Andaman Tourist Map: Your 2026 Island Planning Guide

I spent three weeks hopping between Andaman islands last winter, and the single most useful thing I carried wasn’t waterproof bags or reef-safe sunscreen. It was a proper understanding of the Andaman tourist map. Most first-timers vastly underestimate how spread out these islands are. They book hotels in Port Blair, assume everything is a short drive away, and then discover that reaching Neil Island involves a two-hour ferry ride they hadn’t planned for.

The Andaman archipelago consists of 572 islands, though only about 36 are open to tourists. Even among these, just a handful have accommodation and infrastructure. Understanding the geography before you book anything saves you from wasted days, missed ferries, and that sinking feeling when you realise Radhanagar Beach is actually on a different island than your hotel.

Understanding the Andaman Island Layout

Think of the Andaman Islands as a long vertical chain running north to south in the Bay of Bengal. Port Blair sits roughly in the middle, serving as your arrival point and transport hub. To the north lie Diglipur, Mayabunder, and Rangat. To the south and southwest, you’ll find Havelock Island (officially Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), and the more remote Cinque Island.

The total distance from Diglipur in the north to Port Blair is approximately 325 kilometres by road, but don’t let that fool you. Road conditions vary dramatically, and you’ll spend 10-12 hours covering this stretch. Most tourists stick to the southern cluster of islands, which is sensible for trips under a week.

The Main Tourist Triangle

Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil form what I call the tourist triangle. About 85% of visitors never venture beyond these three. Port Blair offers historical sites and urban conveniences. Havelock delivers those Instagram-worthy beaches. Neil provides a quieter, more local experience with decent snorkelling.

Distances between them are manageable. Port Blair to Havelock takes roughly 90 minutes by government ferry or 50 minutes by private speedboat. Havelock to Neil is just 45 minutes by sea. The real question isn’t distance but ferry availability, which brings us to the most critical planning element.

Ferry Routes and Booking Reality

Here’s what no glossy travel brochure tells you: ferry tickets between islands can sell out days in advance during peak season (December to February). The government-run ferries operated by the Directorate of Shipping Services are cheaper but book up faster. Private operators like Makruzz, Green Ocean, and Nautika offer more comfortable rides at roughly double the price.

You can book government ferry tickets through the official Andaman administration portal, but the interface is clunky and times out frequently. Private operators have slicker booking systems. My advice? Book your inter-island ferries before you book hotels. Accommodation is generally available, but missing your ferry connection can derail your entire itinerary.

What About Reaching North Andaman?

If you’re wondering whether visiting Diglipur or Ross and Smith Islands is worth the effort, the answer depends on your travel style. The journey from Port Blair takes either a full day by road (with stops at Baratang for limestone caves and mud volcanoes) or an overnight government ferry. Ross and Smith Islands, connected by a natural sandbar at low tide, are genuinely spectacular and far less crowded than Havelock.

However, accommodation options are limited and basic. You’ll find government guesthouses and a handful of private resorts. If you need air conditioning and reliable WiFi, North Andaman will test your patience.

Port Blair: More Than Just a Transit Point

Most travellers treat Port Blair as a necessary layover before escaping to prettier islands. That’s a mistake. The city has genuine historical significance and a couple of spots worth your time. The Cellular Jail, where the British imprisoned Indian freedom fighters, offers a sobering history lesson. The evening light and sound show there is actually well-produced, not the usual cheesy government affair.

Corbyn’s Cove beach, about 7 kilometres from the city centre, is mediocre for swimming but pleasant for an evening stroll. The Anthropological Museum provides context about the indigenous tribes of the islands, including the Jarawa and Sentinelese. You cannot visit tribal areas, and honestly, you shouldn’t want to. These communities have chosen isolation, and that choice deserves respect.

One full day in Port Blair is sufficient for most travellers. Two days if you want to add a day trip to Ross Island (now Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) and North Bay Island for basic water activities.

Havelock Island: The Star Attraction

Radhanagar Beach on Havelock consistently ranks among Asia’s best beaches, and for once, the hype is justified. The sand genuinely is powder-fine, the water transitions from turquoise to deep blue, and the sunset views are reliable crowd-pleasers. Arrive by 4 PM to secure a good spot, and don’t leave valuables unattended while you swim.

Beyond Radhanagar, Havelock offers Elephant Beach (accessible by boat or a 40-minute jungle trek), Kalapathar Beach (rocky but photogenic), and Vijaynagar Beach (quieter, local feel). The island has accommodation ranging from budget bamboo huts at INR 1,500 per night to luxury resorts like Taj Exotica and Barefoot at Havelock exceeding INR 25,000.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling

Havelock is India’s best scuba diving destination, no contest. The visibility often exceeds 20 metres, and you’ll encounter manta rays, reef sharks, and vibrant coral formations. PADI-certified operators like Dive India, Andaman Bubbles, and Ocean Tribe offer discover scuba dives for beginners (around INR 4,500-5,500) and full certification courses.

Snorkelling is cheaper and requires no training. Elephant Beach has the most accessible reef, though it’s suffered some coral bleaching in recent years. For healthier coral, consider a boat trip to South Button Island if you can arrange permits.

Neil Island: The Underrated Gem

I’ll be honest: I preferred Neil to Havelock. The beaches are smaller, the tourist infrastructure is simpler, but the pace feels genuinely relaxed rather than resort-manufactured. Bharatpur Beach has a natural rock pool that’s perfect for families. Laxmanpur Beach offers the best sunset I witnessed during my entire trip.

Neil works best as a two-night stay after Havelock. The island is small enough to explore by bicycle (rentals available at INR 150-200 per day), and the local papaya and banana cultivation gives it a village character the more developed islands have lost.

Restricted Areas and Permit Requirements

Indian citizens don’t need special permits for most tourist areas. However, certain islands require Restricted Area Permits (RAP), which your tour operator or hotel can usually arrange. The Jarawa Tribal Reserve along the Andaman Trunk Road is a protected zone. You’ll pass through it if travelling to Baratang or North Andaman, but stopping, photographing, or any interaction with tribal members is strictly prohibited and carries serious legal consequences.

Foreign nationals need to register on arrival at Port Blair airport. The process is straightforward but can take 30-45 minutes during peak season. Carry passport copies and your return ticket details.

Best Time to Visit and Honest Limitations

The ideal window is October through May, with December to February being peak season. Avoid June through September entirely. The monsoon doesn’t just bring rain. It brings cancelled ferries, closed water sports, and rough seas that make island hopping impossible. I met a couple who visited in late September and spent five of their seven days stuck in Port Blair due to weather.

Even during peak season, be prepared for basic infrastructure outside Port Blair and Havelock. ATMs are unreliable on smaller islands. Internet connectivity is patchy. Medical facilities are limited. If you have serious health conditions, consult your doctor before planning extensive island hopping.

Planning Your Itinerary Using the Map

For a first visit of 5-7 days, stick to the southern triangle: two nights in Port Blair, two or three nights in Havelock, one or two nights in Neil. This gives you enough time without exhausting ferry schedules. For 10 days or more, add Baratang (limestone caves, mud volcanoes) and possibly Diglipur (Ross and Smith Islands, Saddle Peak trek).

Study the Andaman tourist map with ferry timings in mind, not just geographical distances. An island might look close on the map but have only one ferry per day departing at an inconvenient hour. Build buffer days into your schedule. The islands reward those who slow down rather than rushing to tick off every beach.

The Andaman Islands remain one of India’s most unspoiled destinations, but they require more planning than your typical Goa or Kerala trip. Get the geography right, book ferries early, and accept that not everything will go according to schedule. The islands have their own rhythm. Your job is to match it.