Complete Andaman Ferry Guide
2026–27: Routes, Timings & Fares

Actual sailing availability across this network varies by date, vessel maintenance, and weather conditions. The Port Blair → Havelock → Neil triangle forms the primary tourist corridor with daily private sailings.

This is the most critical sea route in the Andaman Islands. Over 90% of tourists use this sector to begin their island-hopping itinerary. Ferries depart from the Haddo Jetty in Port Blair and arrive at the Havelock Island Jetty. The journey covers approximately 39 nautical miles and takes between 90 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes, depending on the vessel and sea state.

Returning to Port Blair requires careful planning, particularly if you are connecting to a departing flight. Never book a tight connection — ferry delays due to weather, technical issues, or port clearance are common.

This short, 45-to-60-minute hop connects the two most popular tourist islands. Daily departures run from 8:15 AM to 3:15 PM with a variety of class options.

Completing the classic tourist triangle, this route brings travellers back to the capital. The journey takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes. Multiple daily departures across the private operators plus occasional government sailings give you full schedule flexibility.

Sri Vijaya Puram → Baratang → Swaraj Dweep (Makruzz Sea Route)

Makruzz operates an integrated sailing that departs Sri Vijaya Puram early in the morning, calls at Baratang, and then continues on to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) — with the famous Limestone Cave excursion built into the fare. The full run is roughly 7 hours 45 minutes end-to-end.

This sea route completely bypasses the exhausting road convoy, allowing travellers to visit Baratang by sea in the morning and seamlessly continue to Havelock by the afternoon.

Secondary Northern Routes: Rangat, Long Island & Diglipur

These destinations cater to explorers, bird watchers, and those on extended 10+ day itineraries. Rangat acts as a central transit hub in Middle Andaman. Long Island is served by the government (DSS) fleet — most usefully on the Long Island ↔ Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) sector, with crossings of roughly 45 to 65 nautical miles taking about 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours 25 minutes. Chair and Seat classes are the usual options. The island is rugged and lacks high-end infrastructure. Diglipur in North Andaman (home to Ross & Smith Islands) takes 10-12 hours by road from Port Blair; government shipping services offer overnight sailings roughly 1-2 times a week.

Port Blair → Little Andaman (Hut Bay)

Located south of Port Blair, Little Andaman is famous for surfing and massive waterfalls. It is accessible almost exclusively via Government (DSS) ships — vessels such as MV Bharat Seema, MV Kalighat, MV Campbell Bay and MV Sentinel run this sector. Crossing times range from about 7 to 10 hours depending on the vessel and route. Tourist infrastructure is basic, and travel here is completely distinct from the Havelock/Neil circuit.

Which Ferry Class Is Worth Paying For?

Ferry pricing is not a single flat rate. On private ferries it consists of multiple components:

Base Fare + Port Management Board (PMB) Charges + Fuel Surcharge + Taxes (if applicable)

For example, Green Ocean 1 (Port Blair to Havelock) lists a base fare that is then adjusted for PMB charges and fuel surcharges. Always look at the final checkout price, not just the advertised base fare.

Private catamarans — Makruzz, Nautika and Green Ocean — sail every day and are built around tourists. Government ferries, run by the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), are the islands' public transport system: they carry residents, cargo and essential supplies, and only a small number of tourist seats.

Reading the Government Ferry Booking Screen

The DSS e-ticketing portal shows each voyage as a card with the vessel name, departure and arrival ports, crossing distance and duration. Here's what the labels mean:

Government Ferry Classes, Explained

Hotel check-in times in Andaman are generally around 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM.

If you take a 6:00 AM ferry to Havelock, you will arrive by 7:30 AM. You will be at your resort by 8:15 AM. You will not be able to check into your room for another 3-4 hours unless you paid for early check-in. Use this time to have breakfast, rent a scooter, or leave your bags at reception and head to the beach.

Boarding: Jetties involve walking on floating pontoons that bob with the waves. Staff are always on hand to assist elderly travellers and those with mobility issues.

Seating: For seniors, avoid the uppermost decks. Book lower deck (Economy/Premium) seats close to the centre of the vessel for minimum sway and easy access to restrooms.

Heat: Waiting sheds at jetties can get crowded and hot. Carry hand fans, water, and snacks for young children, as food options inside the port terminals are extremely limited.

The Andaman Sea is generally calm from October to April, but crossing during the monsoon (June-August) can be rough.

• Book seats on the lower deck, middle of the boat.
• Look out the window at the horizon.
• Avoid a heavy, greasy breakfast before early morning sailings.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist about motion sickness medication before you travel.

Luggage Allowance

Luggage allowances vary slightly by operator, but the general rule mimics domestic airlines:

• Check-in Baggage: Usually capped at 20kg to 25kg per passenger.
• Cabin Baggage: One small handbag or backpack.

Process: You will drop your large bags at the scanning counter before boarding. You will not have access to them during the voyage. Retrieve them from the baggage carts upon arrival.

Document Requirements

To board any ferry in the Andaman Islands, you must possess:

• A valid printed or digital ferry ticket.
• A valid, original Government ID (Aadhar Card, Passport, or Driving License for Indians).
• For Foreign Nationals: A valid Passport, Indian Visa, and your Restricted Area Permit (RAP) if applicable.

The period from December 15th to January 15th is peak season.

• Fares are higher (expect a peak season surcharge).
• Morning ferries from Port Blair to Havelock sell out weeks in advance.
• If you book your hotel without securing your ferry tickets first, you may find yourself stranded in Port Blair with non-refundable hotel bookings in Havelock.

A flawless Andaman holiday relies on a delicate domino effect: Flight → Port Transfer → Ferry → Island Transfer → Hotel Check-in → Scuba/Tour → Return Ferry.

If one domino falls (e.g., a delayed flight causes a missed ferry), reorganizing the rest of your trip on the fly is stressful and expensive.

If you already know your travel dates and preferred islands, Gallivanting Tours can help coordinate the ferry, accommodation, transfers, and itinerary into one realistic, stress-free plan.