The Andaman Islands are the closest thing India has to the Maldives: turquoise water, powder-white beaches, coral reefs a few metres from the shore and rainforest running down to the sand. For families and couples from Surat and across Gujarat they have one big advantage over an overseas beach holiday — no passport, no visa and no foreign exchange, just a domestic flight and a ferry.
This guide covers how to reach Port Blair, which islands to choose, the best months, snorkelling and diving, food, money and a realistic itinerary. Ferry timetables and fares change every season, so confirm them close to your dates.
Why choose the Andamans for a beach holiday?
The beaches are the reason most people come, and they live up to the photographs. Radhanagar Beach on Havelock, officially Swaraj Dweep, is a long curve of white sand backed by tall forest and is regularly ranked among the best beaches in Asia. The water around Havelock and Neil, now Shaheed Dweep, is clear enough to see fish from the jetty, and the reefs are in better health than many in South-East Asia.
There is also history. Port Blair, renamed Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024, was the site of the Cellular Jail, where the British imprisoned hundreds of freedom fighters. The evening light-and-sound show there is one of the most moving things you can see in India, and it gives a trip that is mostly about beaches some real depth.
How do you get to the Andamans from Gujarat?
All flights land at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. From Surat or Ahmedabad you will usually connect through Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru; the total journey is typically six to nine hours with one stop. Morning arrivals are best, because the last ferries to Havelock leave early in the afternoon. Our tips on booking domestic and international flights cheaply apply here too: Andaman fares rise sharply around Diwali, Christmas and New Year.
Between islands you travel by sea. Private catamarans run Port Blair to Havelock in about two hours and Havelock to Neil in about an hour, with government ferries as a slower and cheaper alternative. Book the private boats as soon as your flights are fixed, keep a few hours of buffer between a ferry and your flight home, and note that sailings can be cancelled in rough weather.
Which islands should you visit?
Most first trips combine three places. Port Blair is the gateway, with the Cellular Jail, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep (formerly Ross Island) with its ruined colonial buildings, and an easy day out to Baratang's limestone caves and mud volcanoes. Havelock is the beach and dive centre: Radhanagar for sunsets, Elephant Beach for snorkelling and the widest choice of hotels. Neil is smaller and quieter, with the natural rock bridge at low tide, Bharatpur Beach for shallow snorkelling and a slower pace that suits older parents.
On the road to Baratang the route passes through a protected tribal reserve, where vehicles travel in convoy. Stopping, feeding or photographing the Jarawa people is strictly prohibited and is a criminal offence; good drivers and guides will remind you, and the rule deserves respect.
When is the best time to visit?
October to May is the season. November to February brings calm seas, cooler evenings and the best visibility underwater, which is why it is also the busiest and priciest time. March to May is hotter but still good for the sea. The south-west monsoon arrives around late May or June and lasts until September: heavy rain, rough water, cancelled ferries and closed water sports. If your dates fall then, our guide to monsoon getaways from Gujarat suggests better choices.
Snorkelling and scuba diving: what should beginners know?
You do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the reefs. Elephant Beach and Bharatpur Beach have shallow snorkelling where life jackets are provided, and glass-bottom boats suit anyone who prefers to stay dry. Havelock is one of India's main centres for scuba diving: a try dive with an instructor needs no certificate, and the four-day open-water course is a popular reason to stay longer. Choose a PADI or SSI-certified dive centre, tell the instructor about any medical conditions, and avoid flying within 24 hours of a dive.
Look but do not touch: standing on or breaking coral is prohibited, and so is taking coral or shells home. Use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash guard instead of heavy lotion.
Food, money and practical tips
Seafood is the local speciality, but vegetarian and Jain travellers eat well. Port Blair has many pure-vegetarian and North Indian restaurants, and hotels on Havelock and Neil will cook to request if told in advance. Card payments work in most hotels and larger restaurants, but carry cash for ferries, autos and small shops, because ATMs on the smaller islands can run dry. Mobile data is slower than on the mainland; download tickets and maps before you sail.
Pack light cotton clothes, sandals, a hat, insect repellent and a small dry bag for boat trips. A travel insurance policy is worth buying even for a domestic trip if you plan to dive.
How many days do you need?
Six to seven nights is the comfortable minimum. A sample plan: two nights in Port Blair for the Cellular Jail and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, three nights on Havelock for Radhanagar, Elephant Beach and a dive, and two nights on Neil before sailing back for your flight. With fewer days, skip Baratang and keep Neil to a day trip; with more, add a dive course or a second night on Neil.
If you are deciding between island holidays, our Lakshadweep travel guide covers India's other archipelago, and our Maldives honeymoon guide compares the overseas option.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a permit for the Andaman Islands?
No. Indian citizens do not need a permit for Port Blair, Havelock, Neil or the main tourist areas. Carry a government photo ID. Tribal reserves and some outer islands are off limits to everyone.
Is the Andamans good for a family with children or elderly parents?
Yes. Distances are short, hotels are family-friendly and the beaches on Neil and Havelock have calm, shallow water in season. Keep ferry days light and choose hotels close to the jetty for older travellers.
Is the Andamans good for a honeymoon?
Very. Radhanagar sunsets, beach resorts on Havelock and quieter evenings on Neil make it one of India's best honeymoon destinations, and it costs less than most overseas islands.
Explera Vacations plans complete Andaman holidays from Surat: flights, ferry tickets, hotels on each island, transfers and dive bookings. Tell us your dates through our contact page, or browse our tour packages from Surat for ready-made itineraries.
