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Andaman and Nicobar Islands
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Explore the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for coral reefs, rainforest, island beaches, colonial history and responsible Indian Ocean adventures.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands form an Indian Union Territory scattered across the Bay of Bengal, far closer to Myanmar and Thailand than to mainland India. The destination most visitors experience is the Andaman group, centred on Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly known as Port Blair, and the forested, reef-fringed islands reached from it. The Nicobar group lies farther south and remains largely closed to ordinary tourism because of protected indigenous communities, conservation rules and strategic restrictions; it should not be treated as an extension of the standard Andaman holiday route.
Read more about Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Sri Vijaya Puram is the practical gateway and the territory’s administrative and historical centre. Its museums, waterfront, markets and Cellular Jail introduce the islands’ colonial, penal and wartime past, while nearby islands preserve traces of British occupation and the Japanese presence during the Second World War. Ferries and boats connect the capital with destinations such as Swaraj Dweep, formerly Havelock Island, Shaheed Dweep, formerly Neil Island, and the quieter settlements of Middle and South Andaman. Journeys can be weather-dependent and often take longer than distances on a map suggest.
The islands’ appeal lies in the meeting of dense tropical forest and clear coastal water. Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass habitats and sheltered beaches support snorkelling, diving, kayaking and glass-bottom boat trips, while rainforest roads lead towards viewpoints, limestone formations and tidal creeks. Radhanagar Beach on Swaraj Dweep is the best-known stretch of sand, but the experience varies considerably between developed resort areas, village roads, protected forests and working jetties. Barren Island, home to India’s only confirmed active volcano, is visible only from permitted boat excursions and cannot be treated as a conventional shore visit.
Food and culture reflect the islands’ migration history as well as their maritime setting. Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, North Indian and other Indian culinary traditions are represented in Sri Vijaya Puram and the larger tourist islands, alongside locally caught fish and seafood. Coconut, tropical fruit and simple fish preparations are common, although restaurant choice becomes more limited away from the main settlements. Indigenous communities, including the Nicobarese, Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese, have distinct histories and rights; visitors must never seek unauthorised contact, photograph protected communities, or treat tribal reserves as attractions. The Andamans reward a measured itinerary that leaves room for weather, ferry changes and the importance of travelling lightly in a sensitive island environment.

When is the best time to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Best: December–February · 29–30°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)2950
February (best)3040
March3055
April31100
May31180
June30250
July30300
August30300
September30250
October30200
November29150
December (best)2970

Getting to and around Andaman and Nicobar Islands

How to get there

Most visitors arrive by air at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Sri Vijaya Puram, which has domestic connections with major Indian cities; routes and frequencies can change seasonally. The town is also reached by passenger ships from mainland ports including Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, although sea journeys are long and sailing arrangements should be confirmed before booking. Sri Vijaya Puram is inside the Andaman group. The Nicobar Islands are not a normal tourism destination and access is subject to stringent permissions, so a mainland flight or ship should not be assumed to provide tourist entry there.

Transportation

Government and private ferry services connect Sri Vijaya Puram with several inhabited Andaman islands, including Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep, while smaller boats serve selected excursions and coastal routes. Book important ferry sectors in advance and allow for cancellations caused by weather or operational changes. Roads and buses serve the main settled islands, but services are less frequent outside urban areas; hired cars, taxis and auto-rickshaws are useful for dispersed sights. Scooters and bicycles can be practical on some islands, subject to local rules and road conditions. Boats for diving and marine excursions should be arranged through authorised operators.

Destinations in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman Islands combine colonial history, tropical forests and marine activities in a relatively compact but weather-dependent travel network. In Sri Vijaya Puram, the Cellular Jail is the essential historical visit, complemented by museums, waterfront viewpoints and boat excursions to nearby islands. Swaraj Dweep is the main base for diving, snorkelling, kayaking and beach time, with Radhanagar Beach and reef-rich coastal sites among its best-known experiences. Shaheed Dweep offers beaches, shallow reefs, natural rock formations and a slower pace. Around Middle Andaman, journeys towards Baratang introduce mangrove creeks, limestone caves and a mud-volcano landscape, usually through regulated routes and organised transport. Mount Manipur National Park, formerly Mount Harriet National Park, provides forest scenery and views across the island waters. Boats may also offer carefully regulated views of Barren Island’s volcanic cone, but landing is not generally permitted. The Nicobars, including protected tribal areas, are not ordinary sightseeing territory, and visitors should not confuse their geographical presence within the Union Territory with tourist access. Across the islands, conservation rules, tides and monsoon conditions shape what can be visited and when.

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Best landmarks in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Cellular Jail in Sri Vijaya Puram is the territory’s most recognisable built landmark. Its radial prison blocks, surviving cells and central tower convey the scale of the colonial penal system and the imprisonment of Indian independence activists. Across the harbour, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, formerly Ross Island, contains evocative remains of the former British administrative settlement, including abandoned colonial structures gradually reclaimed by vegetation. Chatham’s historic sawmill area represents the importance of timber and port infrastructure in the development of the modern Andamans, while Japanese wartime remains survive in scattered locations and should be viewed respectfully. On Swaraj Dweep, the old harbour and coastal roads frame a landscape in which forest, reef and settlement meet rather than a single monumental structure. Barren Island’s dark volcanic cone is the territory’s most dramatic natural landmark and India’s only confirmed active volcano, though visitors generally see it from authorised boats. Baratang’s limestone caves and mangrove channels are geological features rather than monuments, but they are among the Andamans’ most distinctive natural landmarks.

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Explore Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Dining in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands reflects migration from many parts of India as much as the territory’s maritime setting. Sri Vijaya Puram has the broadest choice, with Bengali, South Indian, North Indian and other regional styles represented in restaurants, cafés and market-area eateries. Fish, prawns and crab are widely available, while coconut, rice, lentils and tropical fruit appear in many meals; menus vary according to supply, season and island location. Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep offer seafood restaurants, casual cafés and resort dining, although prices and choice can be less predictable than on the mainland. Bengali-influenced fish preparations are familiar in the islands, but no single dish defines the whole territory. Local markets are useful for fruit and simple snacks, while vegetarian food is widely available. On smaller islands and during disrupted ferry periods, supplies may be limited, so visitors should not expect every menu item to be available at all times.

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Best bars in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Nightlife is modest and concentrated in Sri Vijaya Puram and larger resort areas rather than organised around a major club scene. Visitors will find hotel bars, casual restaurants and some establishments serving beer, spirits and mixed drinks, while evenings on Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep often centre on waterfront dining, conversation and early-night beach or resort activities. Some tourist properties host occasional music or social events, but these are seasonal and subject to local regulations and weather. Traditional-style eateries and cafés provide alternatives for those who do not drink, and smaller islands generally become quiet after dinner. Alcohol availability can be restricted in particular areas or during official observances, so visitors should follow local rules rather than assume mainland nightlife conventions apply. Boat excursions, diving and forest activities should never be combined with drinking, and swimming or boating after dark requires particular caution.

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Best nightclubs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Nightlife is modest and concentrated in Sri Vijaya Puram and larger resort areas rather than organised around a major club scene. Visitors will find hotel bars, casual restaurants and some establishments serving beer, spirits and mixed drinks, while evenings on Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep often centre on waterfront dining, conversation and early-night beach or resort activities. Some tourist properties host occasional music or social events, but these are seasonal and subject to local regulations and weather. Traditional-style eateries and cafés provide alternatives for those who do not drink, and smaller islands generally become quiet after dinner. Alcohol availability can be restricted in particular areas or during official observances, so visitors should follow local rules rather than assume mainland nightlife conventions apply. Boat excursions, diving and forest activities should never be combined with drinking, and swimming or boating after dark requires particular caution.

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Best shops in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Shopping in the Andaman Islands is centred on Sri Vijaya Puram’s markets, craft outlets and small independent shops rather than large designer retail. Visitors commonly look for shell-inspired decorative items, woodwork, textiles, coconut products, spices, tea and packaged Indian foods, but souvenirs should be bought only from lawful sources. Coral, shells, turtle products, wildlife items and archaeological material should never be purchased or taken from the shore. The main market areas in Sri Vijaya Puram are useful for fruit, snacks, practical travel supplies and locally available handicrafts, while Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep have smaller selections aimed at visitors. Government-supported emporia and established craft shops can provide a more reliable route to legally produced souvenirs. Prices and stock vary because goods arrive by sea or air, so island shopping is primarily about practical purchases and modest keepsakes rather than an extensive retail experience.

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Andaman and Nicobar Islands essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Indian rupee, code INR, as throughout India. Cards and digital payments are commonly accepted in established hotels, larger restaurants and travel businesses in Sri Vijaya Puram and the principal tourist islands, but connectivity can be inconsistent and smaller vendors may accept cash only. Carry modest rupee notes for ferries, local transport, village shops and rural areas, while keeping payment arrangements in mind when travelling beyond the main settlements.
Safety
Take normal precautions with valuables in busy jetties, markets and transport areas, and use established accommodation and activity providers. The more significant risks are environmental: strong currents, changing tides, boat delays, tropical heat, sun exposure, slippery forest paths and limited medical facilities on smaller islands. Swim only where local advice permits and follow dive or snorkelling briefings. Do not enter restricted forests or tribal reserves, and never approach indigenous communities. Check marine conditions before boat travel and allow extra time when making onward connections.
Emergency Situations
India’s national emergency number, 112, is the primary number for police, fire and ambulance assistance in the territory. Mobile coverage is uneven outside the main towns, so tell accommodation staff or tour operators about travel plans and keep essential medicines with you. For a serious incident at sea, alert the boat crew or authorised operator immediately so that the appropriate maritime authorities can be contacted. Medical resources are more limited on outlying islands than in Sri Vijaya Puram, and travel insurance covering evacuation and water activities is prudent.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly away from resort beaches and when visiting religious or civic places, ask before photographing people, and follow local instructions at historic sites and marine parks. Do not collect coral, shells or wildlife, feed animals, litter beaches or damage mangroves. Avoid alcohol in prohibited areas and observe local restrictions at beaches, forests and public institutions. Never take photographs of protected tribal communities or use the Andaman Trunk Road to seek encounters with the Jarawa. Tipping is discretionary rather than a fixed regional rule, but considerate service payments are welcome where appropriate.
Local Tips
Plan the historical sights of Sri Vijaya Puram separately from beach and diving days, since ferry journeys and weather can consume more time than expected. Swaraj Dweep offers the widest choice of marine activities, while Shaheed Dweep is generally quieter and more compact. Ask locally about tide times before kayaking through mangrove channels or visiting intertidal areas. Keep copies of identification and booking details, and confirm the current names of islands and terminals because official renamings and local usage may differ.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloनमस्ते[Namaste]
Goodbyeअलविदा[Alvida]
Yesहाँ[Haan]
Noनहीं[Nahin]
Please/You're welcomeकृपया/स्वागत है[Kripya/Swaagat hai]
Thank youधन्यवाद[Dhanyavaad]
Excuse me/Sorryमाफ कीजिए/क्षमा करें[Maaf kijiye/Kshama karein]
How are you?आप कैसे हैं?[Aap kaise hain?]
Fine. And you?ठीक हूँ। और आप?[Theek hoon. Aur aap?]
Do you speak English?क्या आप अंग्रेजी बोलते हैं?[Kya aap Angrezi bolte hain?]
I don't understandमुझे समझ में नहीं आता[Mujhe samajh mein nahi aata]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseकृपया मेनू दिखाइए[Kripya menu dikhaiye]
I don't eat meatमैं मांस नहीं खाता[Main maans nahi khata]
Cheers!स्लामट![Slamat!]
I would like to pay, pleaseकृपया, मैं भुगतान करना चाहता हूँ[Kripya, main bhugtaan karna chahta hoon]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!मदद करें![Madad karen!]
Go away!जाओ यहाँ से![Jaao yahaan se!]
Call the Police!पुलिस को बुलाओ![Police ko bulaao!]
Call a doctor!डॉक्टर को बुलाओ![Doctor ko bulaao!]
I'm lostमैं खो गया हूँ[Main kho gaya hoon]
I'm illमैं बीमार हूँ[Main beemar hoon]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...मैं खरीदना चाहता हूँ...[Main kharidna chahta hoon...]
I'm just lookingमैं केवल देख रहा हूँ[Main keval dekh raha hoon]
How much is it?यह कितने का है?[Yah kitne ka hai?]
That's too expensiveयह बहुत महंगा है[Yah bahut mehnga hai]
Can you lower the price?क्या आप कीमत कम कर सकते हैं?[Kya aap keemat kam kar sakte hain?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?कितने बजे हैं?[Kitne baje hain?]
It's one o'clockयह एक बजा है[Yah ek baja hai]
Half past (10)साढ़े दस[Saade das]
Morningसुबह[Subah]
Afternoonदोपहर[Dopahar]
Eveningशाम[Shaam]
Yesterdayकल[Kal]
Todayआज[Aaj]
Tomorrowकल[Kal]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?एक/दूसरा... कहाँ है?[Ek/Dusra... kahaan hai?]
What's the address?पता क्या है?[Pata kya hai?]
Can you show me (on the map)?क्या आप मुझे (नक्शे पर) दिखा सकते हैं?[Kya aap mujhe (nakshae par) dikha sakte hain?]
When's the next (bus)?अगली (बस) कब है?[Agli (bus) kab hai?]
A ticket (to ....)एक टिकट (.... के लिए)[Ek ticket (.... ke liye)]

History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Ancient Island Communities

The Andaman and Nicobar archipelagos have been inhabited for thousands of years by communities with distinct languages, cultures and relationships with forest and sea environments. The Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge and Sentinelese belong to the Andaman group, while Nicobarese communities have long lived in the Nicobars. Their histories are not a single cultural story, and outside contact brought devastating disease, displacement and social disruption. Contemporary Indian law recognises protected areas and restrictions intended to safeguard indigenous peoples, making responsible distance an essential part of visiting the territory.

Early Maritime Connections

The islands occupied a position on maritime routes linking the Bay of Bengal with Southeast Asia, although their thick forests, reefs and difficult shores limited permanent outside settlement in many areas. Sailors and traders knew the archipelago through changing regional networks, and names for the islands appeared in accounts connected with the wider Indian Ocean. These contacts should not be confused with continuous political control by any one mainland power. The islands’ strategic location later became far more important to European empires and modern India.

Colonial Settlement and Penal History

The British East India Company established a settlement at Chatham in 1789, but early plans were abandoned before a more permanent British presence developed in the nineteenth century. After the uprising of 1857, the British created a penal settlement in the Andamans for Indian political prisoners and other convicts. Cellular Jail, completed in the early twentieth century at what is now Sri Vijaya Puram, became the most powerful surviving symbol of this system. Its individual cells and central design reflect the isolation imposed on prisoners, many of whom took part in India’s independence movement.

The Japanese Occupation, 1942–1945

Japan occupied the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the Second World War after British forces withdrew in 1942. The occupation brought military rule, hardship and violence, and the islands became part of the wider conflict across Southeast Asia. Subhas Chandra Bose, associated with the Indian National Army, visited the Andamans in 1943 and symbolically connected them with the Provisional Government of Free India. Japanese wartime remains and memories survive in several places, although the occupation’s legacy is understood alongside the suffering experienced by island residents.

Integration with Independent India

After the Second World War and Indian independence, the islands became part of the Republic of India and developed as a Union Territory. Administration, education, transport and migration brought many mainland communities to the Andamans, giving towns a notably mixed linguistic and cultural character. The islands also acquired continuing strategic importance in the Bay of Bengal. Sri Vijaya Puram, still widely known by its former name Port Blair, became the administrative centre and the principal gateway for visitors.

Disaster, Conservation and Tourism

The 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused severe loss of life and major physical change across parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with the Nicobars particularly affected. Recovery highlighted the vulnerability of low-lying islands, coastal settlements and transport links. In subsequent decades, tourism expanded around beaches, diving and forest landscapes, while national parks, marine reserves and tribal protections placed limits on development and access. The territory’s contemporary challenge is balancing livelihoods, connectivity and carefully managed tourism with ecological conservation and indigenous rights.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Discover the best of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with Evendo. 100% free app offering detailed guides on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed guides on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.
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Planning a trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands? Download Evendo, your comprehensive, free travel guide to explore the best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and experiences.

  • History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and travel essentials.
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Welcome to Evendo, your ultimate travel companion for an unforgettable trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With Evendo, you get detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Imagine strolling down the beautiful beaches of Radhanagar, diving into the crystal-clear waters of Havelock Island, or exploring the historical Cellular Jail in Port Blair—all with detailed guides, images, and local tips right at your fingertips.

Whether you're planning to visit the famous Ross Island, known for its British colonial ruins, or the serene Neil Island, Evendo has you covered. Discover the best places to eat, like the popular Lighthouse Residency for seafood lovers or the upscale New Lighthouse Restaurant with its stunning ocean views. Evendo also makes it easy to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences, so you can spend more time enjoying your trip and less time planning it.

Our app features an intuitive 'Near Me' function to help you find nearby attractions, restaurants, and activities no matter where you are. Evendo also offers travel essentials, historical insights, and tons of local advice to make sure you get the most out of your visit. And the best part? It's 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs. Plus, Evendo covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide, so your next adventure is just a tap away.

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