Port Blair

The arrival island, and far more than a transit stop.

Ideal nights

1 to 2 nights, usually split across arrival and departure

Best time to go

October to May. December to February is coolest and busiest.

Port Blair is where every Andaman trip begins and ends. Most itineraries treat it as an airport with hotels attached — which is a waste. The Cellular Jail is genuinely moving, Ross Island is unlike anywhere else in India, Chidiya Tapu has the archipelago's best sunset, and Mount Harriet gives you the view from the twenty rupee note. It is also the operational centre of the islands: ferries, permits, hospitals and the only reliable connectivity.

What it's actually good for

• Cellular Jail National Memorial and Light & Sound show
• Ross Island colonial ruins
• Chidiya Tapu sunset and Munda Pahad
• North Bay coral and water sports
• Mount Harriet National Park
• Aberdeen Bazaar and the seafront food scene

How to reach

Direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad to Veer Savarkar International Airport. Chennai and Kolkata are the shortest hops at roughly two hours.