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Port Blair is where most Andaman trips begin and end, and it deserves more than a transit night. The capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands sits on a sheltered harbour on South Andaman, a modest town of hills, bays and busy jetties. In 2024 it was officially renamed Sri Vijaya Puram, and you will hear both names. It is also the island group's historical heart, with the Cellular Jail, a naval maritime museum and the memory of the freedom struggle.
What Port Blair is like
The town is compact and working, with markets, small restaurants, hotels and government offices spread along a few main roads. It is hot and humid, and busy near the jetties and the Aberdeen Bazaar. Beyond the centre are quiet beaches, a mangrove-fringed coast and forest roads. It does not have the polished resort feel of Havelock, but it has the airport, the ferries, the hospitals and the museums, which makes it an essential base.
What to see
The Cellular Jail is the single most important sight. A national memorial, it was a British colonial prison, and its light and sound show in the evening tells the story of the prisoners. Other places worth visiting include:
- The Samudrika Naval Maritime Museum, with displays on the islands' marine life, corals and tribal heritage.
- The Anthropological Museum, which explains the indigenous communities and the islands' history.
- The Fisheries Museum, a small aquarium with local fish and corals.
- Corbyn's Cove, a calm palm-fringed beach a short drive from the town.
- Chidiya Tapu, the "bird island" at the southern tip, known for sunsets and bird-watching.
- Wandoor and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, gateways to coral islands such as Jolly Buoy and Red Skin, which are open in season and subject to forest-department rules.
- Aberdeen Bazaar and Sagarika Emporium, for local shells-free handicrafts and souvenirs.
How many days
One night is the minimum, but two nights allows a comfortable first and last day: arrival and the Cellular Jail on the first, and a buffer for weather before your flight on the last. If you plan to visit Baratang, Ross Island and North Bay, allow at least two or three days in Port Blair.
Where to stay
- Near the airport and the jetties: convenient for arrivals and ferries, with a range of hotels.
- Aberdeen Bazaar and Delanipur: central, with restaurants and shopping.
- Corbyn's Cove and Haddo: quieter, with sea views, a little farther from the centre.
Ask about distance from the jetty on ferry mornings, and book early in December and January.
Getting there and around
Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), the airport code you will see on tickets, receives flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Passenger ships also come from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. In town, auto-rickshaws and taxis charge fixed or negotiated fares, and private cabs are the easiest way to visit Chidiya Tapu and Wandoor.
Ferries from Port Blair
Port Blair is the hub for private and government ferries to Havelock, Neil, Ross and North Bay. Book tickets in advance, and check sailing times the day before. Bad weather can cancel or delay ferries, so keep a buffer.
Food and shopping
Port Blair has the best choice of restaurants in the islands, from simple Bengali, South Indian and North Indian places to seafood restaurants and cafes. Try fish curry, crab and coconut-based dishes. For souvenirs, choose items made from wood, cane or fabric, and avoid anything made of shells, corals or other marine products, which are banned.
Practical tips
Carry cash, since card acceptance is patchy. Keep photo ID handy for jetties and museums. Dress lightly but modestly in the town. Buy ferry tickets only from authorised sellers or official portals. Respect museum rules on photography, and book the Cellular Jail show in advance during peak season.
Plan Port Blair with us
Port Blair is the start and finish of every Andaman plan. See our Classic Andaman tour and the 5-day itinerary, or tell us your dates.
