Best Time to Visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands
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The short answer
The best time to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands is October to May, and within that window November to April gives you the best mix of dry weather, calm seas and working ferries. If you want one answer: go in January or February. Rain in Port Blair averages about 14 mm in February against around 500 mm in September.
The islands do not have a single "perfect" month, though. Late December is the busiest and costliest week. March and April are still dry but warmer. October and early November are early season, with rain tapering off. May to September is the monsoon, when ferries and water sports can be disrupted.
This guide gives you the month-by-month picture, shows the rainfall at a glance, matches the best months to what you want from the trip (beaches, snorkelling, honeymoon, family, budget), and covers the Nicobar side, festivals and booking timing.
Andaman seasons at a glance
The islands sit in the Bay of Bengal, so the year divides into a long dry stretch, a short build-up to the rains and a wet monsoon. The rain figures below are long-term monthly averages for Port Blair (1991 to 2020).
Season | Months | Port Blair rain per month | What it means for your trip |
|---|---|---|---|
Peak, dry | December to April | 14 to 111 mm | Clear skies, calm seas, ferries and water activities run most reliably. Busiest and dearest around Christmas and New Year |
Early season | October to November | 222 to 301 mm | Rains tapering off, fewer crowds and the season opening up. Showers are still likely |
Pre-monsoon | May | About 407 mm | Hot and humid, with the first heavy rain. Quieter, with more weather risk |
Monsoon | June to September | 448 to 505 mm | Rain on most days. Ferries and water sports can be disrupted, and some activities may be cancelled |
Our own guidance is to treat October to May as the Andaman season, and November to April as the most popular stretch. Most travel guides use the same split: October to March is described as the most pleasant time, April to June as warm shoulder season and July to September as unfavourable for visiting.
Month-by-month guide
The chart shows why December to April is the sweet spot. The table adds temperature, rainy days and what each month feels like. Temperatures are Port Blair averages: daily highs stay between about 29.5 and 32.5 °C all year, so the real difference between months is rain, humidity and sea conditions, not heat.
Month | High / low °C | Rainy days | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
January | 29.9 / 23.0 | 2.2 | Dry, sunny and popular. The Island Tourism Festival is held this month |
February | 30.6 / 22.7 | 0.9 | The driest month. The best all-round pick for beaches, ferries and water activities |
March | 31.7 / 23.4 | 1.8 | Still dry and a little warmer. Good conditions with slightly fewer crowds than peak |
April | 32.5 / 24.7 | 4.2 | The warmest month, with rain starting to creep in at the end |
May | 31.5 / 24.9 | 15.9 | The first heavy rains. Quiet, humid, with real weather risk |
June | 30.0 / 24.6 | 18.7 | Monsoon. Rain on most days, and ferries and water sports can be disrupted |
July | 29.6 / 24.2 | 19.3 | Monsoon. Heavy rain and the least reliable sea conditions |
August | 29.5 / 24.2 | 19.1 | Monsoon. Similar to July |
September | 29.5 / 23.7 | 20.0 | The wettest month, with about 505 mm of rain |
October | 30.2 / 23.8 | 14.9 | Rains easing. The season starts to open, with showers still likely |
November | 30.5 / 24.3 | 10.4 | Much drier, with fewer crowds than December. A good value month |
December | 30.1 / 23.9 | 4.9 | Dry and festive, but gala dinner supplements apply on 24 and 31 December, and peak-season room supplements can apply |
Rainy days are days with measurable rain. Island-to-island conditions can differ from Port Blair, so treat these as a guide rather than a forecast.
Best time to visit Andaman for what you want to do
If you want | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
Beaches and swimming | January to March | The driest, sunniest stretch, so Radhanagar and Neil's beaches are at their best |
Snorkelling and diving | December to April | Calm, dry conditions give the most reliable boat trips and water activities. Conditions still change with tide and weather |
Honeymoon | November to March | Dry weather and sunsets, with fewer crowds than the peak week. Avoid 24 to 31 December if you want a quiet stay |
Family holiday | November to April | Reliable ferries and sightseeing days, which matters when you are moving children between islands |
Lowest cost | October and November | Early season, with fewer crowds. The fare tracker we used listed October, November and December 2026 as the cheapest months for Delhi flights |
History and culture | Any month | Cellular Jail, the museum and Ross Island suit a rainy day, though Ross Island is a boat trip |
Fewest crowds | October, November, May | The shoulders either side of the main season |
If you are choosing between beaches and budget, aim for early to mid November or late January to early March. For honeymoon ideas see our Andaman honeymoon packages, and for families see Andaman family packages. For what to see on each island, read the places to visit in Andaman guide.
Andaman in the monsoon: what actually happens
The monsoon is long. June to September brings 448 to 505 mm of rain a month in Port Blair, on 19 to 20 days of each month, and humidity of around 86 to 89 per cent. The sunshine total falls to about 90 to 117 hours a month, against 240 to 267 hours between December and April.
What gets harder
- Ferries between islands and boat trips such as North Bay and Ross Island can be delayed or cancelled when the sea is rough.
- Water sports and snorkelling are often cancelled, and viewing conditions are poorer.
- Plans have to stay loose, so a fixed same-day connection to your flight home is a risk.
What still works
- Port Blair sights: Cellular Jail and its evening show, the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, and the sunset at Chidiya Tapu on a clear evening.
- Quieter beaches and hotels that are less crowded than in peak season.
- Cancellation terms still apply, so check them before you book.
If you do travel between June and September, give yourself a spare day at each end of the trip, pick an itinerary with more nights in Port Blair and fewer ferry hops, and expect some activities to move or cancel. The things to do in Andaman in September are mostly indoor or short outdoor stops for this reason.
May is the in-between month. It still has 407 mm of rain on about 16 days, so it suits flexible travellers who can live with weather risk.
Festivals, New Year and the peak week
Island Tourism Festival. Held in January, it is the islands' main tourism festival and a good reason to choose a January trip if you like a lively atmosphere.
Christmas and New Year. This is the single busiest period. On our packages, gala dinner supplements apply on 24 and 31 December, and peak-season room supplements can apply on top. Book well ahead if you must travel that week. If your dates are flexible, shifting by even a week either side of 24 to 31 December avoids the supplements.
School holidays and long weekends. These also raise demand, but we do not publish a fixed percentage uplift, because it depends on the hotel and the dates. The honest way to compare is to ask for the same itinerary on two sets of dates.
For what the extra costs look like in rupees, see our Andaman trip cost guide.
When to book: flights and packages
There is no road or rail link to the islands, so you fly into Port Blair, and flights decide how early you need to commit.
- Flights. For Delhi to Port Blair, a fare tracker refreshed on 7 October 2026 listed December 2026 as the cheapest month, from about ₹10,900 one way, then November from about ₹11,100 and October from about ₹11,400. Booking one to two months ahead averaged about ₹3,500 below the typical fare. Fares change daily, so check live prices.
- Packages for January to April. These are the busiest months, so book the package early. Searches for Andaman packages themselves peak around February and March.
- Peak week (24 to 31 December). Book as early as you can, and expect supplements.
- Monsoon travel. Late bookings are easier, but keep flexible dates, because cancellation charges start at 25% if you cancel 30 or more days before departure.
Planning to start in October or November? Our Andaman trip cost page has sample budgets for couples, families and solo travellers.
What about the Nicobar Islands?
When people search for the best time for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, they usually mean the Andaman side. Almost all tourism happens in South Andaman (Port Blair), Havelock, Neil and the nearby islands. The Nicobar group is a different matter:
- Access for tourists is restricted, partly to protect the Nicobarese and Shompen communities and the fragile Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
- Guides disagree on the exact rules, and some say outsiders need a landing permit through the Deputy Commissioner's office in Port Blair. Do not plan a Nicobar trip without confirming this directly.
- Reaching it means a government ship from Port Blair or helicopters on limited quotas, not a normal holiday itinerary.
- Where visits are possible, December to April is recommended, which matches the Andaman dry season.
Our packages cover the Andaman islands only. If you specifically want Nicobar, ask us and we will tell you what is currently permitted before you commit to dates.
Tips for choosing your dates
- Start from the weather, then the budget. Pick your preferred window (for most people, November to March), then see what the dates cost.
- Avoid 24 to 31 December unless the festive atmosphere is the point. Gala dinner supplements and peak room supplements apply.
- Do not tie your flight home to a ferry morning. Weather and tides can change ferry timings, so keep a buffer.
- Shorten the trip in the monsoon. Fewer island hops means fewer things that can be cancelled.
- Pack for humidity in every month. It is high all year, so breathable clothing helps.
- Carry a government-issued photo ID for ferries and sites.
- Compare two date sets. Ask for the same package on two dates to see the real price gap, because hotel supplements differ by property.
Best time to visit Andaman: frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
October to May is the season, and November to April is the most popular stretch. January and February are the driest and the safest choice for beaches, ferries and water activities.
Which month is best for Andaman?
February is the driest month in Port Blair, with about 14 mm of rain on average and under one rainy day.
Is it OK to visit Andaman in the rainy season?
You can, but June to September brings 448 to 505 mm of rain a month, and ferries and water sports can be disrupted. If you go, keep your plans flexible and lean on Port Blair.
What is the cheapest time to visit Andaman?
October and November are early-season months, and the fare tracker we used listed October to December 2026 as the cheapest months for Delhi flights. Avoid 24 to 31 December for the lowest cost.
Is Andaman good in December?
Yes, it is dry and popular. It is also the peak, with gala dinner supplements on 24 and 31 December.
Is it too hot in summer?
April is the warmest month, with highs around 32.5 °C, and May is hot and humid with the first heavy rain. Travel guides describe April to June as warm shoulder season with fewer crowds.
Can I visit Nicobar Islands?
Access is restricted and rules need confirming. Our packages cover the Andaman islands.
How far ahead should I book?
Book flights one to two months out, and book January to April packages early.
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See also the full Andaman Nicobar tour packages page and our guides to places to visit and trip cost.