The islands in Andaman are actually closer to Thailand than India. The ecosystem is also fairly similar to the ones you see at islands like Phi Phi in Thailand. We took a group tour through Nirmala travels to visit the islands
Veer Savarkar airport at Port Blair is the main airport for the islands, well connected to all metros. Once you are in the islands, you can take a ferry between islands and taxis within islands. While government operated ferries are cheap, private ones are much more comfortable and at time more frequent. Expect to pay INR 250-500 depending on the distance
You can book ferries on government and private agency portals
October to April, outside of monsoon months are best times to visit these islands. The waters are also clear, increasing sightings of colorful fishes
Overall, budget INR 60-70k ($800-850) per person to visit for about a week, with flights around INR 25k, rooms at INR 2.5k per person per day, food at INR 1k per day and transport at another INR 1k per day
Places to see in Andaman and Nicobar islands
Port Blair
Cellular Jail is the most visited spot here, built by the British to house prisoners from mainland. You can also find other beaches and museums to while away time if you reach early in the day
Baratang island
Famous for mud volcanoes, limestone caves and mangrove shrubs. Expect to pay upwards of INR 1k to reach limestone cave on boat and INR5k+ for taxis. The island is 90 km/ 2.5 hours away from Port Blair. You can manage a day tour from Port Blair if you start early around 4-5 AM
The mud volcanoes are not large, they are small holes from which you can see gas erupting in bubbles. Combine the limestone tour to make a full day trip here. Be careful on the ride to limestone caves as crocodiles are known to live in these waters- do not put your hand out of the boats
If you can stay for a night, the Parrot island is a must see, where the birds flock at sunset together in large numbers. Take a boat that costs between INR 1.5-2k for entire boat, starts post 4 PM. If you are lucky, you can see Jarawa tribe members on the way
Jolly Bouy island
Famous for snorkeling, glass bottom boat rides, open only from November to May. It is connected through Wandoor. Snorkeling is banned on and off, so check before visiting
Havelock island/ Swarajdeep
Radhanagar beach is 30-45 minutes from ferry point. You can take a bus which is coordinated with ferry timings from the port terminal. This is supposed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, with nice snorkeling options. You can see an elephant on the beach here that is available for joy rides, but we suggest avoiding it
An hour away is the elephant beach, another less visited alternative if you want to avoid crowds
Neil island/ Shaheed Dweep
Bharatpur beach is the most famous beach here- you can go swimming, snorkeling here as well. Neil island is less visited than Havelock
Indigenous tribes
There are other restricted islands like Barren island with India’s only active volcano, North Sentinel island where tribes disconnected with modern world inhabit. The North Sentinelese live in stone age, and are hostile to outsiders. People attempting to visit North Sentinel island have been killed, so stay away from here. Given the isolation, the tribes are at a risk of contacting infections from outsiders, so it is better for them to stay on their own
The Jarawa tribe is one of the other famous tribes, which have started mingling with modern civilization. You can see them in middle and South Andaman. Tourist groups visit them early morning around 5 AM in closed vehicles along Great Andaman Trunk Road in convoys, providing them with some food to incentize them to come out and interact.
Andaman has many dive sites, in case you are interested in staying here and getting certifications