Strung across the Bay of Bengal, a thousand kilometres from the mainland, the Andamans are India’s castaway secret. So rainforest tumbles to powder-white sand, reefs bloom just offshore and the crowds simply never made it here. Havelock’s Radhanagar Beach regularly tops Asia’s best-beach lists, yet stays gloriously low-key. We know these islands well, so we route you to the right sand. Every one of our tailor-made holidays is private and built around you. As a result, the Andamans crown an India journey like nowhere else.
These islands offer the tropics without the polish-and-crowds formula. So the beaches feel discovered rather than developed. Meanwhile, the diving and snorkelling rank among Asia’s finest. Direct flights from Chennai, Calcutta and Delhi make access easy. As a result, the Andamans reward travellers who like their paradise quiet.
Havelock, now Swaraj Dweep, is the islands’ gentle hub. So bicycles and mopeds outnumber cars on its single looping road. The sunset crescent of Radhanagar Beach is the picture everyone takes home. Elephants once swam these shores, and the jungle still presses to the sand. As a result, Havelock balances castaway calm with just enough comfort.
The Andamans are serious underwater country. So reefs of staghorn and brain coral host turtles, rays and clouds of fish. Dive schools on Havelock suit beginners and veterans alike, while snorkellers step straight off the beach. The clear seas around the archipelago hide wrecks and walls for the experienced. As a result, the sea steals most of the show.
Ashore, the pleasures stay simple and sweet. So days around the islands mix kayaking through mangroves with forest walks and fishing-village visits. Boat trips reach sandbars that vanish with the tide. Meanwhile, hammocks and paperbacks fill the gaps perfectly. As a result, the days drift exactly as island days should.
The islands’ few special stays book out fast. So the pioneering Barefoot at Havelock hides timber cottages in the jungle behind Radhanagar itself. The stylish villa hideaway Jalakara crowns a hill of betel and banana palms. For polished resort comfort, the Taj Exotica graces Radhanagar’s quiet end. As a result, barefoot and luxury genuinely meet here.
The islands work as a finale or a destination in their own right. So Kick-back in the Andaman Islands is pure decompression. Tamil Nadu and the Andaman Islands pairs temple country with empty sand. Equally, we can bolt the islands onto any mainland route. Each journey is reshaped entirely around you.
Generally, November to April brings calm seas and clear skies. By contrast, the monsoon stirs the crossing from May to September. Diving visibility, meanwhile, peaks in the winter months. So we tailor the timing to your plans. Either way, we advise on the ideal window for your dates.
The Andamans pair beautifully with Tamil Nadu, Kerala or Calcutta. So culture first, castaway second works perfectly. When you are ready, simply get in touch with our specialists. We will then craft a private itinerary around your interests. As ever, every detail is arranged for you.
The land matches the reefs for wonder. So nine-tenths of the islands remain forest, loud with parakeets and sea eagles. Mangrove creeks wind into green silence behind the beaches. Meanwhile, strict protections keep development gentle and the indigenous islands strictly off-limits. As a result, the Andamans stay genuinely wild.
Island eating keeps things deliciously simple. So the day’s catch arrives grilled with lime, garlic and little ceremony. Beach barbecues and jungle-lodge curries follow the boats home. Meanwhile, fresh coconuts stand in for cocktails at sunset. As a result, every meal tastes of the sea.
Everything we arrange in the Andamans is private and hand-built. So flights, ferries and the islands’ few best rooms are secured well ahead. We know which seasons bring glassy seas and which hideaway suits a honeymoon. Meanwhile, our partners on the ground are on call throughout. As a result, the castaway dream runs without a hitch.
In the end, the Andamans recalibrate your idea of a beach. So every other shore feels busy afterwards. Many travellers plot their return on the ferry out. Meanwhile, the reefs keep their finest corners in reserve. As a result, one visit is rarely enough.
Few finales suit newlyweds better. So private dinners on the sand follow days of reef and hammock. The hideaways here trade in seclusion rather than show. Meanwhile, the mainland’s culture sits one easy flight away. As a result, the Andamans close a honeymoon perfectly.
Above all, these islands strip travel back to essentials. So sunrise swims and barefoot suppers replace schedules entirely. Phones lose signal and nobody minds. Meanwhile, the forest and reef provide the entertainment. As a result, the simplicity itself becomes the luxury.
Fly to Port Blair from Chennai, Calcutta or Delhi, then ferry to Havelock. So the islands sit closer than they feel. We arrange every connection.
Not at all. Snorkelling, kayaking and hammock time fill the days happily. So non-divers love the islands just as much.
Entirely. Every itinerary is private and shaped around you. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.
Combining the cultural highlights of Tamil Nadu and the beautiful beaches of the Andaman Islands is one of India’s best-kept secrets. Start in Chennai, formerly known as Madras, before exploring Pondicherry and the superb shore temples of Mahabalipuram.
The Andaman Islands are closer to Burma and Thailand than they are to India, and yet they haven’t seen the huge development that has blighted many of these picture-perfect beach destinations.
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.