Begin with the Chennai–Port Blair flight from Chennai International Airport, allowing roughly 5–7 hours door to door: arrive about two hours before departure, allow time for baggage collection, and prearrange a taxi from Veer Savarkar International Airport to your hotel. The airport is close to central Port Blair, but traffic and hotel check-in can still take 30–60 minutes. Keep the afternoon flexible in case of a late flight or baggage delay; January is generally pleasant, though flight disruptions can still happen.
After checking in and having a quick lunch, head to Cellular Jail National Memorial at Atlanta Point, ideally by prepaid auto-rickshaw or taxi. Allow about 1½ hours for the prison wings, museum galleries, and courtyard. Typical visiting hours are daytime, but check the current schedule and ticket rules before travelling; the evening light-and-sound show is a separate, popular ticketed experience and should be reserved or verified in advance rather than assumed available. Wear light clothing and comfortable shoes, and carry water—the exposed courtyards can feel hot even in January.
Walk or take a short auto ride to the Port Blair waterfront promenade around Aberdeen Jetty for an easy harbor stroll and sunset. Spend about an hour here, watching ferries and local boats return as the light softens; avoid wandering onto restricted jetty areas and expect some sections to be quieter after dark. Finish with a seafood dinner near Aberdeen Bazaar, choosing a well-reviewed local restaurant and asking what was caught fresh that day. Budget approximately ₹500–₹1,200 per person; service can be leisurely, so allow a full hour and return to your hotel by auto-rickshaw or taxi rather than relying on a late public bus.
Start at Samudrika Naval Marine Museum in Delanipur, ideally around 9:00 AM. Allow about an hour for the aquariums, coral displays, shells, and island-ecology exhibits; it is a compact visit, so you can take your time without making the morning feel rushed. The museum commonly operates during daytime hours but may close on a weekly holiday or for government maintenance, so confirm the current opening status with your hotel before setting out. A short auto-rickshaw or taxi ride from central Port Blair is usually the easiest option; expect roughly ₹100–₹250 by auto, depending on your starting point.
Continue to the Anthropological Museum at Middle Point, allowing about 10–15 minutes by auto or taxi and an hour inside. The galleries offer useful context on the Indigenous peoples of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but visit thoughtfully: displays can be dated, and photography rules may apply. Afterward, take a taxi toward Chatham Island for Chatham Saw Mill. Set aside 1–1.5 hours for the historic mill and timber museum, and confirm that it is open before leaving—access and operating hours can change. A combined auto/taxi outing for these central-city transfers will generally cost around ₹500–₹900, depending on waiting time.
From Chatham Saw Mill, continue by taxi to Corbyn’s Cove Beach, allowing around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and the bridge approach. Spend roughly 1.5 hours by the water, with time for a swim only if the sea is calm and local signs or lifeguards indicate that it is safe. The beach is pleasant for a relaxed break rather than a full-day excursion; carry drinking water, sun protection, and modest beachwear for the return ride. Taxis are more convenient than relying on finding an auto at the beach, so arrange a pickup or ask the driver to wait.
Return to Aberdeen Bazaar for an early casual dinner, budgeting ₹300–₹800 per person. Choose a busy local restaurant or café around the market rather than eating right on the waterfront, where prices are often higher and service can be slower. Keep the evening unhurried: browse the market briefly, then return to your hotel by auto or taxi, typically ₹100–₹250 within central Port Blair.
Allow 4–6 hours door to door for the transfer from Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island). Take an early Makruzz or Nautika sailing—ideally between 6:00 and 8:00 AM—and reach Port Blair’s Haddo Wharf ferry terminal at least an hour before departure. Your ticket, photo ID, and luggage will be checked before boarding; ferry timings and availability can change with weather, so confirm the sailing the evening before. Fares are typically around ₹1,500–₹3,000 per person. On arrival, allow about an hour for disembarkation, collecting bags, and a prearranged scooter or taxi to Govind Nagar, where you can check in and settle down. A scooter is convenient for the rest of your stay, but only rent one if you carry a valid licence and are comfortable with island roads.
After a quick lunch and a short rest, head back towards the Swaraj Dweep jetty for the Elephant Beach boat excursion. The outing usually takes around 3–4 hours including boat transfers, beach time, and optional snorkeling. Reserve it locally through your hotel or a reputable operator, and confirm the sea conditions before paying—the trip can be postponed or cancelled in rough weather. Wear footwear that can get wet, carry a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, and bring only essentials; avoid touching coral or standing on it while snorkeling. Because this is a same-day arrival, keep the afternoon flexible rather than booking a non-refundable boat departure immediately after the ferry.
Return to Govind Nagar before dark, when the roads are easier to navigate and the small restaurants are at their liveliest. For dinner, choose a well-reviewed seafood or Indian island-cuisine restaurant near the main market area; expect roughly ₹500–₹1,200 per person, with seafood availability varying by the day’s catch. Service can be unhurried, so allow about an hour and keep the evening relaxed. Confirm tomorrow’s scooter, snorkeling, or beach plans with your accommodation before turning in, and check ferry and weather updates in case the sea conditions affect the next day’s activities.
Start early Radhanagar Beach, allowing roughly 45–60 minutes from the Govind Nagar area by scooter or auto-rickshaw. The road crosses the island’s forested interior, and an early departure is worthwhile: the beach is cooler, quieter, and more enjoyable before the day-trip crowds arrive. Plan around three hours including travel, swimming, and a slow walk along the broad white-sand shoreline. Swimming conditions can change with tides and currents, so stay within marked or locally advised areas; carry water, sun protection, and a dry bag rather than relying on beach vendors.
Continue south toward Kalapathar Beach, allowing about 1.5 hours for the dark-rock shoreline, coastal forest, and photographs. It is more of a scenic stop than a long swimming beach, so wear footwear suitable for uneven ground and avoid climbing onto wet rocks. A scooter is the most flexible option, but hire one only with a valid licence and confidence on narrow, occasionally uneven island roads; otherwise, arrange a full-day auto or local taxi in advance. After a lunch break near the hotel or along the Govind Nagar–Vijay Nagar road, head to Vijaynagar Beach for about an hour. This quieter eastern stretch is best treated as a gentle final outing, with a short nature walk and time simply watching the changing light over the water. Carry cash, as card and mobile-payment coverage can be inconsistent away from the main settlement.
Return before dark and keep the evening local. Choose a well-reviewed seafood restaurant near Govind Nagar, asking what was landed fresh that day; grilled fish, prawns, and simple rice-and-curry plates are dependable choices, usually around ₹500–₹1,200 per person. Confirm preparation time and payment options when ordering, as island kitchens can work at an unhurried pace. After dinner, walk back to your accommodation rather than adding another outing—tomorrow’s ferry schedule makes an early night especially useful.
Arrange a pre-dawn auto-rickshaw or taxi from your Swaraj Dweep hotel to the jetty, allowing 4–6 hours door to door for the ferry, check-in, luggage collection, and the onward airport transfer. Take the earliest available Makruzz or Nautika sailing booked in advance through the operator’s website or a recognised ferry portal; schedules can change with sea conditions, so confirm the sailing the evening before. The fast ferry usually costs around ₹1,500–₹3,000, while a government ferry is cheaper but only sensible if its timing leaves a generous airport margin.
After arriving at Haddo Wharf, have a prearranged taxi collect you rather than searching for transport at the terminal. Go directly to Veer Savarkar International Airport—normally around 20–30 minutes by road, depending on traffic—and keep the rest of the day deliberately unplanned. Allow at least two hours before your Chennai flight, plus extra contingency for a delayed ferry; do not attempt sightseeing or a long restaurant stop between the jetty and airport. Carry water and a light snack, as ferry and airport food options are basic, and keep your passport or ID and booking confirmations easily accessible.
Complete check-in and security at Veer Savarkar International Airport, then take your flight back to Chennai. The full return journey is best treated as a 5–7-hour door-to-door transfer, including the ferry, road transfers, airport waiting time, flight, baggage collection, and onward transport after landing. If you have checked luggage, keep fragile souvenirs well protected—marine shells and coral are restricted, so do not pack any collected beach material. On arrival at Chennai International Airport, allow additional time for baggage and traffic before arranging your final taxi or app cab.
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