boltQuick Facts10-sec scan
navigationHow I Did It
- check_circleTook the government ferry from Port Blair (~₹650–850 one way, ~2.5 hours), booked a day ahead at the jetty.
- check_circleStayed in a beachside guesthouse near Vijay Nagar (~₹1,500/night); rented a scooty for two days (~₹500/day).
- check_circleDid Radhanagar and Kalapathar beaches, snorkelled at Elephant Beach (~₹1,000), ate at local dhabas.
alt_routeMy Route
- 1Port Blair, Haddo jetty~₹650–850government ferry, ~₹650–850
- 2Havelock jetty~₹500scooty rental, ~₹500/day
- 3Radhanagar → Kalapathar → Elephant Beach~₹1,000snorkelling ~₹1,000
articleMy Experience
The ferry pulled out of Port Blair at 8 AM and by 10:30 the water was that impossible Andaman blue. Havelock doesn’t feel like the rest of India — no traffic noise, just palms, sand and the sound of the sea. My guesthouse was basic but fifty metres from the water; I fell asleep to waves every night. Radhanagar Beach lived up to every photo: white sand, forest behind it, water so clear you can see your feet at chest depth. I went at 7 AM and had a long stretch to myself. The sand squeaks underfoot there, the way truly clean sand does.
Kalapathar in the evening is quieter, with black rocks and good sunset light. The snorkelling trip to Elephant Beach was my one splurge (~₹1,000 with gear) — clownfish, blue corals, a turtle. Worth it. The scooty changed everything: empty flat roads, cheap petrol, and I could chase sunrises and sunsets at different beaches. Food was simple — ₹200 thalis at the dhabas near the jetty, fresh coconut everywhere, one grilled-fish dinner as a treat. February seas were calm and the ferry ran on time both ways. On my last evening I walked the full length of Vijay Nagar beach barefoot, and didn’t see another soul for twenty minutes.
account_balance_walletWhat I Spent
| Expense | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Ferry Port Blair–Havelock (return) | ~₹1,600 |
| Guesthouse, Vijay Nagar (3 nights) | ~₹4,500 |
| Food (4 days) | ~₹3,200 |
| Scooty + petrol + snorkelling | ~₹2,500 |
lightbulbMoney Saver
The government ferry is half the price of a private catamaran and just as comfortable — book at the jetty counter a day early. And rent the scooty; one day’s rental costs less than a single taxi trip to Radhanagar.
verified_userReality Check
What actually saved money? The government ferry and the scooty. Those two choices cut transport costs by more than half. What wasn’t worth saving money on? The snorkelling. It’s the one experience I’d have regretted skipping. Biggest mistake? Not checking the return ferry timing on day one — the afternoon sailing I wanted was full, so I took the morning one and lost half a beach day. Biggest surprise? How affordable the dhabas are. I expected island prices everywhere; the jetty-area meals were mainland-cheap. Would I do this route again? Yes — and I’d add Neil Island for two nights. Same ferry logic, same scooty plan.
tips_and_updatesWhat I Wish I Knew
- Check return ferry timings on day one; the popular sailings fill up fast.
- The government ferry plus a rented scooty cuts your transport costs by more than half.
- Do not skip snorkelling — it is the one splurge on this trip you will not regret.
- Eat at the jetty-area dhabas; they are mainland-cheap, not island-priced.
personAbout the Traveler
Tanvi from Port Blair — a traveller story on Mountains Bliss. Traveller stories · fellow travellers, honest budgets.
forumTanvi
How early should I book the government ferry?
At least a day ahead at the jetty counter in February (peak season). In monsoon months you can often get same-day seats — but sailings depend on the weather.
Is Havelock okay for a solo woman?
I felt very safe — the island is small, people are friendly, and the guesthouse owners look out for solo travellers. Just avoid isolated beach stretches after dark.
forum Traveler discussion (0)
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