Route: Port Blair - Havelock - Port Blair
Places covered: Port Blair, Ross Island, North Bay, Havelock, Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach
This plan is designed for families, so it uses only two ferry crossings, keeps days short and chooses activities that children enjoy. Port Blair is used for history and easy boat trips, and Havelock for beaches and gentle water time.
Who it suits
Families with children from about five and multi-generational groups. It works from November to April. December to January school holidays are peak, so book early. We do not recommend the monsoon.
How the days flow
On arrival, you settle in Port Blair, then spend a day on Ross Island and North Bay, with coral viewing and a sea walk for those who want it. A morning ferry takes you to Havelock for three nights. You enjoy Radhanagar Beach at a gentle pace, take a boat to Elephant Beach and keep one day for rest. You return to Port Blair for a final night before your flight.
Family notes
- Ferries. Crossings can be bumpy. Bring motion-sickness tablets, light snacks and a jacket for air-conditioned cabins.
- Beaches. Radhanagar is wide and gentle, but currents can be strong; supervise children closely.
- Snorkelling. Use life jackets, and choose guided sessions for children.
- Food. Resorts serve mild Indian and continental meals, and vegetarian options are available.
- Heat. Plan outdoor activity for mornings and late afternoons.
- Medical. Carry basic medicines, as pharmacies on islands are limited.
Why this route suits families
Port Blair provides easy, interesting day trips close to the hotel, and Havelock offers one comfortable base for several nights, which means fewer packing days and less time on boats. Children get a mix of ruins, deer, coral and sand, and parents get time to relax.
What children usually enjoy
Spotting deer on Ross Island, looking through the floor of a glass-bottom boat, building sandcastles, collecting nothing but photographs, and feeling the warm water on their toes. A visit to a museum with fish and corals in Port Blair is often a hit.
A note on pacing
With children, the pace matters more than the number of sights. We plan one main activity a day, with a long break after lunch and an early dinner. If anyone is tired or the weather turns, we change the plan without fuss, because a happy family is the point of the holiday.
Customising
Add a night on Neil, include a half-day at Baratang for older children, or extend your Havelock stay. Share the ages of your travellers and we will adapt the plan.
