RegionUsable guide

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Union territory of India

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of nearly 600 islands in the Bay of Bengal. Although part of India politically, they are closer to Indonesia and Myanmar than to the Indian mainland. Most people come here for the beaches and scuba diving, especially on Havelock Island and Neil Island.

Sights and activities

From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.

Indira Point
See
The southernmost point of India.
Details
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Do
A national park in Wandoor on the Andaman Islands.
Details
Middle Button Island National Park
Do
Spotted deer can be found here.
Details
Mount Harriet National Park
Do
Mount Manipur National Park
Named after Harriet Tytler who did early work documenting the monuments of Delhi.
Details
North Button Island National Park
Do
Home of the dugong, dolphin, water monitor and other animals.
Details
Rani Jhansi Marine National Park
Do
A national park known for its coral reefs and marine life.
Details
Saddle Peak National Park
Do
Surrounded by tropical vegetation and forest, many species can be found here.
Details
South Button Island National Park
Do
Shallow water coral reefs popular for scuba diving.
Details

Show all 10

Campbell Bay National Park
Do
Part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
Details
Galathea National Park
Do
Part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve with rare species of plants and animals.
Details

Getting there and around

Getting there

By plane
The primary way to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by air is from the Indian mainland to Port Blair. As of 2025 the islands have no direct international flights.
By boat
It's possible to take a ship from Kolkata (c. 60 hr), Chennai or Visakhapatnam (almost 4 days) to Port Blair. It is less expensive at only ₹1961 (as of November 2011).

Read in the guide

Getting around

Within the islands

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Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Veer Savarkar International Airport / INS Utkrosh

Port Blair · International · IXZ

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Read before you go to Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Articles and travel topics about Andaman and Nicobar Islands and India.

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

Understand1,400 km from mainland India and 1,000 km from Thailand, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are one of the most remote spots on the planet.

TalkThe main spoken languages are Hindi, Tamil and Bengali. Telugu and English are widely understood by the inhabitants of the islands that are open to tourism.

Get inSince 2018, most foreigners can visit 30 islands in the Andamans, including basically all of those commonly visited by tourists, without a Restricted Area Permit (RAP).

Get aroundThe Andaman and Nicobar is a vast archipelago, and aside from some erratic, infrequent helicopter shuttles, passenger ferries are the only practical way to move between the islands.

SeeThe only place with historical attractions of note is Port Blair, which houses British-era colonial buildings, including the notorious Cellular Jail, and a few World War II bunkers dating from the brief Japanese…

DoHavelock Island is the main dive destination, but the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has reopened. South Cinque Island is another possibility, enquire at Anugama Resort at Wandoor.

BuyIn Port Blair, you will find main shopping centre offering variety of seashell and coral souvenirs.

EatSeafood is the order of the day. From upscale restaurants in Port Blair to local dhabas on Havelock, fish abounds.

Drink

SleepThere are a variety of hotels around the islands which are run by Andaman & Nicobar Tourism.in (but they do not have access to email). Hours are 8:30-11AM, 2-4PM.

Stay safeThe Andaman Islands are, however, the home of some of the last uncontacted tribes of Eurasia. These tribes have resisted becoming a part of the globally connected world for a long time.

Stay healthyAndaman and Nicobar are malarial, although generally not more than mainland India.

ConnectThe Indian country code 91 applies, and the area code for the entire Andamans is 3192. So, from outside India, you dial +91 3192xxxxxx.

RespectTourism is still relatively new in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and as such the visitor has a special responsibility in guiding its development.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Andaman and Nicobar Islands" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Andaman and Nicobar Islands", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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