Island Hopping in Andaman: Complete Guide to your Andaman Vacation

The Indian subcontinent is blessed with diversity, not only amongst the people and their religion and culture but also with the kinds of places. If you are someone who is seeking pristine beaches, sunshine gleaming over the white sand and coconut trees, and admirable nature beauty, then Andaman is where you should be.

Andaman and Nicobar islands are a cluster of 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal that houses a plethora of gigantic forests and is well-renowned for its coral reefs. The exquisite marine life along with the lush green forests takes you back to the Jurassic era. Even though the Andaman and Nicobar islands are a part of the Indian Subcontinent, it is closer to Thailand than it is to India.

Despite a large number of island cluster in the Andaman and Nicobar, there are several islands which aren’t safe to travel/isn’t conducive for tourism/uninhabited. Out of the 572 islands, only around 38 islands are inhabited and only a few of them are in reachable vicinity from Andaman. Nicobar island is completely prohibited for tourists or any outsiders for that matter, as it is solely protected for the Nicobar locals.

While on India to Andaman tour packages, the best way to explore Andaman is by not only visiting the attractions that are present on the main island but to hop islands that are closer to Andaman and which are safe for travelers as well.

Andaman and Nicobar islands — Image credits: Wikimedia

How to reach Andaman and the other islands

You can reach the Andaman islands by taking a flight that lands at Port Blair, the capital and airport city of Andaman. It is also considered the central spot for tourists as all major points of attraction are either closeby or easily accessible from Port Blair.

To hop to the other islands of Andaman, you can hire a boat/ferry that starts from Port Blair to several prominent islands like Neil Island, Long Island, etc. The ferry ride starts generally quite early in the morning so that you can explore to your heart’s content before the sun starts blazing down in the afternoon.

Best Islands to visit

1. Port Blair

The capital and airport city of Andaman, Port Blair serves as the primary entry point and also the most favored and visited place in Andaman. It houses the historically significant Cellular jail, along with prominent spots like the Chatham Islands, Rajiv Gandhi sports complex, etc.

2. Neil Island

Neil Island is an unspoiled island that retains its charm and the natural flair, but at the same time is a safe and conducive island for the tourists. It is relatively away from the tourists’ eyes and hence is a quieter place to relax and unwind. The Neil Island can be reached from Port Blair through a ferry ride, that takes around 2 hours.

Explore the island’s pristine and calm beaches like Sitapur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach, and Ramnagar Beach which offers a pleasant view and a comfortable no-nonsense getaway.

3. Havelock Island

Havelock Island is one of the most prominent and most visited islands in Andaman. It is very famous amidst the tourists and has a lot of attractions to offer. It is a short ferry ride away from Port Blair.

Apart from the classical Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and Kala Pathar Beach, you also have a plethora of water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, etc. in Havelock Island. Although you will have to keep in mind that the water activities are weather dependant and if not for conducive weather, you can always find several other things to do.

4. Long Island

Long Island is as remote as n Island can get, and it is totally away from the tourists’ radar. There are barely countable tourists there on an everyday basis, and you will have to walk through narrow lanes and forest paths to navigate within the island. It is generally a 4-5 hour ferry ride from Port Blair. Choose to visit the island if you are very comfortable with remote islands and want to spend some time away from the crowd.

5. Little Andaman

If remote islands embedded with thundering waterfalls, pristine beaches, and blue lagoons are what excites you, then Little Andaman should definitely be in your itinerary. This island is quite massive. Although it is not highly developed in terms of tourism, there are still a lot of people residing on this island and you also have few ATMs across the island. This island is also quite renowned for surfing.

If you are opting for a paradise vacation in the Indian subcontinent, then the Andaman Islands should top your travel list. With a wide variety of islands located in a closer vicinity, it is easier to hop across islands and experience unique things that every island has to offer. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and hop your way to the islands in your long-awaited Andaman tour!

If you are opting for a paradise vacation to the Andaman Islands, it should top your travel list. With a wide variety of islands located in a closer vicinity, it is easier to hop across islands and experience unique things that every island has to offer. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and hop your way to the islands in your long-awaited Andaman Honeymoon package with Pickyourtrail!