Every Andaman trip begins and ends in Port Blair — it's where the flights land, the ferries leave and the islands' history lives. Most itineraries give it a night on each end, and that's about right: enough for the Cellular Jail, a beach sunset and a proper island thali.
Don't write it off as just a transit stop. The evening Light & Sound Show at the jail is genuinely moving, and the markets around Aberdeen Bazaar are where the islands actually shop.
How to reach
- Direct flights land at Veer Savarkar International Airport from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad (about 2–2.5 hours from Chennai).
- The airport sits inside the city — most hotels are a 20–30 minute drive.
- Ferries to Havelock and Neil leave from Haddo/Phoenix Bay jetty; reach it 45–60 minutes before sailing.
Top things to do
Cellular Jail
The islands' defining monument — allow 1.5–2 hours for the galleries and the memorial.
Light & Sound Show
Evening shows in Hindi and English retell the jail's history under the old gallows tree — book the earlier slot.
Corbyn's Cove Beach
The city's palm-lined beach, 15 minutes from town — good for a first-evening swim.
Chidiya Tapu
The "bird island" sunset point 45 minutes south, with forest walks and tidal pools.
Ross Island day trip
A 15–20 minute boat from Aberdeen Jetty to the atmospheric colonial ruins.
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