[INDIA] A Perfect 5D4N Andaman Islands Itinerary

08:00 Travel Bunny 0 Comments


Andaman Islands is famous for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Most trips focus on Port Blair, Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). A 5-day trip is ideal to cover these.

Visa:
Malaysian nationals can get a free 30-day e-Tourist Visa (double entry) for India until December 31, 2026, applied for online at the Indian e-Visa portal. 


Getting in:
AirAsia used to operate a direct international flight to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but the route has been cancelled in April 2025, two months after I visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Phew! Now the only way to visit the islands is a flight from an Indian city.

The best time to visit the Andaman Islands is during the Peak Season: October to March when the weather is best for sightseeing and water sports.

Getting Around:
There are plenty of Tuk-tuks and taxis available around airport and jetty. But as tourist, you probably need to haggle the price with the driver. 

Book your inter-island ferries (especially between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil) well in advance, especially during peak season!

Private ferries like Makruzz, Nautika, and ITT Majestic are faster, taking about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, while government ferries take around 3 hours. Prices vary based on the operator, class, and time of booking. Most private ferries depart from Haddo Jetty in Port Blair. 

Other Advice:
Wi-Fi and mobile network coverage can be patchy, especially on Havelock and Neil. Embrace the digital detox!
While major hotels and restaurants accept cards, many local shops and smaller eateries only accept cash.

Day 1: Hello Port Blair 
Arriving in Veer Savarkar International Airport.

We kicked off the afternoon by visiting Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island), the erstwhile administrative headquarters of the British, now a beautiful ruin overrun by deer and peacocks. It was abandoned after a 1941 earthquake and has since been taken over by the Indian Navy.

Next, we zipped over to North Bay Island for a relaxing time at the beach.

The day concluded with a relaxed dinner at the local favorite, The Tasty Clam Cafe Resto. They offer authentic Indian cuisine such as Tandoori Chicken, Masala and Briyani. Sadly, the restaurant is now permanently closed.

We stayed a night at Hotel Blue Bridge Homes, Port Blair. Its location is near the Aberdeen Clock Tower. The price is unbeatable for a 2-bedroom accommodation in the heart of the city.

Day 2: Havelock's Underwater Wonders
A morning ferry ride delivered us to Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), where we checked into the Arina Island Resort.

The main event of the day was a thrilling snorkeling session at Elephant Beach. It's known for its abundant coral reefs close to the shore. There are two ways to reach Elephant Beach: hiking or by boat. We engaged a guide and decided to hike to the beach. After half-an-hour hike to the beach, we were rewarded with a stunning view of the beach.

It’s a pleasant surprise that the snorkeling masks provided are full-faced. The snorkeling guide is very professional with getting us ready and leading us to the corals. He also helped us take videos and photos for an extra fee. The water was unbelievably clear that day, perfect for spotting colorful marine life! 

After working up an appetite, we enjoyed a fantastic seafood lunch at Something Different, a charming beachside cafe. 

The afternoon was pure relaxation: swimming in the hotel pool, lounging on the beach, and simply soaking up the sun.

Dinner was a memorable affair at the aptly named Famous Seafood Restaurant, treating ourselves to the freshest catch of the day.

Day 3: Neil Island's Natural Beauty
Another day, another beautiful island! We took the morning ferry to the smaller, more laid-back Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep).

Upon arrival, we had lunch at The Island Spices Restaurant before checking into the lovely Tango Beach Resort.

The highlight of the day was a walk to the stunning Natural Bridge at Lakshamanpur Beach—a unique geological formation carved by the sea.

We wrapped up the day at Sunset Point, watching a spectacular Andaman sunset paint the sky in vibrant hues.

Dinner was a treat at Malacca restaurant within the SeaShell Samssara hotel, offering a perfect end to our tranquil day.

Day 4: History, Shopping, & Valentine's Day Treat
Time to ferry back to Port Blair, ready to explore the island's historical and cultural side. 

We checked into the luxurious SeaShell hotel for our last night.

We started with a moving visit to the Cellular Jail (Kaala Paani), a poignant monument to India’s freedom struggle. The jail is a former colonial prison and a National Memorial. A must-see for its history. 

Then we had a delicious seafood lunch at Seafood Delights Andaman. The restaurant overlooks the beach. 

After lunch, we explored the fascinating exhibits at the Zonal Anthropological Museum, learning about the indigenous tribes of the islands.

The afternoon was dedicated to souvenir hunting at Sagarika Emporium for handicrafts and the bustling local atmosphere of Aberdeen Bazar.


Since it was Valentine's Day, we celebrated with a special romantic dinner at the elegant Salt N Pepper restaurant located right in our hotel! A perfect way to toast to our amazing trip.

Day 5: Farewell, Andaman!
The final day was dedicated to a slow start, savoring a leisurely breakfast and enjoying the last few moments of tropical bliss before heading to the airport for the flight home.

A summary of the itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Port Blair - island hopping to Ross Island & North Bay - dinner at the Tasty Clam Cafe Resto - stay at Hotel Blue Bridge Homes
Day 2: ferry to Havelock Island - check-in hotel - snorkeling at Elephant Beach - seafood lunch at Something Different (a beachside cafe) - relax at hotel swimming pool and beach - seafood dinner at Famous Seafood Restaurant - stay at Arina Island Resort
Day 3: ferry to Neil Island - lunch at The Island Spices Restaurant - check-in hotel - Natural Bridge of Lakshamanpur Beach - sunset view at Sunset Point - dinner at Malacca restaurant, SeaShell Samssara hotel - stay at Tango Beach Resort
Day 4: ferry back to Port Blair - check-in hotel - Cellular Jail - seafood lunch at Seafood Delights Andaman - Zonal Anthropological Museum - shopping at Sagarika Emporium - shopping at Aberdeen Bazar - Valentine’s day dinner at Salt N Pepper restaurant of SeaShell Hotel - stay at SeaShell hotel
Day 5: relax and flight home

Have you ever been to the Andaman Islands? What was your favorite stop? Let me know in the comments!

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