3 Days in the Andaman Islands: Port Blair and Havelock for First-Time Visitors
Day one is in Port Blair: the ruins of Ross Island, Corbyn's Cove beach and the Cellular Jail, staying on for its evening light and sound show. Day two takes the morning ferry to Havelock, now Swaraj Dweep, for a long afternoon and sunset on Radhanagar Beach. Day three goes by boat to Elephant Beach for snorkelling over the reef, then back to Port Blair on the afternoon ferry.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹6,900 to ₹12,000, excluding flights, hotel and some gate fees
Weather: Warm and humid all year. The south-west monsoon from May to September brings heavy rain and rough seas; November to April is calm and sunny.
Pack:
Light cotton clothes and swimwear
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
Sandals or water shoes
Any seasickness tablets you need for the ferry
Local tips:
Mobile data and ATMs are patchy on Havelock; carry cash.
Do not touch or stand on coral when snorkelling; it is protected and easily killed.
Ross Island and North Bay are closed on Wednesdays; the Cellular Jail museum is closed on Mondays.
Booking tips:
Book private ferries to Havelock as soon as your flights are fixed; morning ferries sell out in season.
Leave a gap of a few hours between your return ferry and your flight out of Port Blair.
Getting there (from other Indian cities):
flight: Flights to Port Blair's Veer Savarkar International Airport from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru and other cities - About 2 hours from Chennai or Kolkata
ship: Passenger ships from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam - About 2.5 to 3 days at sea
Port Blair is now officially Sri Vijaya Puram and Havelock is Swaraj Dweep; tickets and signs may use either name.
Ferries can be cancelled in bad weather; keep a spare day before your flight home if you can.
Day 1: Port Blair: Ross Island, Corbyn's Cove and Cellular Jail
A boat to the ruins of Ross Island, an afternoon at Corbyn's Cove beach, then the Cellular Jail and its evening light and sound show.
Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) (morning): Take a boat from the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex jetty, about 10 minutes across the harbour. Ross Island was the British headquarters of the penal colony; today its church, bakery and officers' houses stand in ruins, wrapped in the roots of giant trees, with deer and peacocks wandering between them. No entry fee; the round-trip boat is reported at about ₹300 to ₹500 Why visit: Colonial ruins taken over by the forest; Tame deer and peacocks among the buildings Know before you go: Closed on Wednesdays; Carry water; there is little shade on parts of the island
Corbyn's Cove (early afternoon): Take an auto about 7 km south of town to Corbyn's Cove, a curved beach backed by coconut palms. It is Port Blair's main town beach, with jet skis and speedboat rides and stalls for coconut water. Free, water sports are extra Why visit: The closest beach to Port Blair; Water sports and coconut palms Know before you go: Swim only in the marked areas
Cellular Jail (late afternoon): Head back to the Cellular Jail, completed by the British in 1906 to hold freedom fighters in solitary cells far from the mainland, a punishment known as Kala Pani. Three of its original wings still stand around the central tower; walk the corridors and climb to the top, then stay for the evening light and sound show in the courtyard. ₹330, ₹30 entry plus ₹300 for the light and sound show, Indian adult Why visit: A national memorial to India's freedom struggle; The light and sound show telling its story Know before you go: The museum is closed on Mondays and government holidays; Shows run in Hindi most evenings and in English at 6:50 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Eat: Lazeez Rooftop Restaurant - A rooftop restaurant in Port Blair for fresh seafood and North Indian dishes.
Evening: After the show, walk to Aberdeen Bazaar for dinner and a look at the shops.
Budget for the day: ₹1,200 to ₹2,100 per person, excluding hotel and some gate fees
Day 2: Ferry to Havelock and Radhanagar Beach
The morning ferry from Port Blair to Havelock, now Swaraj Dweep, then a long afternoon and sunset on Radhanagar Beach.
Radhanagar Beach (afternoon): After the ferry, about 2 hours, check in and take a cab or scooter about 12 km across the island to Radhanagar Beach, also called Beach No. 7. A wide curve of white sand runs between clear water and tall forest, and the sun sets over the sea at its far end. Free Why visit: The Andamans' best-known beach; Sunset over the sea Know before you go: Swim only between the flags; lifeguards close the water in rough seas; Changing rooms and food stalls are near the entrance
Eat: Something Different - A beachside café near the jetty for seafood, pizzas and desserts with sea views.
Evening: Have dinner at one of the beach cafés near the jetty, where most of Havelock's restaurants are.
Budget for the day: ₹2,600 to ₹4,800 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Elephant Beach and the ferry back
A morning boat to Elephant Beach for snorkelling over the coral, then the afternoon ferry back to Port Blair.
Elephant Beach (morning): Take a speedboat from the Havelock jetty, about 20 minutes, to Elephant Beach. A coral reef lies just off the sand, so it is the easiest place on the island to snorkel among reef fish; sea walks and glass-bottom boat rides are also on offer. ₹1,000, round-trip speedboat from the Havelock jetty, per person; snorkelling and sea walks are extra Why visit: Easy snorkelling over a coral reef; A beach reached only by boat or a forest trail Know before you go: Boats leave in the morning only; book at the jetty counter the day before; Water sports stop in rough weather
Eat: Anju Coco Resto - A seafood restaurant near the jetty, handy for lunch before the afternoon ferry.
Evening: Back in Port Blair, have a seafood dinner near Aberdeen Bazaar.
Budget for the day: ₹3,100 to ₹5,000 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Add Neil Island: A night on Neil Island, now Shaheed Dweep, between Havelock and Port Blair: Quiet beaches, the natural rock bridge and easy snorkelling. (Trade-off: Adds a day and another ferry. - Costs more)
Go diving at Havelock: A try dive or open water course with a Havelock dive centre: Havelock's reefs are among the best places in India to learn to dive. (Trade-off: A try dive takes half a day; courses take three to four days. - Costs more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Andaman?
A 3-day Andaman itinerary like this one works well for Couples and honeymooners, Beach and snorkelling lovers, History buffs. It's not the best fit if You are visiting from May to September, when monsoon seas can cancel ferries and water sports or You want nightlife or shopping.
How much does a 3-day Andaman trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹6,900 to ₹12,000 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Andaman itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Andaman?
The best time to visit Andaman is November to April.
How do I reach Andaman from other Indian cities?
Common options are flight (About 2 hours from Chennai or Kolkata), ship (About 2.5 to 3 days at sea). Port Blair is now officially Sri Vijaya Puram and Havelock is Swaraj Dweep; tickets and signs may use either name.
What are the must-see places in Andaman in 3 days?
Day 1: Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep), Corbyn's Cove and Cellular Jail. Day 2: Radhanagar Beach. Day 3: Elephant Beach.
Which Andaman attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Corbyn's Cove and Radhanagar Beach are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Andaman?
Cellular Jail: ₹330; Elephant Beach: ₹1,000. Prices are for Indian adult visitors; check the official site before you go.
Do Indians need a permit to visit Port Blair and Havelock?
No permit is needed for Indian citizens to visit Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) or Neil (Shaheed Dweep). Some tribal reserves and restricted islands are off limits to everyone.
How do you get from Port Blair to Havelock?
Private ferries run several times a day and take about 2 hours; one-way fares are about ₹1,300 to ₹2,300 depending on the boat and class. Government ferries are cheaper but slower and harder to book.