The Andaman Islands sit 1,300 km from the Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal closer to Myanmar than to Chennai, geographically speaking and the distance is part of what makes them extraordinary. The water is clear in a way that no beach on the Indian coastline matches. The reefs are intact. The forests are dense. Getting there requires a flight, some planning, and a package that handles the moving parts so you can focus on the part that matters: being there.
Andaman Tour Packages - By Duration
| Package Duration | Islands Covered | Approx. Price (Per Person) |
| 4 Nights / 5 Days | Port Blair + Havelock | Rs.18,000 - Rs.28,000 |
| 5 Nights / 6 Days | Port Blair + Havelock + Neil | Rs.24,000 - Rs.38,000 |
| 6 Nights / 7 Days | Port Blair + Havelock + Neil + Baratang | Rs.30,000 - Rs.48,000 |
| 8 Nights / 9 Days | All major islands + North Andaman | Rs.45,000 - Rs.75,000 |
| Honeymoon Package (5N/6D) | Port Blair + Havelock + Beach Resort | Rs.35,000 - Rs.60,000 |
What's Included in Andaman Tour Packages?
Before comparing packages, know what a well-constructed Andaman package must include versus what separates a good operator from a mediocre one.
Every legitimate package should cover:
- Return ferry transfers between islands (Port Blair > Havelock > Neil on fast catamarans like Makruzz or Nautika)
- Accommodation for each night, specified by hotel name and category not just 3-star equivalent
- Airport pickup and drop in Port Blair
- Daily breakfast, and typically most dinners
- Entry tickets to Cellular Jail (Sound and Light Show if included, confirmed in writing)
- A detailed day-wise itinerary with confirmed activity slots, not vague suggestions
What separates good packages from generic ones:
Activity slots with confirmed bookings not just scuba diving available. Peak season (December-February) sees popular activities like bioluminescent kayaking, sea walking, and guided dive slots fill weeks out. A quality operator pre-books these for you; a generic one hands you a list and expects you to arrange it yourself on arrival.
Transparent inclusion of permit fees North Andaman and several protected areas require specific permits that some operators quietly exclude from the package price. Ask specifically whether all permit costs are included before signing.
Weather-related contingency planning the best operators have alternate activity plans built in for days when sea conditions prevent the primary activity. Rain-day contingencies matter, particularly if you're travelling in shoulder season (October or April-May).
Best Andaman Islands to Visit - Island Profiles
The Andaman archipelago contains 572 islands, of which roughly a dozen are open to tourists. Here's how to choose between the ones that actually matter for a standard itinerary.
Port Blair: Your Gateway, Not Your Destination
Port Blair is where every Andaman trip begins and ends the only airport, the main ferry terminal, the administrative centre. It has things worth seeing (Cellular Jail, Ross Island, North Bay Island), but it's not where the Andaman magic lives. Spend 1-2 nights here, see what's worth seeing, and move on.
Right for you if: You're arriving late or leaving early and need a buffer night. Not a destination in itself for beach lovers or divers.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep): The Centrepiece
Every Andaman package centres on Havelock for good reason. The dive sites are Asia-class. Radhanagar Beach routinely appears on global best-beach lists. The scuba operators are PADI-certified, professional, and experienced with first-timers. Elephant Beach is accessible and spectacular for snorkelling. The bioluminescent kayaking runs through mangrove channels after dark. If you only have time for one island beyond Port Blair, it's Havelock without question.
Right for you if: You want diving, snorkelling, beach time, kayaking, and the full Andaman water sports experience. Allocate a minimum of 2 nights, ideally 3.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep): The Quiet One
Neil is Havelock's quieter, smaller sibling fewer tourists, slower pace, gentler beaches, and dive sites (K-Rock, Bharatpur) that reward those who make the additional ferry journey. Laxmanpur Beach's natural rock formation (the Howrah Bridge of Andaman, as locals call it) makes for excellent sunset photography. The island is compact enough to explore entirely by rented scooter in an afternoon.
Right for you if: You've done or plan to skip the Havelock party, want genuine seclusion, or are extending a 5N/6D itinerary with a rest day that still has substance.
Baratang Island: For the Curious and the Early-Rising
Baratang requires commitment a 2.5-3 hour convoy drive through the Jarawa tribal reserve starting at 5:30 AM, followed by a flat-bottomed boat ride through mangrove creeks to the limestone caves. It's not a beach destination. It's a geological and ecological experience that has no equivalent elsewhere in India, and it rewards travellers who show up for it. The mud volcanoes are a genuine oddity. The caves are extraordinary.
Right for you if: You're on a 6N/7D or longer itinerary and want a day that's completely different from anything else on the trip.
North Andaman (Diglipur): For the Serious Traveller
The northernmost accessible zone Diglipur, Kalipur Beach, Ross & Smith Islands connected by a natural sandbar requires a full day of travel each way from Port Blair and is only worth the journey on an 8N/9D package with dedicated island time. The payoff is an almost completely undeveloped island landscape that looks the way all of Andaman probably looked 30 years ago.
Right for you if: You're on an extended itinerary and want to go somewhere most Andaman tourists never reach.
Best Season to Visit Andaman (Month-by-Month)
| Month | Conditions | Water Visibility | Recommended? |
| October | Post-monsoon, settling seas | Moderate-Good | Yes (shoulder) |
| November | Excellent, cooler evenings | Good-Very Good | Yes |
| December | Peak season begins, clear skies | Excellent | Best |
| January | Peak season, flat seas | Excellent | Best |
| February | Peak season, slight crowds | Excellent | Best |
| March | Late season, still good | Good | Yes |
| April | Pre-monsoon, warm | Moderate | Caution |
| May | Variable, some closures | Moderate | Caution |
| June-September | Monsoon rough seas | Poor | Avoid |
How to Reach Andaman? Flights from Major Cities
Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) in Port Blair is the only entry point by air. All Andaman packages assume a mainland departure to Port Blair, with flights from the following cities:
| Departure City | Airlines | Flight Duration | Approx. Return Fare |
| Chennai | IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet | 2 hours | Rs.6,000 - Rs.12,000 |
| Kolkata | IndiGo, Air India | 2 hours | Rs.7,000 - Rs.14,000 |
| Delhi | IndiGo, Air India | 3.5 hours (often via Chennai) | Rs.10,000 - Rs.18,000 |
| Mumbai | IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet | 2.5 hours | Rs.9,000 - Rs.16,000 |
| Bengaluru | IndiGo, Air India | 2.5 hours | Rs.8,000 - Rs.15,000 |
| Hyderabad | IndiGo (often via Chennai) | 3 hours | Rs.9,000 - Rs.16,000 |
The alternative by sea (passenger ships from Chennai, Kolkata, or Visakhapatnam) takes 3 days each way and is rarely practical for leisure travellers on time-limited itineraries, though it's a genuine option for budget travellers with flexibility.
Types of Andaman Packages - Which One Fits Your Trip?
Rather than choosing by duration, choose by who's travelling and what the trip is actually for.
The Honeymoon Package
Private beach resort on Havelock, sea-facing room, couples-specific activity bookings (sunset cruise, private beach dinner, couples' spa), and a pace that isn't governed by 7 AM ferry departures. Honeymoon packages run Rs.35,000-Rs.60,000 per person and are worth the premium the difference between a generic 5N/6D and a honeymoon-specific package is mostly in how the accommodation and activities are curated. Expect candlelit setups, room décor on arrival, and a designated coordinator rather than a generic itinerary.
The Family Package
Built around manageable activities for a range of ages North Bay Island for sea walking and glass-bottom boats (accessible to children and elderly travellers), Havelock for snorkelling and beach time, Neil Island for a quiet day rather than a logistically demanding excursion. A good family package avoids the 5:30 AM convoy departures and full-day trekking activities, builds in rest time, and books accommodation near the beach rather than requiring a car journey to reach the water. Car rental for Andaman tour is worth adding for the Port Blair days, where the flexibility of a private vehicle with a driver makes a significant difference for groups moving with luggage.
The Adventure Package
Scuba certification at Havelock, wreck diving on MV Transatlantic, bioluminescent kayaking, Baratang limestone caves, and North Andaman for the physically adventurous. Adventure packages typically run 7-9 nights to fit all the meaningful activity days without rushing, and they prioritise operator quality over accommodation luxury. The water activities in your Andaman itinerary guide covers the full spectrum of what can be stacked into an adventure-focused trip.
The Budget Backpacker Package
Port Blair and Havelock on 4N/5D, government ferry instead of Makruzz catamaran, guesthouses over resorts, self-organised snorkelling and beach time. Budget Andaman is genuinely possible the water and the reefs don't cost anything to look at, and even a Rs.500 snorkelling session at Elephant Beach delivers the essential visual experience. The trade-offs are time (government ferries are slower), convenience (no pre-booked activity slots), and the stress of arranging everything on arrival during peak season.
Andaman Permit Requirements for Indian and Foreign Tourists
Indian Nationals
No permit is required for the major tourist islands Port Blair, Havelock, Neil Island, Baratang, and North Andaman (Diglipur). Standard government photo ID (Aadhaar card, passport, or driving licence) is sufficient for ferry boarding and island check-ins. The Baratang route through the Jarawa reserve requires joining a supervised convoy, but no additional permit paperwork is needed from the traveller your operator handles the convoy logistics.
Foreign Nationals
All foreign visitors require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which since 2018 has been available on arrival at Port Blair Airport at no charge. Valid for 30 days and covering all standard tourist islands. The permit must be carried physically throughout the trip ferry operators and accommodation check-in desks regularly verify it.
Certain islands remain restricted to all tourists regardless of nationality particularly those inhabited by protected tribal communities (the Sentinelese, Jarawa, and Onge populations). These restrictions are absolute and are enforced by the forest and maritime departments.
For diving in Marine National Park areas (Jolly Buoy, Red Skin Island under Wandoor), an additional Forest Department permit is required your dive operator arranges this as part of the booking. No separate action needed from the traveller.