From time to time my friends keep asking me about my Andaman trip and my recommendations, hence here is my take on Andaman’s.
If you are thinking why I should vist Andaman check out my pics here: https://kurund.com/blog/2011/02/05/amazing-andaman/
– Best time to visit: Jan – March.
– If you love fish this is the place for you 🙂
My rough itinerary for the first timers to Andaman:
Day 1: (Port Blair to Havelock )
– arrival at Port Blair and than take a cruze for Havelock Island, Makruzz ( check their website for schedule )
– lunch at Swapan’s restaurant
– walk and relax rest of the day, may be enquire for bike (if you plan to rent)
Day 2: ( Havelock Island )
– visit word famous Radhanagar beach (bus or bike) spend a day at the beach, eat at nearby shacks
Day 3: ( Havelock Island )
– Havelock Island: Scuba Diving – just walk and relax on the beach for rest of the day
Day 4: ( Havelock Island )
– checkout rest of havelock beaches (beach no 5 is must)
– lunch at Swapan’s restaurant
– after lunch go to port for cruise back to Port Blair
Day 5: ( Port Blair )
– Harbor Cruise, light and sound show at cellular jail in the evening
Day 6: ( Port Blair )
– Visit jolly buoy and do snorkeling
Day 7: ( Port Blair )
– city site-seeing: Cellular jail, shopping in the afternoon at state emporium, Chantam Saw mill (if you want)
Day 8: ( Port Blair )
– fly back to your destination from Port Blair
Do’s:
– scuba diving at havelock
– lazing out at Radhanagar beach
– visit beach no 5 (don’t remember the name)
– snorkeling at jolly buoy
– eating at Swapan’s restaurant next to fish market in havelock (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurund/5415683260/in/set-72157625973623360)
– have red snapper in special sauce, wrapped in banana leaf (just tell him this) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurund/5415012993/in/set-72157625973623360)
– crab (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurund/5415631278/in/set-72157625973623360/)
– light and sound show at cellular jail
– Harbor cruise
Don’ts:
– limestone caves and visit to tribes
– mud volcano
Hotels:
Havelock: It has variety of hotels for all the types of budget. I would recommend something near main market
Port Blair: May be near to port but it does not matter
Travel:
– Hiring cycle or motorbike would be great way to travel in Havelock. I would recommend cycle for Havelock and motorbike for Port Blair
– For Port Blair to Havelock travel, I would recommend [http://www.makruzz.com/site/schedule.php ( call and check for availability )]
– there is also public transport/local buses ( timings are bit odd )
Notes:
– contact your hotel desk in advance for all activities like scuba, snorkeling at jolly buoy, Harbor Cruise. etc. they can arrange it for decent rates.
– there are lot of ATM’s all over the island, so don’t worry about need to carry lot of cash
– lot of hotels might offer you buffet at reasonable rate, it might not be a bad option if you feel lazy to go out.
– it would also be good to call before your trip and check on availability/tickets for to and from cruise travel for Port Blair to Havelock
– i would recommend booking hotel stay in advance from websites like makemytrip.com, cleartrip.com etc
– if you book your trip well in advance you might get quite cheap air fare
– I would not recommend boat travel to and from Andaman, it is just waste of time. But if you still want to do it, just do one way, preferably to Andaman and fly back.
Hey can you give me an estimation of over all trip expenses
Well cost depends on the mode of transport you used and also kind of accommodation. For my trip it was around 25K
Hi Kurund,
Did you opt for any package?
Nope.
Your first timer schedule is quite helpful. We are a couple planning to visit in the month of Feb. I hope its not peak time there and so we have’nt booked any hotels or packages. I believe it will not be a big trouble to find a decent hotel in the town. I will further plan on your lines. But I don’t see any Ross island in your itinerary. Is it not worth visiting? I intend to hire a bike in Port Blair and as you suggested, a bicycle in Havelock. Is there any other place you would suggest. Our stay is for only 8 days.
There are lot of hotel options, but I would still recommend booking a hotel, unless you are on a backpacking trip. It’s easy to book hotel using travel portals and most of the times you could pay at the hotel. Harbor cruise does include Ross island, it’s a short stop. IMO Havelock and Port Blair are good for first timers.
Hi..
We are Planning to andaman for first time with our family. Want to check whether right time to come with Kids on Nov or Dec? Also like to know whether see journey would be enjoyable?
I think it might be bit rainy during Nov / Dec. My recommendation would be after December. If it rains you won’t be able to enjoy water sports and beaches.
Nice thoughts. Andaman Islands is promoted as an all season destination and one can visit the islands any time of the year. The season is usually from October – April. Havelock Island, Neil Island, Port Blair and Baratang Island are the most preferred islands by the travelers. Those who wish to go off track can visit Diglipur island as well.
Thanks,
Azhar
Andaman Expert
Experience Andamans
Yes, it can rain in Nov/Dec but not too much. Jan and Feb is the best time.
why do you not recommend the volcano or the tribes? Those are the ones I’m really keen on. Also Little Andaman. Could you help with some info on these please?
I have not visited the volcano or the tribes, so can’t advise you on the same. Our bus just passed through the tribal area, which was not that impressive. I have not visited “Little Andaman” google is your friend in this context 🙂
Hello,
Nice thoughts. Andaman Islands is promoted as an all season destination and one can visit the islands any time of the year. There are lots of hotel options, but I would still recommend booking a hotel, unless you are on a backpacking trip.
Hi..
We are a couple plannin for a trip in the month of may.. is may the right time? Plz suggest
It might be ok to visit in May, but it will be hot ( in 30C + temparature)
Hi ,
I am planning to go on 28th january. Please suggest following points:-
1) Good budget hotel in havelock.
2) How is North bay island?
Hi Kurund
Perfect Holiday Plan for Andaman islands. The Do’s and Don’t Information is also apt. Andaman Islands are surely a heaven on earth which i think is made for relaxing holidays. November To February are the perfect months for Holidays and Honeymoon in Andaman.
Keep Up the Good Work
Sir, can I hire bicycle @ Havelok and Neil island?
@Havelok, yes. There are many places to hire a bicycle. I don’t know about Neil Island.
Hi,
Blog was informative.. Would like to know why you mentioned limestone cave and mud volcano as Donts.
Also we are planning to visit Ross & Smith Beach and Ramnagar and Kalipur beach near diglipur. Can you please suggest itinerary along with it.
Also is there any way we can book ferry from Rangat to Havelock?
Limestone and mud volcano is too much travel. Secondly they are not well maintained too. I don’t know about Ross & Smith Beach and other places. Sorry, don’t know about the ferry too.
Hi,
Would like to know the best hotels in port Blair and Have lock which has sea view and are transport friendly.We planned our trip for seven days.Kindly suggest us the must things to do and how to spend the long trip.I realized after reading few blogs,seven days is a bit long trip 🙁
I would recommend checking booking portals like the ones mentioned in the post for the hotels and the deals according to your needs.
Nice blog. Enjoyed reading 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us
Andaman one of the beautiful tourist destination in India. Andaman, the paradise of the earth flourished with exciting flora and fauna and it includes the beautiful white sand beaches, greenish mangroves and palms, rich and colorful corals etc. The white sands together with dark green palms and bluish cirrus make Andaman beaches one of the topmost beaches in the world
Thank you for sharing this blog.