After landing at Veer Savarkar International Airport, allow roughly an hour for baggage collection and the transfer to your hotel. The airport is close to central Port Blair—usually 15–25 minutes by prepaid taxi or app cab, depending on traffic and your hotel’s location. August is humid and rainy, so keep your phone, documents, and a light change of clothes protected from sudden showers. After checking in, take a little time to rest and have lunch nearby rather than trying to fit in too much on arrival day.
Head to Corbyn’s Cove Beach around 3:30–4:00pm, allowing about 20–30 minutes from central Port Blair by taxi or auto-rickshaw. This is one of the easiest beaches for a first swim, with a broad sandy stretch and a pleasant coastal road; spend about 1–1.5 hours walking and relaxing rather than rushing into water activities. Swim only in the designated area, leave valuables at the hotel, and check the sea conditions after rain. Return toward Atlanta Point for the next visit, allowing at least 30 minutes for traffic and parking.
Visit Cellular Jail before the show, ideally arriving around 5:00pm. The museum and prison blocks generally close before the evening performance, so confirm the day’s ticket counter and show timing locally; entry is usually modest, while the light-and-sound show requires a separate ticket, commonly around ₹300–₹500 depending on seating. Give yourself time to walk through the courtyards and galleries, then attend the Light and Sound Show at Cellular Jail, which typically lasts about an hour and is best booked in advance during busy periods. Bring a light rain layer—the show is outdoors or semi-open, and monsoon showers can interrupt plans.
Afterward, take a short taxi or auto ride to Aberdeen Bazaar for dinner at a well-reviewed local seafood restaurant. Expect approximately ₹500–₹1,200 per person for fish curry, grilled catch, prawns, or crab with rice; ask what was landed fresh that day, and choose a busy restaurant with good local turnover. Most eateries in the bazaar serve dinner until around 9:30–10:00pm. Keep the evening relaxed, as the first day can feel tiring after the flight, and arrange your return transport through the restaurant or hotel if rain makes autos harder to find.
Start at Samudrika Naval Marine Museum in Delanipur, ideally around 9:00am. Allow about 1½ hours for the aquariums, coral displays, shells, and exhibits explaining the islands’ marine environment and tribal communities. It generally operates during daytime hours, but timings can change, so confirm locally; entry is usually inexpensive, around ₹10–₹50. Take an auto-rickshaw or cab from your hotel—central Port Blair is close enough that the ride normally takes 10–20 minutes. From here, continue to Sagarika Government Emporium at Middle Point, roughly 10 minutes away by auto or taxi. Spend about 45 minutes browsing wooden crafts, shell work, cane products, and island-made souvenirs; compare prices and check that any shells or wildlife-related items are legally sourced. The emporium is usually open through the daytime, with a short midday break possible.
Have an early lunch near Aberdeen Bazaar or Junglighat, then leave for Chidiya Tapu by about 1:00pm. The drive south takes approximately 45–60 minutes each way on winding roads, and a hired cab is the most comfortable option; expect roughly ₹1,200–₹1,800 for a half-day vehicle. Keep water, insect repellent, and footwear with good grip—the forest and coastal paths can be muddy in August. Take your time around the mangroves and shoreline before settling at Munda Pahad Beach, a quieter stretch known for its coastal outlook and sunset. During the monsoon, sunset colors are not guaranteed and the access path may be slippery, so leave the beach before it becomes fully dark and follow local advice about sea conditions.
Return to Port Blair after sunset and eat at a well-established coastal restaurant around Aberdeen or Junglighat; a meal of local fish curry, grilled seafood, or vegetarian thali usually costs ₹500–₹1,200 per person. Ask the restaurant what was landed fresh that day rather than ordering a large spread, and allow 60–75 minutes for the return drive in evening traffic. Keep the evening unhurried—tomorrow’s ferry morning will be an early one.
After arriving at Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) from Port Blair, collect your luggage and meet the hotel transfer you arranged in advance. The jetty area can be busy when ferries arrive, and taxis or auto-rickshaws are limited, so a pre-booked pickup is worthwhile. Check in or leave your bags at your accommodation around Govind Nagar, then have a light lunch nearby before heading west; allow roughly 30–40 minutes by scooter or auto-rickshaw to Radhanagar Beach. Scooter hire commonly costs about ₹500–₹800 per day, while an auto or local taxi may cost ₹400–₹700 each way.
Spend around three relaxed hours at Radhanagar Beach, reaching it after the strongest midday heat has eased if possible. The wide white-sand shore and forested backdrop are the main attraction, but swim only in the marked areas and follow lifeguard instructions—monsoon surf can be unexpectedly strong. Basic changing facilities and small stalls are available near the entrance, though it is better to carry drinking water, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry bag; avoid taking shells or leaving plastic behind.
Continue by road to Kalapathar Beach, about 35–45 minutes away along a scenic, forest-backed coastal route. This is more of a quiet shoreline stop than a swimming beach, so allow about 1½ hours for the short walk, photographs, and the changing light over the turquoise water. Return toward Govind Nagar before dark, as road lighting is limited and rain can make the route slippery. Finish with dinner at Full Moon Café, a relaxed beachfront restaurant near Havelock market, where seafood, Indian dishes, and simple continental meals generally run ₹500–₹1,200 per person. Confirm the kitchen’s closing time locally—hours can shift in the monsoon—and arrange your return ride before sitting down.
Arrange your boat trip to Elephant Beach through your hotel or a licensed local operator, with an early departure around 8:00–9:00am. Most excursions leave from the Elephant Beach jetty area after a short road transfer from your resort, followed by a 20–30-minute boat ride; the complete outing usually takes four to five hours. Expect snorkeling, glass-bottom-boat views, and time in the shallow water, although visibility can be affected by August monsoon weather. Wear reef-safe sunscreen, carry a dry bag, and bring cash for equipment or changing-room charges; boat and snorkeling packages commonly cost about ₹1,500–₹3,000 per person. Sea conditions can change quickly, so confirm the return time before boarding and avoid independent boat arrangements on the beach.
After returning to your hotel and freshening up, take an auto-rickshaw or hired scooter south-east to Vijaynagar Beach, roughly 20–30 minutes depending on where you are staying. This is a quieter stretch than Havelock’s headline beaches, with leaning palms and a broad shoreline that suits an unhurried walk rather than a packed sightseeing stop. Spend about 1½ hours here, ideally arriving around 4:00pm; swim only where locals indicate it is safe, as monsoon currents can be unpredictable. There are limited facilities, so carry water and do not rely on the beach for a full meal.
Head onward by taxi or scooter to Barefoot at Havelock, near Radhanagar Beach, allowing 25–35 minutes from Vijaynagar Beach. Reserve ahead if possible, especially in August when the restaurant’s forest setting and beachside atmosphere make it a popular dinner choice. Settle in for a slow meal of Indian and island-influenced dishes; budget approximately ₹800–₹1,800 per person, excluding drinks. Keep a little extra time for the return journey—roads are dark in places and rain can slow traffic—so use a pre-arranged taxi if you are not comfortable riding a scooter after dinner.
After reaching Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island), collect your luggage and arrange an auto-rickshaw or hotel pickup before leaving the jetty; prepaid transfers are easier than searching for a vehicle at the last minute. Head first to Natural Bridge on the island’s eastern side, a roughly 15–25-minute ride from the jetty depending on where you are staying. Visit around low tide, when the rock formation and surrounding pools are most visible, and allow about an hour. Wear shoes with a good grip, as the rocks can be slippery, and avoid climbing onto the formation or walking too far out as the tide turns.
Continue to Bharatpur Beach, close to the jetty, for a relaxed couple of hours in the shallow, generally calm water. This is the most convenient place on the island for a swim or a short glass-bottom boat or snorkelling excursion; prices vary by operator, but expect roughly ₹300–₹1,000 depending on the activity. Have lunch at one of the simple beach shacks or cafés near the jetty—fresh fish, prawns, rice and coconut-based curries are the dependable choices, usually costing ₹250–₹600 per person. Keep cash with you, as card machines and mobile connectivity can be unreliable.
In the late afternoon, take an auto-rickshaw across the island to Laxmanpur Beach, allowing about 20 minutes and arranging a return pickup before you walk down to the shore. The beach is quieter than Bharatpur Beach, with a long shoreline that is ideal for an unhurried walk; stay until sunset, but ask your driver about the return time because transport becomes limited after dark. Bring water, insect repellent and a torch or phone light—the beach approach is not brightly lit.
Return toward Neil Jetty for dinner at a small local seafood restaurant, choosing the busiest place with a visible daily catch rather than expecting a formal dining room. Ask what is fresh before ordering; grilled fish, chilli prawns and fish curry are good bets, with dinner typically ₹400–₹1,000 per person. Confirm the total price and whether seafood is charged by portion or weight, and keep the evening easy after the ferry and beach day.
Take the earliest ferry from Shaheed Dweep to Phoenix Bay so you have a comfortable buffer before your flight. The crossing usually takes around 1½–2 hours, and the jetty can be hectic when passengers and luggage disembark together, so keep your bags and boarding documents easily accessible. Once ashore, arrange a prepaid taxi or auto-rickshaw; allow about 10–15 minutes to reach Gandhi Park, depending on traffic. Spend roughly an hour walking through the gardens and waterfront area—this is a pleasant final pause rather than a major sightseeing stop, especially after several ferry journeys.
From Gandhi Park, continue by taxi toward Chatham Island, around 15–25 minutes depending on traffic and the bridge approach. Visit Chatham Saw Mill, one of the Andaman’s historic timber-processing sites, for about an hour. Access and working areas can vary, so check locally before setting out; monsoon conditions may also affect visitor access. Wear covered shoes, and avoid carrying loose items around operating machinery. A short taxi ride then brings you back toward Aberdeen Bazaar.
For a final snack or early lunch, stop at Annapurna Cafeteria near Aberdeen Bazaar, a reliable local option for simple vegetarian South Indian fare and quick service. Budget approximately ₹250–₹700 per person, allowing about an hour including the walk-in wait that can occur around lunchtime. If your ferry arrives later than expected, skip a full meal and take something packed for the airport instead. Collect your luggage from the hotel if it was left there, then leave central Port Blair at least two hours before your flight; the transfer to Veer Savarkar International Airport generally takes 30–45 minutes, but rain and road congestion can add time.