After landing at Veer Savarkar International Airport, allow roughly 45–60 minutes for baggage collection, security formalities, and meeting your transfer. Aberdeen hotels are usually around 10–20 minutes away by prepaid taxi or auto-rickshaw, depending on traffic; agree on the fare before leaving the airport. Port Blair is compact, but arrivals can feel slow, so keep your ferry plans and hotel documents easily accessible. After checking in, take a proper break and have a light meal before sightseeing.
Spend about 1½ hours browsing Aberdeen Bazaar, the town’s practical shopping center rather than a polished tourist market. Look for shell handicrafts, local woodwork, handloom items, packaged spices, and simple beach supplies. Bargaining is normal in small independent shops, though fixed-price stores are common. Keep receipts and avoid buying coral or unverified marine souvenirs—many are protected or restricted. The bazaar is walkable from much of central Port Blair, while an auto-rickshaw is useful in the midday heat.
Head by auto-rickshaw or taxi to Cellular Jail National Memorial at Atlanta Point, allowing around 10–20 minutes from Aberdeen depending on traffic. Set aside approximately 1½ hours for the cell blocks, galleries, central tower, and courtyard; the site is emotionally weighty, so take your time rather than rushing through it. Museum and memorial timings can change, and the light-and-sound presentation generally requires a separate ticket and show schedule, so confirm the day’s opening hours and entry arrangements locally. Wear comfortable footwear—the complex involves stairs and uneven walking surfaces.
For dinner, walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride back toward SeaShell Restaurant in Aberdeen. It is a good first-night choice for seafood and Indian dishes, with a relaxed setting and a broad enough menu if anyone wants something mild. Budget approximately ₹600–1,200 per person, excluding drinks; ask what seafood is fresh that day. Keep the evening unhurried after the flight, and use it to confirm the next day’s Ross Island boat arrangements and your hotel’s pickup timing.
Start at Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex in Aberdeen, the practical departure point for the island boats. Allow about 30 minutes to look over the waterfront, confirm the boat counter and check-in procedure, and sort tickets before boarding. The short crossing to Ross Island is usually calm, but schedules and return boats can shift with sea conditions, so keep your ticket safe and confirm the final return time with the operator.
Spend roughly 2½–3 hours including the boat journey on Ross Island, following the paths through the former administrative ruins and old church and government buildings. The island’s deer often appear around the shaded trails, but bring water and sensible shoes: there is little shade along some stretches, and facilities are basic. Boat fares and island charges may total roughly ₹100–300, subject to the government schedule; carry small notes.
Continue by boat to North Bay Island for around two hours. If the sea is settled, choose either a glass-bottom-boat ride or a short snorkeling session rather than trying to fit in both—the visibility is weather-dependent, and operators may suspend water activities in rough conditions. Expect basic changing facilities and bring a towel, sun protection, and dry clothing. Return to Port Blair with enough buffer for the boat queue, then take an auto-rickshaw or taxi—about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic—to Corbyn’s Cove Beach.
Use the late afternoon at Corbyn’s Cove Beach to slow down after the boat trips; allow about 1½ hours for a walk, a swim only where local conditions permit, and sunset. It is roughly 7 km from central Aberdeen, normally 20–30 minutes by auto-rickshaw. Finish at New Lighthouse Restaurant in Aberdeen for seafood and a relaxed dinner, budgeting approximately ₹500–1,000 per person. Ask what arrived fresh that day, and allow extra time at dinner—service can be unhurried.
Check out early and leave your Port Blair hotel with your government-ferry ticket, identification, and luggage secured in a waterproof bag. Allow roughly 4–6 hours door to door: hotel checkout, transfer to the Phoenix Bay/Water Sports Complex area, document checks and security, the sailing itself, and arrival formalities at Havelock. Reach the port well before the confirmed departure; in 2006, sailings and seating were more basic than today, and weather could cause delays. The government ferry generally costs around ₹500–1,000. Keep snacks, drinking water, and motion-sickness medication handy.
After disembarking at the Swaraj Dweep ferry jetty, collect your luggage and arrange a prepaid auto-rickshaw or hotel transfer to your accommodation. The nearby market area is useful for a quick meal and essentials rather than a leisurely restaurant stop; allow about 1½ hours for luggage, check-in, and lunch. Look for a simple local thali, rice-and-fish meal, or dosa, and buy water before heading out. Road transfers on Havelock are short but can be bumpy, so leave heavier sightseeing for later in the day.
Once settled, walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride to Govind Nagar Beach, an easy first introduction to Havelock’s shoreline and close to the town area. Spend about 1½ hours swimming if conditions are calm, then stroll along the sand as the light softens. Check locally for swimming advice, avoid going far from shore, and keep an eye on the tide; there may be no formal lifeguard service or changing facilities. This is intentionally a gentle first afternoon after the ferry, with time to return to your accommodation and freshen up.
For dinner, head to Something Different—A Beachside Café near Govind Nagar, a relaxed choice with both Indian and international dishes. Expect roughly ₹600–1,200 per person, depending on seafood, drinks, and extras. Service on the island can be unhurried, especially when supplies arrive by boat, so order before you are very hungry. After dinner, return by auto-rickshaw or your accommodation’s arranged transfer; agree on the fare and pickup time beforehand, as traffic is sparse after dark.
Hire an auto-rickshaw or arrange a local island taxi from your accommodation to Radhanagar Beach; allow roughly 45–60 minutes each way from the Govind Nagar area, depending on the road and traffic. Leave around 7:00–7:30 AM so you reach the sand before the strongest midday heat. Spend the main part of the day swimming, walking along the broad shoreline, and relaxing beneath the tree line. The beach is generally free to enter, but bring drinking water, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry bag—facilities are limited compared with mainland beaches. Follow the lifeguards’ instructions and avoid swimming if the sea is rough.
Have a simple lunch near the beach or back in the settlement, then continue by hired auto-rickshaw or taxi toward Kalapathar Beach, allowing about 45–60 minutes from Radhanagar. Plan around 1½ hours here: the approach through coastal forest is part of the appeal, and the pale sand, driftwood, and turquoise water make it excellent for photographs and a quieter walk. Swimming conditions can be less predictable than at Radhanagar, so treat this mainly as a scenic stop and check locally before entering the water. Start back toward Govind Nagar by late afternoon; roads are basic and evening transport becomes less convenient, so arrange a return ride rather than relying on finding an auto at the beach.
Freshen up and walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride to Full Moon Café near Govind Nagar for dinner. Its open-air setting suits an unhurried evening after the beach day; expect roughly ₹600–1,200 per person, depending on seafood and drinks. Service on Havelock Island can be leisurely, so order early and keep the evening flexible. Confirm the kitchen’s closing time locally—hours and menu availability can vary—and carry cash, as card payments and reliable connectivity are not guaranteed.
Leave your accommodation around 7:00–7:30 AM for Elephant Beach, allowing roughly 3–4 hours in total. Reach the departure point by local auto-rickshaw or arranged boat transfer; the boat is generally the more practical option, while the forest route should only be used if it is officially open and a local guide confirms conditions. Carry identification, drinking water, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry bag—there is limited shade and facilities can be basic. Snorkeling and other water activities depend on sea conditions, weather, and the operator’s availability, so confirm the morning’s plan locally rather than assuming every activity will run.
Return toward the main settlement for lunch, then continue by auto-rickshaw or hired scooter to Vijaynagar Beach on the eastern side of the island. Allow about 1½ hours here for a slower shoreline walk and views of the mangrove-fringed coast. This is a quieter stop than the island’s excursion beaches, with few reliable services, so eat and refill water before arriving. Roads can be uneven in places; an auto or prearranged driver is preferable if you are not comfortable riding.
Head back toward Barefoot at Havelock near Govind Nagar for dinner. Budget approximately ₹800–1,500 per person, and arrive before the busiest dinner period because seating and kitchen service can be unhurried on the island. Afterward, finish with a gentle 45-minute Havelock Island sunset walk along the Govind Nagar waterfront. Keep the walk close to lit, familiar roads, carry a small torch, and arrange your return auto in advance—transport becomes noticeably less dependable later at night.
Check out before the confirmed morning government ferry from Havelock Island and keep your ticket, photo ID, accommodation details, and valuables together in a waterproof pouch. Allow 4–6 hours door to door, including the transfer to the jetty, document checks, waiting time, the sailing, and arrival at Shaheed Dweep Jetty. Government sailings can shift with weather and sea conditions, so reconfirm the departure at the ferry office and ask your Neil Island accommodation to arrange a pickup or auto-rickshaw. On arrival, leave larger luggage at your accommodation or in a staffed cloakroom if available; the beaches are much easier to enjoy with only a small day bag.
Walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride from the jetty to Bharatpur Beach, one of the easiest places on the island for a first swim. Allow about two hours, with the actual swimming and glass-bottom boat options dependent on the tide, visibility, and sea conditions; agree on the price and duration before boarding. Afterward, hire an auto-rickshaw for the southern side of the island and continue to Natural Bridge. The rock arch is best visited around suitable low tide, when you can walk carefully along the shoreline and see the formations properly; allow 1–1½ hours, and wear sandals with a firm grip rather than ordinary flip-flops. There is little shade or formal infrastructure here, so carry drinking water and avoid climbing on the rocks.
Return by auto-rickshaw toward the village area and settle in at Chakra Café for a relaxed dinner and refreshments, budgeting roughly ₹400–800 per person. Keep the evening unhurried after the ferry and beach time; service on Shaheed Dweep is deliberately laid-back, and menu availability may depend on the day’s supplies. Confirm tomorrow’s ferry or sightseeing plans with your accommodation before turning in, since inter-island schedules are weather-dependent and ticket counters may open or close at short notice.
Start early at Laxmanpur Beach 1, reaching the western coast around 7:00–7:30 AM before the heat builds. From most guesthouses near Shaheed Dweep market, an auto-rickshaw or pre-arranged local taxi takes roughly 15–25 minutes; agree on the return fare before setting off, as vehicles are less frequent on the western side. Spend about two hours walking the broad shoreline and swimming where the water is calm. Bring drinking water, reef-safe sun protection, and footwear for the rougher patches near the waterline—there are few reliable facilities once you leave the central settlement.
Continue a short distance along the western coast to Laxmanpur Beach 2 for the natural rock arch and low coastal formations. Plan this stop around the tide: the arch and surrounding rocks are best viewed when the water has receded, while slippery surfaces make scrambling risky at higher tide. Allow about an hour for photographs and a quiet walk, but avoid climbing onto the arch or exploring isolated rocks alone. Your driver can wait nearby or return at an agreed time; do not rely on finding an auto immediately.
After lunch back near Shaheed Dweep market, head north to Ram Nagar Beach for a slower two-hour afternoon. The ride from the western beaches generally takes 20–30 minutes by auto-rickshaw, depending on road conditions. This is a good place to simply sit under the trees, stroll the quieter shoreline, and swim only if local conditions are clearly safe; currents and tide can change quickly, and lifeguard cover is limited. Carry snacks and water, since services around the beach are sparse, and arrange your return before sunset rather than waiting for a vehicle after dark.
Return to the market area for dinner at a local seafood restaurant near Shaheed Dweep market, where the catch may include simply prepared fish or crab alongside rice, dal, and vegetable dishes. Allow roughly ₹500–1,000 per person, with seafood prices depending on the day’s availability; ask for the portion size and price before ordering. Dinner service can be informal and early, so arriving around 7:00–8:00 PM is sensible. Keep tomorrow’s ferry plans in mind: confirm the Shaheed Dweep Jetty departure and reporting time with your accommodation tonight, and pack luggage so you can leave promptly in the morning.
Check out early from your Shaheed Dweep accommodation and take a local auto-rickshaw to Neil Island Jetty for the confirmed morning government ferry to Port Blair. Allow 4–6 hours door to door, including checkout, the jetty wait, document checks, the 2.5–4-hour sailing, baggage collection, and the transfer from Port Blair’s arrival jetty. Keep your ticket and photo ID accessible, and wrap electronics and luggage in waterproof covers. After arrival, take an auto-rickshaw or pre-arranged taxi to Chatham Saw Mill on Chatham Island; allow about 30–45 minutes depending on the jetty and traffic. If the mill is open, spend roughly an hour viewing the historic machinery and timber-working displays. Opening arrangements can be irregular, so treat this as a conditional visit rather than a guaranteed entry.
Continue by taxi or auto-rickshaw toward Dignabad for Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, allowing around 20–30 minutes from Chatham Island. Set aside about 1½ hours for the galleries, especially the displays on Andaman marine life, coral, shells, and island communities. Confirm the day’s opening hours locally before setting out, as museum schedules and public-holiday closures can change; keep a little buffer for the ferry arrival, since a late sailing may make the morning stop impractical. Nearby cafés are limited, so carry water and have a light snack before the museum.
From Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, take an auto-rickshaw for roughly 10–15 minutes to Marina Park in Aberdeen. A slow one-hour harbor walk is a good final activity: it is easy, uncrowded by late afternoon, and gives you a chance to sit by the waterfront rather than rush through another attraction. Finish with a vegetarian Indian meal at Annapurna Cafeteria, a short auto-rickshaw ride or walk away in Aberdeen. Budget approximately ₹250–500 per person; go before the main dinner rush if you have onward travel, and check whether the kitchen is still serving before ordering. If your ferry arrives late, skip the mill first and prioritize the museum, waterfront, and meal.
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