Summary
Can't decide between Havelock and Neil Island? Here's the deal - Havelock is bigger, more developed, has famous Radhanagar Beach and tons of water activities. Neil is smaller, quieter, cheaper, good for people wanting peace. Most tourists do both in one trip honestly. Havelock needs 3-4 days, Neil needs 1-2 days. If you can only pick one? Havelock for activities and famous beaches. Neil for relaxation and budget. Read on for the full breakdown - we've been sending people to both islands for years.
So you're planning Andaman and stuck on this question - Havelock or Neil Island? Maybe someone told you Havelock is better. Someone else said Neil is underrated. Now you're confused.
Been there. Dealt with this question about a thousand times at Andaman Bliss(OPC) Pvt Ltd. Let me break it down properly. No bias. Just straight facts from years of actually living here and sending tourists to both islands.
The Basic Difference
Think of it this way - Havelock is the popular kid everyone knows. Neil is the quieter one who's actually pretty cool once you get to know them.
Havelock is bigger. More tourists. More hotels. More restaurants. More activities. More everything basically. It's developed. Has that tourist infrastructure thing going. You'll never run out of stuff to do.
Neil is smaller. Way quieter. Less commercialized. Fewer options for hotels and food. But that's exactly why some people love it. It's peaceful. Less crowded. Feels more authentic.
Your choice really depends on what you want from your island time. Let me walk you through everything so you can decide.
Beaches - The Main Attraction
Let's be honest - you're going to Andaman for beaches. So which island has better ones?
Havelock Island Beaches
Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7) This is the famous one. Time magazine ranked it as Asia's best beach once. Not just marketing - it genuinely deserves the hype.Sand is incredibly soft. Almost powdery. Water is crystal clear with multiple shades of blue and green. Beach is long, so even when crowded, you find space. Perfect for swimming - water stays shallow for quite a distance.
Sunset here is something else. Everyone gathers in the evening. It's a whole vibe. Downsides? Can get crowded, especially December-January. Lots of tourists taking photos. Some selling beach stuff. But even with crowds, it's stunning.Elephant Beach You take a boat or trek through forest to reach here. The journey itself is fun. Main attraction is water sports and snorkeling. Coral is close to shore. Fish everywhere. Clear water. Even first-timers can snorkel easily here.Beach itself is smaller than Radhanagar. More about activities than just lying around. Gets busy during peak hours when all the boats arrive.
Kalapathar Beach Black rocks (kalapathar means black stone). Quieter than the other two. Good for morning walks. Sunrise is beautiful here. Not great for swimming - more rocky. But peaceful. Hardly any tourists. Good if you want alone time.
Neil Island Beaches
Bharatpur Beach Neil's most popular beach. Good for swimming. Water is calm and clear. Coral close to shore - you can see fish even without snorkeling much.Beach activities available - glass bottom boats, snorkeling, jet ski. But on a smaller scale than Havelock. Less crowded than Radhanagar. More local vibe. Families with kids love this beach - safe and manageable.
Laxmanpur Beach Famous for sunsets. Natural rock formations. Long stretch of sand.During low tide, you can walk quite far out. Natural pools form between rocks. Kids enjoy exploring these. Calm. Peaceful. Not much commercial activity. Just beach and nature.Natural Bridge (Howrah Bridge) Not technically a beach but a rock formation in the sea. You can walk on it during low tide. Unique spot. Makes for interesting photos. But timing matters - only accessible during low tide. Check tide timings before going.
Beach Verdict
Havelock wins on variety and fame. Radhanagar alone makes it worth visiting. Elephant Beach is better for water activities. Neil beaches are lovely but less dramatic. Good for peace and quiet. Better for people who find crowds annoying. Want Instagram-worthy beaches? Havelock. Want peaceful morning walks on empty beaches? Neil.
Water Activities and Adventure
What Havelock Offers
Scuba Diving Havelock is Andaman's diving hub. Multiple dive centers. Certified instructors. Sites for beginners and experienced divers.
Visibility is excellent. You see coral gardens, reef fish, sometimes bigger stuff like rays and turtles. Water temperature is comfortable year-round. Costs around ₹4,000-₹5,000 for a discovery dive (for beginners). Certified dives are cheaper. Multiple dive sites available.
Snorkeling Elephant Beach is the main snorkeling spot. Coral close to shore. Tons of fish. Easy even if you've never done it. Equipment provided. Life jackets mandatory. Guides available if needed. Other spots like Lighthouse Beach also offer snorkeling but Elephant Beach is best. Sea Walking You wear a helmet connected to oxygen. Walk on the ocean floor. Breathe normally while underwater. Easier than diving - no training needed. Good for people scared of diving. You still see the underwater world up close. Around ₹3,500 per person. Worth trying once. Kayaking Through mangrove forests. Peaceful. You paddle through these green tunnels created by mangrove roots.
Spot birds, crabs, sometimes fish. Good morning activity. Not physically demanding. Game Fishing Deep sea fishing trips available. Half day or full day. They provide all equipment. Catch depends on season and luck. But being out in the ocean is fun regardless.
What Neil Offers
Snorkeling Bharatpur Beach has decent snorkeling. Not as extensive as Elephant Beach but good enough. Less crowded.Coral and fish are there. Just on a smaller scale. Works fine for casual snorkeling.
Glass Bottom Boat Good alternative if you don't want to get wet. Sit in boat, look through glass floor, see underwater life. Kids love this. Elderly people who can't swim also enjoy it. Basic Water Sports Jet ski, banana boat rides available at Bharatpur. Limited compared to Havelock but available. Cycling Neil is small enough to cycle around. Flat terrain. Pleasant roads. Some people rent cycles and explore the island on their own.Nice way to see local life and less touristy spots.
Activities Verdict
Havelock wins hands down. More options. Better infrastructure. If adventure and water sports matter to you, Havelock is the answer.
Neil has basics but limited. Fine if activities aren't your main priority.
- Accommodation - Where You'll Stay
- Havelock Hotels and Resorts
- Range is huge. Budget beach huts to luxury resorts with private pools.
Budget options (₹1,500-₹3,000/night) - Basic but clean. Fan rooms or AC. Close to beaches usually. Simple breakfast included. Places like Pristine Beach Resort, Wild Orchid. Mid-range (₹3,000-₹8,000/night) - Comfortable rooms. Good amenities. Pools. Decent restaurants. Most tourists stay in this range. Symphony Palms, SeaShell Havelock. Luxury (₹8,000+/night) - Taj, Barefoot, Munjoh. Private beaches. Excellent service. Spas. Multiple restaurants. The complete experience.Booking in advance is important, especially October-March. Good places fill up fast.
Neil Island Hotels
Fewer options. Smaller scale. No big luxury chains.
Budget stays (₹1,200-₹2,500/night) - Basic guesthouses and homestays. Clean enough. Simple rooms. Limited amenities. Pearl Park Beach Resort, Coco N Huts. Mid-range (₹2,500-₹5,000/night) - Comfortable. Nothing fancy but decent. Summer Sands Beach Resort, TSG Emerald View.
There isn't really a luxury segment in Neil. Most upscale option is still simpler than Havelock's mid-range.
Advantage? Cheaper. If budget is tight, Neil saves money on accommodation.
Accommodation Verdict
Havelock for variety and quality. Every budget has good options. Luxury seekers will only find proper options here.
Neil for budget-conscious travelers. Simpler but cheaper. Fine if you're okay with basic comfort.
Food and Dining
Eating in Havelock
Lots of restaurants. Different cuisines. Seafood is the main draw - fresh catch daily.
Types of Places:
- Beach shacks - casual, feet in sand, grilled fish, cold beer. Fun atmosphere.
- Resort restaurants - multi-cuisine, good service, higher prices, reliable quality.
- Local eateries - cheaper, North Indian and Bengali food, simple preparations.
- Bakeries and cafes - breakfast spots, coffee, sandwiches.
- Popular spots we recommend - Full Moon Cafe (good food, nice vibe), Something Different (aptly named, fusion stuff), Barefoot Restaurant (expensive but excellent).
- Vegetarian food available everywhere. Pure veg and Jain can be arranged with advance notice to hotels.
- Price range - ₹300-₹1,500 per person depending where you eat.
Eating in Neil
Limited options. Fewer restaurants. But what's there is decent.
Mostly hotel restaurants and small local eateries. Not much variety in cuisine - North Indian, some Chinese, seafood.
Food is simpler. Less fancy. But fresh and filling.
Prices are slightly cheaper than Havelock. ₹250-₹800 per person typically.
Vegetarian gets a bit tricky - fewer options. Hotels can prepare veg food if you tell them in advance. No fancy dining experiences. No beachside restaurants with mood lighting. Just simple food.
Food Verdict
Havelock wins easily. More options. Better quality. More variety. Foodies will be happier here.
Neil is fine for basic meals. Don't expect anything exciting.
Getting There and Getting Around
- Reaching the Islands
- Both islands are reached by ferry from Port Blair.
To Havelock:
- Government ferries and private operators available
- Multiple departures daily Journey takes 1.5-2.5 hours depending on ferry type
- More frequency and options
To Neil:
- Fewer ferries than Havelock
- Can go direct from Port Blair or via Havelock
- Takes about 1-2 hours from Havelock, 2-3 hours from Port Blair
- Limited departure times
- Ferry bookings should be done in advance, especially peak season. We handle all ferry arrangements for our clients.
- Moving Around the Island
Havelock:
Bigger island. Beaches are spread out. You need transport.
Options - rented scooters/bikes (₹500-₹700/day), auto-rickshaws (₹200-₹500 per trip), taxis (₹500-₹1,500 depending on distance). Most people rent bikes if they know how to ride. Freedom to explore. Otherwise auto-rickshaws work fine.
Neil:
Smaller. Walkable in some areas. Cycling works.
Autos available but fewer. Most hotels arrange transport. Cycling is popular - flat terrain, pleasant roads, ₹200-₹300/day for rental. You can cover the whole island in a day if you want.
Transport Verdict
- Havelock needs more planning for transport. Bigger distances.
- Neil is easier to navigate. Smaller. Less complicated.
Cost Comparison
- Real talk about money because that matters.
- Havelock - Daily Costs Per Person:
- Accommodation: ₹1,500-₹8,000 (your choice)
- Food: ₹800-₹1,500 (three meals)
- Activities: ₹2,000-₹5,000 (if doing water sports)
- Transport: ₹300-₹500
- Total: ₹4,600-₹15,000 per day depending on choices
Neil - Daily Costs Per Person:
- Accommodation: ₹1,200-₹2,500
- Food: ₹600-₹1,000
- Activities: ₹1,000-₹2,000
- Transport: ₹200-₹400
- Total: ₹3,000-₹5,900 per day
Neil is definitely cheaper. About 30-40% less expensive overall.
If budget is tight, Neil gives you island experience at lower cost.
Crowds and Vibe
Havelock Atmosphere
- More touristy. You'll see lots of other travelers.
- Indians, foreigners, everyone.
- Radhanagar Beach gets packed during sunset. Restaurants are busy in evenings. Ferries are full. But crowds are manageable. Not Goa-level crazy.
- You still get peaceful moments, especially early mornings or less popular beaches. Energy is higher. More happening.
- Things to do.People around. Some like this energy. Others find it too much. Depends on your personality.
Neil Atmosphere
- Quiet. Laid back. Almost sleepy.
- You'll see other tourists but way fewer. Beaches feel emptier. Restaurants aren't crowded. Everything moves slower.
- Local life is more visible. You see fishermen, locals going about their work. Feels more authentic.
- Perfect for people who hate crowds. Who want to disconnect. Who read books on beaches without distractions.
- Can feel too quiet for some. Especially young people wanting activity and nightlife.
Who Should Pick Which Island?
Pick Havelock If You:
- Want the complete Andaman experience
- Love water sports and activities
- Want famous, Instagram-worthy beaches
- Need variety in hotels and restaurants
- Don't mind crowds and tourist infrastructure
- Have decent budget
- Want happening evenings and social atmosphere
- First time in Andaman (Havelock is the must-visit)
Pick Neil If You:
- Want peace and quiet above everything
- Budget is limited
- Hate crowded tourist spots
- Prefer authentic, local experiences
- Want to just relax and read
- Like cycling and simple pleasures
- Already been to Havelock and want something different
- Need to disconnect from everything
Our Honest Recommendation
Do both if possible. They're close to each other. Ferry between them takes just over an hour.
Typical itinerary we suggest - 3-4 days in Havelock, 1-2 days in Neil. Gets you the complete experience. Havelock for activities and famous spots. Neil for unwinding.
If you absolutely can only do one:
First time in Andaman? Havelock.
Been there before? Try Neil.
With family and kids? Havelock has more to keep everyone busy.
Solo traveler wanting peace? Neil might suit better.
Honeymoon couple? Havelock for romance and activities.
Retired couple wanting quiet time? Neil works great.
Best Time to Visit Each Island
Havelock
- October to May - weather's good, sea is calm, all activities work.
- December-January - peak season, crowded, expensive but perfect weather.
- February-March - good weather, slightly less crowded than Dec-Jan.
- April-May - hot but manageable, fewer tourists, better deals.
- June-September - monsoon, not recommended, many things closed.
Neil
- Same weather as Havelock - they're just 40km apart.
- But Neil being less touristy means even peak season doesn't feel as crowded.
- Off-season affects Neil more though - even fewer restaurants and activities available.
What People Get Wrong
Mistake 1: Thinking Neil is "better" because it's less touristy Less touristy doesn't automatically mean better. Means fewer facilities. Less convenience. That's fine if you want it. But not objectively better.
Mistake 2: Skipping Neil completely Many tourists only do Havelock. Miss out on Neil's charm. If you have time, Neil is worth 1-2 days.
Mistake 3: Spending too many days in Neil Neil is small. One full day covers everything. More than 2 days and you'll get bored unless you're okay doing nothing.
Mistake 4: Expecting Havelock to be super commercialized Yes it's developed. But it's not Goa or Phuket. Still retains natural beauty. Still peaceful in parts.
Mistake 5: Thinking Neil is "undiscovered" It's not a secret anymore. Plenty of tourists go. Just fewer than Havelock. Don't expect some hidden paradise with zero tourists.
Practical Booking Tips
For Havelock:
- Book hotels 2-3 months ahead for peak season
- Compare prices across booking platforms
- Beach-facing rooms cost more but worth it for the view
- Bike rentals book out - reserve in advance if needed
For Neil:
- Can book closer to travel date - fewer tourists
- Directly calling hotels sometimes gets better rates
- Ask about meal plans - some places offer packages
- Confirm ferry timings before booking stay dates
For Both:
- Ferry tickets sell out - book early
- Weather can affect ferry schedules - keep buffer days
- ATMs exist but carry cash for small vendors
- Inform hotels about dietary requirements in advance
- Our Experience Sending Tourists
At Andaman Bliss, we've been organizing trips for years. Here's what we've noticed:
Havelock Success Rate: Almost everyone leaves happy. It delivers what people expect. Good infrastructure means fewer complaints. Activities keep people engaged.
Neil Success Rate: Mixed. People who wanted peace love it. People who expected "Havelock but quieter" sometimes disappointed. Setting right expectations is key.
Common Feedback on Havelock: "Radhanagar Beach was worth the hype." "Diving was amazing." "Wish we had more time here." "Bit crowded during sunset but manageable."
Common Feedback on Neil: "So peaceful and relaxing." "Felt authentic." "Not much to do after a day." "Cheaper than Havelock." "Beaches were nice but not as spectacular."
What We Tell Clients: Don't make it either-or. Both have value. Combine them if you can. We build itineraries with 3 nights Havelock, 1-2 nights Neil. Works perfectly.
Final Verdict
There's no absolute winner. Depends entirely on what you want.
Havelock is objectively more developed, has better beaches (Radhanagar alone is worth it), more activities, more options. If you can only visit one Andaman island in your life, make it Havelock.
Neil is cheaper, quieter, more laid back. Great for second visits or people specifically wanting peace. Best approach? Stop thinking of it as competition. They complement each other. One trip, both islands.
Complete Andaman experience.
Planning Your Havelock and Neil Island Trip?
At Andaman Bliss Pvt Ltd, we've been doing this forever. We know both islands inside out. Know which beaches are best when. Which hotels actually deliver. Which activities are worth the money.
We create itineraries that include both islands optimally. Handle all bookings - hotels, ferries, activities. Give you complete information so you know what to expect.Whether you pick Havelock, Neil, or both - we'll make sure it's planned right.
Andaman Bliss (OPC) Pvt Ltd - Living in Andaman, helping tourists discover it since years. Because we've actually been to these islands a hundred times, not just read about them online.
