Land at Veer Savarkar International Airport and allow roughly 30–60 minutes for baggage collection and the taxi transfer into Port Blair. Prepaid airport taxis or app-based cabs are the simplest options; expect around ₹300–₹600 to central areas such as Aberdeen Bazaar, depending on your hotel and traffic. September can be humid with sudden showers, so keep a light rain layer handy and don’t pack the afternoon too tightly. Settle in, freshen up, and use the downtime to confirm your Cellular Jail National Memorial light-and-sound-show tickets—online availability and show timings can change, and the venue may have more than one evening performance.
Head to Cellular Jail National Memorial at Atlanta Point by auto-rickshaw or taxi, allowing 15–25 minutes from central Port Blair. The museum and historic wings generally operate during daytime and close before the show, so arriving around 4:00–4:30 pm gives you time to walk through the galleries and courtyards before finding your seats. Budget approximately ₹30–₹50 per person for entry, with the light-and-sound show ticket priced separately; carry photo identification and arrive at least 30 minutes before the booked show. Afterward, take a taxi—rather than trying to walk—to Corbyn’s Cove Beach, about 15–20 minutes away. It is a pleasant first seaside stop, though September clouds may soften or obscure the sunset; enjoy the promenade and a short shoreline stroll, and avoid swimming if the sea is rough or lifeguards advise against it.
Return from Corbyn’s Cove Beach to Annapurna Cafeteria in Aberdeen Bazaar, usually a 20–30-minute taxi or auto ride depending on evening traffic. This is a straightforward, wallet-friendly vegetarian dinner—dosa, thali, rice dishes, and North Indian staples are the useful choices after a travel day—at roughly ₹200–₹400 per person. The market area is convenient for picking up water, snacks, or essentials for tomorrow’s early ferry, but check the next morning’s sailing and confirm your hotel’s transfer to the jetty before turning in.
Take your pre-booked morning Makruzz ferry from Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), arriving around mid- to late morning after the 1.5–2.5-hour crossing. Keep your ticket and ID easily accessible, and confirm the exact sailing the evening before—ferry timings can shift with weather. At Havelock Jetty, collect your luggage and arrange a prepaid hotel transfer or an auto-rickshaw; scooter rentals are also widely available if you are comfortable riding, with a valid licence and helmets. From the jetty, allow roughly 35–45 minutes by road to Kalapathar Beach.
Spend about 1½ hours walking the quiet, forest-backed shoreline at Kalapathar Beach. The approach road is scenic and the beach is best enjoyed as a relaxed barefoot stop rather than a swimming beach, since currents can be strong and facilities are limited. Bring water, sun protection and cash for small local stalls; there are no dependable ATMs or substantial cafés right on the sand.
Continue by scooter or auto-rickshaw to The Forest Elephant, a leafy café-restaurant well suited to a light lunch and a slow first meal on the island. Budget approximately ₹300–₹700 per person, and allow an hour rather than rushing through it. Service can be leisurely, particularly in the busy season, so this is a good point to confirm your onward ride to Radhanagar Beach. The route takes roughly 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions.
Spend the afternoon at Radhanagar Beach, arriving with enough time to swim, stroll beneath the trees and settle in for sunset. The beach area generally has basic facilities and changing options near the entrance, but it is still wise to carry a dry change of clothes and avoid leaving valuables unattended. Entry is usually nominal or included within local beach access arrangements, while scooters and autos may charge more in the late afternoon when demand rises. Sunset timing in September is roughly around 5:30–6:00 PM, but clouds can make the light change quickly; start walking back toward the exit before full darkness, as transport becomes less convenient after the beach closes. For dinner, return to your hotel area by pre-arranged auto or scooter rather than relying on finding a ride at the last minute.
After breakfast, leave early for Elephant Beach, allowing about four hours for the boat journey, beach time, and return transfer. Boats generally depart from Havelock Jetty or the nearby boat point arranged by your operator; confirm the exact meeting location the evening before, as sea conditions can change schedules. Reach at least 20–30 minutes early, carry photo ID, and expect a short shared-boat ride of roughly 20–30 minutes each way. The combined boat and activity package commonly costs around ₹1,000–₹2,500 per person, depending on snorkeling and other water activities.
The water is usually clearest earlier in the day, so start with snorkeling or an introductory water activity before settling on the beach. Wear reef-safe sunscreen, bring a dry bag for phones, and avoid stepping on coral or collecting shells. Facilities are basic and food choices may be limited, so have a good breakfast and carry drinking water; keep the afternoon flexible in case the return boat is delayed by tides or weather.
After returning, take a break at your accommodation before heading to Vijaynagar Beach on Havelock’s eastern side. A scooter is the easiest way to reach it—typically ₹400–₹700 for a day, with fuel extra—or arrange an auto-rickshaw for roughly ₹200–₹400 each way, depending on where you are staying. Spend about 90 minutes walking beneath the coastal vegetation and relaxing on this quieter, less-developed stretch. It is better for a peaceful shoreline pause than for swimming, especially when waves or currents are strong; check local advice before entering the water.
For dinner, continue to Full Moon Café, a relaxed beachside spot known for its casual atmosphere and simple Indian, seafood, and international-style dishes. Expect around ₹500–₹1,000 per person, with service sometimes taking time during busy evenings—ideal for an unhurried meal rather than a quick stop. Confirm the evening’s opening hours locally, as island restaurants can adjust schedules in the off-season, and arrange your return ride before settling in; scooter roads are dim after dark and autos are less readily available away from the main market area.
Take your pre-booked Makruzz ferry from Havelock Jetty to Port Blair Harbour, arriving in the late morning. Be at the jetty 45–60 minutes before departure with your ID and ticket ready; sea conditions can occasionally cause delays, so avoid scheduling anything fixed immediately after arrival. Once ashore, take an auto-rickshaw or taxi to the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum—roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic—and spend about 1½ hours viewing the coral, shell, fish, and island-ecology displays. The museum generally operates during daytime hours but may close on Mondays or public holidays; allow around ₹10–₹50 for entry and check locally if timings have changed.
After a relaxed lunch near Aberdeen Bazaar, hire a private cab for the afternoon to Chidiya Tapu, around 25 kilometres south of central Port Blair. The drive takes approximately 45–60 minutes each way along a pleasant forested coastal road, and a car is much more practical than trying to piece together local buses. Spend two to three hours walking near the shore, looking for birds in the wooded areas, and enjoying the sea views around Munda Pahad. Plan to be there before sunset, usually around 5:15–5:45 pm in September, but check the day’s weather and return before it gets fully dark. Carry water, mosquito repellent, and shoes with a good grip; swimming is not the main attraction here, and rough conditions can make the rocks slippery.
Return to central Port Blair and finish at New Lighthouse Restaurant, allowing roughly 45 minutes for the drive back and a little extra if rain slows the coastal road. Ask for the day’s seafood—grilled fish and prawns are usually the safest bets—or choose one of the Indian preparations if you prefer something lighter. Expect approximately ₹500–₹1,000 per person, with simple harbour-facing seating rather than a polished fine-dining setting. Carry cash as a backup, and arrange your return auto-rickshaw or taxi before dinner since transport becomes less frequent later in the evening.
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