5-Day Andaman Islands Itinerary: Port Blair, Havelock & Neil Island

The Andaman archipelago is India's best answer to a tropical island holiday: turquoise water, coral reefs, and a slower pace of life across a scatter of forested islands in the Bay of Bengal. This 5-day itinerary covers the classic first-timer's loop — colonial history in Port Blair, world-class beaches on Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), and the quieter charm of Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). Divers who want to explore the reefs in more depth should read our guide to scuba diving in Andaman: best islands and dive sites, and anglers can check our deep-sea fishing in Andaman Islands guide for charter options near Port Blair and Neil Island.

Route Overview

Day 1: Arrival in Port Blair

Fly into Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair; most flights connect via Chennai or Kolkata, with total journey time from Delhi around 5-6 hours including a layover. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon at the Cellular Jail National Memorial, the colonial-era prison built by the British in 1906 to house Indian freedom fighters. Walk through the original cell blocks and climb the central watchtower, then return in the evening for the Light and Sound Show, a moving 60-minute narration of the jail's history projected onto its walls. Have dinner at one of the seafood restaurants along Marine Hill, known for fresh catch and local Andamanese-style curries.

Day 2: Port Blair to Havelock — Radhanagar Beach

Take an early morning government or private ferry (Makruzz, Green Ocean, or Nautika) from Phoenix Bay Jetty to Havelock Island, officially named Swaraj Dweep. The crossing takes 2-3 hours depending on the vessel. Check into your resort and head straight to Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7), once ranked Asia's best beach by Time magazine. Its powder-white sand, backed by dense tropical forest, and gentle turquoise water make it one of the finest swimming beaches in India. Watch the sunset here before heading back for dinner in Havelock's small market area near Beach No. 3.

Day 3: Havelock — Elephant Beach and Water Activities

Spend the day at Elephant Beach, reachable by a 25-minute speedboat ride or a bumpy 40-minute jungle trek from the main road. This is Havelock's premier spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, with shallow coral gardens visible even to first-time snorkelers just meters from shore. Havelock has some of the best dive centers in India, offering PADI-certified courses and fun dives for all levels — read our detailed scuba diving in Andaman: best islands and dive sites guide for site recommendations, or our broader roundup of things to do in Andaman if you'd rather stay above water. Beginners typically do a Discover Scuba dive (no certification needed) reaching depths of 6-12 meters, while certified divers can go deeper to sites like Lighthouse and Aquarium. In the evening, unwind at a beachside cafe near Beach No. 5, an area popular for its laid-back guesthouses and wood-fired pizza.

Day 4: Havelock to Neil Island

Take the morning ferry from Havelock to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), a much smaller and quieter island, roughly 1-1.5 hours by sea. Neil is known for its natural rock formations and slower pace — a good contrast after Havelock's busier beaches. Visit Laxmanpur Beach in the late afternoon to see the natural coral bridge exposed at low tide, and catch the sunset here, considered one of the best in the islands. Bharatpur Beach, on the opposite side of the island, is calmer and good for a morning swim or glass-bottom boat ride to view coral without getting in the water. Neil's small market sells fresh fruit and coconut water from local farms — the island is often called the vegetable bowl of Andaman for its fertile soil. Read more about the island's calmer pace in our dedicated Neil Island Andaman guide, and check the Laxmanpur Beach Andaman write-up for the best sunset viewpoints.

Day 5: Neil Island to Port Blair — Departure

Take the morning ferry back to Port Blair, a roughly 2-hour crossing. Depending on your flight timing, use any spare hours to visit Sippighat or the Anthropological Museum, or simply relax near Corbyn's Cove Beach close to the airport. Transfer to Veer Savarkar Airport for your onward flight home.

Budget Estimate

A mid-range 5-day trip covering flights from a metro city, inter-island ferries, 3-star resort stays, meals, and one snorkeling excursion typically costs INR 28,000-40,000 per person. Budget travelers using dorm stays and shared ferries can bring this down to INR 18,000-25,000, excluding flights, which themselves range from INR 8,000-20,000 round trip depending on season and how far in advance you book. Scuba diving add-ons cost extra: a Discover Scuba session runs INR 3,500-5,000, while a full PADI Open Water certification course spans 3-4 days and costs INR 22,000-28,000.

Practical Tips

The best season to visit is November to April, when seas are calm and visibility for snorkeling and diving is at its best; the islands see heavy monsoon rain and rough seas from May to September, and ferries are frequently cancelled during this period. Book inter-island ferry tickets in advance, especially in peak season (December-January), as seats sell out fast and walk-in availability is unreliable. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), issued free on arrival at the airport or seaport, valid for 30 days. Carry cash, as ATMs are limited outside Port Blair and card acceptance on Havelock and Neil is patchy. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, as regular sunscreen is now restricted in marine park areas to protect the coral.

What to Pack for This Trip

Pack light, breathable clothing suited to constant humidity, along with a rain jacket even outside monsoon months since brief showers can occur any time of year. Water shoes are genuinely useful at Elephant Beach and Neil Island's rocky patches near Laxmanpur, where the seabed can be sharp with coral rubble. Carry a dry bag for ferry crossings and boat excursions, since sea spray is common even on calm days, and bring a physical copy of your ID for ferry ticket verification, which is checked at every jetty. Underwater cameras or GoPros are worth the extra luggage weight given how much of this itinerary happens in or near the water. Finally, pack a light medical kit with motion sickness tablets, since the ferry crossings, particularly Port Blair to Havelock in choppier weather, can be uncomfortable for those prone to seasickness.

Conclusion

Five days is enough to get a genuine feel for the Andaman Islands without rushing — a day of history in Port Blair, two days soaking up Havelock's famous beaches and reefs, and a slower final stretch on Neil Island before flying home. It's an efficient loop that balances iconic sights with real downtime, and works well as either a standalone beach holiday or a warm-up before a longer diving-focused trip through the same islands.