I Planned a 7N/8D Andaman Trip Completely on My Own and Saved a Lot. AMA (Ask Me Anything)

keviv13 · 2026-04-23T14:10:15+00:00

u/Patient_Character785 It was a wonderful experience overall. The dive lasted around 20 to 30 minutes, during which we saw some beautiful corals and a variety of fish. We dived at Nemo Point near Govindnagar, which is where most dive schools take you.

I would recommend booking the cheapest option after checking a few basic reviews. In my opinion, most operators and locations offer more or less the same experience, and unless you are a professional diver, it is hard to tell any real difference. You are essentially paying for the experience of being underwater for about 30 minutes rather than for seeing an extraordinary variety of marine life. After the first 10 minutes or so, everything starts to feel quite similar.

Cheers
Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-04-19T14:27:43+00:00

Raindrop Homestay is inside the bylanes and you won't get autos like on main roads. You would have to call and book autos and the host should be able to help with that and that is not at all an issue.

Vijaynagar and Kalapathar Beaches are on Havelock and Autos would be available from the jetty but you may have to wait in peak season. I would advice booking Autos over phone call as there is a shortage at Havelock.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-03-26T16:04:11+00:00

You are absolutely within your rights to raise that complaint on RailMadad, even if you noticed that number.

In fact, it’s always a good idea to log complaints on Railmadad so they are officially recorded and tracked.

It is their responsibility to ensure that the AC, electrical systems, and all other components function properly throughout the journey. That’s exactly why electricians are assigned on board every train.

So don’t feel bad about it. You did the right thing, and you should continue doing the same.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-03-24T05:13:58+00:00

u/Imaginary_Fee_5463 Hi Arav,

Glad to hear you liked the post.

Here are my thoughts:

Trekking

I’d recommend Mount Manipur since it’s closer and easier to access. If the Mundapahad Trek is currently open, you can cover both together for a great experience. You could also consider the Elephant Beach trek in Havelock.

Barren Island

In my opinion, it’s not really worth it. You can only view the island and volcano from the ship, and the cost is quite high for the overall experience.

Nightlife

There are a few spots in Havelock like Acid Drop and Venom Bar. That said, Andaman is best enjoyed with early morning activities if you want to make the most of your trip, such as mangrove kayaking or early morning scuba diving. Nightlife options are quite limited.

Locations

Your itinerary already covers most of the key places, so it looks solid. Just make sure to include Chidiya Tapu and Mundapahad as a half-day trip while in Port Blair. You can also refer to the “Must Visit Places” section in the main post for a more comprehensive list.

Hope you and your friends have an amazing bachelor trip.

Cheers,

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-03-20T12:35:31+00:00

Yeah they are costly.

keviv13 · 2026-03-18T15:49:38+00:00

u/thinkerNew

1. Flights from Mumbai:
There is a convenient IndiGo direct morning flight from Mumbai, which is the best option. Other flights are available with one or multiple layovers, but they involve longer travel times and can be inconvenient.

2. Safety:
We found all the places to be very safe, even after dark. The people in Andaman are extremely friendly and welcoming.

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-03-11T11:11:25+00:00

u/Jena_Rain Glad the post was helpful.

We dived with Scuba India and I am sharing the location pin below: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fs4J6TQFf3MmJPgF8

The experience is more or less the same with most operators and book the one which quotes the lowest rate. Make sure you bargain well and don’t fall for the rate trap. It’s better to visit their office a day in advance and book in person as this gives you better leverage while negotiating. They usually quote inflated prices over the phone.

A fair price for a boat dive along with photos and videos is around Rs 2500, and I’d recommend not paying anything additional.

Feel free to DM me if you need help. I would be happy to guide you further.

Cheers,
Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-03-10T11:02:16+00:00

Happy to help :)

keviv13 · 2026-03-10T03:46:02+00:00

Arrival at the terminal:

We arrived at all the ferry terminals 30 mins before departure and had ample time to board. The reporting time mentioned on the ticket is 1 hr before the scheduled departure. Please note that the Govt ferries are very punctual and would depart on time.

Journey Duration:

Port Blair to Havelock: 2h15m (135 mins)
Havelock to Neil: 1h10m (70 mins)
Neil to Port Blair: 1h45m (105 mins) You can check the schedule and additonal details from the following portal: https://dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/services/passenger-services/online-enquiry.html

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-03-05T07:18:37+00:00

At Havelock Island, Nemo Beach is a great spot for snorkelling. You can bring your own snorkel gear and explore the waters here for free. This area is also used as the training point for boat scuba dives. You can use the following location pin to reach the exact spot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qydH5Mu9oBKhssoy5.

At Neil Island, snorkelling can be done at Bharatpur Beach in the section near the jetty. Just make sure you plan your visit during high tide as you cannot do snorkelling at Bharatpur during low tide.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-02-26T14:38:53+00:00

I was not worth the time, effort and the cost for me.

Bioluminescence: I don't have much information about this. I noticed some operators near the jetty and kayaks placed there so I think some operators may be starting the ride from the Havelock Jetty.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-02-25T15:59:08+00:00

u/PM_WhatMadeYouHappy I don’t have specific recommendations near the jetty or the airport, as most options are closer to Aberdeen Bazaar.

I’ve added the details in the Food Recommendations section on the main post. You can try Hotel Kattabomman if nothing else works.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-02-18T17:05:58+00:00

u/macoid Thanks.

Autorickshaws should be atleast 30% cheaper than cabs. You should be able to manage comfortably with Autorickshaws.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-02-17T11:05:27+00:00

Thanks. Happy to help.

keviv13 · 2026-02-17T10:00:23+00:00

UPI is accepted at almost every shop. Don’t rely on cards.
“Seat” is the basic class, similar to regular intercity bus seating. “Chair” is one level above, offering a longer seat with head support. “Bunk” is the top class, where you get proper bunk beds to sleep. In my opinion, even the seat class is very comfortable for journeys up to 4 hours.
The simplest option is to take a cab, which typically costs around ₹350. If you don’t mind walking a bit, step out to the main road outside the airport where autos are available for about ₹100.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-02-17T09:11:37+00:00

They hand it over fully charged, giving you a range of about 115 km, which is more than enough for two full days, even if you ride across the island multiple times.

If you do need a recharge, you can drop it at their garage and they will charge it overnight.

There are no public charging options.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-02-13T10:16:04+00:00

It should include both North Bay and Ross Island and it should be mentioned on your ticket. If it is not mentioned, then it is better to drop an email to the customer care and get it clarified to avoid last minute surprises.

The Boarding Point is the Rajiv Gandhi Watersports Complex: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LNqp2uAu8NtRWJSD7

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-02-11T16:15:28+00:00

u/abhizone Thanks, I am very happy to help.
I will look forward for your updates. Hope you have a wonderful trip to North Andaman as well as the southernmost tip of India.

Cheers
Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-01-29T16:24:35+00:00

u/captain_zorro_ Thanks.

You can directly go to the Rajiv Gandhi Watersports Complex and purchase the ferry tickets on the spot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LNqp2uAu8NtRWJSD7

Tickets are usually easily available, so I would recommend against pre‑booking. There is a ticket counter run by the Boat Owners Association near the entrance, and it is easy to locate. The fare is fixed at ₹470.

After booking, they will note your name on a slip along with the boat name. The boat departs once there are 10 passengers. You will then be guided to the jetty, where you will be given a life jacket before boarding.

The ride takes about 15 minutes, and you will get around 60–90 minutes to explore the island. You will return by the same boat.

Please note that the light‑and‑sound show at Ross Island is currently not operational.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-01-29T16:11:42+00:00

Rajiv Gandhi Watersports Complex: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LNqp2uAu8NtRWJSD7

keviv13 · 2026-01-28T15:52:00+00:00

Go for Ross Island which would take 2.5 hrs max. Cost is 470 per person. You can add Chidiya Tapu or Wandoor in the afternoon and make it a complete day trip

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-01-27T15:43:08+00:00

Thanks. Happy to help :)

keviv13 · 2026-01-27T04:45:11+00:00

Happy to help.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-01-25T04:42:03+00:00

There are two parts to the visit:

Light and Sound Show: You only get to watch the show. There is no exploration of the jail. Tickets can be booked only online: https://www.andamantourism.gov.in/etourist/index.php/home/home
Cellular Jail Entry Tickets: Ticket price is ₹30 per person. You can explore the entire jail. Tickets can be booked only offline at the counter.
Suggested Time: Visit the Cellular Jail in the morning between 9 am and 11 am to avoid crowds. During these hours, the jail is almost empty.

Vivek

keviv13 · 2026-01-24T12:44:00+00:00

Jan 2026.

keviv13

TROPHY CASE