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Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Port Blair

Andaman capital, Cellular Jail history and island ferries

CityHeritage

Best time to visit Port Blair

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

Port Blair season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Calm seas, dry weather: peak season, Cellular Jail and Ross Island tours run smoothly.

Summer March to May Prime time

April-May hot and humid (32-34C), seas still mostly calm though afternoon showers creep in by May.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Rough seas and heavy rain June-September; ferries get cancelled and sightseeing is a washout.

Autumn October to November Prime time

October the monsoon tapers off, seas choppy early on but calm down noticeably by November.

What Port Blair is actually like

Everyone's transit stop: swap island plans with travellers before scattering out.

Things to do in Port Blair

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

  • Cellular Jail National Memorial

    Heritage · 1 km out

    The colonial prison kept as a memorial, wings and gallows intact; open 9 to 5, with a sound and light show after dark.

  • Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep)

    Heritage · 3 km out

    British island headquarters swallowed by fig roots, deer everywhere; 20 minute ferry from Aberdeen jetty, last boat 4 pm.

  • Anthropological Museum

    Museum · 2 km out

    Honest state museum on the islands' Andamanese and Nicobarese peoples; an hour is enough, and it shuts on Mondays.

  • Chidiya Tapu

    Viewpoint · 25 km out

    Sunset rocks and a mangrove trail at the island's south end; buses back stop early, so most people hire a scooter.

  • Corbyn's Cove Beach

    Beach · 7 km out

    The city beach at the end of a palm lined coast road; the water is fine, the sand is small and busy on Sundays.

  • Aberdeen Bazaar

    Market · in town

    Town crossroads for ferry tickets, permits and cheap thalis; shops close for a long lunch and again around 8 pm.

Getting to Port Blair

Fly direct from major Indian cities, or ship from Chennai.

Practical ways in: flight

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
0 m
State
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Coordinates
11.6234, 92.7265

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Port Blair?

November to March is peak season in Port Blair. April to May and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. October the monsoon tapers off, seas choppy early on but calm down noticeably by November.

How many days do you need in Port Blair?

2 days is the usual stay. Everyone's transit stop: swap island plans with travellers before scattering out.

How do you get to Port Blair?

Fly direct from major Indian cities, or ship from Chennai. Practical ways in: flight.

Is Port Blair expensive, and does it get crowded?

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

What are the best things to do in Port Blair?

Cellular Jail National Memorial, Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep), Anthropological Museum, Chidiya Tapu, Corbyn's Cove Beach and Aberdeen Bazaar. The colonial prison kept as a memorial, wings and gallows intact; open 9 to 5, with a sound and light show after dark.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

All 9 destinations in Andaman & Nicobar Islands