Best Time to Visit
Best Time to Visit Andamans From India
Andamans has a tight window: November to April for clear water, calm sea, and reliable ferries. Outside that window the southwest monsoon shuts down inter-island ferries for weeks at a time. December and January are peak season with peak prices; November and February are the smart shoulder months that most Indians overlook.
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December, January, February
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June, July, August
Month by month: weather, events, crowds
| Month | Weather | Events | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal 22 to 30C, clear sea | Beach festivals at Havelock | 5/5 |
| February | Same as January, slightly warmer | Quiet shoulder | 5/5 |
| March | Warm 24 to 32C, still dry | Holi celebrations | 4/5 |
| April | Hot 26 to 33C, last good month | Pre-monsoon calm | 4/5 |
| May | Hot pre-monsoon 26 to 33C, building humidity | Off-season pricing starts | 3/5 |
| June | Heavy monsoon 24 to 30C | Many ferries cancelled | 1/5 |
| July | Heavy monsoon, rough sea | Ferry service unreliable | 1/5 |
| August | Still monsoon, occasional break | Independence Day | 2/5 |
| September | Tail of monsoon 25 to 31C | Sea calming but not yet clear | 2/5 |
| October | Transition month 25 to 31C | Ferries resume mid-month | 3/5 |
| November | Post-monsoon ideal 24 to 30C | Tourist season opens, lowest crowds | 5/5 |
| December | Peak 22 to 30C | Christmas, New Year, peak crowds | 5/5 |
India-specific timing notes
Direct flights from CCU, MAA, BLR, and BOM to Port Blair on IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India. Flight time 2 to 3 hours, fares INR 8K to 25K return depending on month. No visa needed (it is India). Inner Line Permit is auto-issued at the airport for Indians. Most Indians spend INR 40K to 80K for a 6-day Andamans trip. Ferry bookings to Havelock and Neil need to be done in advance during peak season or you risk being stuck on Port Blair. The OJ Andamans trip handles all ferry bookings as a group.
Frequently asked
When is the best time for snorkelling and scuba in Andamans?
December to March. Water visibility peaks at 20 to 30 metres, sea is calm, and dive operators are fully operational. November is also excellent with fewer crowds. Outside this window, even on dry days, visibility drops sharply due to monsoon runoff.
Is November a good time to visit Andamans?
Yes, the underrated month. The monsoon has just ended, the sea is clearing, prices are 30 percent lower than December, and crowd levels are minimal. The only catch: a small chance of late-monsoon shower (one or two days). Worth the gamble for the price-crowd tradeoff.
Why do flights to Port Blair cost so much in December?
Pure supply-demand. Andamans is the closest international-feeling beach destination for Indians who do not want a visa. December plus New Year crowds spike fares 2 to 3x. Book 60 plus days out for a fair price. November and February have INR 10K return fares, December can hit INR 25K plus.
Can I visit Havelock and Neil in a 4-day Andamans trip?
Just barely. Day 1 Port Blair arrival plus ferry to Havelock. Day 2 Havelock activities. Day 3 ferry to Neil, half day Neil. Day 4 return to Port Blair plus fly out. Tight. Better with 6 days minimum. The OJ Andamans trip runs 6 days for this reason.
What does the OJ Andamans trip include?
The OJ Andamans trip runs in January. 6 days covering Port Blair (Cellular Jail history), Havelock (Radhanagar beach plus scuba), Neil Island (Bharatpur beach plus glass-boat ride), and Ross Island day trip. All ferries pre-booked, all activities included, all stays vetted. Trip cost is around INR 65,000 per person including flights from Bangalore.