- Peak season
- December – February; best sea, highest prices
- Shoulder
- October – November and March – April
- Monsoon
- May – September; south-west monsoon, rough sea
- Cheapest
- June – August, up to 40% off hotels
- Ferry risk
- Low Nov–Apr; moderate May, Oct; high Jun–Sep
- Water visibility
- Best December – April for diving and snorkelling
Month by month, operationally
- December–January: best conditions, all ferries running, book 6–8 weeks ahead; peak pricing
- February–March: still excellent, thinner crowds, best diving visibility of the year
- April: hot and humid, sea still calm, prices soften noticeably
- May: pre-monsoon; sea gets choppy mid-month, first ferry cancellations appear
- June–August: full south-west monsoon; heavy showers, cheapest rates, real cancellation risk
- September: rain easing, sea still unreliable, good value if your plan is flexible
- October: transition; sea settles progressively, occasional cancellation
- November: sea calm again, green landscape, best value-to-conditions month of the year
How ferry operators differ when the sea is rough
The private catamarans and the government ferries behave very differently in a swell, and knowing which is which changes how you build a monsoon itinerary.
- Makruzz — enclosed high-speed catamaran, the most likely to still run in moderate swell, no outside deck, ~90 min Port Blair–Havelock
- Nautika — modern, fast, comfortable; similar sea tolerance to Makruzz, sells out earliest
- Green Ocean / ITT Majestic — good value, slightly more affected by sea state
- Government ferries — cheapest by far, slowest, most weather-sensitive, tickets released at the counter only a few days ahead
- In monsoon months always hold a private catamaran as primary and a government sailing as backup
The rules that protect you from a cancellation
- Never plan a Havelock departure on the same day as your flight home — always return to Port Blair the night before
- Keep at least one buffer night in Port Blair in June–September
- Book refundable or date-flexible hotel rates in monsoon months
- Cancelled sailings are usually refunded or rescheduled by the operator, but hotels are not
- Diving operators shut down on rough days regardless of ferry status
Should you travel in monsoon at all?
Yes, if you are flexible and price-sensitive: the islands are at their greenest, hotel rates drop up to 40%, and you get beaches to yourself. No, if you have fixed dates, a tight itinerary, or a Baratang and Diglipur plan that cannot slip.
Cost tool
Havelock ferry + cab cost calculator
Built on published operator and government fares verified on 14 August 2026. No email required — change the inputs and the estimate updates instantly.
- Ferries
- ₹8,100
- Road transport
- ₹7,300
- Total (₹7,700/person)
- ₹15,400
Private fares include the ₹50 per-sector service fee and the ₹300 marine fuel surcharge added by Nautika and Makruzz in March 2026. Government (DSS) seats are cheapest but open only about 3 days before sailing and are the first to be cancelled in rough sea.
Put these ferries into a full itineraryFrequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Andaman and Nicobar?
November is the best all-round value month: the sea has usually settled after monsoon, the islands are green and peak-season prices have not fully arrived. December to February gives the most predictable weather but also the highest prices and crowds.
What is the best time to visit Andaman with family?
November to March is the easiest family window because ferry services are reliable, humidity is lower and most water activities operate normally. Families travelling with young children or seniors should avoid a tightly packed June-to-September island-hopping plan.
What is the cheapest time to visit Andaman?
June to August is normally cheapest, with hotel discounts that can reach 30–40%. The trade-off is monsoon rain, rougher seas and a higher chance of ferry or activity cancellations, so keep a buffer night in Port Blair.
What is the best time to visit Andaman for scuba diving?
February to April generally offers the calmest seas and best underwater visibility. Diving is available through much of October to May, but individual sites still depend on wind, currents and operator safety decisions.
What is the best time to visit the Andaman Islands?
November to April, with December to February the peak. November and March give near-peak conditions at noticeably lower prices, and February–March has the best underwater visibility.
Are ferries cancelled during the Andaman monsoon?
Yes, regularly between June and September, and occasionally in May and October. Cancellations are driven by sea state rather than rain. Enclosed catamarans like Makruzz and Nautika run in conditions where government ferries and open boats do not.
Is it worth visiting the Andamans in the monsoon?
If your dates are flexible, yes — hotel rates fall up to 40% and the islands are empty. Keep a buffer night in Port Blair, avoid same-day ferry-to-flight connections, and treat Baratang or Diglipur as optional.
Which ferry is most reliable between Port Blair and Havelock?
Makruzz and Nautika, both enclosed high-speed catamarans, are the most reliable and take about 90 minutes. Government ferries are far cheaper but slower, weather-sensitive and released for sale only a few days in advance.
Free download
Printable Andaman ferry & logistics cheat sheet
One page with every ferry class and fare, cab rates, activity prices, convoy timings and the rules that catch people out. Print it or keep it on your phone — the islands have patchy data.
Want it checked against your actual dates? Leave your details and our Port Blair desk sends a dated version with live ferry availability.
Ask our Port Blair desk about Weather month by month
Timings and fares shift with the season. Tell us your dates and we'll confirm what is actually running — no obligation, no call centre.