Short answer
For a first trip, plan six to eight days, choose two or three islands such as Port Blair, Havelock and Neil, travel between November and April and keep a buffer for ferries and flights. Do not dive the day before flying, and avoid trying to see too many islands.
On this page 18 sections
- 1. Decide when you can go
- 2. Choose how many days
- 3. Pick your islands
- 4. Plan your arrival and ferries
- 5. Decide what you want to do on the water
- 6. Understand the costs
- 7. Be a careful traveller
- 8. Eat well
- Budget and time reality check
- Where to stay on Havelock
- Questions people ask us most
- Making the most of a short trip
- Why a longer stay is not always better
- Common first-timer mistakes
- A sample first-timer plan
- Packing basics
- Etiquette and local customs
- What to ask your travel planner
If this is your first time in the Andamans, you may picture an endless sequence of perfect beaches. The reality is lovelier but more complicated: a few islands, a lot of logistics and a sea that sets the rules. This guide sets out the decisions to make, in the order that matters, and the mistakes first-timers most often make.
1. Decide when you can go
Season shapes everything. November to April is the best period, with calm seas and clear water. October and May are shoulder months with some risk. June to September is the monsoon, which we do not recommend. See the best time to visit the Andamans.
2. Choose how many days
- 5 days: Port Blair and Havelock. See our 5-day itinerary.
- 6 to 7 days: add Neil, Ross Island and North Bay. See our 7-day itinerary.
- 8 to 10 days: add Baratang, extra diving days or a quiet stay.
3. Pick your islands
Port Blair for history and the gateway. Havelock for beaches and diving. Neil for calm and snorkelling. Baratang for caves and an expedition day. Ross Island and North Bay for easy boat trips. See Port Blair, Havelock, Neil and Ross Island and North Bay.
4. Plan your arrival and ferries
Fly into Port Blair, and plan ferries early. Read how to reach the Andamans and our ferries guide.
5. Decide what you want to do on the water
Snorkelling is easy. Introductory dives are accessible to most people. Sea walks and glass-bottom boats are good for families. If you want to dive, plan it carefully: not within 24 hours of your flight.
6. Understand the costs
Flights, resorts and activities are the main costs. Read our Andaman trip cost guide.
7. Be a careful traveller
Respect the reefs, the tribal reserves and the sea. See travel tips and safety.
8. Eat well
Try fresh fish, crab and coconut dishes. See our Andaman food guide.
Budget and time reality check
A good first trip costs more in time than in money. Check the real time between each pair of places, add rest after ferry days and allow extra time on the first and last days. Many travellers say they wish they had dropped one island and stayed longer elsewhere, and almost none regret leaving a free afternoon.
Where to stay on Havelock
Havelock has several areas. Govind Nagar (Beach No. 3) has restaurants and shops, and is good for first-timers. Radhanagar has forest resorts close to the best beach, and is quiet. Vijaynagar (Beach No. 5) is calm and relaxed. Check the distance to the beach, the road access and meals, and book early for December and January.
Questions people ask us most
- Can I do the Andamans in four days? You can, but you will spend much of it in transit. Five to six days is better.
- Do I need a permit? Not for the main islands, but ID is required, and some areas are restricted.
- Is it safe to swim? At designated beaches, with care and attention to warnings.
- Can I use my phone? Coverage is patchy outside Port Blair.
- What if my ferry is cancelled? We rebook or adjust, and we keep buffers to reduce the impact.
Making the most of a short trip
If you only have five days, choose Port Blair and one island, and resist adding more. Start early each day, do the main activity in the morning and rest in the afternoon. Book the first and last nights in Port Blair, so that you have buffers on either side. A short, well-paced trip is far better than a rushed one.
Why a longer stay is not always better
More days do not always mean a better trip. If you add islands, you add ferries, and each ferry adds risk. A longer stay in fewer places is usually more restful and less likely to be disrupted.
Common first-timer mistakes
- Trying to see too many islands. Ferries and transfers eat up time.
- Travelling in the monsoon. Rough seas and cancellations ruin plans.
- Booking late for December. Flights and resorts sell out.
- Flying the day after a dive. It is dangerous.
- Booking a flight on the same day as a ferry. One cancellation could cost you the flight.
- Skipping history. The Cellular Jail is moving and important.
- Expecting mainland facilities. Mobile coverage, ATMs and menus are limited.
- Not asking what is included. Ferries, entry tickets and activities vary.
A sample first-timer plan
Fly into Port Blair, spend a night, take a ferry to Havelock for two or three nights, visit Neil for a night and return to Port Blair for the flight home. That is our Classic Andaman tour. For couples, the Andaman honeymoon is a shorter, romantic version. Families may prefer the family holiday.
Packing basics
Light cotton clothes, swimwear, a rash vest, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a rain jacket, sandals, insect repellent, a waterproof bag, motion-sickness tablets and a power bank. Carry photo ID and some cash.
Etiquette and local customs
Islanders are friendly and relaxed. Dress modestly away from the beach, ask before photographing people and respect local religious sites. Do not litter, do not remove anything from the sea and keep noise low in the evening.
What to ask your travel planner
Ask which resorts and ferry operators are proposed, how long each transfer takes, what is included, how weather changes are handled and what the cancellation terms are. A good planner will answer in writing.
When you are ready, share your dates and group and we will draft a plan.
Practical tips
- Choose two or three islands; ferries and logistics eat time.
- Travel in the dry season, November to April, for calm seas and clear water.
- Book flights, ferries and resorts early for December to January.
- Keep your last day in Port Blair, and never fly the day after a dive.
- Carry cash, ID and basic medicines, since services are limited.
