Andaman ferries, A to Z

Port Blair is the arrival point and the only airport. Havelock (officially Swaraj Dweep) is 70 km north-east and holds Radhanagar and Kalapathar beaches. Neil (Shaheed Dweep) is smaller and quieter, between the two. Every hop between them is by sea — there are no bridges and no inter-island flights for tourists.

Fares are indicative per adult, one way, and move with season and class. Private ferries are air-conditioned, have allotted seats and board from Haddo Wharf in Port Blair.

Government sailings are far cheaper but release seats late, board from Phoenix Bay Jetty and cannot be rebooked easily. We only recommend them for flexible travellers.

• Peak (October–January, and May): book 45–60 days ahead. Popular morning sailings to Havelock disappear first.
• Shoulder (February–April): 20–30 days is usually safe.
• Monsoon (June–September): book close in, and keep a spare day before your flight home.

The sequence that wastes the least time for a 5-night trip: fly into Port Blair, take an afternoon ferry to Havelock, spend two or three nights, cross to Neil mid-morning, then return to Port Blair on an evening sailing the day before your flight. Never plan a same-day ferry-to-flight connection — a delayed sailing means a missed flight and a new ticket.

• Report at the jetty 45–60 minutes before departure; gates close early.
• Carry the original photo ID used at booking. Names must match exactly.
• Private operators allow roughly 20 kg checked plus a small cabin bag.
• Foreign nationals must carry passport and Restricted Area Permit at every boarding.
• Snorkel gear and dive kit travel fine; scuba tanks do not.

The Havelock crossing is usually calm from November to April and choppy in the monsoon. Take a tablet 45 minutes before boarding if you are prone to motion sickness, sit mid-deck and near the centreline, and stay off an empty stomach. When the harbour master suspends sailings, operators reschedule to the next available boat — which is why the buffer day before your flight matters more than anything else on this page.

For two adults on a standard 5-night Port Blair – Havelock – Neil – Port Blair loop (three sectors), entry-class private cruises work out to roughly ₹8,400 including the ₹50 per-sector service fee and the ₹300 per-passenger fuel surcharge. Upper-deck classes land near ₹11,700 and top cabins past ₹18,000. The same loop on government (DSS) sailings costs about ₹2,400 to ₹4,200 for two. We show these as separate line items on every quotation rather than burying them in a package price, so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

Fares verified on 14 August 2026 against operator fare tables and the A&N Directorate of Shipping Services tariff. Operators revise fares without notice — we re-confirm the live fare before every booking.

Do I need to book Andaman ferries in advance?

Yes. Private cruise ferries between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil sell out in peak season (October to January and May). Book as soon as your flights are confirmed — typically 30 to 60 days ahead.

How much does a Port Blair to Havelock ferry cost?

In 2026, entry classes start at ₹1,100 (Green Ocean Economy) and ₹1,250 (Makruzz Premium, Nautika Luxury). Upper-deck classes run ₹1,350 to ₹2,300 and top cabins reach ₹2,940 to ₹3,400. Add a ₹50 per-sector service fee, plus the ₹300 marine fuel surcharge Nautika and Makruzz introduced in March 2026. Government (DSS) ferries cost ₹400 to ₹700.

How long is the ferry from Port Blair to Havelock?

Makruzz, Nautika and ITT Majestic take about 90 minutes. Green Ocean takes 2 to 2 hours 15 minutes, and government ferries about 2.5 hours.

Are Andaman ferries cancelled in the monsoon?

Sailings can be cancelled at short notice between roughly May and September when the sea is rough. Operators refund or reschedule, but you should keep a buffer day before your return flight.

Do foreigners need a permit for Andaman ferries?

Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit, issued on arrival at Port Blair airport, and must carry it for every ferry boarding along with a passport.

Can I take a ferry from Chennai to Port Blair?

Yes. Passenger ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam and take 50 to 70 hours. The DSS 2025-26 tariff starts around ₹1,455 for bunk class and runs past ₹16,000 for deluxe cabins. Sailings are infrequent and booked at the shipping office, so most travellers fly.