Andaman is a high-demand domestic destination - honeymoons, families, and adventure travellers all want those turquoise waters. The challenge for agents is logistics: ferry schedules, permit requirements, limited hotel inventory in peak season, and managing client expectations about "beaches like Maldives."
Getting there
Flights to Port Blair
| Route | Approx. return per person |
|---|
| Delhi–Port Blair (via Chennai/Kolkata) | ₹10,000–₹18,000 |
| Mumbai–Port Blair (via Chennai) | ₹10,000–₹16,000 |
| Chennai–Port Blair (direct) | ₹6,000–₹12,000 |
| Kolkata–Port Blair (direct) | ₹6,000–₹10,000 |
| Bangalore–Port Blair (direct) | ₹7,000–₹14,000 |
Direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore are available. From other cities, most flights connect via Chennai.
Ship (Chennai/Kolkata to Port Blair)
- Duration: 50–60 hours
- Cost: ₹2,000–₹8,000 depending on class
- Not recommended for regular packages (too slow, seasickness common)
Popular itineraries
Standard 5N/6D
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair, Cellular Jail light & sound show
- Day 2: Port Blair → Havelock Island (ferry), Radhanagar Beach sunset
- Day 3: Havelock - scuba diving or snorkeling at Elephant Beach
- Day 4: Havelock → Neil Island, Natural Bridge, Laxmanpur Beach
- Day 5: Neil → Port Blair, Ross Island, North Bay
- Day 6: Departure
Extended 7N/8D
Add: Baratang (limestone caves, mangrove creek) + extra day in Havelock for diving
Honeymoon special 5N/6D
Focus on Havelock (3 nights) with premium resort, private beach experiences, candlelight dinner, and skip Neil Island.
Ferry logistics
This is where most agents lose clients or face issues.
Government ferries
- Cost: ₹500–₹700/person
- Timing: Limited slots (usually 1–2 per day)
- Booking: Opens 30 days in advance, sells out fast in peak season
- Comfort: Basic - not great for honeymoons or luxury clients
Private ferries (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean)
- Cost: ₹1,200–₹2,500/person (one-way)
- Timing: Multiple daily slots
- Booking: Book as early as possible in peak season
- Comfort: AC seating, much better experience
Key routes
| Route | Duration | Private ferry cost (per person) |
|---|
| Port Blair → Havelock | 90 min | ₹1,200–₹1,800 |
| Port Blair → Neil | 75 min | ₹1,000–₹1,500 |
| Havelock → Neil | 45 min | ₹800–₹1,200 |
| Neil → Port Blair | 75 min | ₹1,000–₹1,500 |
Critical tip: Always book return ferries at the time of booking onward ferries. Clients have been stranded when return seats sell out.
Accommodation
Port Blair
| Category | Rate (per night, double) |
|---|
| Budget | ₹2,000–₹3,500 |
| Mid-range (Sinclairs, Fortune) | ₹4,000–₹7,000 |
| Premium (Taj Exotica - upcoming, SeaShell) | ₹8,000–₹15,000 |
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
| Category | Rate (per night, double) |
|---|
| Budget (Beach #5 area) | ₹2,500–₹4,000 |
| Mid-range (Barefoot at Havelock, Silver Sand) | ₹5,000–₹10,000 |
| Luxury (Taj Exotica, Jalakara, Munjoh) | ₹12,000–₹35,000 |
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
| Category | Rate (per night, double) |
|---|
| Budget | ₹1,500–₹3,000 |
| Mid-range (Pearl Park, Summer Sand) | ₹3,000–₹6,000 |
| Premium options are limited | ₹6,000–₹10,000 |
Activities and water sports
| Activity | Cost per person |
|---|
| Scuba diving (intro dive, no certification) | ₹3,500–₹5,000 |
| Snorkeling (Elephant Beach, organized tour) | ₹1,000–₹1,500 |
| Sea walking | ₹3,000–₹4,000 |
| Glass-bottom boat (North Bay) | ₹500–₹800 |
| Jet ski | ₹1,000–₹1,500 |
| Kayaking | ₹500–₹1,000 |
| Sport fishing | ₹3,000–₹5,000 |
| Cellular Jail light & sound show | ₹50–₹100 |
Sample package costings
Budget 5N/6D (couple)
| Component | Cost (2 pax) |
|---|
| Flights (Chennai–Port Blair return) | ₹14,000 |
| Hotels (5 nights - 2 PB, 2 Havelock, 1 Neil, budget) | ₹14,000 |
| Ferries (all sectors, private) | ₹8,000 |
| Activities (snorkeling, Cellular Jail, glass boat) | ₹5,000 |
| Transport (auto/scooter rental) | ₹3,000 |
| Meals | ₹8,000 |
| Total | ₹52,000 |
Mid-range 5N/6D (couple)
| Component | Cost (2 pax) |
|---|
| Flights (Delhi–Port Blair return) | ₹24,000 |
| Hotels (5 nights - 1 PB, 3 Havelock, 1 Neil, mid-range) | ₹30,000 |
| Ferries (all sectors, premium private) | ₹10,000 |
| Activities (scuba, snorkeling, sea walk, Cellular Jail) | ₹14,000 |
| Transport (private car in PB, scooter in islands) | ₹5,000 |
| Meals | ₹12,000 |
| Total | ₹95,000 |
Luxury honeymoon 5N/6D (couple)
| Component | Cost (2 pax) |
|---|
| Flights (Mumbai–Port Blair return) | ₹28,000 |
| Hotels (5 nights - 1 PB premium, 4 Havelock luxury resort) | ₹1,00,000 |
| Ferries (premium private, window seats) | ₹10,000 |
| Activities (private scuba, sunset cruise, candlelight dinner on beach) | ₹20,000 |
| Transport (private car throughout) | ₹8,000 |
| Meals (resort dining) | ₹20,000 |
| Total | ₹1,86,000 |
Seasonal considerations
| Season | Months | Notes |
|---|
| Peak | November–February | Best weather, clear water. Book 45+ days ahead. |
| Shoulder | March–May | Warming up, still good visibility. Fewer crowds. |
| Monsoon | June–September | Many ferries cancelled, water sports shut down. NOT recommended for packages. |
| Post-monsoon | October | Opening up, some restrictions. Good rates. |
Critical: Do NOT sell Andaman packages for June–August. Ferry cancellations and rough seas will ruin the trip and create client complaints.
Common mistakes
- Not booking ferries in advance - peak season ferries sell out 2–3 weeks before travel
- Overloading the itinerary - ferry days eat half the day; don't plan too many activities
- Promising "Maldives-like" experience - Andaman beaches are beautiful but infrastructure is basic (especially Neil Island)
- Ignoring monsoon closure - June–September is a no-go for most water activities
- Not mentioning internet connectivity - Havelock and Neil have very limited mobile network coverage; set expectations
Permits
- Indian nationals: No special permits for Port Blair, Havelock, or Neil
- Foreign nationals: Restricted Area Permit (RAP) required - issued on arrival at Port Blair airport
- Tribal areas (North Sentinel, etc.): Strictly prohibited for all visitors
How TripDraft helps
Build island-hopping Andaman itineraries with ferry timings baked into the day-wise schedule. The PDF shows clients exactly which ferry they'll catch and what each island day looks like - reducing confusion and post-booking questions.
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