Budget Trip to Andaman Island is possible without missing out on all the fun. People usually think that Andaman vacations might cost a fortune but in reality, if you plan and stick to your budget it’s, not a big deal. So let us find out how I planned my 5-day budget trip to Andaman.
For any place you want to travel, the first thing is RESEARCH. This is very important because this part will give you an overview of the place that you intend to visit. In addition to this, preliminary research will also help you plan your trip including all the must-visit tourist spots and also any activity that you should not miss out on.
Secondly, set a rough budget. This is a tricky part because when you are going to a new place it is not always possible to make 100% calculations beforehand. And therefore you need to make a rough estimate with some amount of emergency money in hand.
Thirdly, search for the best deals online and book them. Booking online for major travel and stay will keep your budget in check. This means once your flight/bus/train and hotel bookings are sorted, you need money for food, in-city traveling, tourist spot tickets, and any activity.
Mobile Network in Andaman
Which Mobile Network works in Andaman is a big headache. And there is no proper information or the latest update on it. So here is what I gathered from my trip.
As of 2019, BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone all Networks work fine for Port Blair and surroundings. You can make and receive calls but don't think of mobile data, the connection is too poor. If your hotel offers Wi-Fi use that. Also, Vodafone works superbly in Havelock for calling purposes.
Best Time to Visit Andaman
Frankly speaking, you can visit Andaman any time you want.
Many websites will tell you winter is better or some other month will be the best. But bottom line, the weather in Andaman is unpredictable. You can enjoy a full-blown blue sky sunny day at the peak of the monsoon season. Or you might get caught up in a cyclone rainfall even in winter when it is supposed to be the best time. And in addition to this, it can rain at any time of the day year-round. So you need to be prepared.
Also, after explaining to you about the uncertain nature of the weather, it is necessary that also add some more points. The fact that there are more sunshine and clear days in winter or another season as compared to monsoon is the reason that online sites will tell you to choose autumn-winter, the peak tourist season.
I visited Andaman once in autumn and second time in monsoon. Both the times I was lucky enough to get good weather along with rainfall.
How to reach Andaman
The flight is the best, easiest and most time convenient way to reach Andaman Island.
Are the flight tickets to Andaman costly? Well, that depends on when you book them. If you plan and book beforehand you will get better deals. And obviously, the ticket prices are higher on average during the tourist season as compared to the supposedly dreadful monsoon. So plan accordingly.
Andaman is well connected to India with flights from major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and so on.
Havelock Island and Neil Islands (recently renamed as Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep)
These two Islands are on every list that people make to Andaman. If you have a bit to spare then you can book the tickets to these 2 islands beforehand through the private transfers. Green Ocean and Makruzz are the two options available for you to book online. Their ticket price is around 1300INR one way per person. It is costly when compared to the government ferry but gives you a confirmed advance online booking.
Government Ferry from Port Blair to Havelock and Neil Islands
They cost much less and are much fun. The only downside is that you need to go to the counter to book the ticket and availability is at times an issue.
If you want to book the government ferry you need to go to the Marina Jetty in the morning around 7–8 am with a photocopy of your id and also CASH. They do not accept the card. There you need to fill the form and submit, And depending on the availability you will be given your tickets.
If you book a tour package through any local company they will get you the government ferry tickets. But then again you would have to take the whole package, they don't make separate bookings. Plus if you get hold of any agent the amount of commission they charge is too high and in that price, you can get a confirmed booking with the private ones.
So if you are on a limited budget, reach Port Blair and the very next morning get up early and get your tickets. If you want to make a day trip to those islands it is possible. Most of the time tickets are available so don't worry. If you have more time in hand then you can stay there for a few days, if not then a day trip would cover the base.
My 5-day Itinerary for Andaman Island
Day 1: Reach and Cellular Jail Tour
Some additional Info: An early morning flight from New Delhi will land you at Port Blair by 10 max. On reaching there as usual you will be surrounded by scam taxi-wallas. My mistake was taking a cab from there and paid over 500 for a 50rs distance. So when you reach there, if your hotel has arranged for transport fine, else walk out of the airport and get an auto.
Download Google Maps in Offline Mode. This will be a big help. Distances are not much. You can reach your hotel in 50-100rs max, not more. I booked an Oyo Hotel for my stay. It was a good deal I got online.
For traveling in Port Blair, an auto is the best way. If you stay at the prime locations, like the Aberdeen Bazar, Junglihaat or near the airport, you can easily get auto and any destination would cost you around INR50–100. Having said this I should also add that buses are also available and safe and cheap. So if you want you can try that too.
After checking in I slept straight off. Ordered in-room service. Food was good both quality and quantity-wise. And went to Cellular Jail and Rajiv Gandhi Marine Park.
Cellular Jail needs no introduction. "Kaalapani", the infamous prison to hold Indian freedom fighters during the British Rule. The cell where Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was held is marked for tourists. When you get to the roof, you get a 360* view of the surrounding ocean and the city. The light and sound show is a major attraction and starts in the evening. You can get before the starting time to get good seats.
Rajiv Gandhi Park is the best place for a leisure stroll. The place is beautiful and the evening view is not to be missed with the street lights transforming the place. Also here you will find the counters for water sports and tours to the nearby Ross and North Bay Island. The rates are more or less the same, however, they reduce their rates during monsoon.
For dinner, you can choose restaurants beside the Rajiv Gandhi Park. Food is good and well within the price. After the half-day tour, I returned to my hotel and there ends my Day 1.
Day 2: Ross and North Bay Island
I did not get my ferry tickets beforehand. I wanted the government ferry and therefore had to go to the Jetty Office to get my tickets.
I reached the office by 8 am. There were queues and preference is given to locals over tourists in government ferry. Keep your photocopy of ID and cash ready. Fill out the form. Stand in the queue and wait for your turn.
Finally got the tickets for Havelock and Neil Island. Both Day trips. I would be going by the first ferry in the morning and return by the last ferry in the evening.
After getting the tickets I was free for the day so I decided to visit Ross and North Bay Island. I went to the Rajiv Gandhi water sports area. Booked my trip to Ross Island and North Bay Island. It was a half-day tour and perfectly fitted my schedule.
Ross Island(renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep): A real example of how nature claims what is hers. The old abandoned British era structures are everywhere and were covered with roots and creepers. If you take an E-Rickshaw or walk to the top you will get more spectacular views of the surrounding. There are also lots of deer on this island. Nothing much to do other than sightseeing, it was time for the North Bay now.
North-Bay Island: This island is found in the 20rs note of Indian currency. North Bay is also the hub for water sports nearest to Port Blair. While initially, I did not plan on trying any water activity, I ended up doing jet Ski and snorkeling. And I should say if you can spare a bit or stretch your budget a bit do try them. The experience is worth it. However, do not expect crystal clear blue water with schools of fish like you see in the National Geographic channels. The coral reef here was mostly destroyed by the 2004 tsunami. Whatever is left has been conserved and will give you a pretty good experience.
By the end of this day, I was too tired, had my dinner at the hotel and soon went to sleep as I would be island hopping for the next 2 days.
Day 3: Havelock Island(Swaraj Dweep)
I got up early and packed my bag for the day trip to Havelock Island. I will be taking the first ferry and return by the evening ferry. I packed extra beachwear, towel, and one extra T-shirt just in case.
I took an auto from my hotel and reached the Jetty. Do not get confused. It is the same one where you book the tickets. By around 10 am I reached Havelock. The journey was beautiful. In government ferry they allow you to go up to the deck and enjoy the fresh air. The ocean was relatively calm and therefore not much problem with seasickness.
I had 2 beached shortlisted that I wanted to visit. First the Kalapathar Beach and secondly the famous Radhanagar beach. There are taxis you can book however I took the budget and also the local means of transport. When you exit from the dock on the left-hand side you will find buses. These buses run through the island. So the first bus took me to Kalapathar beach. Spent around 1 hour there. The next bus took me from there to Radhanagar beach. The white sand beach complimented the blue sky perfectly. My extra set of clothes was thus used thoroughly. Again after spending a few hours here, I took the return bus to the jetty.
I packed some food beforehand. And on reaching there had my breakfast of poori-sabzi and for the rest of the day, I thrived on fresh coconut water.
Day 4: Neil Island(Shaheed Dweep)
This day also followed the same schedule as of the previous day. Neil Island is comparatively smaller than Havelock and the 2 beaches that I visited are the Natural Beach and Sitapur Beach. Here you can have lunch at local restaurants. The food is good and the price is also fine. Returned to the jetty according to the ferry timing with a bagful of wet clothes and photos plus happy memories.
Day 5: Return to Delhi
It is a sad part but vacations also come to an end. On the last day, I had breakfast at the hotel, checked out and headed straight for the airport.
An Important Note
Andaman is a very beautiful place. And the thing which made me most happy about this place is the complete plastic ban. Over here if you buy anything they will wrap it in a newspaper or any other paper maintaining the no-plastic rule. It felt good that efforts to minimize the plastic usage are strictly followed here.
However, tourists are often careless. I have seen trash floating on the ocean. People throwing water bottles, cold drink bottles, wrappers all into the ocean. These people need to understand that the ocean is not our dumping ground. But other people cared enough to look for dustbin even for the tiniest bit of a waste.
In terms of safety measures and solo trips, Andaman is qualified enough to make your list. It is safe, people are friendly and also helpful. Scamming is everywhere in the world and there are few in Andaman too, so you need to be careful. Other than that tanning is the only problem you might have to deal with if you forget your sunscreen.