Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.

Best time to go

Sights and activities

Getting there

By bus

There is no road link from the mainland. Government (Directorate of Shipping Services) and private ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika) run from Phoenix Bay Jetty in Port Blair, about 1.5 to 3 hours, and from Havelock, about 45 minutes. Passenger ships from Chennai and Kolkata take 3 to 4 days and sail a few times a month.

By train

There is no railway in the Andaman Islands. Travellers fly or sail to Port Blair, then take a ferry.

By air

The nearest airport is Veer Savarkar Airport, Port Blair. Direct flights take about 2.5 hours from Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru. Neil Island is about 37 km (about 54 km by sea route) from Port Blair.

Where to base yourself

Stay near Bharatpur Beach and the jetty or along Laxmanpur and Sitapur, since the island is only about 7 km end to end.

Getting around

• Bicycles can be rented for about Rs 100 to 200 a day, and the flat island suits cycling.
• Scooters and motorbikes rent for about Rs 500 to 800 a day at the jetty and from resorts; carry a valid driving licence.
• Auto-rickshaws wait at the jetty and market and charge about Rs 100 to 300 a trip.
• Taxis cost about Rs 1,000 to 1,500 for a full day; a day tour by AC car covering Bharatpur, the Natural Bridge and Laxmanpur is listed at about Rs 2,500.
• A state transport bus runs about hourly from the main bazaar to Sitapur Beach.

Often combined with

Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.

• Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep): Ferry, about 1 hour. See the Andaman: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil trip

Where to stay

Food

Seafood is the main draw. The bazaar has simple fish thalis for about Rs 100, and resort restaurants serve Indian, Chinese and some continental food at about Rs 200 to 800 a meal. Some dishes are cooked to order and can take a long time.

Try these

• Fish thali (rice, dal and fried or curried fish)
• Fish fry
• Prawn curry
• Grilled lobster
• Fresh coconut water

Vegetarian food is easy to find. Rice, dal and vegetable dishes are easy to find, as the island grows much of the Andamans' vegetables.

Daily costs

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

Indian citizens need only a valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit, arranged through tour operators or in Port Blair. Filming needs separate permission.

Safety

By day

Generally calm and safe. Swim only at Bharatpur, where lifeguards work in operating hours; avoid swimming at Laxmanpur because of sharp coral and currents.

At night

The bazaar and transport close around 9 PM and roads are dark, so plan evening travel early. Mosquitoes are common after dusk.

Solo women

The island is quiet and village-like. Usual care applies on dark roads at night; no specific concerns were found online.

Roads

Roads are short and narrow. Fuel is shipped from Port Blair, stations close before sunset and can run dry, so fill up early.

Emergency numbers

112 (all emergencies), Primary Health Centre and ambulance, Neil: 03192-282627, Police radio, Neil: 03192-282676

Practical

Mobile network

BSNL has the best coverage, with Airtel reasonable; data is slow and patchy. There is no broadband, and resort Wi-Fi is intermittent.

ATMs and cash

Two ATMs in the bazaar (reported in older listings); carry enough cash from Port Blair. No money exchange.

Fuel

Petrol comes from Port Blair and often runs short; the station closes before sunset.

Medical

Primary Health Centre, Shaheed Dweep, for basic care. GB Pant Hospital in Port Blair is the nearest well-equipped hospital.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors

Easy: distances are short and beaches are flat. The Natural Bridge walk is over uneven, slippery coral rock.

Children

Bharatpur Beach suits children with shallow water and lifeguards. Watch them closely on the rocks at the Natural Bridge.

Wheelchair users

Limited. Sandy beaches, rocky paths and ferry boarding are hard.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

• Neil is a farming island of settler villages; dress modestly away from the beach.
• Do not touch, stand on or collect coral, shells or creatures in the tide pools.
• Carry your rubbish back; the island has limited waste handling.
• Hindi and Bengali are widely spoken; English is less common.
• Book ferries in advance, as government ferry seats are often taken by islanders.

What to pack

• Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
• Printed copies of your permit, with a few passport-size photos
• Sunscreen, a hat, swimwear and sandals
• Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
• Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Neil Island

• Andaman: Port Blair, Havelock and Neil, 5 nights