Neil Island

About Neil Island

Neil Island in Andaman, also known as Shaheed Dweep, located almost 37 km from Port Blair, is known for its magnificent biodiversity, white sandy beaches and absolute laid-back charm. As per locals, Neil Island is known as the vegetable bowl of Andaman, thanks to an optimum climate that supports fruit and vegetable cultivation. From Havelock, you might take a day trip to the Neil Island beaches.

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How To Reach
Neil Island?

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Neil Island is located in Ritchie’s archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From Port Blair or Havelock, you can avail of several inter-island ferries (private and government) connecting you to Neil Island. Bharatpur Jetty serves as the entrance to Neil Island. Port Blair to Neil Island takes approximately 2-3 hours, depending on weather conditions. Apart from ferries, choppers, helicopter services & seaplanes are also available. Nautika is the fastest inter-island ferry service in Andaman.

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Wondering What Is The Ideal Time To Visit Neil Island?

October to February is the peak season to visit Neil Islands, while June to Sep is off-season. We suggest you avoid Summers and Monsoon due to the extremes in climate and turbulent waters in the rain. Winters are also suitable for water sports because rain won’t cause any hindrances to your adventure.

How To Reach
Neil Island?

WATCH NAUTIKA VIDEO

Play Video

Nautika and Nautika Lite cruises from Havelock to Neil Island, besides Port Blair to Havelock. To get your tickets for private ferries, log onto the website, choose your preferred seat and complete the payment for confirmed booking.
cruises from Havelock to Neil Island, besides Port Blair to Havelock. To get your tickets for private ferries, log onto the website, choose your preferred seat and complete the payment for confirmed booking.

2yu
html embed google map

Wondering What is the Ideal Time To Visit Neil Island?

October to February is the peak season to visit Neil Islands, while June to Sep is off-season. We suggest you avoid Summers and Monsoon due to the extremes in climate and turbulent waters in the rain.Winters are also suitable for water sports because rain won’t cause any hindrances to your adventure.

Neil Island, The Vegetable Bowl of Andaman

Neil is known as the Vegetable or Salad bowl of Andaman, due to the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. The favourable climate of Neil makes it ideal for the cultivation of various types of fruits and vegetables.If you want, you can also purchase a fresh supply of your vegetables from Neil Kendra’s local market. The food here is extremely tasteful because they are made from farm-fresh ingredients and served with a homely touch. They have an amazing range of fresh seafood to serve you, without letting you burn a hole in your pocket!

Connect with Nature on Neil Island

Neil Island is known for its pristine natural beauty, and there are must-visit spots for nature lovers here. Shortlisting the two spots in Neil known for their natural beauty. The Natural Bridge: A huge rock jutting out from the main landscape and has its centre hollowed by the continued lashing of waves over the years. Isn’t it fascinating? This is nature’s miracle at its best. Best seen at low tides, this natural rock bridge has jest fully earned the name, Howrah Bridge from the Bengalis. Also, the beaches of Bharatpur, Laxmanpur and Sitapur have the best natural beauty in Neil. While Laxmanpur Beach 1 has the best sunset points, Sitapur is the quietest of the bridges in Andaman, ideal for couples and solo travellers to enjoy the calmness of the place. The ‘Small Neil Island’, also known as Sir Hugh Rose Island, is a protected marine sanctuary widely known for its biodiversity.

How many Days are sufficient for stay?

A day trip is ideal for Neil Island, but we recommend you add one more day to your itinerary to complete a perfect trip to Neil Island.

Getting around in Neil Island

Spread over only a few kilometres, Neil Island has convenient and accessible transport options. Though the ferry is a prime option, the flat, easy-going, well-navigated roads are also great. Ferries: The best way to get around Neil Island is by ferries. Private ferries operate daily. They take around 60 to 90 minutes to reach the island. The best and most popular cruises sailing here are Nautika, Nautika Lite and Makruzz. You can get all ferry-related details like price and timing apart from the option to book your tickets on Nautika official Website. Cabs: Travelling with your family or in a group? Then we would recommend you take cabs. You can pre-book cabs like outstation or local cabs online through travel portals. Bus: A third option to reach your destination at an affordable rate is to get on a government bus. Buses ply from the main Bazaar to the Sitapur beach. The only issue is they are available at an interval of 1.5 hrs.

Places to Stay in Neil Island

Even though a day trip is sufficient for exploring Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), we recommend you stay for a night to experience the bliss of solitude.
Resort prices start from Rs 1500 per night for backpackers who want to stay longer. Hotel prices may range around Rs.10,000 per night for the most luxurious room in high-end resorts of Neil.

Budget Stays in Neil
• Hotel Kingfisher :

Affordable stay amidst a peaceful and quiet environment with clean rooms, hygienic washrooms, television and comfortable beds.

• Hotel Amulya :

Comfortable stay with minimal yet homely amenities.

Luxury Stays in Neil
• TSG Aura :

Luxury wooden rooms with balconies offering views of the surrounding greenery

• Seashell Hotels :

Magical sea view, cosy rooms, a rooftop lounge, bar and buffet

Neil Island Trip

Neil Island in Andaman is in contrast to the picturesque Havelock Island. While the serene Neil Island makes for a laidback holiday,Havelock Island in Andaman bustles with tourists, offering a feeling of vibrant celebrations. So here is a list of things to do at Shahed Dweep or Neil Island. The 5 beaches in Neil Island are named after the characters of the Ramayana- the Hindu epic, namely: Ramnagar Beach, Laxmanpur Beach, Sitapur Beach, Bharatpur Beach and Natural Bridge Formation.

Ramnagar Beach no. 3, close to the Atreya Mangrove Point, offers a spectacular sunset view. The beach bay has clear blue water, a calm sea and yellowish sand. Nearby trees extend comforting, cool shade making Ramnagar perfect for a good day trip near the sea. You will find plenty of benches, eco huts, and long sofas to sit and relax. This is an apt spot for snorkeling, thanks to the crystal-clear water that offers excellent visibility. However, you have to swim further down into the sea to have a look at the best live corals. We suggest experienced swimmers get down there as the waves and currents are quite strong and rough at times. Get set to experience beautiful sunsets, sans the hustle and bustle of crowds to spend some quality time with your loved ones.

This is the best in Neil Island is perfect for sightseeing and casual trips. As Laxmanpur beach is only 2.6 km from the jetty, you can reach there in less than 15 minutes. The triangular Neil Island Beach is a treasure trove of wonders ranging from sightseeing to a serene and elongated shoreline. The waters of this beach are home to a variety of creatures. The sunset is quite captivating to view from this beach. Even if you visit early in the morning, long stretches of silvery sand and blue water will blow your mind.

If Laxmanpur Beach is known for sunsets, Sitapur Beach is a treat to your eyes for a photographic sunrise. This Neil Island Beach has a curved shoreline with tropical trees and hilly rocks on either side. The water here is unsuitable for swimming and other water sports because of the corals and rocks underwater. This place was ravaged by the 2004 Tsunami, and the beach still bears its marks.

Bharatpur Beach in Neil Island is a pristine beach bordered by shady trees and followed by a clear turquoise sea meeting the sky at the horizon. This beach is your perfect haven for swimming and lazing around. Other than that, you can also go for activities like Scuba Diving and Snorkeling. And if you are not much into water sports, you can always enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride that will acquaint you with the stunning coral reefs and vibrant creatures.

The Natural bridge or Howrah Bridge is located near Laxmanpur Beach 2. Since it is not visible from the beach, take a left turn from the Laxmanpur shoreline to reach there. During low tide, the sea retreats and the coral reefs get visible. You will literally find underwater marine life beneath all your footsteps here.

What to do in Neil Island

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Scuba diving or snorkelling on Neil Island Beaches are the two activities you should choose if you want to engage in some thrilling sports that will increase your adrenaline rush. Bharatpur Beach in Neil Island is the best place for these activities. These water sports are organized by the only dive shop in Moonshine café India Scuba Explorers, certified by PADI scuba diving instructors (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors).

Bicycle / Scooter Expedition

As Neil Island is small, you can travel across the length and breadth of the island in a day on a rented bicycle or scooter to explore various beaches of Neil Island.

Trekking & Bird Watching

The tropical forest of Neil Island is perfect for trekking, but with a professionally hired guide. This way, you will not get lost in the dense forest. The forest is home to a wide range of birds, and to catch a glimpse of them, you need to be patient and keep an eye on their movements and sounds in the forest. You can take your binoculars on the trip to get a closer view of the wide range of species.

Candle-Light Dinner with Loved ones

What could be more perfect than spending the evening with your partner under the starlit night along these Neil Island beaches, with perfectly lit candles and exotic food served on the platter? The gentle romantic music adds to the ambience to shred off the tiredness of the entire day with your loved ones.

Night Life in Neil Island

Although Neil Island is not known for having rave parties, the Beaches on Neil Island offer ample spaces to enjoy the nightlife of the island. Certain hotels and resorts also host pool parties, outdoor parties or café parties for the tourists to give them a better stay experience. Do visit Fat Martin’s Cafe in Sitapur Beach on Neil Island. The café has a delicious menu, sit-down dining, and live music. Try their Café’s special dessert named ‘Hello to the Queen’.

Just a small tip for you. Do not carry dead coral or shells in your backpack without a bill because that calls for a fine at the airport security check.