Andaman and Nicobar Travel Guide: Islands, Permits, Best Time

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands lie far out in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar than to mainland India. Travellers come for clear water, coral reefs, white beaches and rainforest. Most also visit the Cellular Jail, the colonial prison of the freedom struggle. Only some of the islands are open to visitors, and travel between them is by ferry, so plans need a little more care here than on the mainland.

Forest down to the waterline, and coral a few strokes from the sand.

Where to go

• Sri Vijaya Puram: the capital, formerly Port Blair, with the Cellular Jail and its evening light and sound show, the Samudrika naval marine museum and Corbyn's Cove beach.
• Swaraj Dweep (Havelock): Radhanagar beach at sunset, Elephant beach for snorkelling, and the islands' main diving centres.
• Shaheed Dweep (Neil): a small, flat island of farms and quiet beaches, with a natural rock bridge at low tide.
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep (Ross Island): the overgrown ruins of the old British headquarters, a short boat ride from the capital, open for day visits only.
• Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park: reefs off Wandoor; Jolly Buoy island is open from 15 November to 15 May, and Red Skin island for the rest of the year.
• Chidiyatapu and Mount Manipur: forest walks and sunset at the southern tip, and the hill park once called Mount Harriet, with views over the harbour.
• Baratang: limestone caves reached by boat through mangrove creeks, and small mud volcanoes, on the road north.
• Diglipur: the far north, with Ross and Smith islands joined by a sandbar, and Saddle Peak, the highest point in the islands.
• Little Andaman: Hut Bay, surf beaches and waterfalls, a long ferry ride south.

Permits and closed islands

Indian citizens need no permit for the tourist islands. Foreign tourists do not need a Restricted Area Permit for the 29 islands open to tourism, among them Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, Baratang, Diglipur and Little Andaman; this relaxation runs to 31 December 2027. A further 11 islands, Ross among them, are open to foreigners for day visits only.

The relaxation does not apply to citizens of Afghanistan, China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Pakistan, or to foreigners of that origin. They need a Restricted Area Permit approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs before they arrive. Myanmar citizens need one for Mayabunder and Diglipur.

The Nicobar Islands are closed to foreigners, who may not travel beyond Hut Bay on Little Andaman. Indians need a Tribal Pass, given only for official or sponsored visits. Tribal reserves are closed to everyone. The road to Baratang crosses the Jarawa reserve in escorted convoys; stopping, photographing or offering anything to the Jarawa people is a criminal offence. Reserved forests, sanctuaries and marine parks need separate permits, which tour operators usually arrange.

Festivals

• Island Tourism Festival (December): music, dance and food stalls in Sri Vijaya Puram and other islands; 27 to 31 December in 2026.
• Durga Puja and Kali Puja (October and November): kept with pandals by the large Bengali community of the islands.
• Christmas (December): church services and lights, especially among the Christian communities of the islands.
• New Year (31 December): beach gatherings on Swaraj Dweep and in the capital, the busiest time of the season.

Food to try

• Grilled fish and lobster: the catch of the day, usually priced by weight, at beach shacks and town restaurants.
• Fish curry and rice: cooked in the Bengali, Tamil and Malayali styles of the families who settled the islands.
• Crab curry: mud crab from the mangroves, cooked dry or in coconut gravy.
• Tender coconut: drunk straight from the shell, the islands' everyday cold drink.

Stories from Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Districts, Islands and Permits

Plan your visit

Best season	November to April, when the sea is calm and clear for diving and ferries. The south-west monsoon (roughly May to September) brings rough seas, and more rain often follows in October and November; ferries can be cancelled at short notice.
How to reach	Fly to Veer Savarkar International Airport, Sri Vijaya Puram, from Chennai, Kolkata and other mainland cities. Passenger ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, a voyage of several days; check schedules with the Directorate of Shipping Services. There is no railway in the islands.
Getting around	Government ferries and private catamarans link Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep; book ahead in season. Taxis, buses and hired scooters on the larger islands. The road north through the Jarawa reserve runs only in escorted convoys.
Where to stay	Sri Vijaya Puram around Aberdeen Bazaar or Corbyn's Cove; Swaraj Dweep near Govind Nagar and Radhanagar; Shaheed Dweep near Sitapur and Bharatpur beaches; Diglipur town for the north.
How long to spend	Five days for Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep; a week or more to add Baratang, Diglipur or a dive course.
Permits	Indians need no permit for the tourist islands. Foreign tourists need no Restricted Area Permit for the 29 islands open to tourism (relaxation valid to 31 December 2027), except citizens and people of Afghan, Chinese and Pakistani origin, who need a permit approved in advance by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Nicobar Islands and all tribal reserves are closed to tourists. Marine parks and forests need separate forest permits. Check the A&N Tourism website before you go.

Open Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India in Google Maps

Questions people ask

Do foreigners need a permit for the Andaman Islands?

Most foreign tourists need no Restricted Area Permit for the 29 islands open to tourism, a relaxation valid to 31 December 2027. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, and people of that origin, must get a permit approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs before arriving.

Can tourists visit the Nicobar Islands?

No. Foreigners may not go beyond Hut Bay on Little Andaman, and Indians need a Tribal Pass, which is issued only for official or sponsored visits.

What is the best time to visit the Andamans?

November to April, when the sea is calm and the water is clearest for snorkelling and diving. December and January are the busiest months.

How many days do I need in the Andamans?

Five days covers Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep. Allow a week or more for Baratang, Diglipur or diving.

Is it safe to visit the Andamans in the monsoon?

Yes, but seas are rough, some boat trips and water sports stop, and ferries can be cancelled. Keep spare days before your flight home.

Written by Muthu, editor of Aura of India. Sources: A&N Tourism: Restricted Area Permit notice, Directorate of Shipping Services, A&N Administration: terms and conditions, District Nicobar: Tribal Pass, ANIIDCO: entry formalities. Last verified: 13 October 2026.

Your turn: Swaraj Dweep or Shaheed Dweep: if you had one extra day in the Andamans, which island would you give it to?