Take an early morning flight from Chennai Airport to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair — the air time is roughly 2.5 hours, but with airport transfers, security, and baggage claim, you should treat it as a half-day move. In Chennai, leave with plenty of buffer if you’re coming from central areas like T. Nagar, Nungambakkam, or Anna Nagar; a pre-booked cab is worth it because early departures can be chaotic. On arrival, grab a cab right outside the terminal or use a hotel pickup if you’ve arranged one in advance, since local taxis can get busy when a few flights land together. Expect airport-to-town to take about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
After checking in and freshening up, head to Corbyn’s Cove Beach for a gentle reset. It’s one of the easiest first stops in Port Blair because it’s close to town and doesn’t demand much energy after travel. Go for a slow walk, sit by the shaded edges, and let the island pace kick in — the beach is best for a late-morning visit, around an hour. You’ll find snack stalls and basic refreshments nearby, but keep expectations simple; this is more about the sea breeze and the view than a big beach-day scene.
Spend the afternoon at Cellular Jail National Memorial in Dollygunj, the one place on the island that really grounds the trip in history. Give yourself about 2 hours here so you can move through the museum galleries without rushing and still absorb the emotional weight of the site. The entry fee is modest, usually in the low hundreds of rupees, and the complex is easiest to reach by cab from Corbyn’s Cove or central Port Blair in about 10–20 minutes. If the light-and-sound show is running at a time that fits your schedule, it’s absolutely worth planning around; check the same-day timing on arrival because slots can shift by season and demand.
For dinner, go to Radhanagar Restaurant at Hotel SeaShell on Marine Hill. It’s a dependable first-night choice: polished but not fussy, with good seafood, Indian staples, and enough variety that everyone can find something they like. Budget around ₹800–1,500 per person, depending on whether you lean into fish, prawns, or a more basic meal, and allow about 1.5 hours so dinner doesn’t feel rushed. From Cellular Jail, a cab ride is straightforward and usually takes 10–15 minutes, though evening traffic around the waterfront can slow things a little.
Finish with a relaxed walk along Flag Point / Aberdeen waterfront walk in Aberdeen to end the day on a soft note. This is the kind of place locals use for an easy promenade after sunset, not a big “activity,” so keep it unhurried and give it 30–45 minutes. If you still have energy, the surrounding Aberdeen streets are a good place to pick up water, snacks, or anything you forgot before turning in. Tomorrow gets more island-like, so use this first night to settle in early and rest.
Take the earliest practical ferry transfer to Havelock Island from Port Blair Jetty so you land with enough daylight for the beach. If you’re on Makruzz, Nautika, or Green Ocean, expect roughly 1.5–2.5 hours on the water, plus time for boarding and luggage handling, so it’s smart to be at the jetty well before departure. Keep your ID handy, pack a light layer for the AC cabin, and sit near the front if you get seasick; the sea is usually manageable, but a bumpy patch can happen. Once you reach Havelock Jetty, taxis and pre-booked hotel pickups are the easiest way to move around, and most stays on the island are happy to coordinate arrivals.
After check-in and a quick freshen-up, head straight to Radhanagar Beach on Beach No. 7. This is the signature Havelock experience: a wide, clean sweep of sand, calm water, and enough space to actually breathe, even in season. Aim to spend 2–3 hours here rather than rushing through it. Swim when the sea is gentle, then walk the shoreline toward the quieter edges where the beach feels almost private. There are basic changing facilities and a few snack stalls nearby, but it’s better to go light and carry water, sunscreen, and cash for small purchases.
For a relaxed lunch, stop at Barefoot at Radhanagar, right by the beach zone. It’s one of the easiest places to settle in without losing the island mood, and the menu usually leans toward fresh seafood, salads, grilled plates, and simple Indian options. Expect to spend about ₹700–1,200 per person depending on what you order. Service can be unhurried, so this works best as part of the day rather than a quick pit stop. If you’re eating after the beach, it’s a good time to recharge, sit in the shade, and let the afternoon heat pass a little before the next outing.
In the afternoon, head for Elephant Beach snorkel point in the northwest part of Havelock. This is the day’s active slot, so keep it to 2–3 hours including the boat/transfer time and the actual water time. Conditions and access can vary, so go with a local operator or your hotel’s recommended guide for the smoothest setup; you’ll usually want to book snorkel gear in advance or confirm it at the beach counter. Expect shallow coral patches, fish life, and that classic Andaman blue-green water. If you’re not snorkeling, even the boat ride and shoreline time make it worth it. Bring a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, and enough time to get back before dusk.
For dinner, make your way to Full Moon Café in Govind Nagar, a reliable, easygoing choice for a proper island meal. It’s a nice reset after a salty afternoon, with fresh seafood, wood-fired pizzas, and a menu that works well for mixed groups. Budget around ₹700–1,400 per person, and it’s especially pleasant if you arrive a little before the dinner rush so you can linger without feeling crowded. Afterward, take a slow Vijay Nagar Beach sunset walk—it’s quieter than Radhanagar, less dramatic but more peaceful, and perfect for ending the day without an agenda. The sand is broad, the light soft, and the whole stretch feels like the island exhaling.
If you want the last part of the evening to stay flexible, keep your return to the stay easy and early so you’re rested for the next island move. Most places around Vijay Nagar, Govind Nagar, and the jetty area can arrange a short taxi or scooter ride back, and it’s worth confirming your next-day ferry plan before you turn in.
Take the morning ferry transfer from Havelock Island to Neil Island and aim for the earliest sailing you can reasonably make after breakfast. The crossing is usually about 1 to 1.5 hours, but with boarding, baggage handling, and the short scramble from the jetty to your ride on Neil, it’s smart to keep the first half of the day loose. Pack light and keep a dry day bag handy; on Neil, the easiest moves are a scooter or a pre-arranged cab, and getting from the jetty to the beach zone is straightforward if you’re not carrying much. Once you land, head straight to Bharatpur Beach near the jetty so you can use the calmest part of the morning for swimming or a quick glass-bottom boat outing; budget roughly ₹300–₹800 for short water activities, and if you want a snorkel add-on, it’s best to ask around on arrival rather than pre-commit unless you’re sure of the weather.
From Bharatpur Beach, make your way west to Laxmanpur Beach, which has that relaxed, open feel Neil does so well — wide pale sand, lots of sky, and fewer crowds if you arrive before the lunch rush. This is the kind of stretch where a slow walk is the point, so don’t over-plan it; give yourself time to sit, wander, and just watch the water. Around the low-tide window, continue to Howrah Bridge (Natural Bridge) on the Laxmanpur side, because that’s when the rock formation looks its best and shoreline access is easiest. Footing can be slippery on the coral patches, so wear sandals you don’t mind getting wet, and expect the whole stop to take about 45 minutes with photos and a bit of exploring. After that, break for lunch at Andaman Nirman Café — simple island food, nothing fancy, but dependable for rice, fish, noodles, and cold drinks at roughly ₹400–₹900 per person.
After lunch, keep the pace soft and head south for Sunset at Sitapur Beach, the day’s best payoff. Sitapur is one of those places where you want to arrive with time to spare, because the light changes quickly and the whole mood of the coast shifts as the sun drops; plan for about an hour here, but honestly it’s worth lingering longer if the tide and weather cooperate. There are no big facilities on this stretch, so carry water, a light snack, and a phone power bank if you like to stay out till the last bit of color fades. When you’re ready to call it a day, it’s an easy return from Neil Island back toward your stay, with the next leg of the trip best handled early the following day so you can keep the island rhythm without rushing.
Take the earliest practical ferry from Neil Island Jetty back to Port Blair Jetty so you land with enough buffer for sightseeing and an unhurried airport transfer later. If you’re on Makruzz, Nautika, or Green Ocean, the crossing is usually about 1.5–2.5 hours, but in real life you should budget a little extra for boarding, baggage, and the short wait at the jetty. Once you arrive, head straight into town by taxi; most cabs to Aberdeen or Phoenix Bay are easy to arrange at the jetty and usually take 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.
Start with Samudrika Marine Museum in Aberdeen, a compact stop that works well when you’re fresh off the ferry. It’s an easy one-hour visit and gives you a nice sense of the islands’ marine life, geography, and conservation context without feeling too heavy. The entry is modest, and it’s the kind of place that rewards a slow look rather than rushing through the displays.
A short ride brings you to the Anthropological Museum in Phoenix Bay, which is the best next stop if you want a clearer picture of the indigenous cultures and the human history of the islands. Plan about an hour here; it’s not huge, but it’s thoughtful and worth doing in sequence with Samudrika because the two museums complement each other nicely. After that, go to Annapurna Cafeteria in Aberdeen Bazaar for lunch — it’s simple, reliable, and easy on the wallet, with South Indian and North Indian staples usually landing around ₹250–500 per person. If you want a no-fuss meal before a travel day, this is exactly the right kind of place.
After lunch, spend a relaxed 30–45 minutes at Sagarika Government Emporium in Aberdeen for last-minute shopping. This is where you pick up shell crafts, cane items, woodwork, and practical souvenirs without the hard sell you’ll sometimes get at smaller stalls. It’s also close enough to the main market area that you can easily grab a tea or just sit for a bit before heading on. Keep your pace loose here — this day works best when you leave room for a final wander through Aberdeen Bazaar rather than trying to cram in anything else.
For your return, leave Port Blair for Veer Savarkar International Airport about 2 hours before departure, and add extra cushion if you’re leaving from the Aberdeen side during evening traffic. A taxi is the simplest choice, and if your flight is later in the day, aim to reach the airport after you’ve finished shopping and lunch so you’re not carrying bags around unnecessarily. If timing allows, it’s worth taking one last slow drive past the waterfront on the way out — a calm ending before you fly back to Chennai.