Andaman 2026 — Port Blair Flights, Ferries and Permits Guide

Practical 2026 Andaman planning for Indian travellers — flights to IXZ Port Blair, Makruzz and Green Ocean ferries to Havelock and Neil, RAP permit reality.

Fares and prices quoted in this guide are indicative estimates only — illustrative, not live quotes, and may be out of date. Search FlightGPT for current fares before booking.

The Complete Andaman 2026 Guide — IXZ Flights, Havelock and Neil Ferries, RAP Permits and Honest Island Picks

By Priya Nair (Priya Nair covers India's beach destinations — Andaman, Lakshadweep, Goa, Kerala — with a focus on the practical bits: which gateway airport, which ferry connects to which island, the permits, the scuba seasons, the budget math.) · Published · 11 min read

Andaman trips up first-time visitors not on the beaches but on the ferries and flight connections. Here is the honest 2026 guide — which gateway airport, which ferry operator, which island actually deserves your time, and what the RAP permit really means now.

One airport, many islands — the structure of Andaman travel in 2026

The single most important fact about Andaman travel: there is exactly one commercial airport in the entire archipelago — Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, code IXZ. There is no airport on Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), no airport on Neil (Shaheed Dweep), no airport on Long Island and no airport on Diglipur. You fly into IXZ and you take a boat from there. Every itinerary, every booking, every contingency plan starts from that one truth.

This shapes planning in three concrete ways. First, all your flight comparisons are to IXZ. There is no alternative airport to play against, no nearby secondary terminal. Second, ferry timings from Port Blair are the real bottleneck on your itinerary, not flights. If you land at IXZ at 4pm in November and the last private fast-ferry to Havelock departed at 2:30pm, you sleep in Port Blair whether you planned to or not. Third, if Port Blair weather closes the airport, the whole archipelago is effectively unreachable for new arrivals that day, which happens a handful of times each season.

The new IXZ terminal opened in 2023 is a genuine upgrade — wide-body capable, proper food court, prepaid taxi counters, working ATMs and a separated arrivals hall. The airport now handles the peak winter surge meaningfully better than the cramped single-strip terminal of a decade ago. Mobile network reception is reliable on Airtel and Jio inside the terminal, which it was not in 2018. Plan your first day around landing time and ferry availability, not hotel check-in — that one change fixes most rookie itinerary problems.

Gateway airports — DEL, BLR, MAA, BOM and CCU routings that actually exist

Five mainland gateways feed Port Blair in 2026, and the price-time trade-offs differ sharply between them.

Realistic one-way fares in 2026: peak winter (mid-December to mid-February) ₹15,000-30,000 from Delhi non-stop; shoulder (October-November, March-May) ₹9,000-18,000; monsoon lean (June-September) ₹6,000-12,000. Chennai-IXZ runs ₹5,000-9,000 in shoulder, spiking to ₹14,000-18,000 in Christmas-New Year week. Pre-book your flights at least eight weeks out for the lower end of these ranges. See our broader take on south India routings at coastal Karnataka beach planning for context on alternate budget beach trips if Andaman fares look brutal.

The carriers — IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa

Five airlines compete for your IXZ booking, and they are not interchangeable. The honest field guide:

The honest workflow: search IndiGo first, then check Air India Express for connecting fares, then Air India main-line if you need the extra baggage allowance. Akasa is worth a look if you have flexibility on routing. Avoid SpiceJet on the IXZ run unless the price gap is significant — single-runway airports punish operational unreliability.

One booking nuance: connecting itineraries that show as a single ticket via MAA on Air India Express are different from self-built two-PNR combos. The single-ticket version protects you against missed connections — if the inbound to MAA delays you, the airline rebooks you onto the next IXZ departure at no cost. Self-built two-PNR saves money but loses that protection. For first Andaman trips, pay the small premium for a single ticket.

The RAP permit question — what you actually need in 2026

This is the question that confuses every first-time Andaman visitor, and the honest 2026 answer is simpler than blogs suggest. For Indian nationals visiting Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, Long Island and the standard tourist circuit, no permit is required. Carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, driving licence, passport) and walk off the plane. The old Restricted Area Permit requirement for Indian tourists was lifted years ago.

For foreign nationals, the RAP was relaxed in 2018 for Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, Long Island, Diglipur and Mayabunder. Foreign tourists do still need to register on arrival at IXZ — a quick desk in the arrivals area takes passport and visa details. The permit is self-issued on the spot and is valid for 30 days, extendable to 60. There is no advance application required from abroad for the standard circuit, which is a meaningful simplification compared to a decade ago.

Where restrictions still apply in 2026: the entire Nicobar Islands are closed to tourists (Indian or foreign) as a tribal-protected zone. North Sentinel Island is off-limits and approaching it is illegal and dangerous. The Andaman Trunk Road through the Jarawa reserve is open in supervised convoy at fixed times but photography of the reserve is banned and heavily penalised. Marine national parks around Havelock and Neil charge per-head entry fees (₹50 Indians, ₹500 foreigners) plus camera and dive fees inside protected zones. None of these change your basic ability to visit; they just shape what you can do once you arrive.

Ferries — Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika, ITT Majestic and the government DSS

Ferries are the second leg of every Andaman trip and they are the part that breaks the most itineraries. Book your ferries before you finalise hotels, not after. The operators that actually matter in 2026:

Realistic planning rule: if you land at IXZ at 1pm, you can catch a 2:30pm or 3pm ferry to Havelock and reach your hotel by 5pm. If you land at 4pm or later, plan a night in Port Blair — the last private ferry to Havelock typically departs by 2:30-3pm. The same logic applies to Havelock-to-Neil hops. Build a buffer day if your Andaman exit flight is timed tight against a morning ferry from Havelock or Neil; in peak season at least one ferry per week runs late or cancels on swell, and you do not want that to be the one carrying you to IXZ for an evening flight home.

Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) — what it actually offers

Havelock is the headline beach island and the centre of gravity for first-time visitors. Radhanagar Beach at the western end is the famous one — long white-sand crescent, shallow turquoise water, sunset photo spot of choice. Vijay Nagar Beach on the eastern side is the dive-operator hub and the launch point for almost every scuba activity in the archipelago.

What Havelock does well: beach lounging, snorkelling day trips to Elephant Beach, fun dives and PADI Open Water certification courses (₹22,000-30,000 for a four-day Open Water, ₹4,500-6,500 per fun dive), proper beachfront resorts at every budget level, scooter rentals (₹400-600 per day) to explore on your own. Restaurants are surprisingly good — fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza, a strong cafe scene around the Beach No. 5 area. Internet is mostly fibre-backed now, which means video calls actually work from your resort, a change from even three years ago.

What Havelock does not do well: it gets genuinely crowded between Christmas and mid-February. Radhanagar at sunset in peak winter is a procession of selfie sticks. If you want quiet beaches, push your dates to October-November or March-April, or move to Neil and Long Island for the quieter half of your trip. Mid-range resort pricing in peak winter has crept into ₹8,000-15,000 per night territory, which surprises people expecting Goa-style options.

Neil (Shaheed Dweep), Long Island and Diglipur — the quieter circuit

Neil Island, an hour's ferry from Havelock, is the smaller, quieter, more relaxed counterpoint to its famous neighbour. Bharatpur Beach for snorkelling and shallow swimming, Laxmanpur Beach for sunset, Sitapur Beach for a long quiet morning walk. The natural rock bridge at low tide on the west side is one of the prettier short hikes in the islands. Accommodation is more limited than Havelock — book early — but the pace is genuinely calmer and fares run roughly 30 percent below comparable Havelock options.

Long Island, three to four hours by government ferry north of Port Blair, is for travellers who want minimal infrastructure and maximum quiet. Lalaji Bay and Merk Bay are the highlight beaches, accessed by short local boat trips. There is no scooter culture, no resort strip — just a handful of guesthouses and a fishing village. Plan two nights minimum to make the ferry effort worthwhile.

Diglipur in North Andaman is the most ambitious side trip — an 8-12 hour bus or jeep journey from Port Blair, or a small inter-island flight when seasonally available. Ross and Smith Islands joined by a natural sandbar at low tide are the postcard image. Saddle Peak hike, mangrove kayaking, sea turtle nesting at Kalipur Beach (December to March) are the draws. Best for travellers with 10+ days and a tolerance for longer ground transfers. For a more travel-light Andaman trip skip Diglipur on a first visit and save it for a returning circuit.

Scuba and snorkelling — the diving calendar at a glance

Andaman is India's best dive destination, full stop. Visibility in good conditions runs 15-25 metres, water temperatures stay in the 27-29C range year-round, and the reef life around Havelock and Neil is in excellent condition compared to most of the Indian Ocean. The dive shops at Vijay Nagar Beach in Havelock — Dive India, Barefoot Scuba, Doongi Dives, Ocean Tribe, Lacadives — are professionally run with PADI and SSI certifications.

Operating calendar: peak season mid-October to mid-May. Best visibility December to March. Dive shops largely close their boat operations from mid-June to mid-September because of monsoon swell. PADI Open Water certification runs year-round when conditions permit but is concentrated November-April.

Realistic costs in 2026: PADI Open Water four-day course ₹22,000-30,000 including all equipment and certification fees; PADI Advanced Open Water ₹18,000-25,000; fun dive ₹4,500-6,500 depending on operator and site; Discover Scuba intro dive ₹4,000-5,500; snorkelling boat trip to Elephant Beach ₹1,500-2,500 per person; private snorkelling charter ₹6,000-12,000 for a half day. Marine park entry fee ₹50 Indians (₹500 foreigners) plus camera and activity fees inside protected areas. For deeper analysis of the dive calendar and operator differences across Indian sites, see my Andaman scuba seasons 2026 guide.

Best time, sample itineraries and the honest budget math

Three meaningful seasons, and your beach experience depends on which you pick. Peak winter (December to February) is the classic Andaman window — daytime 28-30C, clear skies, calm seas, snorkelling visibility 15-25 metres, but crowded and expensive. Shoulder (October-November and March-May) is when November is genuinely the sweet spot: dry, warm, far fewer tourists, prices 25-40 percent below peak. Monsoon (June-September) is wet, dramatic, occasionally washout days, resort pricing at its lowest of the year, but ferry cancellations are common.

Honest 7-day itinerary: Day 1 land IXZ midday, Cellular Jail in the afternoon, overnight Port Blair. Day 2 morning Makruzz to Havelock, evening Radhanagar Beach. Day 3 full Havelock day — Elephant Beach snorkelling boat morning, Beach 5 cafes evening. Day 4 dive day or scooter loop. Day 5 morning ferry to Neil, afternoon Bharatpur Beach. Day 6 Laxmanpur sunset, evening ferry back to Port Blair for early departure. Day 7 morning IXZ flight home. Add two days for Diglipur if you want; subtract Neil for a relaxed five-day version.

Realistic 2026 budget for two adults, 7 days in shoulder season: flights ₹30,000-50,000; ferries ₹8,000-12,000; accommodation ₹35,000-60,000; food and activities ₹20,000-35,000; total ₹93,000-1,57,000. Peak winter pushes this 50-80 percent higher; monsoon lean trims 30-40 percent. For family planning context, my author page lists complementary destination guides if you are also weighing Lakshadweep or Kerala for the same window.

Frequently asked questions

Do Indian nationals need a permit for Andaman in 2026?

No. For the standard tourist circuit — Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, Long Island, Diglipur — Indian nationals need only a valid government photo ID. The old Restricted Area Permit for Indian tourists was withdrawn years ago. Foreign nationals self-register on arrival at IXZ for a 30-day permit.

Which is the cheapest gateway airport for IXZ Port Blair?

Chennai (MAA) and Kolkata (CCU) typically run the cheapest fares to IXZ in shoulder season, often ₹5,000-9,000 one way. Direct from Delhi runs significantly higher. A one-stop via Chennai is usually the cheapest option from north India for travellers willing to add 90-120 minutes of total transit.

How far in advance should I book Makruzz or Green Ocean ferries?

One to two weeks ahead in shoulder season, four to six weeks ahead for peak winter (Christmas-New Year). Both operators sell out routinely from mid-December to mid-February on the Port Blair-Havelock and Havelock-Neil sectors. Book ferries before finalising hotel nights, not after.

Can I visit Nicobar Islands as a tourist?

No. The entire Nicobar Islands group is closed to tourists, Indian or foreign, as a tribal-protected zone. The only legal entries are for residents and specific government, research or strategic purposes. Plan your trip around the Andaman group only.

How many days should I plan for an Andaman trip?

Six to seven days is the realistic minimum — one night Port Blair, three nights Havelock, two nights Neil and travel time. Ten days lets you add Long Island or Diglipur. Less than five days leaves you spending more time on ferries and flights than on beaches.

What is the best month for Andaman beaches and scuba?

December through February for classic conditions and maximum visibility; November and March-April for the same conditions with materially fewer crowds and lower prices. Avoid June through early September unless cost is the dominant factor — many dive shops close and ferries are weather-dependent.

Is scuba diving in Andaman beginner-friendly?

Yes. The PADI Open Water four-day course at any reputable Havelock operator (Dive India, Barefoot Scuba, Doongi, Ocean Tribe, Lacadives) is well structured for first-time divers. Costs ₹22,000-30,000 including equipment, certification and all dives. Discover Scuba intro dives for non-swimmers start at ₹4,000-5,500.

Will I get mobile network reception on Havelock and Neil?

Yes, on Airtel and Jio in 2026. BSNL is the legacy reliable network. Speeds are slower than mainland 4G but functional for messaging, navigation and basic data. Resort Wi-Fi has also improved significantly across Havelock since 2023 fibre upgrades.