From Beaches to Beyond: An Itinerary for Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island

A month since I returned from my Andaman trip and here's the travel blogpost after a lot of doubt about publishing it, coupled with class 1 procrastination. My family planned a 6 day trip to Andaman in late April (we wanted Himachal but resorts were all booked up) to escape Mumbai heat, only to find even more heat there. Our trip was a series of (mis)adventures in the archipelago, enough to become a comic movie, like Bhagam Bhag😂.

Due to hotel and room (un)availability, we had to make a circuit of Neil Island (having to land first at Port Blair)- Port Blair- Havelock, whereas Port Blair-Havelock-Neil is the most preferable and convenient circuit. For government jetties, one has to make bookings a week earlier, which was informed to us only when we landed in Port Blair and was heading towards the jetty. Luckily, the driver's contacts got us last minute jetty tickets to Neil, when we assured we are even ready to stand all the way (Mumbai local feelings, y'all). But we had to empty our pockets for private jetty from Port Blair to Havelock Islands and back, as we couldn't get any tickets for government jetty.

Once at Neil Island, now named Shaheed Dweep, we explored Bharatpur Beach and did Glass Boat and snorkeling there. The water gleamed in aquamarine tint, except for bit of brown at the shore where the boats were fastened. Unfortunately the day we went to snorkeling, the videographer was not there, so I have pretty much forgotten the snorkeling experience and the feeling I felt then as I looked at the marine life (other than panic at start). We also explored Natural Bridge and Sunset Point (Laxmanpur Beach) in the evening. By direction of our driver, we ended up at that part of the beach where the rocks blocked entry into the sea, so we couldn't play in the water. We skipped Sitapur Beach, which is a sunrise point. 

That's me snorkeling. Just look how clean the water is.

Coming back to Port Blair, on the first day there, we reached Carbyn's Cove Beach but due to heat, didn't do any water sports, followed by Samudrika Naval Marine Museum (simply shortened to Samudrika Museum) and Chidiyatapu sunset point (better go to beach than viewpoint). On day 2 at Port Blair, we explored Bose Island (earlier known as Ross Island) where deers greet you at the entrance and the historic ruins of World War II and natural calamities shows you the past. Cellular Jail was the next point, followed by its Light and Sound Show which is so worth it (300Rs per person). Make sure to take a guided tour, for Rs200 a family, though they guide in big groups with multiple families. One has to book advanced online tickets for Light and Sound Show a day or 2 in advance, atleast in non-peak months (Can't say for peak time like December-January). The story of torture our freedom fighters faced in the jail surely enrages you from within. Unfortunately, Anthropological Museum was closed that day. 

Lighthouse at Bose Island

Cellular Jail

Veer Savarkar's room in Cellular Jail

Our last destination, Havelock Island, currently named Swaraj Dweep, the views were surely picturesque and picture-postcard perfect. From strolling on Nemo Beach (or Govindnagar Beach) to playing in Radhanagar Beach, it was surely a great time. The breeze that hits your face and the scenic views as you drive the rental scooty around the island just can't be put in words. Though make sure you reach the beach by 3:30pm or so, as most beaches often close by 5 in the Andaman. Carrying on, for a quaint morning view of the beach, head to Kalapatthar Beach where you can just laid back and gaze at the sea and the horizon, or click pictures. Nemo Beach is known for Scuba Diving, an activity which we skipped (aquaphobia for me, probably) and Elephant Beach for other water sports. But issue was even for 10-15mins of water sports, you have to stay at the beach for 3 hours and 1000Rs to and fro, per person. It didn't sound very appealing to us, hence we skipped that also. 

Radhanagar Beach. 

Kalapatthar Beach

As for pure vegetarians, Shakahari in Neil Island, Vegan Lite/Delight (only for parathas in breakfast) and Rajasthani Dhaba in Havelock Island and Annapurna and Icy Spicy in Port Blair are some options.  There is range for BSNL and Airtel, so if you have any other company SIM card, you may as well get a social media detox (unless your hotel have a good WiFi connectivity) and enjoy the views. If you prefer government jetty to save money, book jetty tickets online a week in advance. If you have a day or 2 extra, go to Limestone Caves in Baratang, which we couldn't due to time crunch and pre-booking at Havelock. Whichever airlines you book to reach there, try to book Indigo for return, as other airlines (esp the one we booked for return journey) often have cancellations and delay. Our flight got cancelled by airlines, so we had to reach Veer Savarkar airport at 6 in the morning to book flights from other airline to reach Mumbai the same day. 

For me, my top spots were Radhanagar Beach, Bharatpur Beach, Cellular Jail and its light and sound show, Kalapatthar Beach and driving around Havelock in rented scooty. Meanwhile, some things that disappointed me were attitude of cab drivers there (one abandoned us in middle of the day to fetch other customers, while one wouldn't provide service again as we did not do their suggested activity for which they get commission), high price for food and jetties. Also many beaches were obstructed with (slippery) rocks at the start, which denied entry into water and playing. That was a bummer. We truly only got to play in water and tides at the Radhanagar Beach, while we could dip our feets near the shore at Nemo, Bharatpur and Carbyn's Cove.

In conclusion, despite the mishaps and unexpected costs, our Andaman trip was an unforgettable comedy of errors with breathtaking views. The island's beauty and historical significance made every misadventure a story worth telling—because what's a vacation without a bit of chaos, right? 

Happy Touring (in not so hot time)!