island.
From Bali to Bermuda — compare islands by vibe, season, language and cost.
Andaman Islands
Closer to Myanmar than to mainland India, with one island that no one is allowed to visit.
Port Blair is about 1,300 kilometres from Kolkata and rather less from the coast of Myanmar, which is why these islands feel like Southeast Asia administered from Delhi. North Sentinel, in the same chain, is off-limits under Indian law: its inhabitants have no sustained contact with the outside world, an exclusion zone is enforced around it, and approaching is a criminal offence.
The visitable part carries a heavier history. The Cellular Jail in Port Blair held Indian independence prisoners in single cells designed for isolation and is now a national memorial. Beyond it the draw is water — Radhanagar beach on Havelock, renamed Swaraj Dweep, and diving on reefs that see a fraction of the traffic of Thailand next door. Some islands still require a permit.
Quick facts
Currency
INR
Indian rupee
Language
Hindi
+ English
Power
—
Driving
Left
UK-style
Airport
IXZ
Veer Savarkar International (Port Blair)
Emergency
—
Police · Fire
When to go
Monthly breakdown
Storm risk: ModerateJan
Best
Feb
Best
Mar
Best
Apr
Best
May
Rain
Jun
Rain
Jul
Rain
Aug
Rain
Sep
Rain
Oct
—
Nov
Best
Dec
Best
Major events
Island Tourism Festival
Ten days in Port Blair with dance troupes from mainland states, craft stalls and water sports displays, the largest annual event in the territory.
Subhash Mela
Held on Havelock around 23 January to mark Subhas Chandra Bose, who raised the Indian flag on these islands in 1943. Sports, stalls and cultural performances over several days.
Durga Puja
Port Blair holds substantial pandals reflecting the large Bengali population descended from settlers who arrived after Partition.
Hidden gems
Cellular Jail
The colonial prison in Port Blair built for Indian independence prisoners, designed with seven wings radiating from a central tower so no cell faced another. Three wings survive.
Baratang Limestone Caves
Reached by a convoy road through the Jarawa reserve and then a mangrove creek by boat, ending in a walk to active limestone formations. The convoy runs to a fixed timetable.
Elephant Beach
On Havelock, reached either by speedboat or a two-kilometre trek through forest and swamp that most visitors skip. The reef starts close in, so snorkelling begins a few metres from shore.
Local food
Macher jhol
A thin, sharp fish curry brought by Bengali settlers, made here with reef fish instead of river fish.
Coconut prawn curry
Prawns cooked in coconut milk with curry leaf and mustard seed, showing the Tamil and Kerala side of the settler mix.
Grilled reef fish
Tuna, barracuda or snapper landed that morning and grilled whole at Havelock, now Swaraj Dweep, with lime and chilli.
Safety tips
General
Photographing or interacting with the Jarawa along the Andaman Trunk Road is a criminal offence, as is stopping the vehicle in the reserve. Convoys are enforced for that reason.
Water-Safety
Saltwater crocodiles are present in the mangroves and creeks and have attacked swimmers off Havelock. Swim only at the designated beaches and never at dusk in a creek mouth.
Health
Hospital care is confined to Port Blair and anything serious means a flight to Chennai. There is a hyperbaric chamber, but check the diving operator's evacuation plan before booking.
Sustainability
Eco rating
Reef: ProtectedNorth Sentinel exclusion zone enforced by law
Plan Your Trip
Curated tools to book your island getaway. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best rates on resorts, villas & apartments
Snorkeling, island hopping, volcano hikes & more
Compare prices across 100+ airlines
Travel medical insurance from $45/month
Free trip budget calculator — plan lodging, food & activities
Free daily-budget tracker — protect every dollar
