Andaman & Nicobar Islands 7-Day Itinerary: Ferry Schedule 2025

Most travel blogs paste outdated ferry schedules and assume Indian travelers will wing it once they land in Port Blair. The truth: ferry routes between Andaman islands change seasonally, inter-island permits require advance planning, and peak-season bookings fill weeks ahead. This guide maps real 2025 schedules, connectivity costs, and permit requirements so you build an itinerary that actually runs without delays.

1. Understanding Andaman's Ferry Network & Seasonal Reality

Andaman & Nicobar Islands operate three main ferry corridors: Port Blair to Havelock, Havelock to Neil, and Port Blair to Diglipur (north Andaman). Each follows a seasonal timetable dictated by monsoons and sea conditions. Ferries stop entirely June–September, cutting your planning window to October–May for guaranteed island-hopping.

The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and private operators run these routes. SCI ferries are slower (3–4 hours Port Blair–Havelock) but cheaper. Private services (Makruzz, Green Ocean) cut time to 90 minutes but charge 2–3× the fare. Neither runs daily year-round.

Book SCI ferries at Port Blair's ferry terminal 2–3 days ahead. Private ferries: book online (Makruzz.com, GreenOceanAdventures.in) or hotel concierge on arrival. Peak months (Dec–Jan, Feb–Mar) sell out. Use the Free AI itinerary generator to lock ferry slots based on live 2025 availability.

Expect delays. Monsoon swells, mechanical breakdowns, and port congestion mean ferries run 1–3 hours late routinely. Never plan onward flights within 24 hours of a ferry arrival.

2. The 7-Day Itinerary: Three Islands, Realistic Timing

A workable 7-day loop covers Port Blair (base, 2 days), Havelock (2.5 days), Neil (1.5 days), and back to Port Blair (1 day buffer). This rhythm absorbs ferry delays and lets you actually snorkel, not just tick boxes.

Days 1–2: Port Blair (Cellular Jail, Corbyn's Cove, local ferries)

Arrive Port Blair (flights from Delhi 4.5 hrs, Mumbai 3.5 hrs, Bangalore 3 hrs). Day 1: collect ferry bookings, check permit status, visit Cellular Jail (8am–noon, ₹30). Lunch at Anokhi, dinner at New Lighthouse. Day 2: Corbyn's Cove beach (₹20 entry, 45min walk or ₹50 auto), underwater viewing chamber at Aquarium Jetty (₹200), grocery run for island essentials (pharmacies close early).

Day 3: Port Blair → Havelock (morning ferry)

5:30am departure (SCI) or 7am (Makruzz). Ferry docks Havelock 9am (SCI) or 8:30am (Makruzz). Check into hotel (Elephant Beach Resort, ₹3,500–5,000/night; SeaShell Havelock, ₹2,000–3,500). Afternoon: Radhanagar Beach (30min walk or ₹200 auto), sunset at Kalapathar. Dinner at Alchemy.

Days 4–5: Havelock (snorkeling, water sports, Kala Pathar)

Day 4: early boat snorkel to Barren Island or Elephant Beach with operator (₹1,500–2,000/person, breakfast included). Afternoon: soft corals and green turtles. Day 5: Kala Pathar rock formations at sunrise (₹150 entry, 2km trek), breakfast at Taste of India, siesta, afternoon scuba or freediving certification if interested (₹5,000–8,000 for basic course).

Days 6–7: Havelock → Neil → Port Blair

Day 6: 10am local ferry Havelock–Neil (₹200 SCI). Neil Island is quiet—Sitapur Beach for sundown, Ramnagar Beach for snorkeling (₹200 operator boat, 1 hour). Stay at Tango Guest House (₹1,800–2,500). Day 7: 2pm ferry Neil–Port Blair (₹250 SCI), arrive 5pm, buffer evening for delays, flights next morning.

Cost breakdown for one person (double occupancy, budget-mid):

• Flights (Delhi–Port Blair–Delhi): ₹18,000–25,000
• 6 nights accommodation: ₹14,000–20,000
• Ferries (4 trips): ₹2,000–4,000
• Meals & snacks: ₹8,000–12,000
• Activities (snorkel, permits, entry fees): ₹5,000–8,000
• Total: ₹47,000–69,000 (₹6,700–10,000/day)

3. Permits: Who Needs Them & How Long They Take

Non-Indian citizens require an Andaman Restricted Area Permit (RAP) before arrival. Indians do not. Nicobar Islands (Kamorta, Great Nicobar) are off-limits to all civilians—no permits issued. Confirm this with your co-travelers if anyone is a foreign national.

If your group includes a foreigner:

• Apply online at andaman.gov.in 2–3 weeks before travel, or at Port Blair airport on arrival (process takes 2–4 hours, ₹0).
• Provide passport copy, flight details, hotel names.
• Permit valid 30 days, covers Andaman islands only (not Nicobar).
• Foreigner must stay registered hotel (most are). Homestays not permitted.

Indians can island-hop freely. Your Aadhaar or PAN acts as ID. Carry it plus a copy—cops at Radhanagar and Kala Pathar occasionally check Indian tourists' documents (rare, but happens during peak season).

Use the Visa wizard for Indians to cross-check permit requirements if your itinerary includes travel onward to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam) after Andaman.

4. Booking Ferries: Real 2025 Timings & Strategies

SCI runs ferries Mon–Sat, rarely Sun. Private operators run 5–6 days/week (skip 1–2 days for maintenance). There is no daily ferry to every island. Missing your scheduled ferry means rebooking 3–5 days later or flying back (₹4,000–6,000 premium).

SCI Ferry Timings (Port Blair ↔ Havelock, Typical Oct–May 2025):

• Depart Port Blair: 5:30am (Tue, Thu, Sat); 7am (Mon, Wed, Fri)
• Arrive Havelock: 9am–9:30am
• Return Havelock: 1:30pm, 2pm
• Arrive Port Blair: 6pm–6:30pm

Private Ferry (Makruzz) – Peak Season (Dec–Mar):

• Port Blair–Havelock: 7am, 1:30pm departures (90 min, ₹1,300)
• Havelock–Port Blair: 8am, 2:30pm departures

Havelock–Neil (SCI):

• Havelock to Neil: 8am (Tue, Thu, Sat), 12pm (Mon, Wed, Fri)
• Neil to Havelock: 7am (Mon, Wed, Fri), 1pm (Tue, Thu, Sat)
• Journey: 45–90 min depending on sea state

Booking steps:

1. Check schedules at shipindia.com (SCI) or operator websites 4–6 weeks ahead.
2. Book SCI ferries at Port Blair terminal (arrive 6am for 7am ferry). Bring Aadhaar, passport, hotel address.
3. For private ferries, book online 2–3 weeks ahead, confirm 48 hours before.
4. Reconfirm with hotel concierge 24 hours prior—cancellations happen.

Bad weather cancellations (June–Sep, post-cyclone) mean ferries pause overnight or reroute. Keep ₹5,000–10,000 buffer for unplanned extra nights if you're flying out on a tight schedule.

Use the Trip reality check tool to sense-check your ferry windows—if you land on Tuesday and need a Friday ferry, that's only 3 days buffer; if cyclone season looms, re-plan.

5. Island-by-Island: What to Do & Where to Stay

Havelock Island (2.5 days): Premier beach destination, best coral reefs, widest range of restaurants and water sports. Radhanagar Beach (₹free, 7km beach) ranks among India's best. Snorkeling boats depart 7am daily (₹1,500–2,000). Stay: Elephant Beach Resort (₹4,500/night, pool, sea-facing), SeaShell Havelock (₹2,500/night, budget, breakfast included), Taj Exotica (₹15,000+/night, luxury, if budget allows).

Neil Island (1.5 days): Quieter, cheaper, fewer tourists. Sitapur Beach (₹free) has dramatic sunset cliffs. Ramnagar Beach snorkeling (₹200 boat ride). Walk between beaches is 5–7km; hire a scooter or cycles (₹200–400/day). Stay: Tango Guest House (₹2,000/night, local family-run, no frills), Pearl Park Resort (₹3,500/night, decent mid-range). Eat at island eateries (₹150–300 per meal); no fine dining.

Diglipur / North Andaman (1–2 days, optional): Long ferry ride (2.5–3.5 hrs), fewer tourists, limestone caves, tribal history. Only for travelers with spare 2–3 days. Ferry runs Tue, Fri, Sun (check 2025 schedule). Stay: Andaman Sarovar Portico (₹4,000/night), or homestays (₹1,000–1,500). Anopheles Lake trek, Ross & Smith Island visit. Use if you want to skip crowds; skip if time is tight.

Port Blair (2 days total): Cellular Jail museum (8am–noon, ₹30, 2 hrs), national memorial. Corbyn's Cove beach. Chiriya Tapu, Chidiya Tapu for migratory birds (Dec–Feb). Water sports (jet ski ₹2,500, parasailing ₹1,500). Stay centrally: Hotel Megapolis (₹2,500/night, good value), Sea Princess (₹4,000/night, sea-facing), Ajit Nivas (₹1,500/night, basic but clean).

6. Food, Costs & Insider Hacks

Food on Havelock & Neil is 30–50% pricier than Port Blair (supply chain via ferry). A thali lunch costs ₹250 Port Blair, ₹400 Havelock. Seafood is excellent but pricey: crab curry ₹800–1,200, fish fry ₹600–900.

Havelock eating strategy:

• Breakfast: hotel buffet (₹250–400) or street dosa (₹50–80)
• Lunch: local fish shacks or Alchemy (₹500–700)
• Dinner: mid-range—Anokhi, Alchemy, Prem Nivas (₹600–900/plate)
• Alcohol: beer ₹120–180/bottle in shops, ₹300+ in bars

Stock up: carry fruits, snacks, bottled water from Port Blair. Shops on Havelock close 7pm. Pharmacies limited; buy any meds in Port Blair first.

Money tips:

• ATMs work on Havelock & Port Blair; Neil has one ATM (backup cash advised).
• Card payments unreliable; carry ₹20,000–30,000 cash.
• Use the Forex & bargain check tool to confirm INR-USD rates before exchanging money (no forex bureaus on islands).
• Tipping: 5–10% at restaurants, ₹50–100 for boat guides.

Insider hacks:

• Book ferries 3+ weeks ahead if traveling Dec 20–Jan 15 or Feb 10–Mar 10.
• Stay 2+ nights per island to absorb ferry delays without panic.
• Hire a scooter (₹300–400/day) on Havelock for beach-hopping; cheaper than autos.
• Snorkeling gear (₹2,500–3,500 to buy) vs. rent (₹300–500/day)—buy if you're staying 3+ days.
• Sunrise at Kala Pathar (Havelock) at 6am beats sunset crowds; do it on Day 4.

7. What to Pack & Practical Rules

Pack light: ferries have no baggage scale, but cabins are compact. Bring:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+, ₹400–600; unavailable on islands)
• Quick-dry clothing, flip-flops, water shoes (rocks are sharp)
• Underwater camera or GoPro (₹15,000–40,000 or rent ₹500/day)
• Medications (pharmacies close 6pm, no 24-hour chemists)
• Motion-sickness tablets (Avomine ₹50/strip, buy before ferry)

Rules to obey:

• No plastic bags allowed on islands (heavy fines ₹5,000+; enforcement increased post-2023)
• No collection of shells, corals, or starfish (protected wildlife)
• No photography at Cellular Jail without permission (ask guards)
• No swimming alone in night (stonefish, sea urchins—rare but real)
• Respect tribal areas; no trespassing in Jarawa / Great Andamanese reserve zones

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book ferries for Andaman?

Book SCI ferries 2–3 weeks for off-season travel (Oct, Apr, May) and 4–6 weeks for peak (Dec–Mar). Private ferries fill 2–3 weeks ahead. Late bookings (within 7 days) risk slots sold out; you'd then have a 5–7 day gap waiting for the next available ferry—plan accordingly if you have fixed flight dates.

What is the difference between SCI and private ferries, and which should I choose?

SCI ferries are slower (3–4 hours Port Blair–Havelock), cost ₹350–500, and run fewer days per week but are reliable and subsidized. Private ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean) take 90 minutes, cost ₹1,200–1,500, and run 5–6 days/week but sometimes cancel for weather. For budget travelers, SCI is standard; for comfort and flexibility, private ferries justify the cost if your itinerary is tight.

Can I travel to Nicobar Islands as an Indian citizen?

No. Nicobar Islands (Great Nicobar, Kamorta, etc.) are designated tribal reserves and military zones. No civilian permits issued—Indian or foreign. Andaman mainland and smaller islands like Havelock, Neil, Diglipur are open. If your travel goal is Nicobar, rethink to Andaman or Lakshadweep instead.

What happens if my ferry is cancelled due to bad weather?

SCI and private operators refund or rebook you on the next available ferry (3–7 days later). You bear extra hotel costs. Stay-on-island costs (food, hotel) will add ₹2,000–4,000 per night. Avoid booking onward flights within 24 hours of a ferry arrival during monsoon-adjacent months (May–June, Aug–Oct).

Is a 7-day itinerary enough to see Andaman comfortably, or do I need longer?

Seven days covers 3 islands (Port Blair, Havelock, Neil) without rushing. If you add snorkeling courses, long treks, or Diglipur, extend to 9–10 days. Shorter trips (4–5 days) risk missing ferries or skipping islands entirely. Longer trips (10+ days) let you revisit favorite beaches and relax without ferry-anxiety—ideal for slow travelers or families with kids.

Plan Your Andaman Trip Now

A 7-day Andaman itinerary works only if ferries, permits, and accommodation align. Real scheduling—not Instagram spots—separates smooth trips from ferry-chasing chaos. Lock your dates, book ferries 4 weeks ahead, and use your actual travel dates to cross-check tide tables and monsoon forecasts (SCI publishes these).

Build your custom Andaman itinerary with real 2025 ferry timings and permit checks. Generate your free AI itinerary →