Andaman Island Transfers and Ferry Planning

How island travel works

Most visitors move between Port Blair (South Andaman), Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) by ferry. Both government and private vessels operate on these routes. Crossing times vary by vessel and route, and are generally in the range of one to two and a half hours, plus time at the jetty.

Schedules are not fixed

Timetables can change with the season, tide, weather and operator decisions, and services may be suspended at short notice during rough seas. We therefore treat any ferry timing as provisional until it is confirmed close to departure. Please do not assume that a time you saw online last season still applies.

Booking and tickets

Ferry tickets are limited by seat capacity, and popular departures sell out in peak months. Tickets are typically linked to named passengers and require photo identification. Because of this, island routes are best confirmed early; last-minute changes may not be possible.

Planning around the ferry

• Prefer morning crossings. Weather and sea conditions are generally more settled earlier in the day, and a delay still leaves daylight.
• Avoid same-day connections between a ferry arrival and an onward flight. We recommend returning to Port Blair at least a night before departing.
• Keep one flexible half-day in longer itineraries.
• Minimise island changes. Each move costs time, so two bases are usually better than three.

Transfers on land

Roads on the islands are narrow and distances short, but vehicles are limited, particularly on Havelock and Neil. Local taxis, auto-rickshaws and pre-arranged cars are the norm. Pick-ups from jetties are best arranged in advance, as jetty traffic can be heavy when several ferries arrive together.

Luggage and accessibility

Jetties may involve steps, gangways and a short walk, and boarding can be busy. Travellers with limited mobility, small children or a lot of luggage should say so when planning, so we can choose suitable timings and assistance. Pack in soft bags, and keep medication, documents and valuables with you rather than in checked luggage.

Sea comfort

Crossings can be choppy. If you or your children are prone to motion sickness, take advice from a doctor before the trip, avoid heavy meals beforehand and sit towards the centre of the vessel.

Permits and restricted areas

Some parts of the archipelago are protected, tribal reserves or otherwise restricted, and visits are controlled by the authorities. Please do not attempt to visit such areas independently, and be aware that rules for sites, boat operations and activities can change. We confirm current rules while planning.

Planning tip

Our Andaman itineraries are designed with ferry margins in mind. Read about how many days to allow and the best time to travel, then send us your dates and we will build the transfers around them.