Neil Island Travel Guide | What to Do & How to Plan

I went to Neil Island on a whim. My initial plan was to actually take a ferry to go to Hut Bay in Little Andaman and explore this truly offbeat haven of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. But after spending three days in Port Blair, waiting for the rain to stop and the ferry schedule to come out, I decided I’d go explore some other, easily accessible part of the archipelago before I come back for my Little Andaman adventure. With almost no idea of a Neil Island travel guide, I showed up at the DSS Office for a ticket – extremely underprepared. Locals who were standing in the line with me helped me with the things I’d need to be successful in my endeavour in procuring a Neil Island government ferry ticket.

So in a way, for this Neil Island travel guide, you can give thanks to that kind lady who lent me her pen, the man who got me the form to fill, the other man who told me I’d need photocopies of my ID, the ticket counter lady who told me what steps I needed to follow and finally the lady at the COVID vaccine verification counter who let me pass with a soft copy of my vaccination certificate (even though the procedure required a hard copy). And from my side as well, thank you kind strangers of Port Blair for helping me reach Neil Island because I enjoyed every damn bit of it!

The moment I stepped out of MV Rangat, the ship that took us from Port Blair to Neil Island, I felt a sense of calm take over me. It felt like I had been transported back in time. People were supremely relaxed. The biggest shop in the market only had two shopkeepers who would attend to one customer each at a time. So to purchase a packet of laundry detergent, I had to wait all of 20 minutes while one shopkeeper helped someone with their photocopy and printouts, while the other helped a child try on shoes for school. Throughout my wait, I had no Instagram to scroll through to pass time so I just sat and observed the world on this little island go by. And I think that very moment made me fall in love with Neil Island Andaman. So here, take this Neil Island travel guide and use it well!

🏝️Visiting Neil Island? Here are a few quick links at a glance:
✈️Book Flights: Skyscanner for cheapest deals
🛌Book Hotels: Booking and Expedia for best deals
🤳Best Tours: GetYourGuide, and Viator
🩺Global Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
🧴Sunscreen: Thank You Farmer (Reef Safe), Foxtale (SPF 70)

How to Reach Neil Island

The cheapest and most popular way to reach Neil Island is by ferry. There are both government and private run ferries that go to Neil Island. It takes 2 hours by ferry from Havelock to Neil Island and 2 hours again from Port Blair to Neil Island. Alternatively, there is also a helicopter service connecting Neil Island which is the fastest way of travel but costs a lot. Let’s have a detailed look at both these options in this Neil Island travel guide:

Neil Island by Ferry

For the government ferry, you need to get your tickets done at least one day in advance in person at the DSS office at Port Blair. There is no online booking service for government ferries. Usually, there are two Port Blair to Neil Island government ferries every day – one around 7 am and the other around 12 pm via Havelock. The ticket costs around 600 INR per person. Government ferries also connect Neil Island to other islands in the archipelago including Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur etc.

Private ferries to Neil Island, on the other hand, cost almost double (and sometimes more) of what government ferries cost. But these ferries are fully air-conditioned, clean and comfortable. And a plus: they can be booked online.

Neil Island by Helicopter

There is a government-run helicopter service called Pawan Hans available from Port Blair to Neil. However, this service is mostly reserved for medical emergencies and government officials. If seats are left, they might give them to tourists. The route from Port Blair to Neil Island is flown only once a week, so it’s good to find out the details and plan in advance as per this Neil Island travel guide. The flight takes about half an hour to complete and costs around 3500 INR for tourists.

How to Get Around in Neil Island

There are several ways to get around in Neil Island, depending on your budget and pace. Let’s have a look at all available options in detail in this Neil Island travel guide:

Public Transport in Neil Island

There is only one local bus on Neil Island. It starts from the Neil Kendra marketplace and goes till Sitapur Beach and then back. The bus runs this route several times a day, at an interval of one hour. For exact timings, ask a local for help.

Bicycle and Scooter Rental in Neil Island

For my Neil Island travel guide, I will always recommend bicycle or scooter rental to explore Neil Island. It is the most efficient and cost-effective way for going around Neil Island. A scooter rental in Neil Island usually costs 500 INR for 24 hours. If you have some mad bargaining skills or are staying longer, you can get it down to 350 as well. But since the island is so tiny, it hardly takes any fuel to explore the place and we ended up going around everywhere on just 1 litre of petrol!

Bicycle rentals in Neil Island, on the other hand, cost around 150 INR for 24 hours.

Autorickshaws in Neil Island

There are autorickshaws in Neil Island available just about everywhere. But these can cost quite a bit, so it may not be the best idea to rely on them.

Private Taxi

There are several private taxis in Neil Island available. If you are staying in a resort, the easiest way is to get one booked from there itself. Otherwise, you can also find enough contacts at the Neil Kendra marketplace. Though comfortable, this can again be a very expensive way of going around in Neil Island as per this Neil Island travel guide.

Neil Island on Foot

The best way to explore just about any place is to walk. It helps you slow down, and look into places that you would otherwise miss, whizzing past on your vehicle. From the Jetty, Sitapur Beach (the opposite part of the Island) is only 6 kilometres so it won’t be very difficult to cover it all on foot (except for the heat and humidity, of course!)

Best Time to Visit Neil Island

I made the mistake of thinking that Neil Island (and other parts of A&N) would have the same weather conditions as the coastal part of mainland India such as Gokarna in Karnataka. So I visited during mid-November thinking monsoons would have ended long ago and I’d get clear blue skies but I was wrong! So don’t make the same mistakes I did and learn from this Neil Island travel guide. The best time to visit Neil Island is actually from December to late February. This is when the post-monsoon cyclone season ends as well. However, the weather in Neil Island and everywhere across A&N is very unpredictable. So it’s good to be prepared with an umbrella/ rainjacket regardless of which month you visit.

Where to Stay in Neil Island -TSG Aura Resort

TSG is a group of hotels and resorts across the Andaman Islands. Of these, the TSG Aura Resort in Neil Island is located right on Sitapur Beach and is hands down one of the best Neil Island resorts. The property is lined with palm trees as far as the eye can see. The resort has wooden cottages with a very vintage feel. With the slow-paced, digital detox life already in place at Neil, staying at Aura Resort takes you further back in time. Each cottage on the ground floor comes with a private porch and the top floor cottages come with an attached balcony. This spot on my cottage is where I would sit every morning drinking tea, watching sparrows busily go about their business, and the palm trees gently swaying to the rhythm of the wind. Writing this Neil Island travel guide is taking me back to my beautiful time at the resort.

Next on my morning ritual at TSG Aura would be to walk the few steps it took to have your feet touch the sand and the saltwater gently kiss them with each breath the ocean took. To wake up to such simplicity each morning was a reminder of the beautiful world we live in. And for that, I’m thankful to TSG Aura. So if you ever ask me about the best places to stay in Neil Island, I will answer without skipping a beat: TSG Aura Resort. This is definitely one of the top hotels in Neil Island, and fully has my heart!

What to Do in Neil Island

Neil Island may be a tiny piece of land, but it has enough to “do” and “see” around. With such pristine beaches, lush tropical rainforests and quaint villages, I truly believe it is impossible for someone to not fall in love with its beauty. Neil Island has a very slow-paced old-world charm that forces you to be fully present in the moment. So here are some recommendations on “what to do in Neil Island” from this Neil Island travel guide:

Watch the Sunrise at Sitapur Beach

Sitapur Beach is a tiny beach on Neil Island. It is the only beach-facing east so needless to say, it is the only place where you can watch the sunrise on Neil Island. This is also the very beach where TSG Aura Resort is located. So you don’t have to wake up in the wee hours of the morning, get dressed, or ride a scooter to the beach for the sunrise. You can literally just get out of bed and walk barefoot to the beach.

Although Sitapur Beach isn’t very swimming friendly because it has a lot of corals, it still makes for a great quiet spot the spend some time. From TSG Aura, a separate very narrow walking path cuts to the beach which is a great spot to chill and take pictures in itself! A morning at Sitapur Beach is definitely recommended in the Neil Island travel guide. This is one of the most special Neil Island tourist places.

Explore Intertidal Pools at Lakshmanpur Beach-I

Lakshmanpur Beach-I is a great spot to immerse yourself in some marine life knowledge. This beach is known for its intertidal pools which come to life during low tide (late afternoon until sunset). These pools house such fascinating marine creatures like sea cucumbers, sea slugs, crabs, shrimps, small fishes like clownfish (or Nemo fish) and beautifully coloured corals all come to life here. It’s a joy to squat beside the pools and just stare into a whole other world thriving in such small pools Before you enter the beach, there are several guides available who can show you the best spots and share their knowledge about these creatures. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Neil Island Andaman and something I wholeheartedly recommend in this Neil Island travel guide!

Watch out against: All guides will carry a packet of Parle G with them to lure the fish closer so their clients can get a better glimpse. If you take a guide, please make sure to not indulge in such practices which make wildlife dependant on human food.

Watch the Sunset at Lakshmanpur Beach-I

Lakshmanpur Beach-I is one of the most popular Neil Island beaches to witness a magical sunset. There are also several shacks on the beach with a very minimalist but beautiful candlelit tables scene going on. It’s the perfect place to sit and admire the sunset while sipping on some chai or coconut water – whatever your vibe is. This experience is also quite high on my “what to do in Neil Island” list on this Neil Island travel guide!

Visit (And Climb) the Natural Bridges at Lakshmanpur Beach-II

If you ever ask me, “what is special in Neil Island”, I will quickly answer: it’s natural bridges. Visiting the Natural Bridge at Lakshmanpur Beach-I is one of the most popular things to do on Neil Island Andaman. But the hidden beauty lies beyond this bridge, at Natural Bridge 2. We bumped into a couple of scuba diver instructors who were taking their students to climb up the Natural Bridge 2 and invited us to come along. It was a tricky trail where you have to climb on all fours holding onto tree roots but so worth it. The view from up there was spectacular. That is also the only point in the entire Neil Island where you get full bars with 4G on Airtel because it catches the network at Port Blair! This was an exhilarating experience, definitely a must-do on this Neil Island travel guide.

Snorkel and Swim at Bharatpur Beach

There is only one beach from swimming in Neil Island and that is the Bharatpur Beach, which is easily one of the best Neil Island beaches. Since this is also the place where people flock to indulge in water activities in Neil Island like scuba diving, jet skis and boat rides, it can get quite crowded. But because it is quite a big beach, it won’t be too difficult to find a quiet spot to get your swim game on – one of the most special things to do in Neil Island Andaman! This beach is located ride beside the Jetty and also has several small restaurant-dhabas where you can get a good meal without shelling out too much money. The water is quite calm and the waves aren’t too strong, making swimming here is definitely one of my top recommendations for this Neil Island travel guide.

Have a Quiet Time Amongst the Mangroves of Ramnagar Beach

Ramnagar Beach is one of the lesser-visited Neil Island beaches. A lot of small hut resorts are available on this beach, and it also makes for a stunning sunset point. The highlight of Ramnagar Beach, however, is its close proximity to a beautiful mangrove forest known as Atreya Mangrove Point where you can get lost in this wonderful ecosystem that is so important for life on Earth. Especially during low tide, when the mangrove roots are all visible it feels like a whole different world – one of the top things on the “what to do in Neil Island Andaman” list for this Neil Island travel guide!

Neil Island Travel Guide – General Information

Internet and Network Connectivity in Neil Island

Consider your time in Neil Island Andaman a complete digital detox. There is absolutely no network in Neil Island. The only network provider that works here is BSNL which is also botchy and unreliable. Some cafes and resorts offer BSNL WiFi but again, it barely ever works. The best way to go around this is to buy a BSNL SIM beforehand and keep it activated. However, that is not really needed as all locals are happy to lend you their phones for a quick call whenever needed. This Neil Island travel guide recommends you let your friends and family know about your digital unavailability before you hop on to your ferry to Neil Island.

Navigating Within Neil Island

Since there is no cellular or Internet network in Neil Island, the only way to go around here is the old school way. You can get maps of Neil Island from most scooter rental shops. However, Neil Island is very well marked with directions and distance on the roads so you won’t have trouble navigating. The Island is anyway really tiny so you’ll be able to remember all routes very quickly. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask locals around for directions. Alternatively, as per this Neil Island travel guide, you can also keep offline Google Maps downloaded for Neil Island before you begin your journey here.

ATMs in Neil Island

There are a couple of ATMs available in Neil Island mostly in the Neil Kendra area (the general marketplace of the island). ATMs for State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Syndicate Bank and Andaman and Nicobar State Bank are available at Neil Island and they function despite the lack of Internet. However, in this Neil Island travel guide, I recommend you to keep enough cash handy and not rely on the island’s ATMs as they may run out of cash sometimes or face other issues.

Petrol Pump in Neil Island

There is only one petrol pump in Neil Island which is just a few meters away from the Neil Kendra marketplace. Ask anyone and they’ll direct you to it. Neil Island travel guide tip: the petrol pump is usually closed during lunchtime from around 12 pm to 2 pm. So plan accordingly.

Wine and Beer Shop in Neil Island

There is only one wine and beer shop in Neil Island run by ANIIDCO. It is located on the small narrow lane that runs right beside the petrol pump. Just follow that inside and you will have reached! Neil Island travel guide tip: there are no refrigerators in wine and beer shops across the A&N Islands so don’t expect chilled beer. Also, the options available here can be limited.

Language in Neil Island

Hindi is widely spoken and understood across the A&N Islands, including Neil Island. However, Bengali is the language most locals speak here.

Neil Island Market

Neil Island has a small marketplace called Neil Kendra. There are no big, fancy shops available but almost all of your daily needs can be met here. From basic toiletries to a chemist shop and even fresh produce – you can get it all here. In fact, Neil Island is also often known as the fruit bowl of Andaman and Nicobar and most fresh produce is grown here and transported to Port Blair and other regions!

Neil Island Travel Guide – FAQs

How many days do you need in Neil Island?

Most people take day trips to Neil Island from Havelock Island or spend one night at Neil. However, I think this is too little and does not do justice to the beauty of Neil Island. In this Neil Island travel guide, I suggest at least a two nights’ stay at Neil Island is a must (if possible more) to explore the charm of Neil Island of the place at a relaxed pace.

Is it worth staying at Neil Island?

To answer this in simple words – YES! Neil Island is the perfect place if you’re looking to connect with nature and go on a digital detox. This place will take you back to how things used to be and force you to be more present and mindful. Neil has a lot of virgin beauty to explore and for this Neil Island travel guide, I will definitely recommend staying here for at least a couple of nights. So if you’ve been thinking to yourself, “is Neil Island worth visiting”, then stop thinking and give it a shot already!

Which is better Havelock or Neil Island?

Both Havelock Island and Neil Island have their own charm which isn’t comparable. While Havelock is more hip in terms of markets and cafes, Neil is the place to go to for some quiet time. This question of which island is better is, in my opinion, unfair and void and so I can’t answer this for you in this Neil Island travel guide. To cut it short, this Neil Island vs Havelock debate needs to stop!

What is the best time to visit Neil Island?

Neil Island is located in the Bay of Bengal which sees a lot of rainfall from July to October and sometimes even till December due to the cyclone season. This Neil Island travel guide recommends that the best time to go to Neil Island is from mid-December to late February.

How do I get from Neil to Havelock?

The Havelock to Neil Island distance is about 18 kilometres which take about 2 hours to cover. While the government ferry from Havelock to Neil Island is cheaper than the private ferry, it needs to be booked in advance from Port Blair itself. Alternatively, you can also try your luck on the morning of the sailing day to see if there are any leftover seats for grabs. Even for this, Islanders get priority over tourists so your chance might be slim. The easiest and most convenient way to reach Havelock Island from Neil Island is to book a private ferry.

For my Neil Island travel guide, I recommend you to head over to the online ferry booking portal at Go2Andaman to compare ferry operators, prices and ferry timings all in one place and book the one most suited to your travel itinerary. (sponsored)

What is the new name of Neil Island?

The new name of Neil Island – or Neil Island in Hindi – is Shaheed Dweep.

We Love Transparency: My stay at Neil Island was sponsored by TSG Aura Resort. But the views expressed here are solely my own. Promise!

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