Three packed days across Baratang, Radhanagar Beach and Port Blair sights
Baratang pairs Limestone Cave Baratang with Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, but it makes Day 1 a long road-and-boat day. Radhanagar Beach and Elephant Beach give you Andaman’s strongest beach-and-water combination on Day 2. Cellular Jail and Chidiya Tapu Beach close the trip with history and a sunset view.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹23,400-47,900
Weather: September can be humid with sudden showers and rougher sea conditions, so build flexibility into boat-dependent plans.
Pack:
quick-dry clothing
reef-safe sunscreen
waterproof phone pouch
comfortable walking shoes
motion-sickness medicine
Local tips:
Carry cash for small transfers, snacks and boat-side expenses because connectivity can be inconsistent away from Port Blair.
Do not plan a same-day flight after a marine excursion; weather and boat delays can quickly change the schedule.
Booking tips:
Pre-arrange the Baratang vehicle, boat connections and return timing instead of treating it as a self-drive day.
Keep accommodation in Port Blair for this short trip unless your confirmed boat schedule supports an island stay.
Getting there (from India (major metros)):
flight: IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air and Vistara connections via Chennai, Kolkata or Bengaluru - Approx. 5-8 hours including one connection - ₹10,000-22,000 per person return
train: Train to Chennai or Kolkata, followed by a flight to Andaman - Approx. 30-45 hours overall - ₹7,000-15,000 per person return-equivalent
For only three days, fly rather than combine train and air; compare Chennai and Kolkata connections, and keep the return flight from the same gateway to avoid wasting a day.
Book Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) ferries the moment flights are confirmed - Makruzz and Green Ocean Seaways sell out 2-3 weeks ahead in peak season (Oct - Feb). One-way tickets: ₹1,500-2,200.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is issued free on arrival at Port Blair - just carry a passport copy; no advance application needed for Indian nationals.
Internet on the islands is slow and expensive. Download offline maps (Maps.me), Spotify, and OTT content before flying.
Mobile coverage: only BSNL and Airtel work reliably on Havelock and Neil. Jio is spotty. ATMs are limited on Havelock - carry ₹10,000+ cash before crossing.
Day 1: Baratang’s Caves and Mangroves
This is the hardest day physically, so leave before sunrise and carry breakfast. The reward is a change from open beaches to forest roads, brackish water and limestone formations.
Baratang (morning): Reach Baratang from Port Blair by a pre-arranged shared vehicle or tour vehicle, allowing roughly 3-4 hours each way depending on convoy and road conditions; a shared return transfer commonly costs about ₹1,500-2,500 per person. The route changes from settled areas to dense forest and mangrove country. Use the ride for breakfast and water, and avoid relying on spontaneous transport back. The key insider move is to confirm the return departure before leaving Port Blair.
Limestone Cave Baratang (afternoon): From Baratang, take the local boat and short onward transfer arranged through the excursion operator; allow roughly 30-60 minutes each way and about ₹500-1,000 per person when shared. Walk slowly through the cave area, where damp air, rough ground and pale limestone surfaces make footwear important. The sound changes noticeably inside the cave, with water dripping against stone. Carry a torch, but follow the local access route rather than climbing on formations or wandering away from the group.
Rani Jhansi Marine National Park (late afternoon): Visit this marine park as part of the same Baratang-area boat arrangement, usually adding around 30-60 minutes and ₹300-700 per person depending on the shared plan. Keep the focus on the mangrove-lined water, quiet channels and marine views rather than trying to force a long sightseeing stop after the cave. The water often looks tea-brown beside the mangroves, a useful contrast to Andaman’s open blue sea. Return with the operator before daylight fades.
Evening: Keep the evening free for recovery, a shower and an early sleep rather than adding another excursion.
Budget for the day: ₹4,600-8,400 per person
Day 2: White Sand and Reef Water
This is your most beach-focused day, but it is also transfer-heavy. Start early, use a coordinated boat plan, and treat Cellular Jail as a shorter historical stop rather than rushing through every beach hour. Moments like this are what make a Andaman trip worthwhile.
Radhanagar Beach (morning): Reach Radhanagar Beach by pre-booked shared vehicle or island transfer, allowing around 30-60 minutes from nearby accommodation and roughly ₹300-700 per person when shared. Spend the first hour walking the firm shoreline, then settle back from the water for a quiet swim if conditions permit. The sand is broad and pale, while the water shifts colour with the light. Visit early for less heat and a calmer shoreline; bring drinking water because shade is limited in exposed sections.
Elephant Beach (afternoon): Reach Elephant Beach by the organised boat transfer, normally about 20-30 minutes on the water and roughly ₹1,000-2,000 per person return depending on the package. Choose one or two water activities instead of trying everything, then leave time to dry off before the return boat. The shoreline is lively, with bright reef water and boat engines close by. Keep phones in a waterproof pouch and confirm the final boat time before entering the water.
Cellular Jail (evening): Reach Cellular Jail by pre-arranged vehicle or ferry-connected transfer, allowing about 30-60 minutes and ₹300-800 per person when shared. Walk through the wings and courtyards at an unhurried pace, reading the exhibits rather than treating the visit as a quick photo stop. The thick walls and narrow corridors feel noticeably cooler and quieter than the open waterfront. Check the current evening programme locally, because timings can change; return transport should be fixed before the visit.
Evening: After Cellular Jail, return directly to your accommodation unless your boat schedule gives you a genuinely comfortable evening window.
Budget for the day: ₹4,900-9,700 per person
Day 3: Coast, Marine Life and Nightcap
Keep the final day closer to Port Blair so a delayed boat does not threaten your flight. Chidiya Tapu Beach supplies the sunset, while Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park adds a marine-focused stop earlier in the day. This is exactly the kind of day Andaman is known for.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (morning): Reach the park by organised vehicle and boat connection, allowing about 60-90 minutes from Port Blair and roughly ₹800-1,500 per person for shared transport and boat arrangements. Use the visit for calm-water views, coral-area scenery and a slower final marine experience rather than packing in multiple distant stops. The sea can look glassy near the protected channels, but conditions vary. Confirm the day’s boat operation locally, and avoid scheduling this close to your airport departure.
Chidiya Tapu Beach (late afternoon): Reach Chidiya Tapu Beach by shared taxi or pre-booked car, allowing roughly 45-60 minutes from Port Blair and ₹400-800 per person when two travellers share the ride. Arrive before sunset to walk the compact beach area, watch the changing sky and keep binoculars ready for bird activity. The air feels cooler once the sun drops behind the trees, but the return road is dark in places. Arrange the return pickup in advance rather than relying on a passing vehicle.
Nimbu Pani - Pub, Lounge & Club (evening): Return to Port Blair by pre-booked taxi, usually about 45-60 minutes from Chidiya Tapu and ₹400-800 per person when shared, then spend the evening at Nimbu Pani - Pub, Lounge & Club. Keep this as a relaxed final stop for a drink, music and a late snack rather than a long night before travel. The useful detail is timing: go after dinner or order something substantial, and keep your airport transfer and identification safely arranged.
Evening: Keep drinks moderate at Nimbu Pani - Pub, Lounge & Club if you have an early flight the next morning.