Ultimate Andaman Holiday Planning Guide

Ultimate Andaman Holiday Planning Guide

Havelock is known for its magnificent beaches like Radhanagar, Elephant Beach and Kalapathar Beach. Water sports like scuba diving, snorkelling and kayaking are extremely popular on the island. Hence, we recommend a minimum of a two-night stay at Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) or a comfortable three nights, if time permits.

Read More: Water Sports to Try in the Andamans

How to plan the Ultimate Trip to the Andamans?

Important Travel Resources

Step 1: Flights First

Booking of flights is a great starting point for travellers to the Andamans. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:

• Book flights 1-2 months in advance: Flights to Port Blair during the High + Peak seasons can be exorbitant, if they’re not booked in advance. So, try and book at-least 1-2 months in advance, if not more. This is especially for folks looking to travel in December and January. Last-minute ticket costs in these two months can go to as high as Rs. 30,000 one-way and getting a ticket can become an annoying, expensive affair. 
  

• Book flights smartly, it can save you money: If you’re looking to spend time only in Havelock & Neil, book the earliest flight into Port Blair, so you can get the last ferry to the islands that departs from Port Blair to Havelock Island at 2 pm. Similarly, from Havelock or Neil, book the earliest ferry into Port Blair, so that you can leave on the last flight back. This will mean that you can give Port Blair a complete miss, if you want to, without spending the night here. 
  

Step 2: Ferries before Hotels

Book your inter-island ferry tickets (from Port Blair to Havelock or Neil islands) before you book your hotels, even if you’re someone that loves to take it as it comes. There are a limited number of ferries on the islands and thereby, there are a limited number of tickets. Ferry costs vary depending on the route, operator, and seat class, so checking prices in advance helps with both budgeting and planning. We’d recommend booking it at-least a month in advance. At worst, you can do 3 weeks in advance. Through the years, we’ve seen some travellers come to the islands without ferry tickets and struggling with it after they’ve arrived. It can make for a bitter experience if you only have a few days in hand and are not pleased to be stuck in Port Blair. 

Step 3: Hotel Bookings 

Booking hotels and resorts is a vast field to cover, but we’ll give you the most important things to keep in mind while booking them. 

• More Havelock + Neil, Less Port Blair: If we had a rupee for every time we’ve said this, we’d have a piggy bank full of fat coins. But this is essential and cannot be said enough. If you’re here for a tropical beach vacation, then Havelock & Neil islands are where you want to be spending the most time. Although Port Blair district does have its own set of coveted beach locations, we’re still a little partial to the island twins: Havelock & Neil. 
  

• Location. Location. Location: Decide on whether you want a moderately crowded space or a near-isolated resort on a remote part of the island. Most people on short trips prefer to stay close to the buzz. All the islands are comfortable quiet after dark, so you are not likely to be faced with loud music or drunk vacationers, in any case. But if you’re after a special type of isolation, and are looking to step off the beaten path, you only need ask. 
  

• Beach-side hotels > Hotels not on the beach: We don’t think this needs an explanation. But we’re still going to do it: white sand, a heady sea breeze and a beach lined with coconut trees. Okay, you get the drift. 
  

• Pool is cool: Disgustingly rhymed words aside, even if you’re on a beach, luxuriating in a pool is a whole different vibe. And if it’s a pool with a pool-side bar, extra brownie points for that! Because nothing better than sitting on a flamingo, sipping chilled beer and soaking up the sun. 
  

Step 4: Booking your Activities 

Booking your activities well in advance may be to your advantage if you have very few days of vacation time and don’t have the luxury of flexibility. 

• Book your Scuba session in advance: If you book a Scuba-Diving session (you should definitely), do it well in advance. This is especially applicable during peak season between December and January when most dive shops get completely booked out.
  

• More adventure, less sight-seeing: Indulge in more adventure activities, like water sports & trekking, and less sight-seeing activities. Try to pick 2-3 sights to see, if at all and don’t let FOMO get the better of you. 
  

Do a maximum of 2 Activities/day: Don’t book yourself for more than 2 activities in a day. You probably don’t want to feel like you have a time-table to follow. Don’t try and cram in too much, without giving yourself any breathing space.

Important Travel Resources

Packing List: What to Carry and what not to carry

We’re not going to bore you with every little thing but we’ll give you a list of island-relevant things that shouldn’t be missing in your packing list. 

What to Carry:

Sim Card

A lot of people wonder if their Indian sim cards will work on the Andamans and the answer is: yes, it will! We have three main service providers here: Airtel, Vodafone and BSNL. So, if you’re with any one of them, you don’t have to worry about getting a new sim card when you land or getting an international sim card before you depart. BSNL and Airtel are your best bet. If you’re not with any of them, you could get one before you arrive and it’ll work just fine. 

Cash or Card?

Although we do have ATMs everywhere in Port Blair and we have a couple in Havelock & Neil and most places do accept card payments, it’ll still be prudent to carry some amount in cash. You may need it for smaller eateries, roadside vendors, to pay for some activities and such. An all-card approach is definitely not advisable. At all times, keep at-least Rs. 5000 in hand which can be replenished at an ATM when it runs out. 

Calling it a (holi)day

We’ve covered lots of little bits to get you going and this blog should serve as a gentle guidance for your Andaman Vacation Plan. 

And with that we’re going to sign-off. Here’s hoping that all of these pointers help you in building the ultimate plan for an unforgettable holiday!