The Andaman Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal, are most famous for its stunning landscapes, turquoise waters, and pristine beaches. Home to indigenous tribes, the islands showcase a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern influences, creating a fascinating tapestry of traditions. From gorgeous beaches to spectacular sunsets, from historical landmarks to nature trails and dense forests, Andaman has it all.
The best time to Visit Andaman
The best time to visit Andaman is during the Winter season, from November to February. The season starts from October and goes on till March. This period offers pleasant weather with moderate temperatures and calm seas, making it ideal for various outdoor activities and water sports. Here’s a breakdown of the seasons:
Winter(November to February – This is the perfect season to visit Andaman. The weather is dry, and temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). The peaceful sea makes great for water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving etc.
Pre-monsoon(March to May) – This period sees a gradual increase in temperature, and the weather starts to get humid. It’s a good time to visit before the monsoon season starts. Temperatures range from 24°C to 37°C (75°F to 99°F).
Monsoon(June to September) – The Andaman Islands experience heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. While it can be lush and green, the rough seas and occasional storms may disrupt travel plans. Many water activities are limited during this time, making this time not very desirable.
How to reach Andaman
Andaman is well connected by sea and Air. The best way to reach the Andaman Islands is to take a flight. The Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, serves as the main gateway. You can catch direct flights to Port Blair from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
Another interesting way to reach Andaman is in a luxury cruise. The Directorate of Shipping Services, under the Government of India, operates regular passenger ship services between Port Blair and Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam. These ships usually take about 3-4 days to reach Port Blair and they offer a unique experience of sea travel.
One can take ship while going to Port Blair and flight to return to experience the best of both routes.
We were on schedule, so we took flight from Pune and back.
Our 5-day Andaman Itinerary
Home to diverse marine life, including vibrant coral reefs, Andaman Islands offer excellent opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, and underwater exploration. Rich in history, the islands feature remnants of colonial architecture and the infamous Cellular Jail, a symbol of India’s struggle for independence. With its tranquil ambiance and stunning landscapes, Andaman is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Its secluded charm and captivating beauty make it a dream destination if you are looking for an escape from the bustling mainland. We took a 5 day trip and here’s our detailed itinerary.
Day 1
Flight to Andaman can be often delayed and ours was no exception making us reach late in the afternoon. We decided to acclimatize and soak in the beauty of the Islands on our first day.
In the evening, we went to Chidiya Tapu beach to see our first sunset in Port Blair. Chidiya Tapu is around 25kms from Port Blair and takes about an hour to reach. The drive to the beach is through dense forest and is one of the most beautiful drives we took in Andaman.
The beach is serene and calm. It is one of the less crowded beaches in Andaman. The sunset at Chidiya Tapu is a breathtaking spectacle. The peaceful ambiance and the sheer beauty of nature make the sunset at Chidiya Tapu an unforgettable experience.
Day 2
On day 2 we did Island hopping. We went to the water complex from where you get boats/ferries to visit other islands.
We first went to Ross Island. Unlike most of the Islands in Andaman that are famous for its beaches, Ross Island is famous for the history it brings to the table. Ross Island was used as an Administrative Headquarters for 85 years by the British. During this time, a lot of important government offices were made by the British on this penal settlement. These offices were later abandoned after an earthquake in 1941. You can walk or hike to the top and back or rent a golf cart and do a quick tour of the island. We took a golf cart and saw ruins of the buildings from British era here. Next, we went to the North Bay Island. It’s famous for water sports but we had planned all water sports planned in Havelock so we just relaxed here and soaked in the beauty of the island.
We got back to Port Blair after seeing the North Bay Island and went to see the most iconic Cellular Jail. Built by the British in the late 19th century, the Cellular Jail was used to exile and detain political prisoners, especially Indian freedom fighters. The jail is structured in a radial pattern with seven wings, each containing individual cells designed to isolate prisoners from one another, hence the name “Cellular Jail.” The design aimed to inflict maximum psychological torment on inmates. Today, the Cellular Jail houses a museum that showcases the struggles and sacrifices of freedom fighters, displaying artifacts, photographs, and historical documents related to the Indian independence movement. We also attended the light and sound show here.
The 45 min light and sound show happen every day post sunset in Hindi and English against the backdrop of the Cellular Jail, creating a dramatic atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience. Through a combination of lights, sound effects, and narration, the show brings to life the experiences of the freedom fighters who were incarcerated there.
Day 3
Post breakfast, we left for Havelock Island. We took a cruise from Haddo dock to go to Havelock. There are govt ships and private cruises that take you from one Island to other. Book these in advance as it can be expensive to book last minute.
It takes about 3 hrs from port Blair to reach havelock. We took a private cruise. They have some live performances happening on the deck for entertainment. We thoroughly enjoyed these cruise rides and clicked like 3000 pictures as the view of the ocean was just breathtaking.
Upon reaching Havelock, we went straight to Elephant Island. It’s a small trek from Havelock that will get you to this quint beach. We did snorkelling as the marine life here is very close to the shore, we did not have to go deep inside the sea to see the coral reefs. You are not allowed to stay over at elephant beach and have to return to havelock latest by 04:00pm. So, we skipped our lunch and thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the elephant island. We never returned to the shore till the last call.
We took a ferry back to Havelock and called it a day as we had scuba diving planned early next morning.
Day 4
We left from hotel around 06:00am for Scuba diving. We were told to have very light breakfast so that we don’t feel seasick. It’s recommended that you do scuba in the morning slot as the marine life is in its full bloom because the humans are away from the sea at this time. Our trainer gave us complete gear and training. We changed and finally dived into the sea for an experience of our lifetime. We saw beautiful corals. And a variety of fishes. We found both Nimo and dory fish under water. We went 12feet deep into the water. Our ears were hurting due to the air pressure, but the view made it all worth it.
We really wanted to stay at Havelock forever, but we had a return cruise to Neil Island later that day. We just explored the island for a bit and then took a cruise to Neil Island.
Day 5
Day 5 being the last day, we decided to take it easy. We went to the Hawrah bridge at the Laxmanpur beach. We trekked down from the main road through the rocky beach with limestone rocks spread across the beach. The rocks are partially eroded in the salt waters due to the erosion with tides over thousands of years. We saw many starfishes or sea cucumbers in the shallow waters between the rocks. After having a good time at laxmanpur beach we took our final cruise ride and got back to Port Blair.
In Port Blair, we went to local markets for some good old souvenir shopping before we said good bye to this land of Islands the next day. We returned with lots of sand between our toes and a sunburn on our nose.
We really wanted to stay at Havelock forever, but we had a return cruise to Neil Island later that day. We just explored the island for a bit and then took a cruise to Neil Island.
