Andaman vs Maldives: Which Island Trip Under ₹60,000 Is Better? [2026]
Category: Destination Guides
Last updated: July 2026
Every Indian traveler dreaming of an island holiday eventually hits this fork: the Andamans, our own slice of tropical paradise, or the Maldives, the Instagram default. The surprise is that both fit under ₹60,000 per person if you plan them right. But they are very different trips wearing similar turquoise clothing.
Paperwork: One Needs Nothing, One Needs Almost Nothing
Andamans: Indian territory. No passport, no visa, just a photo ID for the flight. If your passport is sitting in a visa application queue somewhere, this is your island trip.
Maldives: Passport required, but the visa is the easiest international one that exists for Indians: free 30-day visa on arrival, no pre-application at all.
Getting There
Andamans: Direct flights to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad, typically ₹9,000-16,000 return. Then a 90-minute catamaran ferry (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika: ₹1,200-2,500) to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep). Book ferries in advance in season.
Maldives: Direct flights to Malé from Kochi (shortest and usually cheapest), Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, typically ₹14,000-24,000 return. From Malé, a public ferry to Maafushi costs under ₹200 (limited schedule) or a shared speedboat ₹1,500-2,500.
Where the Budget Version Lives
Andamans: Havelock is the heart of the trip. Beach huts and guesthouses run ₹1,500-4,000 per night, with Radhanagar Beach (regularly ranked among Asia's best) free to everyone. Add Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) for a slower day. Port Blair itself needs just one day: Cellular Jail and its evening light-and-sound show.
Maldives: The under-₹60K Maldives runs on the guesthouse model. Local islands like Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, and Dhigurah have clean guesthouses at ₹3,000-6,000 per night, a designated "bikini beach", and dive shops running the same excursions resorts charge triple for: sandbank trips, dolphin cruises, snorkelling with turtles. One honest note: local islands are dry (no alcohol) under Maldivian law, and the vibe is village-quiet by 10 PM. The Andamans have no such restriction.
What You Actually Do There
Andamans: This is the activity island. Scuba at Havelock (discover dives ₹3,500-5,000, about half Maldivian prices), sea walking at North Bay, kayaking through bioluminescent mangroves at night, snorkelling at Elephant Beach, and the Cellular Jail history stop. Internet is famously patchy, which is either a bug or the whole point.
Maldives: This is the scenery island. The lagoon blues are genuinely a level above, and excursions deliver the postcard moments: sandbank picnics, manta and whale-shark snorkelling (seasonal, around South Ari Atoll), and, if you want one day of luxury, resort day-passes from ₹8,000-15,000 that include pools, beaches, and lunch.
Budget Breakdown: 5 Days, Per Person
- Flights (metro to Port Blair return): ₹10,000-16,000
- Ferries (Port Blair-Havelock-Neil circuit): ₹3,000-4,500
- Stays (4 nights): ₹8,000-14,000
- Food: ₹4,000-6,000 (fresh seafood is absurdly good value)
- Activities (one dive, snorkelling, kayaking): ₹7,000-10,000
- Flights (Kochi/Bangalore to Malé return): ₹14,000-22,000
- Malé-Maafushi transfer: ₹500-2,500
- Guesthouse (4 nights): ₹12,000-20,000
- Food: ₹5,000-7,000
- Excursions (sandbank, snorkel trip, dolphin cruise): ₹8,000-12,000
When to Go
Andamans: October to May. December to February is perfect. Avoid June to September entirely: monsoon seas cancel ferries and water activities.
Maldives: November to April is dry season. May to October is wetter and windier but 20-30% cheaper, and rain often comes in short bursts. If you are reading this during the Indian monsoon and want to fly next month, the Maldives is the one that still works.
The Verdict
- No passport, best diving value, activity-packed trip: Andamans
- The iconic lagoon, honeymoon photos, easiest visa: Maldives
- Traveling June-September: Maldives (Andamans are closed for business, practically speaking)
- Absolute lowest budget: Andamans
See Both as Real Plans
Open these ready itineraries on TripVexa and customise dates, budget, and hotels by just typing what you want changed:
🏝️ Get Your Ready-Made 5-Day Andaman Itinerary (Under ₹60,000) →
🌊 Get Your Ready-Made 4-Day Maldives Itinerary (Maafushi, Under ₹60,000) →
Want the full Maldives cost playbook? Read our Maldives on a Budget guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maldives possible under ₹60,000? Yes, using the guesthouse model on local islands like Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, or Dhigurah: flights from Kochi or Bangalore (₹14,000-22,000 return), guesthouses at ₹3,000-6,000 per night, public ferries or shared speedboats from Malé, and paid excursions for sandbanks and snorkelling. What you give up is the private overwater villa, which starts around ₹1,50,000 per night at resorts.
Do I need a passport for the Andamans? No. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Indian territory, so Indian citizens need no passport or visa, just a government photo ID. This makes it the only true tropical island trip an Indian can take without any documentation.
Which has better scuba diving, Andaman or Maldives? The Maldives has more famous marine megafauna (manta rays, whale sharks around South Ari Atoll), but Andaman diving at Havelock costs roughly half as much (₹3,500-5,000 for a discover dive) with excellent reefs and visibility, making it the better value for first-time divers.
When should I visit each? Andamans: October to May, with December to February as the sweet spot; avoid June to September monsoon when seas turn rough and ferries get cancelled. Maldives: November to April is the dry season; May to October brings rain and wind but 20-30% lower prices.
Which is better for a honeymoon? The Maldives wins the honeymoon aesthetic even on a budget: the lagoon colours, sandbank picnics, and the option to splurge on one resort day-pass. The Andamans win for couples who want activities over lounging, and the savings can fund the next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maldives possible under ₹60,000?
Yes, using the guesthouse model on local islands like Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, or Dhigurah: flights from Kochi or Bangalore (₹14,000-22,000 return), guesthouses at ₹3,000-6,000 per night, public ferries or shared speedboats from Malé, and paid excursions for sandbanks and snorkelling. What you give up is the private overwater villa, which starts around ₹1,50,000 per night at resorts.
Do I need a passport for the Andamans?
No. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Indian territory, so Indian citizens need no passport or visa, just a government photo ID. This makes it the only true tropical island trip an Indian can take without any documentation, and a great option if your passport is stuck in a visa application.
Which has better scuba diving, Andaman or Maldives?
The Maldives has more famous marine megafauna (manta rays, whale sharks around South Ari Atoll), but Andaman diving at Havelock costs roughly half as much (₹3,500-5,000 for a discover dive) with excellent reefs and visibility, making it the better value for first-time divers.
When should I visit each?
Andamans: October to May, with December to February as the sweet spot; avoid June to September monsoon when seas turn rough and ferries get cancelled. Maldives: November to April is the dry season; May to October brings rain and wind but 20-30% lower prices.
Which is better for a honeymoon?
The Maldives wins the honeymoon aesthetic even on a budget: the lagoon colours, sandbank picnics, and the option to splurge on one resort day-pass. The Andamans win for couples who want activities (diving, kayaking through mangroves, sea walking) over lounging, and the savings can fund the next trip.
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