Andaman Ferries: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Schedule and Booking

How the Andaman inter-island ferries work: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil routes, private vs government boats, booking, travel time, baggage and weather.

By the Lux India Tours Team·Oct 19, 2026

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Low golden sun over calm water and pale sand with a forested headland, Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island

The ferry is the hinge of any Andaman trip. Everything good, like the beaches, the diving and the quiet islands, is a boat ride from Port Blair, and the boat is the part you can least afford to leave to chance.

This guide explains the routes, the kinds of boats, how booking works and what to do when the weather interferes. Fares and schedules change, so it points you to the right questions, not a fixed timetable.

The reward at the end of the crossing.

At a glance
Main routes	Port Blair to Havelock, Havelock to Neil, Neil to Port Blair
Crossing time	About 1.5 to 2.5 hours for Port Blair to Havelock; shorter between Havelock and Neil
Boat types	Private catamarans and government ferries
Booking	Online through operators or the administration's portal, or through a travel agent
Best advice	Book early, avoid a ferry on a flight day

The routes

The three islands form a triangle, and most trips run around it.

Port Blair to Havelock: the main route, usually the first crossing of a trip. Crossing time depends on the vessel, and runs from roughly 1.5 hours on the faster private boats to more than 2 hours on others.
Havelock to Neil: a short hop, generally about an hour or a little more.
Neil to Port Blair: a return to the capital, in the range of 1.5 to 2 hours.

The common loop is Port Blair, Havelock, Neil and back to Port Blair, which uses each leg once.

Private vs government ferries

Two kinds of vessels operate.

Private catamarans. Several private operators run fast, air-conditioned boats with assigned seating, a lounge and a luggage hold. They are quicker and more comfortable, and their seats and tickets are more expensive. They are popular with international and domestic tourists and sell out in peak season.

Government ferries. The administration runs larger vessels on the same routes, with lower fares and several classes. They are slower and the experience is more basic, but they add capacity, and some sailings are often easier to get at short notice.

For most visitors, the private boats are the better choice, with the government ferry as a back-up. Names and fleets change, so check the current operators on the day you book.

How booking works

Online: the private operators sell through their own sites, and the administration has an online booking portal for its ferries.
Through a travel planner: agents and hotels can book on your behalf, which is easier when the dates are firm.
At the counter: possible in the off-season, but risky in December to February.

Book the ferries as soon as your dates are fixed. Seats on the best sailings go first, and a cancelled booking can be rebooked, but not always on the same day.

You will usually be asked for ID for each traveller, and the ticket carries the passenger's name. Carry the same ID on board.

Baggage and boarding

Check-in closes some time before departure. Arrive at the jetty at least 45 minutes ahead, or as your ticket advises.
Luggage is loaded below, and there are limits per passenger. Pack the things you need on board in a small bag.
Seasickness tablets are worth carrying, because the open-water section can be choppy.
On Havelock and Neil, the jetty is a short ride from most stays, and hotels usually arrange the pick-up.

Weather and cancellations

Ferries are weather-dependent. Sailings can be cancelled or delayed in rough sea or a storm, above all in the monsoon months from June to September, and in the rare cyclone.

Do not schedule a ferry on the day of an onward flight.
Keep a spare day, or a night's buffer, if you can.
Ask the operator about its cancellation and rebooking terms when you book.

Our best time to visit Andaman guide explains the seasons.

How to place ferries in a plan

The principle is to use mornings for crossings and to keep the day after for the island you arrive at. Our 6-day Andaman itinerary puts the first ferry on day 2, the second on day 4 and the last on day 5. If you are choosing between islands, the Havelock vs Neil guide helps, and the how many days guide shows what each length buys.