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Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

The quiet, bicycle-friendly Andaman island next door

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Best time to visit Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to March
  • Shoulder: April to May and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryMarchNovemberDecember

Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Calm water, good snorkeling at Bharatpur: this laid-back island is at its easiest to reach.

Summer March to May Prime time

Warm and humid through April-May but ferries usually still run. Fewer crowds than Havelock.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Same story as the rest of the archipelago. Ferries cancel in rough seas, island quietens hard.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Reliable ferry schedule resumes by late October, still noticeably quieter than peak winter.

What Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) is actually like

Sleepier than Havelock: a few guesthouses and the kind of quiet that invites chat.

Things to do in Neil Island

The local places worth your time in and around Neil Island, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Bharatpur Beach

    Beach · 1 km out

    Shallow reef beach by the jetty with glass bottom boats and snorkel hire; best at high tide, skip the jet ski end.

  • Laxmanpur Beach

    Beach · 3 km out

    Long shallow sunset beach of shells and driftwood; the reef flat opens up at low tide, 20 minutes by cycle from town.

  • Natural Bridge (Howrah Bridge)

    Walk · 5 km out

    Coral rock arch past Laxmanpur, reachable only at low tide across sharp reef; check the tide chart, wear hard shoes.

  • Sitapur Beach

    Beach · 5 km out

    Sunrise beach at the east end below a low cliff; be there by 5.30 am, and the swim gets rough when the wind is up.

  • Ramnagar Beach

    Beach · 4 km out

    Quiet beach with a reef edge and almost nobody on it, decent snorkelling at high tide; the sandy track in is walkable.

Getting to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Fly to Port Blair, then 1-1.5h ferry, or hop from Havelock.

Practical ways in: flight

Trip facts

How long to stay
3 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Easy solo
Altitude
0 m
State
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Coordinates
11.8300, 93.0400

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)?

November to March is peak season in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). April to May and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. Reliable ferry schedule resumes by late October, still noticeably quieter than peak winter.

How many days do you need in Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)?

3 days is the usual stay. Sleepier than Havelock: a few guesthouses and the kind of quiet that invites chat.

How do you get to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)?

Fly to Port Blair, then 1-1.5h ferry, or hop from Havelock. Practical ways in: flight.

Is Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Easy solo.

What are the best things to do in Neil Island?

Bharatpur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach, Natural Bridge (Howrah Bridge), Sitapur Beach and Ramnagar Beach. Shallow reef beach by the jetty with glass bottom boats and snorkel hire; best at high tide, skip the jet ski end.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

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