Andaman Tour for 5 Days: A Realistic Travel Guide

An Andaman tour for 5 days covers Port Blair and Havelock comfortably, with Neil Island as a stretch. Four nights gets you the Cellular Jail, Radhanagar beach, one scuba or snorkel day, and a second island, as long as you resist cramming in a fourth stop and turning the trip into a ferry marathon.

What does a 5-day Andaman trip actually cover?

Five days means four nights on the ground, and the sea eats more of that than people expect. Each inter-island ferry costs you a half-day once you count the jetty wait, the crossing and the transfer at either end. So the real choice is two islands at a relaxed pace, or three islands with a rushed feel.

For a first trip, Port Blair plus Havelock is the comfortable version. Adding Neil Island is doable and worth it if you accept an extra ferry day. Trying to also fit Baratang or anything in the north is where five-day plans fall apart. Leave those for a longer trip.

One less thing to plan: Indian travellers need no permit for Port Blair, Havelock or Neil. Foreign nationals should check the current Restricted Area Permit rules before they travel, as a few exceptions still apply.

Day-by-day: the best Andaman tour for 5 days

Day 1: Port Blair

Fly into Port Blair and give the afternoon to the Cellular Jail, the colonial-era prison that anchors the islands’ freedom-struggle history. Stay for the evening light and sound show in the jail courtyard, though check the day’s schedule, since the English show runs only on select nights. Keep the day light, as most flights land by early afternoon.

Day 2: Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)

Take an early ferry to Havelock, now officially Swaraj Dweep, a crossing of around 90 minutes to two hours that costs roughly 1,000 to 2,500 rupees depending on class. Drop your bags and head to Radhanagar Beach, regularly rated one of Asia’s finest, best at sunset when the day crowd thins. The sand is wide and the water calm enough for an easy swim.

Day 3: Havelock water day

This is your water-sports day. Beginners can do a Discover Scuba dive or snorkel at Elephant Beach, reached by a short boat ride. A first dive costs roughly 3,500 to 5,000 rupees and needs no experience, while snorkelling runs far less. Book it for the morning, when the water is clearest and calmest. Certified divers get better reefs offshore. If diving is not your thing, Kalapathar Beach in the late afternoon is a quieter alternative to Radhanagar.

Day 4: Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Catch a morning ferry to Neil, officially Shaheed Dweep, about 30 to 45 minutes from Havelock. Neil is smaller and slower. See the Natural Bridge rock formation at low tide, Laxmanpur Beach for sunset, and Bharatpur Beach for shallow snorkelling. One day here is enough.

Day 5: Back to Port Blair and departure

Take a ferry back to Port Blair, timing it well before your flight. If you land a few hours spare, Corbyn’s Cove Beach or a quick Ross Island trip fills the gap. Do not book the ferry for the same window as your flight, as cancellations happen.

How much does a 5-day Andaman trip cost?

Budget of roughly 22,000 to 28,000 rupees per person for a lean trip and 30,000 to 42,000 for a mid-range one, both including return flights, as of 2026. Flights are the single biggest cost and swing hardest by city and booking date. Book 30 to 45 days ahead and you can save several thousand rupees a head.

The rest breaks down roughly like this.

What should you skip on a 5-day trip?

Skip Baratang. The limestone caves and mud volcano make a long day, and the 10 to 12 hours of road and convoy through the Jarawa reserve are hard to justify when you only have five. The same goes for Diglipur and the north, which need their own two to three days.

Do not try to do Port Blair, Havelock, Neil and a fourth island in five days. You will spend the trip on jetties. Pick two islands, or three at most, and give each enough time to feel like more than a transit stop. A slightly shorter list, done properly, beats a packed one done from the deck of a ferry.

Frequently asked questions

Is 5 days enough for an Andaman trip?

Yes, for Port Blair and Havelock, with Neil Island as an optional third stop. Five days suits a first trip focused on beaches, a bit of history and one water-sports day. It is not enough for Baratang, Diglipur or the north, which need extra days and a lot more road and ferry time.

How many islands can you cover in 5 days?

Two comfortably, three if you accept more ferry time. Port Blair and Havelock is the relaxed pairing. Adding Neil Island works but costs you a travel day. Four or more islands in five days leaves you rushing between jetties with little time at any one place.

How much does a 5-day Andaman trip cost per person?

Roughly 22,000 to 28,000 rupees for a budget trip and 30,000 to 42,000 for mid-range, including return flights, as of 2026. Premium beach resorts push it well past 50,000. Flights and hotels drive most of the difference, so booking early is the easiest saving.

Do you need to book ferries in advance?

Yes. The private air-conditioned ferries between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil sell out in peak season, so book your inter-island legs a week or two ahead. Keep a buffer on your last day and never schedule the final ferry for the same window as your flight home.

What is the best time for a 5-day Andaman trip?

October to May gives the driest weather and calmest seas, with December and January the busiest and priciest. The monsoon months, roughly June to September, bring heavy rain and rougher crossings, though prices drop sharply. For a short trip where every day counts, the drier months are the safer pick.

Should you add Baratang or the north to a 5-day plan?

No. Both need their own time. Baratang is a 10 to 12 hour day trip, and North Andaman around Diglipur deserves two to three days on its own. On a five-day trip, stretching to reach either means cutting the beach and water time that most first visitors came for.