Andaman
Best Time to Visit Andaman and Nicobar
Havelock Island
- Thanks to the pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, Havelock is the most visited island in the Andamans.
- Has the best infrastructure for Scuba Diving to ensure everyone gets the best experience.
- A relaxing atmosphere with a relaxed vibe is what the island has to offer. Cafes, resorts (both bamboo huts and luxury hotels), and dive centres line the beaches.
- A wide range of activities like , , , , jungle trekking and are available here.
- Around 1.5-2 hours away from (by boat).
- M.V. Makruzz
- ITT Majestic
- Sealink
- Green Ocean
- Bhagya Express
- Port Blair – Phoenix Bay Jetty & Common Service Centers located around the town.
- Havelock Island – Havelock Jetty.
- Neil Island – Neil Jetty.
- There are no Petrol Pumps in Neil Island.
- It is located 37 Km from Port Blair.
- The island only has a population of 3,040 (2011 census).
- There is only one bus for public transportation here.
- Neil Island is also known as the vegetable bowl of Andaman.
- Internet connectivity is very low, almost non-existent in the island.
- You can only get a network for BSNL if you are planning to make any calls.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed its name from Neil Island to Shaheed Dweep on 30 Dec 2018.
- You can travel to Neil Island only from Port Blair and Havelock Island by ferry.
- Most people either rent bikes or book cabs before visiting.
- Famous For: Sightseeing, Sunrise.
- Entry Fees: Free
- Timings: Open till 7:30 PM
- Neil Kendra to Neil Jetty: 600 Meters
- Neil Kendra to Bharatpur Beach: 550 Meters
- Neil Kendra to Ramnagar Beach: 1.2 KM
- Neil Kendra to Laxmanpur Beach: 1.9 KM
- Neil Kendra to Sitapur Beach: 4.6 KM
- Makruzz
- Green Ocean Cruise, and
- ITT Majestic.
- Book your ferry at least a month before arrival to Neil.
- Ferries can get delayed anytime, so make sure to arrive at Port Blair the day before departure.
- Make sure to get a map of Neil from the rental shop, before going out.
- Ask for the location of the shops selling petrol, when renting a scooter. Most shops don't have a board on them.
- The sea of Neil is filled with rocks and corals, make sure to avoid going into the water where you don't see others swimming.
- Mosquitoes and bugs are prevalent in the island, make sure to keep the windows closed at night.
- Govt. Ferry Ticket counter is right at the Neil Jetty.
- Smoking in Neil Island in public is prohibited and incurs a fine of up to INR 500.
Baratang Island
- SHARED TRIPS:
- By Government Bus: There are shared trips in Govt NON AC Buses. They start from Port Blair early in the morning. These buses, go further from Baratang to North and Middle Andamans, may not return to Port Blair on the same day. So you have to take a different bus from the Baratang Bus terminus to return on the same day. This is the most economical mode to reach Baratang. However, the con here is that these buses do not pick you from your place. You have to board the bus either from the main Bus terminus or at some designated point on the ATR (Andaman Grand Trunc Road) where the bus may make pit stops. You have to book the seats for these buses in advance from the Govt. Bus terminus and confirm your pick up point with them only.
- By Private AC Coaches: Just like the Govt Buses, the private buses also start from Port Blair early in the morning. Being AC Coaches, it is understood that it is slightly expensive than the government buses. But the additional cost is always worth the comfort. There are also special coaches available who go on a day trip to Baratang and come back on the same day. These coaches also need to be pre-booked and like the government buses, these private coaches also do not pick you from your accommodation place. You have to board the bus either from the starting point of the bus as mentioned on the tickets or somewhere on the ATR where the bus may make pit stops. In this case, you have to confirm with the bus operators or the concerned travel agency to check that which is the nearest point from where you can board the bus.
- By Government ferry from Port Blair: Government ferry services are available from Port Blair to Baratang but this ferry doesn’t come back to Port Blair on the same day. So it is not suitable for a day trip. The route of this ferry is such that it sails from Port Blair to Baratang, drops the passengers at Baratang and goes off to Havelock (No waiting time- just touch and go). In case you have a plan to stay at Baratang Island, then you may opt for this option. However, you cannot combine the ferry & cab service, this may become expensive for you. The other way is to return from Baratang in a Government Operate bus. However, it’s uncertain because the availability of Government buses will be known only after reaching Baratang. Hence, such a last-minute surprise can spoil the rest of your trip if you are on a fixed duration holiday.
- Private Trips