Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) Travel Guide 2026 — beaches, ferries, and where to stay
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 · 13 min read
Neil Island — officially renamed Shaheed Dweep — is a small, unhurried island 37 km from Port Blair and about 25 km from Havelock. Indian travellers who want coral reefs, natural rock arches and genuine quiet without Havelock's resort crowds consistently rate Neil as their favourite Andaman island. Getting there is the same formula: fly to Port Blair, then ferry.
TL;DR — Neil Island in 60 seconds
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) is the quieter, smaller cousin of Havelock — favoured by travellers who want uncrowded beaches, excellent snorkelling at Bharatpur, and the famous natural rock arch at Laxmanpur Beach. You fly into Port Blair (IXZ) and take a ferry from Phoenix Bay Jetty (roughly 1.5–2 hours by catamaran). No permit required for Indian nationals. The island has no large luxury resort chains — accommodation is mid-range guesthouses, small eco-resorts and beach cottages. Best for: couples and solo travellers seeking slow travel; not ideal if you want nightlife or a pool villa.
How do I reach Neil Island from the mainland?
The route is identical to Havelock in the first leg:
- Fly to Port Blair (Veer Savarkar International Airport, IXZ) from your nearest gateway — Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru or Hyderabad. Direct flights from Chennai and Kolkata are most frequent and cheapest. One-way economy fares from Chennai hover around ₹4,000–8,000 in shoulder season and can spike to ₹15,000+ around Christmas and Diwali. From Delhi, expect ₹7,000–18,000 one-way depending on how far ahead you book.
- Take a ferry from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair to Neil Island Jetty. The private catamaran operators — Makruzz and Green Ocean — run departures in the morning and early afternoon. Journey time is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Government ferries also operate but take longer (around 2.5–3 hours).
You can also take a ferry directly from Havelock to Neil (about 45–60 minutes by catamaran) if you are island-hopping — this is a popular combination: Port Blair → Havelock (2–3 nights) → Neil (1–2 nights) → Port Blair. Book each ferry leg separately online. Approximate one-way catamaran fares in 2026: Port Blair to Neil around ₹700–1,100; Havelock to Neil around ₹500–900. Fees and features change — verify on the official site before you rely on them.
Practical tip on ferry timings: the first catamaran departure from Port Blair to Neil is typically around 6–7 am, which means an early morning hotel checkout. If your Port Blair flight arrives in the afternoon on Day 1, plan to stay overnight in Port Blair before catching the morning catamaran to Neil the next day. Never try to catch the last ferry of the day after an afternoon flight — delays on the runway can leave you stranded at the jetty.
What are the beaches on Neil Island like?
Neil Island has five named beaches, each with a distinct character despite the island's small size (about 18 sq km):
- Bharatpur Beach (Beach No. 1): near the jetty; the most accessible and the best for snorkelling right off the shore. Glass-bottom boat rides are available here for non-swimmers. Calm, shallow lagoon — good for children. Snorkelling gear can be rented from stalls near the beach for roughly ₹150–250 per hour.
- Sitapur Beach (Beach No. 4): on the eastern tip; best known for its sunrise. The walk to the waterline at low tide crosses exposed reef flats — bring reef shoes. Quiet and atmospheric. Auto-rickshaws from the jetty to Sitapur cost around ₹150–200 one-way.
- Laxmanpur Beach (Beach No. 2): famous for the natural rock arch (sometimes called the Howrah Bridge of the Andamans) exposed at low tide, plus excellent sunset views. Combine a walk along Laxmanpur with timing for the rock arch at low tide — check local tide tables the day before visiting.
- Bharatpur Beach No. 3 / Ramnagar Beach: less visited, with a more natural, undeveloped feel. Good for solitary walks and occasional good snorkelling patches.
Neil's beaches are generally calmer and shallower than Havelock's Radhanagar, which makes them very accessible for families with young children or non-swimmers. The entire island is compact enough to cover by bicycle — rent one near the jetty for ₹150–300 per day and cycle to all the beaches over two days at a relaxed pace.
Do I need a permit to visit Neil Island as an Indian?
No special permit is required for Indian nationals visiting Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). Like Havelock, Neil falls within the open areas of the Andaman Islands for Indian citizens. You land in Port Blair, board your ferry, and arrive on Neil without any permit formalities.
Foreign nationals have separate requirements (Restricted Area Permit) — but this guide is written for Indian passport holders, for whom the process is seamless. Carry your Aadhaar card or PAN card — your guesthouse will need a copy for the mandatory accommodation register, which is standard across all Andaman islands.
Is Neil Island better than Havelock? (Neil vs Havelock comparison)
| Factor | Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) | Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) |
|---|---|---|
| Size and crowd level | Small, quieter; fewer tourists | Larger island; noticeably more crowded in season |
| Best beach | Laxmanpur (rock arch + sunset) | Radhanagar (Asia ranking, white sand) |
| Snorkelling | Bharatpur Beach (easy, shallow) | Elephant Beach (richer reefs) |
| Scuba diving | Basic options available; fewer sites | Much better; multiple dive centres |
| Accommodation | Guesthouses, small eco-resorts; budget-friendly | Full range including luxury resorts (Barefoot, Taj) |
| Typical accommodation cost | ₹1,200–4,000/night | ₹2,000–25,000+/night |
| Best for | Slow travel, couples, quiet seekers, budget travellers | Serious divers, luxury travellers, first-timers |
| Ferry time from Port Blair | ~1.5–2 hours | ~1.5–2 hours (similar) |
| ATM availability | Limited — one or two ATMs near the jetty bazaar; often empty in peak season | Better — a few ATMs, though cash is still king in many spots |
The most common recommendation: if you have 5+ days, do both. If you only have time for one, choose Havelock for diving and Radhanagar Beach, or Neil for a slower and cheaper experience. Neil is also a better fit for travellers who are sensitive to crowds — even in December you can find an empty stretch of beach on Neil, which is nearly impossible at Radhanagar on Havelock.
What should I know about getting around Neil Island?
Neil Island is about 18 sq km — small enough that every beach is reachable within 15–20 minutes by auto-rickshaw or 30–45 minutes by bicycle. Here is what to expect for local transport:
- Auto-rickshaws: available near the jetty and the main bazaar. No meters — agree on the fare before you board. Typical fares: jetty to Bharatpur Beach ₹50–80; jetty to Laxmanpur ₹100–150; jetty to Sitapur ₹150–200. Auto-rickshaws are scarce on certain beach stretches, especially in the evenings — confirm a return pick-up time with your driver when going to Sitapur or Ramnagar.
- Bicycles: the best way to explore the island independently. Hire from near the jetty for ₹150–300 per day. The roads are flat enough for casual cyclists; the main ring road connecting all four named beaches is well-surfaced.
- Boats: for snorkelling trips to outer reef patches beyond Bharatpur, local boat operators at the jetty offer half-day trips for approximately ₹600–1,200 per person depending on the destination and group size.
Neil does not have a 24-hour ATM network — carry sufficient cash from Port Blair. Most guesthouses and restaurants accept cash only. A few larger establishments now take UPI (PhonePe/Google Pay), but do not rely on this entirely.
When is the best time to visit Neil Island?
The timing for Neil Island mirrors the broader Andaman season:
- October to April: the main tourist season. Clear skies, calm seas, ferry services run reliably. November to February is peak — book accommodation months in advance for Neil in December or January.
- February to March: a sweet spot — good weather, fewer crowds than December–January, competitive prices on guesthouses.
- May to September (monsoon): Neil stays open but is much quieter. Ferry schedules can be disrupted. Some smaller guesthouses close. Rates drop sharply. Suitable for travellers who do not mind a bit of rain and want complete solitude.
Where to stay and eat on Neil Island
Neil Island has a compact market area near the jetty with restaurants and basic shops. Accommodation options are smaller-scale than Havelock — expect guesthouses, homestays and small eco-resorts rather than large hotel chains:
- Budget (₹1,200–2,000/night): several guesthouses near Bharatpur and the bazaar offer clean rooms with attached bathrooms and simple meals. Properties like Tango Beach Resort and Pearl Park Beach Resort are well-known in this bracket.
- Mid-range (₹2,000–4,500/night): small resorts with better facilities, air-conditioning and in-house dining. Book well ahead for season. Some mid-range properties sit right on Bharatpur or Laxmanpur beachfront, which justifies the higher rate for the views and easy beach access.
- No true luxury tier: Neil does not have a 5-star or large resort property — that is part of its charm. Travellers seeking Barefoot-style luxury should go to Havelock or stay in Port Blair's better hotels.
Food on the island is dominated by fresh seafood — grilled fish, prawns and crab at modest prices. A full seafood dinner (fish fry + rice + salad) at one of the beachside shacks costs roughly ₹350–600 per person — significantly cheaper than equivalent meals on Havelock. Most guesthouses offer a basic breakfast (toast, eggs, chai) included in the room rate or for ₹100–200 extra. See our companion guides to Havelock Island and Agatti & Lakshadweep, and explore more beach destinations via FlightGPT Destinations.
Bottom line
Neil Island is the Andamans' best-kept mainstream secret — genuinely beautiful, uncrowded and affordable. It works best as part of a Port Blair → Havelock → Neil circuit. Allocate 1–2 nights for Neil specifically; any longer and you may have seen everything the island has to offer. The rock arch at Laxmanpur Beach at low tide is unmissable. Carry cash from Port Blair, book ferry seats in advance in peak season, and rent a bicycle your first morning — it is the best way to see all five beaches. Fees and features change — verify on the official site before you rely on them.
Explore more island destinations on FlightGPT →Frequently asked questions
How far is Neil Island from Port Blair?
Neil Island is approximately 37 km from Port Blair by sea. The private catamaran ferry takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. The government ferry takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.
Do Indians need a permit for Neil Island?
No. Indian nationals do not need any permit to visit Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). You simply fly to Port Blair and take the ferry.
Can I visit both Havelock and Neil Island on the same trip?
Yes, and it is highly recommended. A catamaran connects Havelock and Neil Island in about 45–60 minutes. The typical circuit is Port Blair → Havelock (2–3 nights) → Neil (1–2 nights) → Port Blair.
Which beach on Neil Island is best for snorkelling?
Bharatpur Beach (Beach No. 1), near the Neil Island jetty, is the best for snorkelling. It has a shallow lagoon with coral and fish visible from the surface, and glass-bottom boats operate here too.
What is the natural arch on Neil Island?
The natural rock arch (sometimes called the Howrah Bridge of the Andamans) is at Laxmanpur Beach. It is exposed at low tide and is one of the island's most photographed landmarks. Check local tide tables before visiting to time your arrival for low tide.
Is there an ATM on Neil Island?
There are one or two ATMs near the jetty bazaar on Neil Island, but they frequently run out of cash during peak season. Carry sufficient cash from Port Blair — most local restaurants and small guesthouses on Neil accept only cash or UPI, not cards.