Spending 7 Days in Andaman Islands: The Complete Itinerary and Travel Guide

Andaman one week itinerary is the most sought after a plan by travelers visiting these scenic islands. Located at the far end from the Indian mainland, the Andaman Islands are a sight to behold. This archipelago (a group of islands) beautifully sits on the eastern end of Bay of Bengal.

The Andaman Islands will mesmerize you with their white sand beaches and magnificent coral reefs. No wonder, these islands have become one of India’s top travel destinations. Hence, framing a suitable Andaman one week itinerary is essential. 

I took a trip to Andaman Islands recently and can tell you without a doubt that you will end up spending almost every morning and evening on all days at different beaches. In my current blog, I will share my own Andaman one week itinerary with you. On my recent trip, I followed it and was able to explore the place well. I hope you benefit a great deal out of it.

One of the many mesmerizing beaches on the Andaman islands. The first question that pops up in the mind of most travelers visiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands is to create a decent itinerary. Also, the number of beaches that can be visited on their trip. Well, let me tell you that one complete week is an ideal time to unwind yourself in the tranquil beaches of this tropical paradise.

Andaman One Week Itinerary

If you are wondering how to plan a trip to Andaman, I will try my best to guide you in preparing a good itinerary.

What can possibly be better than sharing my own Andaman one week itinerary with you!

The following Andaman itinerary for 7 days was followed by me and I will recommend the same to you.

This itinerary keeps in mind the balance between relaxation, adventure, sightseeing and fun. It is suitable for travelers across age groups.

Now that I have given you a rough idea about how your Andaman one week itinerary should look like, let me provide you with more details. This will help you get more clarity.

Day 1 of Andaman One Week Itinerary

Your seven day trip to Andaman Islands will begin at Port Blair.

Located in South Andaman, Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All major carriers fly to Veer Savarkar International Airport, situated just outside the city.

Landing in Port Blair will give you an adrenaline rush. After all, you will be looking at the emerald and turquoise waters of the isles. The majority of the flights arriving at Port Blair are post noon.

So you can check into your hotel, freshen up and go for some local sightseeing.

The first place you should be visiting is the Cellular Jail. It is an old colonial prison also known as Kala Pani. In Hindi, the words Kala Pani mean ‘black water.’

This prison has witnessed gruesome tortures of the Indian freedom fighters sent to exile. Spending an hour in these cells will make you retrospect on a lot of things.

The view from the top of the Cellular Jail. During the colonial rule in India, prisoners from the Indian mainland were kept here. The treatment given to them was cruel and barbaric. Walking past the cells will take you down dark historic times.

Once you are done seeing the Cellular Jail, head for the’Sound and Light Show’ therein.

The Sound and Light Show at Cellular Jail reveals the tales of the injustice and inhuman punishments faced by prisoners. This one-hour musical is sure to touch your heart and tear you up.

Day 2 of Andaman One Week Itinerary

Wake up early and depart for your morning ferry to Havelock Island. This is the only way to travel to Havelock Island from Port Blair. The Phoenix Bay Jetty connects Port Blair and Havelock Island.

You can opt for a government ferry that takes slightly longer but is way cheaper than privately owned catamarans.

Havelock Island is home to some of the most impressive beaches in Andamans. One such beach is the Radhanagar Beach. It will stun you with a spectacular sunset view.

Radhanagar Beach has been consistently rated as one of the best beaches in Asia. This will certainly be one of your biggest highlights from the trip.

Havelock Islands is also home to some gorgeous coral reefs. In recent years, this place has become a hub for adventure activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling. 

Havelock Island recently got a new name. It is now known as Swaraj Dweep.

While at Havelock Island, make sure to witness the spectacular sunset view at Radhanagar Beach. It is rated as among the best beaches in Asia. Watching the sun go down in the turquoise waters of the Andaman sea is a truly beautiful sight.

Day 3 of Andaman One Week Itinerary 

Start your third day of Andaman one week itinerary with the most awaited of all adventure activities – Scuba diving.

Scuba diving at Andaman is one of the most sought after experiences by travelers. The diving establishments at Havelock are located at Govindnagar Beach No. 2.

The instructors are PADI certified and diving here is safe without having anything to worry about. PADI stands for Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

The entire process of getting trained and then going deeper into the blue waters to see the corals will take roughly about a couple of hours.

Scuba diving is a must while at Havelock, especially if it is your first dive.

Do not worry at all. The fact that you will pursue scuba diving for the first time is a thing that will make you proud later.

Scuba Diving at Havelock Island will prove to be one of your best experiences. I strongly insist that you don’t be afraid and pursue it against all odds. The instructors at the Andamans are highly experienced. It will leave you with a fantastic memory for life.

Once you are done with scuba diving, spend the rest of the evening at Kalapathar Beach. This is a rocky beach with black stones. It is a quiet beach which sees fewer tourists and does not have any commercial set-up like food joints or shopping outlets around.

It is the perfect place to spend some time by yourself just looking at the rise and fall of ocean waves when the sun goes down.

Day 4 of Andaman One Week Itinerary 

Head to the Elephant Beach in the morning for your next adventure. The conditions at the Elephant beach are favourable for snorkeling.

Clear blue still water and corals near the shore will make for one heck of snorkeling experience.

The beach is accessible either by a 30-minute boat ride from the Havelock Jetty, or a one hour trek through the swampy marshes. Either way, it is an interesting excursion and worth the effort.

If you’re not yet content with the number of beach visits, visit Govindnagar Beach No. 5.

Govind Nagar Beach No. 5 offers breath-taking views of the endless sea while you swim in the open waters.

One thing that you absolutely cannot miss is observing the natural phenomena of bio-luminescence at Havelock Island. In fact, if you want, head for a night kayaking trip. It is truly magical.

Bio-luminescence is basically a phenomenon of production and emission of light by phytoplankton. These microscopic algae give water a sparkling and glowing feel. 

The phenomena are best observed on a new moon night. But, you can observe it at other times of the lunar month as well.

At Havelock Island, you can pursue a night kayaking tour for observing bio-luminescence better. A female guide – Tanaz will help you through your trip. Not only will she motivate you but will inspire you with her vast knowledge about kayaking, planets, constellations and their effect on these organisms that produce light.

Your trip will begin at 3 in the morning and end at sunrise around 6 am. Trust me, you will never forget this magical experience.

One of the best takeaways from your week-long trip to Andamans should be witnessing the magical bio-luminescence at Havelock Island. If you like adventure, take a 3-hour kayaking trip at night with this extraordinarily inspiring guide named Tanaz.

Day 5 of Andaman One Week Itinerary

Board the morning ferry from Havelock to Neil island. Neil is much smaller in size as compared to Havelock. However, it is well-connected to both Port Blair and Havelock by ferry.

The island is meant for relaxing and nothing else. It is a favourite among travelers wanting to beat the crowd. Spending a day at Neil Island to take a breather is the right way to spend some quality time.

Bharatpur, Laxmanpur and Sitapur are the three beaches on the island. Each one of them has its own charm.

Most of the resorts on the island are on the Bharatpur Beach with direct beach access and amazing snorkeling opportunities.

The highlight of the island is the Natural Coral Bridge at the Laxmanpur beach.

The beach also offers a great sunset view. Neil island was also recently renamed and is now known as Shaheed Dweep.

The beautiful Neil Island – connected to both Port Blair and Haveock by the Government ferry. This particular island is not known for any specific activities or sights. The best thing to do is relax, breathe, and do nothing. Trust me, you’ll absolutely ove it.

Day 6 of Andaman One Week Itinerary

On day six, you should be heading back to Port Blair. A ferry will bring you back from Neil Island to Port Blair.

You can check-in to your hotel and then get ready to visit one of the earliest British administrative settlements – the Ross Island near Port Blair.

Ross Island has been recently renamed to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island.

The island is tiny and located just off Port Blair. You can get to the island only by ferry from Port Blair. This will take less than 15 minutes in a ferry.

The Ross island now hosts only ruins but was a palace during the British rule.

They fondly called it the ‘Paris of the East’ owing to its natural charm and lavish vibe. The island has no vehicles and offers the best views with endless coconut and palm trees.

Ross Island was also called ‘Paris of the East’ in the early 19th century for its natural charm. Now, it hosts only ruins but was a palace during the British rule. The Government of India has now changed its name to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island.

Day 7 of Andaman One Week Itinerary

Your flight back home will most likely depart from Port Blair in the afternoon. This means you still have a few hours left before you bid goodbye.

Start your last day of the Andaman one week itinerary with a morning walk at the Corbyn’s Cove offering the best sunrise view at Port Blair.

The beach at Corbyn’s Cove is a delight and you can afford to spend some time here soaking in the morning sun.

The last of all the attractions should be Chatham Saw Mill.  Make a quick visit there and to the Anthropological Museum before you head to the airport.

The Chatham Saw Mill is one of the oldest and the largest saw and timber mills in Asia. The Anthropological Museum is a tribute to the tribes of the Andaman Islands.

Your Andaman one week trip will end here. I am sure that it will make you richer by exquisite experiences at an exotic destination.

Reasonable Budget for your 7 Day Itinerary to Andaman Islands

You might have heard a lot of people say that Andaman Islands are expensive. That is not entirely true. 

People who end up spending money over their pre-decided budget are either luxury travelers or ill-informed visitors. If you are a luxury traveler, you can spend as much money as you desire.

But if you are an explorer like me and want to travel around Andaman Islands on a budget, do your research.

The budget largely depends on the choice of accommodation and the timing of your trip.

If you are looking forward to a luxurious stay, you will certainly end up spending way more than the above set budget. If you plan a trip during peak season, again you will spend much more. 

Therefore, travel to Andaman when the crowd is less. Hotels will cost you less and so will the flights.

Contrary to what a lot of people say, a budget trip to the Andaman Islands is easily possible. All you need to do is plan in advance, and make some worthy compromises. However, if you are a luxury traveler, you can spend as much money as you desire.

Mandatory Expenses for a 1 Week Trip to Andaman Islands

The expenses shared above are mandatory ones. You cannot skip them. However, you can surely indulge in resourceful planning.

Now let me share with you expenses that are optional. These mainly include adventure sports by the sea. Go for them if your heart desires. 

Most people go for scuba diving and snorkelling only.

Optional Expenses for a 1 Week Trip to Andaman Islands

Now that I’ve shared my complete Andaman one week itinerary with you along with the budget, let me elaborate on the travel basics of this locale.

Before planning your trip to the Andaman Islands, you should be aware of all of these aspects. It will help you connect more with the place.

Spend a lot of time at the beaches and make sure to carry all the essential stuff. Don’t allow people into making you believe that Andamans is expensive. Do your research and you’ll be surprised at how nominal the costs of visiting such a tropical locale are.

Travel Basics of Andaman and Nicobar Islands 

Here is some important travel information about Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You should be aware of it to fully understand the region.

Location

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands that lie in the Bay of Bengal region. The Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands are two distinct groups of islands.

They are separated by a 150 km wide channel. It is popularly known as the Ten Degree Channel. The Andaman Islands lie towards the to the north of the Ten Degree Channel. The Nicobar Islands lie towards to the south of the Ten Degree Channel.

These islands are together separated from Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia by the Andaman sea. Geographically, the islands are closer to these countries than India. However, they are politically a part of India.

Number of Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of almost 572 islands.

Out of this, only 37 islands have been inhabited.

Together, they form an archipelago (a group of islands).

Permits needed for visiting

If you are a traveler from within India, then no permit is required. However, if you are a traveler from outside India, you will need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to enter the Islands.

RAP is easily available on arrival at Port Blair. It will be valid for a maximum of 30 days. In case you need it extended, then either the SP or the FRO at Port Blair will have to issue you the permission for a maximum of 15 more days.

RAP can also be obtained from the Indian Missions overseas. Also from the Foreigners Registration Offices at New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and from the Immigration Authorities at the Airport of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

Modes of travel

Your point of entry in Andaman Islands will be Port Blair. You can reach Port Blair by either air or sea.

The cheapest way to travel to Andaman is to take a flight. Major Indian airlines fly to Port Blair daily from the following Indian cities – Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Delhi.

There are no direct flights to Port Blair from any other country. So you will have to be in India first and then travel to the Andaman Islands.

If you are interested in a cruising experience, you can opt to travel by ship from Chennai, Kolkata or Vishakhapatnam.

It takes roughly around 3 to 4 days. However, sailing is a seasonal activity.

Best Time to Visit

Andaman is a destination that you may visit the year-round.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands experience a warm tropical climate. It gets extremely humid at all times. Temperature averages at about 30 degrees Celsius around the year with erratic rainfall in most of the months.

Most travelers prefer to implement their Andaman one week itinerary between January and February. However, you can travel from April to May as well. It will cost you less than.

This is because during this time, the days are pleasant and the sun is not as harsh as it is during summer. Also, it does not rain as much in these months as it does in monsoon. So, there are lesser chances of high tidal waves and storms ruining your holiday.

Visiting Andamans when you deem it fit is important. Make sure you do your research and then travel to this heavenly abode. Do not travel when the heat is scorching and when the monsoons are at their peak. Travel when nature charms with all its bounty.

Currency

The Indian Rupee (INR) is the only valid and accepted currency on the Andaman Islands.

There are currency exchange outlets at the airport as well as in Port Blair.

ATMs are also operational in the city.

It is best that you carry sufficient cash while travelling to Havelock and Neil Islands.

Estimated budget of your trip

For a seven day trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, you should not spend more than 20 to 25K (INR).

This is about 363 USD or 324 EUR.

Try saving on accommodation and flights by booking early.

Remember that Andaman is not really a budget destination. But that does not mean you have to spend over the top.

I made sure to stick to 25K INR and my trip went just fine. All you need to do is a little research and advance planning.

Safety

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are safe as far as the crowd is concerned. You will face no mugging, eve teasing or harassment. 

However, in the recent past, the Islands have been prone to tsunamis and earthquakes.

Therefore, always check with the meteorological department before taking a trip here.

Eating options

Multi cuisine restaurants have opened up in all major Islands in the past.

Plenty of vegetarian restaurants with great South Indian and North Indian food are available.

Thus, there is absolutely no difficulty in finding a decent place to eat.

How to Find Cheap Accommodation in Andaman?

Unlike other exotic destinations where you’d find all kinds of luxury hotels, Andaman Islands are more grounded. The number of fancy accommodation options is limited, and their prices are on the higher side.

Now, this is good because you can choose from a range of budget hotels. It is important that you chose your accommodation wisely. Invest some time online in looking for budget options.

Then, book them as soon as you find them. Else, you will end up spending way more money than required.

It needs to be pointed out here that when I use the term ‘budget hotel,’ I do not imply stinky stays. I mean the most resourceful options that offer you a decent experience without burning your wallet.

Accommodation options

As I mentioned before, an ideal thing to do on your trip is to stay at a budget hotel. 

There is no dearth of budget stays. All you need to do is find them and book them weeks in advance.

Hotels in Port Blair will cost you less than those at Havelock and Neil Islands. In case you’re traveling as a group of friends, you can split the money. That way, it will cost you less.

However, if you are a solo traveler, make sure to dig deep and find yourself a nominal hotel.

If you end up spending more on your accommodation, you won’t be able to explore the beautiful locales. So I strongly suggest that you save on accommodation.

This is the view from the hotel I stayed at during my time in Port Blair. You too can look for budget hotels that provide you with the comfort and views that you desire. If you are traveling as a group of friends, you can go to fancy resorts as the cost can be split.

Important Travel Tips for Visiting Andaman

Whenever somebody visits a new region, it is important to stay aware of some handy tips.

I cannot begin to tell you how much these tips will help you. 

No amount of words can do justice to the beauty of Andamans. These islands treated me so well, and I hope I have the privilege of re-visiting them someday. If well-planned, you’ll see that you don’t need lots of money to explore such magical destinations.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are beautiful travel destinations. If planned well in time, seven days can be fun filled in this tropical paradise.

While in this serene place, make sure to act responsibly. Do not be a frivolous traveler. Be a respectful one. Make sure to pay reverence to the locale and its people.

Once you spend a week in Andamans, you will surely carry a piece of it in your heart wherever you go.

Happy wayfaring