Plan Your Trip

Dive Season

Certification Courses and Guided Dives begin on 1st October and end on 31st May. The Try Diving program is possible all year round.

Visas & Permits

Indian nationals do not need any visas or permits to visit the Andaman Islands.
Foreign Nationals need an Indian Visa (not issued on arrival into India).
Restricted Area Permit (R.A.P) is issued on arrival into Port Blair, and is valid for 30 days only.

Flights & Ships To Port Blair

Direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Visakhapatnam are available. It is also possible to sail to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. For the sailing schedule and other information click here.

Meet & Greet Service

This service includes a pick-up from the airport in Port Blair, a drop to your hotel and transfer to the jetty the next day for the ferry to Neil Island. The ferry tickets are booked for you. Also includes round trip transfers on your way back, from Neil Island to Port Blair.

We highly recommend this service because it beats standing in queues, haggling with taxi drivers and drowning in confusion! Even if it makes for a fascinating travel story to laugh about later... much later!

• PRICE for 2: Rs. 3,200
• PRICE for 3: Rs. 4,800

No charge for kids. Over 18 years old and living with your mama does not classify you as a child.

If you do not wish to opt for this service, refer to the information below to plan your transfers.

Ferries

Tickets for the Makruzz ferry can be bought online here. Tickets for the government ferry can be bought at the ticket counter at Phoenix Bay Jetty (Port Blair) and Havelock Jetty.

Spending The Night

Port Blair

Depending on what time you arrive at Port Blair you may have to spend the night there, as the last ferry to Neil Island is at 11:00 AM.

Here are a few recommendations for places to stay:

• Best On The Island (4-5 star hotels with comfortable rooms and multiple amenities)

  1. Fortune Bay Resort
     Situated 2 km from the Water Sports Complex, this 4-star hotel has unfussy, comfortable rooms – some with balconies and bay views. Breakfast is complementary.
  2. Seashell
     Overlooking the Andaman Sea, this 4-star hotel offers understated rooms and complimentary breakfast. There’s also an outdoor rooftop bar with sea views.

• Mid-Range Hotels (Standard rooms with basic amenities)

  1. Andaman Anchorage
     Has serviced apartments with spacious rooms and a spectacular sea view at Haddo. Perfect if you have a couple of kids.
  2. Blue Sea Hotel
     Situated at Middlepoint, a nice option for a layover in Port Blair, with a very good vegan restaurant.
  3. Shelter At Sea
     Cozy serviced apartments – some of which have a view of the sea.

• Traveller Accommodation (Budget rooms to crash in overnight)

  1. Hopping Soul
     Basic, clean hostel rooms with private bathrooms. 6 km away from Veer Savarkar International Airport.
  2. Lalaji Bay View
     Located close to Aberdeen Bazaar, rooms are basic and clean. Somewhere you can pass out for a night before you come over to Neil Island. Has a really cool roof top restaurant to chill out in during the day.

Neil Island

• Best On The Island (4-5 star hotels with comfortable rooms and multiple amenities)

  1. TSG Aura
     Set amid lush foliage along the island shores of Sitapur Beach, this laid-back hotel has relaxed rooms in 2-storey wood villas featuring a rustic vibe, in addition to Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, terraces and more. Pets are welcome.
     Distance to India Scuba Explorers dive shop: 6.1 km.
  2. Seashell
     This laid-back hotel set among trees is 1km from the Neil Island Jetty and has unfussy rooms with furnished terraces, flat-screen TVs, in addition to Wi-Fi access and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgraded rooms feature vaulted wooden ceilings. Breakfast is complimentary.
     Distance to India Scuba Explorers dive shop: 300 m.
  3. Summer Sands
     This down-to-earth resort features wood-beamed ceilings and warm rooms that come with flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi access. Some rooms include balconies or terraces with pool views. Breakfast is complimentary.
     Distance to India Scuba Explorers dive shop: 4.4 km.

• Mid-Range Hotels (Standard rooms with basic amenities)

  1. Tango
     Located 1.3 km from Howrah Bridge and well-known for its proximity to great restaurants and attractions, Tango offers guest rooms with flat-screen TVs and air conditioning.
     Distance to India Scuba Explorers dive shop: 350 m.
  2. Pearl Park
     Accessible only by boat from Phoenix Bay Jetty, this relaxed resort overlooking the Andaman Sea is set among palm trees. Straightforward thatched cottages feature flat-screen TVs, tea and coffeemaking facilities and furnished patios. Complimentary breakfast is offered.
     Distance to India Scuba Explorers dive shop: 450 m.

• Traveller Accommodation (Budget rooms to crash in overnight)

  1. Break Water
     Located 3 km away from Howrah Bridge, a budget friendly guest house with air conditioned rooms and a restaurant.
     Distance to India Scuba Explorers dive shop: 3.2 km.
  2. Blue Lagoon
     This charming property has comfortable furnished bedrooms, designed keeping travellers’ requirements in mind. The living space is furnished with top-notch furniture and enhanced with trendy décor.
     Distance to India Scuba Explorers dive shop: 3.6 km.
  3. Emerald Gecko
     This eco-resort consists of tastefully decorated rooms constructed using sustainable organic materials by local craftsmen. The rooms have no frills but include necessities such as mosquito net, ceiling fans, outlets for charging, hot water by bucket self-service, etc. No air conditioning or TV.
     Distance to India Scuba Explorers dive shop: 6 km.

What To Bring

Cash/Plastic

There are two ATMs on Neil Island. However, when it comes to foreign credit cards, it's a bit of a hit and miss, so we suggest bringing enough cash for daily expenses. For diving we accept most modes of payment (except Cowrie shells). Credit cards, PayPal, bank transfers and online payments are all good.

Survival Gear

Sunglasses, cap, sunscreen, flashlight, swim wear and prescription medication. There are no pharmacies on Neil Island, only a primary health centre.

Mosquito Repellent

There is no malaria on the island but from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM the mosquitos will be out for your blood with a vengeance.

License

Motor bikes and scooters are available for hire, so bring your driving license.

Connectivity

Internet is available at a few restaurants. The only mobile phone SIM cards that work on Neil are Airtel and BSNL. We suggest total disconnection for a complete connection with the island.

Entertainment

Our Island is a laid back, unspoilt paradise with minimal development so there are no nightclubs, late night parties or loud music… Thank God! It is, however, the perfect place for good books, musical instruments, and of course very good diving.