Radhanagar, without a timetable
Allow a full afternoon for Swaraj Dweep’s west coast: a long beach walk, a swim where conditions permit and sunset beneath the forest edge. It is popular, particularly towards evening.
The Andaman Islands.
Forest-backed beaches, sheltered reefs and island days shaped around the tides, with enough time to let the crossings breathe.
Ideal length
8–10 nights
Gateway
Direct flights to Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly Port Blair: approximately 2–2.5 hours from Chennai or Kolkata, and 3.5–4 hours from Delhi; schedules vary.
Best months
Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar
From, per person
₹3.1L
Why The Andaman Islands
What it feels like
when it's planned well.
Best for
Who it suits
CoupleFamilyMulti-generationalFriendsSoloSlow pace
The Andamans reward a less ambitious itinerary. On Swaraj Dweep, still widely called Havelock, mornings might mean diving off Govind Nagar or walking Radhanagar Beach before the heat builds. Shaheed Dweep, formerly Neil Island, offers shorter distances, quieter evenings and reef flats exposed at low tide. We favour two island bases over a succession of ferry terminals, with time in Sri Vijaya Puram for historical context.
We plan around flight arrivals, ferry schedules and the kind of water time you actually enjoy, arranging private transfers, carefully chosen accommodation and qualified dive operators. An indicative budget starts at INR 315,000 per person, depending on dates and arrangements. The caveat is logistical: crossings can change, marine visibility varies and expensive accommodation does not always deliver mainland standards of service. A mainland-bound flight deserves an overnight buffer.
Highlights
Three things you'd remember.
Reefs at your level
Match dive sites to experience rather than reputation. Beginners can start with a supervised introduction; certified divers have a wider choice of offshore sites when sea conditions allow.
Shaheed Dweep at low tide
Explore the natural rock bridge near Laxmanpur with a local guide, timing the visit for exposed reef flats. Good footwear matters more than an early start.
A shape to start from
The itinerary, before we change it for you.
Every trip we send is rewritten at least once. Treat this as a rhythm rather than a route — then tell your specialist what to cut, slow down or add.
- Day 1
Arrive in Sri Vijaya Puram
Meet your driver at Veer Savarkar International Airport and settle in. If arrival time permits, visit Cellular Jail; arrange the sound-and-light show separately, subject to its operating schedule.
- Days 2–3
Across to Swaraj Dweep
Take a scheduled ferry to Swaraj Dweep, usually around 1.5–2.5 hours depending on the service. Keep arrival afternoon free, then spend the following day between Radhanagar Beach and your accommodation.
- Days 4–5
Diving and a quieter shore
Arrange a guided dive or snorkelling outing with a qualified operator, subject to conditions. Use the other day for an early visit to Kalapathar Beach and an unstructured afternoon; its rocky shoreline is better suited to walking than casual swimming.
- Days 6–7
Shaheed Dweep
Cross by scheduled ferry to Shaheed Dweep. Visit Bharatpur Beach for an organised water outing, walk to the natural bridge at low tide and leave an evening for sunset at Laxmanpur.
- Day 8
Return to Sri Vijaya Puram
Return by ferry and stay overnight before your flight. If the timetable leaves enough room, visit the Samudrika Marine Museum, checking opening days in advance.
- Day 9
Fly to the mainland
Transfer to the airport after breakfast. The final mainland-island overnight avoids relying on a same-day ferry connection, though severe weather can still affect travel.
Where you'd stay
Houses we hold, not listings.
Illustrative private houseSwaraj Dweep
Radhanagar Forest House
A proposed style of stay, not a verified property listing: a staffed house near the west coast with shaded outdoor space. Indicative INR per night for the whole house; availability, facilities and taxes require confirmation.
From₹95,000 / night
Illustrative private villaShaheed Dweep
Neil Garden Villa
An illustrative brief for a small private villa with a garden and easy beach access, rather than an assumed beachfront position. Indicative INR per night for the whole villa, subject to sourcing and confirmation.
From₹60,000 / night
Illustrative private houseSri Vijaya Puram
South Andaman Harbour House
An illustrative arrival-and-departure base prioritising reliable transfers and comfortable bedrooms. Not a confirmed property; indicative INR per night for the whole house.
From₹45,000 / night
Access & experiences
What we can open for you.
A properly paced first dive
Start with medical screening, equipment fitting and skills practice before entering open water with an instructor. A private instructor can improve the pace of the lesson, but cannot remove weather or safety restrictions.
Cellular Jail with historical context
Visit the galleries and surviving prison wings with time to consider their place in India’s independence struggle. This is a substantial historical stop, not simply an evening-show venue.
A guided intertidal walk
On Shaheed Dweep, follow a local guide across permitted reef-flat routes at low tide. Observe marine life without handling it, avoid living coral and leave shells where they are.
An early beach morning
Set out for Kalapathar before breakfast for softer light and fewer people. Bring water and use a pre-arranged driver rather than assuming transport will be waiting.
When to go
The months that work.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Prime Shoulder — quieter, better value
Good to know
- Visa
- Indian citizens do not need a visa or general entry permit for the usual tourist circuit; carry government-issued photo identification. Foreign nationals need appropriate Indian entry permission and should confirm current island-access rules. Protected tribal areas are not tourist destinations.
- Getting around
- Use pre-booked scheduled ferries between Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep, with private road transfers on each island. Tickets require passenger details and identification. Sailings are subject to weather and operational changes.
- Pace
- Allow at least three or four nights on Swaraj Dweep and two on Shaheed Dweep. Spend the final night in Sri Vijaya Puram rather than connecting a ferry directly to your departing flight.
- Health
- Bring regular medication, mosquito repellent and sun protection. Specialist medical care is limited on the smaller islands. Divers should arrange suitable insurance, complete medical screening and follow their operator’s no-fly interval; allow at least 18–24 hours after repetitive diving, or longer if advised.
- Currency
- Indian rupee. Cards and UPI are useful but depend on connectivity; carry cash for smaller establishments and incidental expenses. Do not rely on every island ATM working.
“Plan the flight around a night in Sri Vijaya Puram, not around the promise of a punctual ferry.”
Dev Travels planning note
The Andaman Islands, in frames
The Andaman Islands questions
Asked often.
December to March is generally the most dependable period for beach days and marine outings. October and November can bring lingering rain and unsettled seas; April is hotter but can offer good water conditions. The southwest monsoon, broadly May to September, makes a sea-focused itinerary less reliable.
It is an indicative planning starting point, not a fixed package price. Accommodation choice, party size, festive dates, private guiding and diving substantially affect the total. We provide an itemised proposal stating whether flights, meals, ferries, activities and taxes are included.
Yes, provided the itinerary respects ferry tolerance, heat and mobility. We would often use one island base plus Sri Vijaya Puram, check boarding arrangements carefully and avoid assuming that every beach or boat excursion is accessible.
No. North Sentinel Island is protected and off limits. We do not arrange tribal encounters or excursions that intrude on protected communities.
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Ready when you are
Let's plan
something real.
Once-in-a-lifetime, or a long quiet weekend. Tell us what you're picturing — the first conversation is on us.