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By Andaman Discover | Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
If you're reading this, the decision is already made you're going to Andaman. What's left is the harder part: picking an operator you can actually trust with your money, your dates, and your holiday. We've run tours out of Port Blair long enough to see both sides of this travelers who got burned by a cheap package, and travelers who had a smooth, well-planned trip because they knew what to check before paying a rupee. This guide walks you through exactly that. If you'd rather skip the research and just get a quote, you can head straight to Andaman Discover and share your travel dates.
What's Actually Inside a Real Andaman Package (And What Gets Quietly Left Out)
A lot of the packages advertised online are stripped-down versions dressed up with an attractive headline price. The real cost shows up after you've paid the advance. A genuine, complete Andaman package should include: Airport pickup and drop Hotel stay with daily breakfast Every inter-island ferry leg — Port Blair to Havelock, Havelock to Neil, and back to Port Blair Sightseeing at Cellular Jail, Ross Island, North Bay, Radhanagar Beach, and Baratang Permits for islands that require prior clearance A local contact you can actually call while you're there
What usually gets excluded, even when it's not obvious from the listing: water sports, scuba diving, lunches and dinners, night transfers, and anything outside the core itinerary. Before you pay anything, ask for an itemized cost breakdown not just a headline number.
The Three Islands Your Itinerary Needs
Port Blair is where you land, and most people rush through it as a formality. Don't. Cellular Jail alone is worth a half-day visit, and the evening light-and-sound show is reason enough to stay an extra night here.
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) is the heart of any Andaman trip. Radhanagar Beach has been ranked among Asia's best beaches, and the water really is as blue in person as it looks in photos. Elephant Beach is the hub for water sports, and if scuba diving is on your list for the first time, this is where to do it.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) moves slower and gets skipped far too often on short trips. It shouldn't be. Watching sunset at Laxmanpur Beach is the kind of moment that outlasts the rest of the trip in memory.
How Many Days Do You Actually Need
5 nights / 6 days is the minimum to cover all three islands without feeling rushed. Here is a straightforward split:
- Day 1: Arrive Port Blair, Cellular Jail evening show
- Day 2: Ross Island, North Bay, ferry to Havelock
- Day 3: Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach water sports
- Day 4: Ferry to Neil Island, Laxmanpur Beach
- Day 5: Neil Island exploration, ferry back to Port Blair
- Day 6: Baratang Limestone Caves or departure
7 nights / 8 days gives you proper breathing room and lets you add Baratang, North Andaman, or simply spend more time on Havelock without feeling like you are chasing a schedule.
Planning a honeymoon? budget at least 6 nights. You will not want to leave Havelock after one day.
Ferry Bookings: The One Thing That Can Wreck Your Trip
Inter-island ferries in Andaman run on fixed schedules, and seats disappear weeks ahead — especially between October and March. Skip pre-booking your ferries, and your whole itinerary can unravel in a single day.
Stick to the premium operators Makruzz and Nautika — where possible. They cover the same route in 2–3 hours versus roughly 6 hours on the government ferry, and they're air-conditioned and far more comfortable. Expect fares from around Rs 1,400–1,500 per person, one way.
When you book through us, every ferry leg is pre-confirmed before you even land in Port Blair. No standing in line, no last-minute calls hoping for a seat.
Budget: What Does an Andaman Package Actually Cost in 2026
For a couple, for 5 nights:
| Category | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget (3-star, shared transfers) | Rs 28,000 to Rs 35,000 |
| Mid-range (3 to 4 star, private transfers) | Rs 42,000 to Rs 58,000 |
| Premium (4 to 5 star, luxury ferries, private) | Rs 70,000 to Rs 1,10,000 |
These figures are per couple and cover everything listed earlier. Water sports, scuba, and meals beyond breakfast are typically extra, regardless of which tier you choose.
The rock-bottom prices you see on aggregator sites usually sit at the lower end of the budget tier but without private transfers or guaranteed ferry seats. In practice, that means shared vehicles, ferry waitlists, and a call center in another city if anything goes sideways.
How to Vet an Andaman Tour Operator
Local presence matters more than anything else.An operator based in Port Blair can fix a missed ferry, change a hotel, or send someone to the airport at 5 AM. An aggregator in Mumbai or Delhi cannot.
Ask these questions before you book:
- Where is your office physically located?
- Who is my point of contact once I land in Andaman?
- Are the ferry tickets already confirmed or subject to availability?
- What happens if my flight is delayed and I miss the ferry?
- Can I see the hotel names and check them on Booking or TripAdvisor before paying?
If an operator dodges any of these, that's your answer.
Why October–March Books Out Fast
Andaman's tourist season runs October through March calm seas, strong diving and snorkeling visibility, and pleasant weather throughout.
December and January are peak-of-peak. Christmas and New Year packages are typically sold out by September, so if you're planning a December trip and reading this in November, availability is already tight.
The shoulder months October, November, and March are the sweet spot: the same clear water and good weather, thinner crowds, and generally better pricing.
Why Travelers Choose Andaman Discover
We're based in Dollygunj, Port Blair, with a team on the ground year-round. Call the number on your booking, and someone in Andaman actually picks up. We handle the groundwork before you even land ferry pre-booking, hotel confirmation, airport pickup, activity scheduling so by the time you step off the plane, there's nothing left to figure out. Every package we build is custom. Tell us your dates, group size, and budget, and we build the itinerary around that not a template that fits everyone loosely and no one perfectly. We work with families, honeymooners, solo travelers, and corporate groups, and the plan looks different for each.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.How many days do I need for a first-time Andaman trip?
5 nights / 6 days is enough to cover Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island comfortably. If you want a more relaxed pace or plan to add Baratang or North Andaman, go with 7 nights / 8 days.
2.Do I need to book inter-island ferries in advance, or can I do it after I land?
Book in advance, especially for travel between October and March. Ferry seats sell out weeks ahead in peak season, and without a confirmed seat, the rest of your itinerary can fall apart. Most complete packages, including ours, pre-confirm all ferry legs before you land.
3.What's the best time of year to visit Andaman?
October to March is the main season, with calm seas and clear water for diving and snorkeling. December–January is peak season and books out early. October, November, and March offer similar weather with fewer crowds and slightly better rates.
4.How much should a 5-night Andaman package cost for a couple?
Budget packages run roughly Rs 28,000–35,000, mid-range Rs 42,000–58,000, and premium packages Rs 70,000–1,10,000, per couple. Water sports, scuba, and meals beyond breakfast are usually extra across all tiers.
5.Can I skip Neil Island and just visit Port Blair and Havelock?
You can, but we'd recommend against it. Neil Island is quieter and less crowded than Havelock, and Laxmanpur Beach at sunset is consistently one of the most memorable parts of an Andaman trip. If your schedule is tight, even one night on Neil is worth fitting in.
Andaman Discover Opp. Unique Hotel, Dollygunj, Port Blair 9476014422 | contact@andamandiscover.com
