Itineraries

Andaman Islands: 5 Days

Five days in the Andaman Islands — Cellular Jail freedom heritage in Port Blair, Radhanagar Beach (Asia's best) and Elephant Beach snorkelling on Havelock, and Neil Island sunset.

5 daysNatureComfortable2 Cities covered

Duration: 5 days
Pace: Comfortable
Theme: Nature
Cities covered: 2
Best season overall: November to April (calm seas, 30-m visibility for snorkelling; book flights and ferries 30-60 days ahead for December-January peak); May and October are quiet and affordable shoulder months
Mid-range budget: ₹40,000 – ₹80,000

About Andaman Islands: 5 Days

The Andaman Islands have one of India's best five-day circuits: a combination of colonial freedom heritage in Port Blair, the most beautiful beach in Asia on Havelock Island, and the pristine coral ecosystem of Elephant Beach that makes the archipelago the country's premier snorkelling and diving destination.

Planning key: ferries book out weeks ahead in December-January peak season — book all inter-island transport at the same time as flights.
Day 1 in Port Blair establishes the historical context: the Cellular Jail Sound and Light Show (evening, pre-book tickets) is the essential first evening — the story of India's political prisoners told against the floodlit seven-wing jail structure with the Andaman Sea behind it.
Day 2 continues in Port Blair: the Cellular Jail museum in daylight (2-hour detailed visit), North Bay Island by ferry (30 min) for the accessible coral snorkelling directly off the beach (no diving certification needed, glass-bottom boats available for non-swimmers), and the Anthropological Museum.
Day 3: morning ferry to Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep, 90-minute high-speed Makruzz or 2-hour Green Ocean ferry — book exactly when the booking window opens, typically 30-60 days ahead).
Check in to a Havelock resort.
Afternoon: Radhanagar Beach (Beach 7, 12 km from the jetty) for sunset — the 2-km crescent of white sand against turquoise water at golden hour is among India's most breathtaking natural scenes.
Day 4: Elephant Beach (25-minute speedboat or 45-minute jungle walk) for morning snorkelling — coral gardens in 1-3 m of crystal water, sea turtles, parrotfish, and clownfish visible without any equipment.
Afternoon: Kalapathar Beach (11 km south, no facilities, sunrise-only for the best light but afternoon is peaceful and uncrowded) and Vijayanagar Beach at sunset.
Day 5: optional Neil Island day-trip (30-minute boat) for the quieter coral and the natural arch rock formation, or a final Havelock morning before the return ferry to Port Blair and evening flight.
For vegetarian travellers, the Andamans are manageable: South Indian dosas and veg meals are available throughout, resorts provide vegetarian meal plans, and Havelock's café culture is growing.

Day-by-day timeline

1
Day 1
Port Blair
overnight
Arrive Port Blair by flight (IXZ). Airport to hotel. Afternoon: Corbyn's Cove Beach and the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum. Evening: Cellular Jail Sound and Light Show (pre-book, 6 PM or 7:15 PM).
Vegetarian highlight South Indian vegetarian dinner at Annapurna Restaurant Aberdeen Bazaar; coconut water at the harbour stalls; fresh pineapple and papaya from the Aberdeen Bazaar fruit sellers.
2
Day 2
Port Blair
overnight
Morning: Cellular Jail full museum visit (2 hours). 11 AM: North Bay Island ferry (30 min) — snorkelling with coral, glass-bottom boat option for non-swimmers. Lunch on North Bay. Return to Port Blair. Afternoon: Anthropological Museum. Pack for Havelock departure.
Vegetarian highlight North Bay Island packed vegetarian lunch box (pre-ordered from hotel); evening paneer tikka and dosa at the hotel restaurant; Fresh coconut water directly from the tree at the North Bay beach.
3
Day 3
Havelock Island
overnight
Morning ferry Port Blair to Havelock (Makruzz 7 AM, 90 min — pre-booked). Check in to resort. Afternoon: Radhanagar Beach sunset (Beach 7, 12 km from jetty — the most beautiful sunset in India). Evening: Havelock village café dinner.
Vegetarian highlight Radhanagar Beach coconut water and fresh papaya from the beach vendors; Havelock village South Indian veg meals at Full Moon Café; evening pasta and fresh lime soda at the Fat Martin Café.
Transit · Port Blair → Havelock Island · Road · 90 minutes by Makruzz — Port Blair to Havelock: Makruzz (private high-speed catamaran, ₹1,200-1,500 each way, 90 min) or Green Ocean (₹900-1,100, 2 hours). Book at the official Andaman Tourism website or directly at Makruzz.com. Government ferries exist but take 3+ hours and the schedule is irregular. Book all ferries when you book flights — they sell out in December-January within days of the booking window opening.
4
Day 4
Havelock Island
overnight
Sunrise at Kalapathar Beach (11 km south, empty, dramatic black-rock coastline). Breakfast. 9 AM: Elephant Beach snorkelling by speedboat (25 min) — 2-hour coral session. Afternoon: Vijayanagar Beach (Beach 5, 3 km from jetty, calm, good for swimming). Sunset from the resort beach.
Vegetarian highlight Elephant Beach packed veg snacks (banana, coconut, energy bars — no food stalls on the beach); afternoon fresh coconut at the jetty stalls; resort dinner: vegetarian Andamanese coconut curry and rice.
5
Day 5
Port Blair
transit
Optional: morning Neil Island day-trip by speedboat (30 min, natural arch rock, quieter coral) or final Havelock Radhanagar sunrise visit. Return ferry to Port Blair (afternoon Makruzz). Evening flight from Port Blair IXZ.
Vegetarian highlight Final Havelock breakfast: South Indian idli-sambar at a village café; carry-home: dried sea-shell souvenirs and Andaman coconut oil from the Aberdeen Bazaar craft shops (NOT coral or shells — protected by law).