• Beaches, Scuba-diving, Caves, Local Tribes, Forest Trek and more is what is the Best of Andaman Islands includes. More should enjoy the beaches of Andaman. This photo feature gives a day wise program.

Some trips stay with you forever, and our 8-day journey to the Andaman Islands is exactly that. Crystal-clear beaches, breath-taking sunsets, colorful coral reefs, thrilling water sports, peaceful island life, and unforgettable memories made this one of the best vacations we have ever taken. Our itinerary looked like this:

Day 1: Arrival at Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair).

Day 2: Sri Vijaya Puram to Havelock Island.

Day 3: Havelock Island.

Day 4: Havelock to Neil Island.

Day 5: Neil Island to Sri Vijaya Puram.

Day 6: Jolly Buoy Island.

Day 7: Baratang Island.

Day 8: Return Flight to Kolkata.

One of the best decisions we made was booking our vacation with Blue Andaman Tour. Since they are based in the Andaman Islands, they shared local recommendations that made our trip even more memorable. From comfortable hotels to reliable cab services, cruise tickets, and sightseeing, everything was well organized. If you're planning a trip, their Andaman Tour Packages are worth checking out. 

Day 1 Kolkata to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) 

Our journey began with an early morning direct flight from Kolkata that departed at 6.10 am. Flight time app 2 hours. We landed at Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) at approximately 8:25 AM.

After checking into our centrally located hotel, we relaxed for a while before beginning our first day of sightseeing.

1. Cellular Jail – The Pride of India's Freedom Struggle 

Our first destination was the iconic Cellular Jail, one of India's most important historical monuments. Known as Kala Pani, this colonial prison was built by the British between 1896 and 1906 to imprison Indian freedom fighters. The jail consists of hundreds of solitary cells where revolutionaries endured unimaginable hardships while fighting for India's independence. Walking through its corridors gave us goosebumps. Every wall has a story to tell, making it a must-visit attraction for anyone visiting the Andaman Islands. 

2. Corbyn's Cove Beach 

After exploring the Cellular Jail, we drove approximately 14 km to Corbyn's Cove Beach. The drive itself was beautiful, with the road running alongside the sea offering spectacular coastal views. 

Corbyn's Cove is one of the most popular beaches in Port Blair and is perfect for relaxing or enjoying water sports. 

We tried the Jet Ski ride, and it was incredibly exciting. The beach is lined with coconut trees, has calm waters, and offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal place to spend the afternoon.

Light & Sound Show at Cellular Jail - In the evening, we returned to Cellular Jail for the famous Light & Sound Show.

The storytelling, lighting effects, and narration beautifully bring alive the sacrifices made by India's freedom fighters. It was emotional, informative, and one of the highlights of our Port Blair visit. 

After dinner, we returned to our hotel for a good night's sleep. 

Day 2 Cruise to Havelock Island 

We woke up before sunrise and checked out of our hotel. The hotel thoughtfully packed our breakfast with: Veg Sandwich, Boiled Eggs, Banana, Packaged Juice.

Our cruise, Green Ocean 1, departed at 6:15 AM. Unlike enclosed ferries, Green Ocean has an open deck where passengers can enjoy fresh sea breeze and panoramic ocean views. People were dancing, clicking pictures, and simply enjoying the journey.

After around 2 hours, we finally reached the beautiful Havelock Island.

Our cab was already waiting at the jetty and dropped us at our beach resort located on Vijaynagar Beach.

The resort had charming cottages with private balconies overlooking the beach. We could literally sit outside and hear the waves. Vijaynagar Beach has several resorts, cafés, restaurants, rental shops, and offers a peaceful atmosphere throughout the day. 

Radhanagar Beach – Asia's Most Famous Beach

After relaxing for a while, we headed to Radhanagar Beach. Often ranked among Asia's finest beaches, Radhanagar Beach is famous for its powdery white sand, turquoise water, dense tropical forest backdrop, and breath-taking sunsets. 

The sand felt unbelievably soft beneath our feet. We spent hours swimming, playing in the ocean, and simply enjoying the beauty of nature.

As a lovely surprise, our travel agent had arranged a complimentary beach photoshoot, making the evening even more memorable.

Dinner at Full Moon Café - At night, we had dinner at Full Moon Café, a beachside restaurant. The food was delicious, the staff were friendly, and the ambience was fantastic. Definitely a 10/10 experience. 

Day 3 Sunrise, Scuba Diving & Elephant Beach

We started our day before sunrise by visiting Kalapathar Beach. This quiet beach is famous for its peaceful surroundings, black rocks, and spectacular sunrise views. We spent nearly an hour walking along the beach, meditating, stretching, and simply enjoying the calm atmosphere.

First-Time Scuba Diving

Next came the activity we had been waiting for years. Our first-ever Scuba Diving experience.

We dived with experienced instructors, and everything felt completely safe and smooth. Swimming alongside colorful tropical fish, vibrant coral reefs, and experiencing the silence beneath the ocean was simply magical. It was thrilling, peaceful, and unforgettable.

Elephant Beach

After breakfast at the resort, we headed towards Elephant Beach by speedboat.

The boat ride took around 20–25 minutes.

The water was so crystal clear that we could see the seabed from the boat itself.

Although elephants no longer live here, Elephant Beach has become one of the best destinations for water sports in the Andaman Islands.

We enjoyed: Snorkelling, Parasailing and the Fly-boarding. Snorkelling was undoubtedly the highlight. Watching colorful corals and tropical fish just a few feet away was an experience we will cherish forever.

By evening, we returned to the resort after one of the most exciting days of our trip.

Day 4 – Havelock to Neil Island

After breakfast, we boarded another cruise to Neil Island, which took around 50 minutes. Neil Island instantly felt different. Smaller, quieter, greener, and incredibly peaceful.

Our cab picked us up from the jetty and dropped us at Pearl Park Beach Resort.

The resort featured spacious cottages, coconut trees, huge tropical trees, a swimming pool, and direct beach access.

Howrah bridge (name of bridge in Kolkata) at Laxmanpur II beach. “With unexplored coral reefs, super bio-diversity, white sandy beaches and tropical forest and vegetation, it is one of the tourist hot spots in the Andamans.”

Sunset at Laxmanpur Beach

In the evening, we visited Laxmanpur Beach. Known for its spectacular sunsets and peaceful atmosphere, it is one of the most relaxing places in Neil Island. We simply sat on the beach, watched the sunset, and forgot about the outside world.

Stargazing At night, we experienced something truly magical. With almost no light pollution, the sky over Neil Island was filled with thousands of stars. Wow.

Neil Kendra beach. 

Day 5 – Natural Bridge & Bharatpur Beach

After breakfast, we visited the famous Natural Bridge, also known as the Coral Bridge. This naturally formed rock arch was created over thousands of years by coral formations and marine erosion.

During low tide, visitors can explore fascinating marine life including: Small fishes, Sea cucumbers, Starfish and different Coral formations. It is also one of the most photogenic places in Neil Island.

Bharatpur Beach

Next, we visited Bharatpur Beach. This beach is famous for its calm lagoon and numerous water activities like Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Glass Bottom Boat Ride, Jet Ski and Banana Boat Ride.

After spending a wonderful afternoon here, we boarded our 4:15 PM cruise back to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), reaching in around 1 hour 15 minutes. After checking into our hotel, we relaxed for the evening.

Day 6 – Jolly Buoy Island

Our day began at 6:00 AM as we travelled around 25 km from Port Blair to Wandoor Jetty. From there, we boarded a private ferry that took around 45 minutes to reach the breath-taking Jolly Buoy Island.

Jolly Buoy Island is part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and is famous for its crystal-clear water, healthy coral reefs, and rich marine biodiversity. Plastic is prohibited here to help preserve the island's fragile ecosystem. 

The island offers some of the clearest water in the Andaman Islands, making it perfect for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat rides. We could easily see colorful corals and tropical fish through the transparent water. After spending an unforgettable day surrounded by nature, we returned to Port Blair.

Soft coral at Chidiya Tapu beach. 

Day 7 – The Adventure to Baratang Island

Our most adventurous day began at 3:00 AM. Baratang Island is one of the most unique experiences in the Andaman Islands. The journey itself is an adventure. Our convoy passed through the protected Jarawa Tribal Reserve.

The Jarawa are an indigenous tribe of the Andaman Islands who have lived in these forests for thousands of years. Visitors are strictly prohibited from interacting with them, offering food, taking photographs, or disturbing their way of life. Respecting their privacy is essential while passing through the reserve. After crossing the reserve, we boarded a speedboat through beautiful mangrove creeks before beginning a 1.2 km trek through the forest.

Limestone Cave

The trek finally led us to the famous Limestone Cave. These caves were naturally formed over millions of years through the slow deposition of calcium carbonate. Inside, we admired incredible limestone formations, including stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the ground, creating fascinating natural sculptures. The journey to reach the cave was just as memorable as the destination itself.

Inside the Limestone Caves. These are at Baratang island i.e. 100 kms from Port Blair.

By evening, we returned to Port Blair, enjoyed an early dinner, and rested after our longest day.

Day 8 – Goodbye, Andaman

It was finally time to say goodbye. As we headed to the airport, we couldn't stop thinking about the incredible memories we had created over the past eight days. 

From the historical significance of Cellular Jail to the breath-taking beaches of Havelock, the peaceful charm of Neil Island, the crystal-clear waters of Jolly Buoy, and the adventurous journey to Baratang, every day offered something unique. 

Our Andaman trip was far more than just a beach vacation. It was a perfect blend of history, adventure, marine life, nature, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences.

To know more visit site of Blue Andaman Tours

Also see

1. Album 1 Andaman and Nicobar

2. Album 2 Andaman and Nicobar

3. Visit to Cellular Jail

4. Album Cellular Jail

5. Scuba Diving Andaman

6. Best of Malwa in a week

7. Best of Marwar in 10 days

8. Best of Kinnaur and Spiti in 15 days

9. Best of  Tawang

10. Best Beaches of India

This is not a sponsored feature. It is published with an intent to promote tourism to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and help more Indians discover a beautiful part of our country. Matter by Ajay Sarkar and pictures by D Sengupta.