, with Ross Island, North Bay, and Baratang as day-trip options.
The islands are also India's strongest destination for scuba diving and snorkelling, with dive centres at Havelock catering to everyone from first-time discovery divers to certified ones. MIT offers a 4 nights / 5 days Andaman package at ₹72,000 per couple including return flights, hotels, breakfast, airport transfers, and sightseeing by private vehicle — the one destination in our catalogue with a published headline price, because the client's own flyer sets it. Longer and customised itineraries are quoted to your plan.
Best Time to Visit
October to May is the season. October to February is the most comfortable, with pleasant temperatures, calm seas, and the best conditions for ferries and water sports. March to May is hotter and more humid but still very good for diving, with excellent underwater visibility. June to September is the southwest monsoon, when heavy rain and rough seas frequently disrupt ferry services and water sports — the islands are green and quiet, and rates drop, but travel is unreliable.
Weather
The Andamans have a tropical climate that stays warm all year, generally between 23°C and 31°C, with high humidity throughout. There is no cold season. Rainfall is heavy during the southwest monsoon (roughly May to September) and again during the northeast monsoon (November to December), though the latter is usually lighter. Sea conditions matter more than temperature here — rough seas during the monsoon are what actually disrupts island-hopping plans.
Ideal Duration
5 to 7 days works well. Five days covers Port Blair, Havelock, and a Neil day; six to seven allows a more relaxed pace, more time in the water, and a Baratang or North Bay excursion. Bear in mind that inter-island ferries consume half-days, so a short trip loses more time to transit than the map suggests.
Budget
MIT's flyer package is ₹72,000 per couple for 4 nights / 5 days including return flights, hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, airport pickup and drop, sightseeing by private vehicle, all transfers, toll and parking, driver allowance, and taxes. Beyond that, costs vary with hotel category — Havelock in particular has everything from basic guesthouses to premium beach resorts — with ferry class, and with water sports, which are charged separately. Peak season (December-January) and long weekends cost more. Tell us your dates and we will quote the exact plan.
Must-see
Top attractions in Andaman
Radhanagar Beach, Swaraj Dweep (Havelock)
A long curve of white sand backed by forest, regularly rated among Asia's best beaches, and particularly good at sunset.
Cellular Jail, Port Blair
The colonial-era prison built to hold Indian political prisoners in solitary confinement, now a national memorial with an evening sound-and-light show.
Scuba Diving at Havelock
India's most developed dive scene, with reef and wall sites suiting first-time discovery divers through to certified divers, and PADI/SSI courses available.
Elephant Beach
A snorkelling and water-sports beach on Havelock reached by boat or a forest walk, with reef close to shore.
Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep)
The former British administrative headquarters, now ruins reclaimed by roots and forest, with resident deer and peacocks, a short boat ride from Port Blair.
Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island)
A smaller, quieter island with Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, and Sitapur beaches and the Natural Bridge rock formation.
North Bay Island
The main day-trip spot for snorkelling, glass-bottom boat rides, and sea walking, close to Port Blair.
Baratang Limestone Caves & Mud Volcano
A day trip north from Port Blair through mangrove creeks to limestone caves, with a convoy road crossing the Jarawa tribal reserve.
Getting there
How to reach Andaman
- By Air
- Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair is the only air gateway, with flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad. From Bangalore the flight is roughly 2.5 hours direct; from Mysore, Coimbatore, or Kochi, travellers connect via Chennai or Bangalore. MIT's flyer package includes return flights.
- By Sea
- Passenger ships operate from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam to Port Blair, taking roughly three to four days each way. Schedules are infrequent and berths limited, so this suits travellers for whom the voyage is the point rather than those on a fixed holiday window.
- Between the Islands
- Government and private ferries connect Port Blair with Havelock (about 1.5 to 2 hours) and Neil (about 1 to 1.5 hours). Private catamarans are faster and more comfortable but need advance booking, particularly in peak season. Ferry services are weather-dependent and are the main thing that disrupts island itineraries.
Make the most of it
Things to do
- Watch sunset at Radhanagar Beach on Havelock, the islands' signature experience
- Try scuba diving at Havelock — a discovery dive requires no prior certification, and full courses are available
- Snorkel over the reef at Elephant Beach or North Bay
- Visit the Cellular Jail and stay for the evening sound-and-light show
- Take the boat to Ross Island to see the colonial ruins being reclaimed by forest
- Spend a slower day on Neil Island at Bharatpur and Laxmanpur beaches and the Natural Bridge
- Do the Baratang day trip through mangrove creeks to the limestone caves
- Try sea walking or a glass-bottom boat at North Bay if diving isn't for you
- Kayak through the mangroves at Havelock, particularly good at dawn or on a moonlit night
- Eat freshly caught fish and crab at a beach shack rather than only at your resort
Where to stay
Hotels in Andaman
Port Blair has business-standard hotels and mid-range options, convenient for the Cellular Jail and the airport but not for beaches. Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) has the widest range — beach resorts, mid-range hotels, and simple guesthouses — with properties near Radhanagar commanding a premium. Neil (Shaheed Dweep) is quieter and simpler, with fewer and more modest options. Book well ahead for December-January, when the better Havelock properties sell out months in advance. MIT books the ferry and the hotel together, since a room without a ferry seat is no use.
Where to eat
Restaurants & local food
Seafood is the obvious strength — fresh fish, crab, prawns, and lobster, usually simply grilled or in coconut-based curries. The islands' population came largely from Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, so mainland Indian cooking is widely available and often very good. Havelock has beach cafés and shacks with a more international menu range, catering to the diving crowd. Outside the main settlements, options thin out quickly, and most resorts serve their own meals. Vegetarian food is available but the range is narrower than on the mainland.
Before you go
Travel tips
- Book inter-island ferries well in advance, especially December-January — this is the single most common cause of disrupted Andaman itineraries
- Allow buffer time around ferry legs, since services are weather-dependent and cancellations do happen
- Photographing or interacting with members of the Jarawa and other protected tribal communities is strictly illegal on the Baratang road — this is enforced and taken seriously
- Foreign nationals require a permit for the Andamans, generally issued on arrival at Port Blair; some islands remain restricted
- Mobile connectivity is limited and slow outside Port Blair, and internet on Havelock and Neil is patchy — plan on being largely offline
- Carry cash: ATMs exist in Port Blair and to a limited extent on Havelock, but connectivity issues make card and UPI payments unreliable
- Book diving with a certified operator and allow at least 18 to 24 hours between your last dive and any flight
- Avoid the June-September monsoon if ferries and water sports matter to you — rough seas make the whole plan unreliable
- Reef-safe sunscreen matters here; the coral is living and chemical sunscreens contribute to damage
Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) – Radhanagar and Elephant beaches and the main diving base
- Shaheed Dweep (Neil) – quieter beaches, the Natural Bridge, and a slower pace
- Ross Island – colonial ruins overtaken by forest, a short boat ride from Port Blair
- Baratang – limestone caves and mud volcano, reached through mangrove creeks
- Mount Harriet National Park – the highest point on South Andaman, with forest trails and harbour views
Ready-made itineraries 4N / 5D
Andaman packages
4N / 5D FAQs
Andaman — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the MIT Andaman package cost?
Our flyer package is ₹72,000 per couple for 4 nights / 5 days, including return flight tickets, hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, airport pickup and drop, sightseeing by private vehicle, all transfers, toll and parking, driver allowance, and taxes. Longer or customised itineraries are quoted to your specific plan.
What is the best time to visit the Andaman Islands?
October to May. October to February is the most comfortable with calm seas and reliable ferries; March to May is hotter but offers excellent underwater visibility for diving. June to September is monsoon, when rough seas frequently disrupt ferries and water sports.
How do I reach the Andamans from Bangalore or Mysore?
By air to Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair. There are direct flights from Bangalore, roughly 2.5 hours. From Mysore, Coimbatore, or Kochi, travellers connect via Bangalore or Chennai. Passenger ships also run from Chennai and Kolkata but take three to four days each way.
How many days do I need for the Andamans?
Five to seven days. Five covers Port Blair, Havelock, and a Neil day; six to seven allows a more relaxed pace and an extra excursion. Remember that inter-island ferries consume half-days, so short trips lose more time to transit than you would expect.
Do I need a permit to visit the Andaman Islands?
Indian nationals do not need a permit for the main tourist islands. Foreign nationals require a permit, generally issued on arrival at Port Blair. Some islands and areas remain restricted regardless of nationality, particularly those associated with protected tribal communities.
Is scuba diving available for beginners?
Yes. Havelock has India's most developed dive scene, and discovery or introductory dives require no prior certification — you are accompanied by an instructor throughout. Full PADI and SSI certification courses are also available over several days.
Which is the best beach in the Andamans?
Radhanagar Beach on Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) is the most celebrated, a long white-sand curve backed by forest, and regularly listed among Asia's best. Elephant Beach is better for snorkelling, and Neil Island's Bharatpur and Laxmanpur are quieter alternatives.
How do I travel between the islands?
By ferry. Government and private services connect Port Blair with Havelock (about 1.5 to 2 hours) and Neil (1 to 1.5 hours). Private catamarans are faster and more comfortable but must be booked in advance. All services are weather-dependent.
Is the Cellular Jail worth visiting?
Yes. It is the colonial prison where Indian political prisoners were held in solitary confinement, now a national memorial. The evening sound-and-light show tells the history well. It is a sobering visit and an important counterweight to the beaches.
Are the Andamans good for a honeymoon?
Very much so — the combination of quiet beaches, clear water, and beach resorts on Havelock makes it one of India's most popular honeymoon destinations. Our 4N/5D package is priced per couple precisely because that is who books it most.
Is there mobile network and internet in the Andamans?
Coverage is reasonable in Port Blair but limited and slow on Havelock and Neil, and effectively absent in remoter areas. Internet is patchy across the islands. Plan on being largely offline outside Port Blair and tell people at home in advance.
Can I use cards and UPI in the Andamans?
Partly. Port Blair has ATMs and card acceptance, and Havelock has limited facilities, but connectivity problems make electronic payments unreliable across the islands. Carry enough cash to cover several days, particularly for the smaller islands.
What are the rules about the Jarawa tribal reserve?
The Andaman Trunk Road to Baratang passes through the Jarawa reserve, and vehicles travel in a regulated convoy. Photographing, filming, stopping, or interacting with members of the community is strictly illegal and enforced. Treat it as a road you pass through, not an attraction.
What water sports are available?
Scuba diving and snorkelling are the main draws, with sea walking, glass-bottom boats, jet skiing, parasailing, banana boats, and kayaking also on offer, mostly at North Bay and Elephant Beach. These are charged separately from any package and depend on sea conditions.
Is it safe to swim at Andaman beaches?
Generally yes at designated beaches such as Radhanagar, where lifeguards are present and swimming zones are marked. Currents can be strong outside marked areas, and saltwater crocodiles are present in mangrove and creek areas, so swim only where it is permitted and heed local warnings.
How long should I leave between diving and flying?
At least 18 to 24 hours after your last dive before boarding a flight, and longer after multiple or deep dives. Since almost everyone leaves the Andamans by air, plan your dives for early in the trip rather than the last day.
What food is available in the Andamans?
Seafood is the strength — fresh fish, crab, prawns, and lobster. Bengali, Tamil, and Andhra cooking is widely available given the islands' settlement history, and Havelock has beach cafés with a more international range. Vegetarian food is available but narrower in range than on the mainland.
What should I pack for the Andamans?
Light cotton clothing, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, water shoes for rocky entries, and any personal medication. It is warm and humid year-round, so nothing warm is needed. A dry bag is useful for boat transfers.
Can I visit the Andamans during the monsoon?
You can, and rates are lower and the islands are green and quiet, but ferry cancellations and suspended water sports are common. If diving, snorkelling, and island-hopping are the point of the trip, June to September is not the window to choose.
Is Baratang worth the day trip?
It is a long day — an early start, a convoy road, and a boat through mangrove creeks to reach the limestone caves and mud volcano. The mangrove journey is genuinely memorable. If your time is short, most travellers get more from an extra day at Havelock.
Does MIT arrange Andaman packages?
Yes — this is one of our published circuits, at ₹72,000 per couple for 4N/5D including return flights, hotels, breakfast, transfers, and sightseeing. We also arrange longer and customised Andaman itineraries with diving, Neil Island, and more time at Havelock. Call or WhatsApp +91 96119 57301.
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