Andaman Honeymoon 5-Day Itinerary from India in 2026: Havelock and Neil
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer writes offbeat destination guides for Indian travellers — places that work in monsoon, shoulder-season picks, and the cities Indian first-time international travellers underrate. Based in Bangalore, perpetually mid-itinerary.) · Published · 12 min read
Andaman is India's only proper beach honeymoon — no visa, no currency conversion, no jet lag. This 5-day itinerary covers Port Blair, Havelock and Neil with Radhanagar Beach sunsets, scuba try-dive together, hotel picks from Taj Exotica to Barefoot, ferry logistics and rupee budgets.
Why Andaman — India's only proper beach honeymoon
Most Indian honeymooners default to Maldives, Bali or Phuket without realising that India has its own genuine beach paradise — Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island has been ranked among Asia's best multiple years running, the scuba diving at Neil Island rivals Southeast Asian destinations, and the seven-night Andaman experience can cost less than three nights in the Maldives. The catch is logistics — ferries, weather windows, and a hotel scene that ranges from world-class (Taj Exotica) to backpacker-rustic without much in between.
This itinerary is built for couples who have just got married within the last month, want a beach honeymoon, and want to skip the international visa, currency and jet-lag overhead. It assumes 5 days and 4 nights total, covering Port Blair (arrival and last night), Havelock (2 nights — the romance core of the trip), and Neil (1 night — the quieter sibling). You'll see the most-photographed beach in Asia, do a try-dive together, watch a sunset that most couples remember more than their wedding photographs, and come home with passport stamps intact for a future Schengen-grade honeymoon.
One Indian-specific note: Andaman is a domestic destination but flights book up early during peak season (November to April, with December and January as the hard peaks). Book flights 10-12 weeks ahead for December dates; 6-8 weeks for shoulder. The Inter-Island Ferry tickets between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil also sell out — use Makruzz, ITT Majestic or Green Ocean for advance booking via their websites or apps.
Flights to Port Blair — routes, airlines, fares
The only way in is via Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair (IXZ). Direct routes in 2026:
- Chennai-Port Blair — IndiGo, Air India Express, SpiceJet daily. Around 2 hours 15 minutes. ₹4,500-12,000 one-way per person depending on season.
- Bengaluru-Port Blair — IndiGo, Air India Express direct. Around 2 hours 30 minutes. ₹5,500-13,500 one-way.
- Kolkata-Port Blair — IndiGo, Air India Express direct. Around 2 hours 15 minutes. ₹4,000-11,000 one-way.
- Delhi-Port Blair — IndiGo direct (5 hours non-stop) or 1-stop via Chennai (faster connections). ₹8,500-18,000 one-way.
- Mumbai-Port Blair — 1-stop via Chennai (Air India, IndiGo) or via Bengaluru. ₹7,500-17,000 one-way.
- Hyderabad-Port Blair — 1-stop via Chennai or Bengaluru. ₹6,500-15,000 one-way.
Total round-trip flight cost for a couple from a metro: ₹18,000-45,000. Book morning flights from India so you arrive in Port Blair by lunch — you'll need afternoon daylight for ferry transfers if you're heading straight to Havelock the same day.
Important: a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required for Andaman, but for Indian citizens it is issued free on arrival at IXZ — just show your Aadhaar or passport. No advance paperwork. Foreigners require advance RAP via Indian missions; this guide is built for Indian travellers.
Day 1 — Arrive Port Blair, Cellular Jail light and sound show
Most flights arrive between 11:00 and 14:00. Pick up your luggage, collect the free RAP at the immigration counter (5 minutes), and take a pre-booked taxi or hotel pickup to your Port Blair hotel.
Stay one night in Port Blair before heading to Havelock — gives you a clean run to the morning ferry on day 2. Honeymoon-grade Port Blair options are limited but workable:
- Welcomhotel by ITC Bay Island (₹7,500-14,000 per night) — best of Port Blair, sea-view rooms, good restaurant, walking distance to Cellular Jail.
- Sinclairs Bayview (₹5,500-10,000 per night) — solid mid-tier, sea-facing.
- Fortune Resort Bay Island (₹6,500-12,000 per night) — older property but well-located, ITC chain.
Afternoon: explore Port Blair lightly. Don't try to do too much — your travel day is already long.
Evening: Cellular Jail light and sound show. Don't skip this. The 1-hour show (₹50 per person, English at 19:15) projects the history of India's freedom struggle on the prison walls. It is genuinely moving and gives essential context to the islands. Couples coming straight from a wedding find it grounding — a reminder of larger histories. Dinner afterwards at New Lighthouse Restaurant (good seafood, vegetarian options, ₹1,500-2,500 per couple) or back at the hotel.
Day 2 — Ferry to Havelock, Radhanagar Beach sunset
Day 2 morning: early breakfast (your hotel will pack a takeaway breakfast on request), check out, and head to Phoenix Bay or Haddo jetty for the ferry to Havelock. Ferry options:
- Makruzz Gold or Pearl — 1 hour 30 minutes, ₹1,250-2,200 per person depending on class. Book at least 1 week ahead via makruzz.com.
- ITT Majestic — 1 hour 45 minutes, ₹1,100-1,950 per person.
- Green Ocean — 2 hours, ₹950-1,500 per person.
- Government ferry — 2-3 hours, ₹400-650 per person, books up at the jetty same-day.
Honeymoon couples should book the higher-class private ferry — air-conditioned seating, less queue, premium boarding. Aim for the 8:30-10:00 AM departure window.
Arrive Havelock (now called Swaraj Dweep) by late morning. Transfer to your hotel:
- Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Havelock (₹28,000-65,000 per night) — the only premium honeymoon-grade resort on the island, private villas with plunge pools, full spa, world-class service.
- Barefoot at Havelock (₹14,000-26,000 per night) — boutique eco-resort on Radhanagar Beach side, private cottages with outdoor showers, the slow-luxury choice.
- Symphony Palms Beach Resort (₹8,000-15,000 per night) — solid mid-tier, beachfront, all the basics done well.
- SeaShell Havelock (₹7,500-14,000 per night) — beach pool villa, vegetarian-friendly, good for honeymoon-on-budget.
Afternoon: light lunch at the hotel and a nap — you've been moving since 5 AM.
The evening is the moment. Head to Radhanagar Beach (also called Beach 7) by 16:30. Walk the kilometre-and-a-half stretch barefoot, find a spot near the northern end (less crowded), and watch the sun set into the Andaman Sea. The sand is uniquely fine and white, the water is shallow turquoise for fifty metres out, and the sunset light is exactly as Instagram has promised. Couples often book a freelance photographer for this slot (₹4,000-12,000 for a 1-hour beach session — DM @andamanphotographers or @havelockphoto for current bookings) to capture the honeymoon photographs you'll actually print and frame.
Dinner at the hotel — most Havelock restaurants close early, so resort dining wins. Taj Exotica's beachside restaurant is exceptional; Barefoot's Restaurant Brewberrys does fresh seafood and curries.
Day 3 — Scuba try-dive together, Elephant Beach, romantic dinner
Day 3 is the activity day. The defining experience: a scuba try-dive together. Even for non-swimmers, the Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) programme requires no certification and takes 3-4 hours total. Cost: ₹4,500-6,500 per person at certified centres like Dive India, Barefoot Scuba and Andaman Bubbles. You'll learn basic skills in shallow water, then descend with an instructor to 8-12 metres for a 30-40 minute reef dive. Visibility 15-25 metres, reef fish in abundance, sometimes turtles. Most couples come back saying it was the highlight of the entire trip — being together underwater in this entirely new world feels genuinely transformational.
If scuba feels too much, the alternative is snorkelling at Elephant Beach. Boat from Havelock jetty (15 minutes plus a 1.5km walk through forest), reef directly off the beach, ₹1,500-2,500 per person including snorkel rental. Good for couples who want the underwater experience without the gear and the 4-hour commitment.
Afternoon: rest at the resort. Couples spa session at Taj Exotica's Jiva Spa (₹6,500-12,000 for 60-minute couples massage with flower bath) or at Barefoot's onsite spa (₹4,500-8,000 for 60-minute massage). This is the Andaman version of the Maldivian overwater spa pavilion — less iconic but every bit as relaxing.
Evening: romantic candle-lit dinner on the beach. Taj Exotica arranges private beach setups (₹15,000-25,000 per couple including multi-course menu and dedicated waiter, book 2 days ahead). Barefoot has a similar setup at smaller scale (₹8,000-12,000 per couple). For budget-conscious honeymooners, request a beach setup at your mid-tier hotel — many will accommodate at ₹3,500-6,500 if asked.
Day 4 — Ferry to Neil Island, Bharatpur Beach sandbar, sunset
Morning ferry from Havelock to Neil (now Shaheed Dweep) — Makruzz or Green Ocean, 1-1.5 hours, ₹900-1,800 per person. Aim for the 9:00-10:00 AM departure to maximise Neil daylight.
Neil is the quieter, smaller, less-developed sibling of Havelock. Three main beaches (Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Sitapur) and limited but solid honeymoon-grade accommodation:
- Summer Sands Beach Resort (₹6,500-12,000 per night) — beachfront on Sitapur side, sea-facing cottages, the established honeymoon pick on Neil.
- Holiday Inn Resort Neil (₹7,500-13,000 per night) — newer property, sea-view rooms, more contemporary feel.
- Pearl Park Beach Resort (₹4,500-8,500 per night) — solid mid-tier, beachfront, less polished but well-located.
After check-in and lunch, head to Bharatpur Beach. The sandbar that emerges at low tide creates a turquoise lagoon perfect for couples photographs — ankle-deep crystal water stretching out for 200-300 metres, ideal for that wet-feet honeymoon-walking-together shot. The reef is shallow and snorkelling is excellent right off the beach (rent gear at the shacks, ₹150-300 per person).
Sunset: Laxmanpur Beach. Neil's western beach, with the famous natural bridge rock formation glowing orange at sunset. Walk the 800-metre beach hand-in-hand, find a quiet rock, and watch the day end. Some couples bring a small flask of wine or champagne (most Neil hotels will arrange) for the moment.
Dinner at the resort — Neil's village restaurants are basic. Summer Sands and Holiday Inn both serve reliable Indian and continental food. For something different, try Garden View Restaurant in the village (vegetarian and seafood, ₹800-1,500 per couple).
Day 5 — Sunrise at Sitapur, ferry to Port Blair, fly home
Day 5 starts early. Sitapur Beach (Beach No. 5) is Neil's eastern beach — the sunrise spot. Wake at 5:00 AM, walk or take a 10-minute auto from your hotel, and watch the sun rise over the Bay of Bengal. Quieter and more contemplative than Havelock's sunsets. Bring coffee in a flask.
Return to the hotel for breakfast, check out by 10:00, and head to the jetty for the late-morning ferry back to Port Blair (1.5-2 hours, ₹1,200-2,200 per person on Makruzz). Aim for an early-afternoon arrival in Port Blair.
Lunch in Port Blair (Annapurna Restaurant for South Indian thali, ₹500-900 per couple; or back to your hotel chain). Transfer to IXZ airport for the late-afternoon or evening flight to your home city.
If your flight is late evening with hours to spare, consider one more Port Blair stop on the way to the airport: Corbyn's Cove Beach (15 minutes from airport) is a quiet palm-fringed cove for a final beach walk together, or the Anthropological Museum (45 minutes) for context on the indigenous tribes of the islands.
Honeymoon-specific moments — where Andaman delivers
A few things Andaman does surprisingly well for honeymoon couples:
Private beach picnics. Taj Exotica and Barefoot both arrange isolated beach picnics with canopy, lunch hamper and beach chairs at a quiet stretch of Radhanagar or a hidden cove (₹6,500-15,000 per couple for half-day). Cheaper than Maldives sandbank lunches at similar emotional ROI.
Sunset cruise. Private sunset cruises from Havelock (4-6 PM, ₹4,500-9,000 per couple, small chartered boat with drinks and snacks).
In-villa dining. Taj Exotica's villa dining runs ₹12,000-18,000 per couple. Cheaper version: order room service at Barefoot or Symphony Palms and request veranda setup (no extra cost beyond food).
Couples photographer hire on-site. Growing freelance scene around Havelock — Instagram-based bookings for 1-2 hour shoots at Radhanagar or Kalapathar Beach (₹4,000-15,000 per session). These are the photographs you'll actually print.
Stargazing. Light pollution on Havelock and Neil is minimal. Set up a beach mat after dinner — many couples report this as the unexpected highlight of the trip.
Total cost breakdown — budget ₹65,000-1,80,000 per couple
Realistic 5-day Andaman honeymoon costs from India in 2026, per couple all-in:
- Budget (₹65,000-95,000): Flights ₹25-35K. Mid-tier hotels (SeaShell, Pearl Park, Sinclairs Bayview) ₹25-35K for 4 nights. Green Ocean ferries ₹6K. Activities and meals ₹10-20K. No spa, no premium dining.
- Mid-luxury (₹95,000-1,40,000): Flights ₹30-40K. Symphony Palms or Barefoot at Havelock ₹50-70K for 4 nights. Makruzz Gold ferries ₹8K. Scuba try-dive ₹12K. One romantic dinner ₹8-12K. Couples spa ₹6-9K. Other meals ₹10-15K.
- Premium (₹1,40,000-1,80,000): Flights ₹35-45K. Taj Exotica Havelock ₹85K-1.1L for 3N + Welcomhotel ITC Bay Island Port Blair ₹15-22K for 1N + Holiday Inn Neil ₹10-15K for 1N. Premium ferries ₹10K. Scuba ₹12K. Photography ₹12-18K. Two romantic dinners ₹25-40K. Spa ₹8-12K. Tips and incidentals ₹15-20K.
Sweet spot: ₹1,10,000-1,40,000 per couple for a 5-day honeymoon with Barefoot Havelock + Holiday Inn Neil, scuba together, one private dinner, photographer hire and full meals. About a third of what a comparable Maldives experience costs. The catch is variety — Andaman suits couples who want beach-and-each-other rather than constant novelty.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for an Andaman honeymoon?
November to April is the dry season — December and January are peak (book 10-12 weeks ahead). October and May are excellent shoulder months with fewer crowds and 20-30 percent lower hotel rates. Avoid June to September — monsoon brings rough seas, frequent ferry cancellations and many resorts running on reduced operations.
Do I need a permit for Andaman as an Indian citizen?
Indian citizens get a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) free on arrival at Port Blair (IXZ) — just show your Aadhaar card or passport at the immigration counter. No advance paperwork needed. The RAP is required to visit Havelock, Neil, and most other islands. Foreigners need advance RAP via Indian missions — this guide is built for Indian travellers.
Can non-swimmers try scuba diving in Andaman?
Yes. The Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) programme is built for complete beginners — no certification required, no swimming background needed. You spend 1 hour learning skills in shallow water, then descend with an instructor to 8-12 metres for a 30-40 minute reef dive. Dive India, Barefoot Scuba and Andaman Bubbles at Havelock all run DSDs daily (₹4,500-6,500 per person).
Is Andaman vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, easily. Most hotels and restaurants serve full vegetarian menus alongside seafood and meat. Symphony Palms, Taj Exotica, SeaShell Havelock and Summer Sands Neil all have dedicated vegetarian sections. Jain travellers should email hotels 1 week ahead with specific requirements. Local Andaman cuisine is heavily seafood-based but mainland Indian options (North Indian, South Indian, Continental) are everywhere.
Should I book Havelock for 3 nights and skip Neil?
Possible if you want to dive deeper into Havelock (more beach time, scuba certification course, multiple Radhanagar visits). But Neil adds a genuinely different vibe — quieter, less developed, with the Bharatpur Beach sandbar moment and a real sense of remoteness. For a 5-day trip, 2 Havelock + 1 Neil is the better balance; for 6-7 days, do 3 Havelock + 2 Neil + 1 Port Blair.
How do I book inter-island ferries in advance?
Makruzz (makruzz.com), Green Ocean (greenoceanseaways.com) and ITT Majestic (ittmajestic.com) are the three private operators with online booking. Book at least 1 week ahead for peak December-January dates; 3-5 days ahead for shoulder. Government ferries are cheaper but book at the jetty in person — they often sell out and are subject to cancellation in rough weather. Print tickets and carry ID matching the booking name.