Andaman Islands
Destination guide

Andaman Islands

India's Emerald Islands

BeachHidden GemsRomanticLuxury
The Verdict

Radhanagar Beach on Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) was named Asia's best beach by TIME.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa opened 2019 as India's only true 5★ beach resort in the Andamans, with private-plunge villas in mangrove forest.

At a glance

Fast facts

Best months
November to April (26–32°C, calm sea, best diving visibility).
Weather
Winter tropical, 26–32°C. May–October monsoon, rough seas, diving closed.
Airport
Port Blair (IXZ). Then 2h high-speed ferry (Makruzz) or seaplane to Havelock.
Flight time
From Europe → Delhi 6h + Delhi → Port Blair 5h + 2h ferry.
Dress code
Beach resort. Modest cover at Cellular Jail memorial.
Currency
INR. Cards fine at Taj Exotica; small vendors cash.
The story

A place with a past

01An archipelago of 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar than mainland India. 38 inhabited. Population 400,000.
02Ecologically pristine — 86% forest cover, coral reefs, and indigenous tribes (some still uncontacted).
03Used by the British as a penal colony (Cellular Jail, 1906). Occupied by Japan in WWII.
04The Sentinelese, Jarawa and Onge tribes have lived here for 30,000–60,000 years.
Culture & flavour

How it feels, how it tastes

The mood

Bengali/Tamil settler communities + protected indigenous tribes (visiting Jarawa reserve strictly prohibited).

On the plate

Fresh seafood — grilled lobster, red snapper, mud crab. Coconut everything.

Taj Exotica's The Settlers is the best table on the islands.

Where to stay

Our hotel shortlist

01Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Havelock — private-plunge villas, only 5★ on the islands
02Jalakara Villa Hotel — 7-suite jungle boutique on Havelock
03Barefoot at Havelock — eco-luxury cottages
Signature moments

Frame these

Radhanagar Beach at sunset (Beach No. 7)Elephant Beach snorkellingNeil Island's BharatpurCellular Jail evening light-and-soundRoss Island abandoned British ruins
Souvenirs & swerves

Bring home / Skip the rest

Bring home

Pearl jewellery, shell craft (from certified sources only — much is protected), Nicobari mats.

Politely skip

Attempts to visit tribal reserves (illegal + dangerous).

Fishing in protected reef areas. Buying coral or turtle-shell items.

Traveller notes

Insider details

Safety & discretion

Very safe for luxury travellers. Private transfers and vetted guides accompany every part of the journey.

On the ground
Rare Multilingual guides — brought in from Delhi.
Direct flights from Delhi/Bangalore/Chennai only.
Did you know

Trivia worth telling

01The Sentinelese tribe on North Sentinel Island has had zero verified contact with the outside world.
02Radhanagar Beach was named 'Best Beach in Asia' by TIME magazine.
03The Andaman Islands are geographically Asian but administratively Indian — 1,200 km east of the mainland.
04The Andaman Sea has some of the world's best-preserved coral reefs — 200+ species.
05The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami originated 200km south of Port Blair.
Elevate the trip

Optional flourishes

Seaplane transfer Port Blair → Havelock (skips 2h ferry) Private catamaran charter with chef and dive master PADI Open Water certification in 4 days at Barefoot Scuba Sunset private beach dinner on empty Radhanagar (Taj arrangement) Private Cellular Jail after-hours tour with historian
India Tour, by the numbers
1:1
Guest to concierge ratio
24/7
Destination manager
03
Curated stays
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