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Port Blair mixes British colonial history, a working tropical capital, and access to some of India’s best reefs and beaches. Most travelers use the city as a base for day trips to Havelock and Neil Island, but the town itself holds the Cellular Jail, a top-rated marine museum, and several beaches. Here are the things to do in Port Blair, with locations, hours, and ticket prices. For hotels near these sights, see where to stay in Port Blair.
Historic Sites in Port Blair
Cellular Jail National Memorial
The Cellular Jail, built by the British between 1896 and 1906, held Indian freedom fighters in 698 individual cells spread across seven wings. Entry costs ₹30 for Indians and ₹100 for foreigners; still cameras are free but video costs extra. The museum opens 9:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00, closed Mondays and public holidays. Do not miss the evening sound and light show, which runs in Hindi at 18:30 and English at 19:15; tickets cost ₹300 per adult. Arrive 20 minutes early as seats fill up. For the best months to visit, see our best time to visit Port Blair.
Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island)
Ross Island, a 20-minute ferry from Aberdeen Jetty, was the British administrative headquarters from 1858 until it was abandoned after an earthquake in 1941. Today you walk through ruined churches, a bakery, and officers’ quarters overgrown with fig roots, alongside deer and peacocks. Ferries cost about ₹100 to ₹150 return and the island is closed on Wednesdays. Budget two hours including the ferry ride. the annual event calendar is covered in our events and festivals in Port Blair guide.
Anthropological Museum
The Anthropological Museum on Mahatma Gandhi Road documents the six indigenous tribes of the islands, including the Jarawa, Onge, and Sentinelese, through photographs, tools, and models. Entry is ₹30 for Indians and ₹100 for foreigners. It opens 9:00 to 16:30, closed Mondays. This is the best single stop for understanding the islands’ history before European contact. See our Port Blair neighborhoods for where each area sits and who it suits.
Chatham Saw Mill
Chatham Saw Mill, founded in 1883, is one of Asia’s oldest working saw mills and sits on Chatham Island connected by a short bridge. You can watch timber being processed and see the World War II bomb crater on the grounds. Entry is about ₹20 and the mill is open 8:30 to 16:00, closed Sundays. It is a quick 45-minute stop on the way to or from the harbor. For an overview of the city, see our Port Blair travel guide.
Beaches and Islands in Port Blair
Corbyn’s Cove Beach
Corbyn’s Cove is the closest beach to town, about 7 km from the centre on a palm-lined road. The sand is clean, the water is calm for swimming, and there are jet ski and speedboat rentals on site. It is free to enter and stays busy on weekends. The drive from town takes 15 minutes by auto-rickshaw (about ₹150) or taxi (₹300).
North Bay Island
North Bay Island is the classic glass-bottom boat and snorkeling day trip, about 45 minutes by boat from Aberdeen Jetty. You see live coral and reef fish without diving, and there is a lighthouse you can climb. Boat trips with snorkeling gear cost roughly ₹700 to ₹1,000 per person depending on the operator. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Havelock, officially renamed Swaraj Dweep, is the main island trip from Port Blair. Private ferries like Makruzz, Green Ocean, and ITT Majestic take 2 to 2.5 hours and cost ₹1,000 to ₹1,600 one way. The island holds Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7), repeatedly rated among Asia’s best, plus Elephant Beach for snorkeling. Most visitors stay two or three nights; for hotel picks, see where to stay in Port Blair which covers Havelock options.
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
Neil Island, renamed Shaheed Dweep, is the quieter alternative to Havelock, 40 to 90 minutes further by ferry from Havelock. Its three beaches, Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, and Sitapur, are within cycling distance of the jetty, and the natural rock arch known as Howrah Bridge is a short walk from Laxmanpur. Rent a bicycle for about ₹100 a day to explore the whole island.
Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7)
Radhanagar Beach on Havelock is the headline beach of the Andamans, with 2 km of white sand, shallow turquoise water, and no permanent buildings on the shore. Sunsets here are reliable between October and May. The beach is free and open all day, but there are no lockers or showers, so bring your own water and sun protection. It fills with day-trippers between 15:00 and 17:30.
Nature and Wildlife in Port Blair
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, based at Wandoor about 29 km southwest of town, protects 15 islands and their coral reefs. Entry is ₹50 and a boat ride around the park runs ₹500 to ₹1,000 per person. Jolly Buoy and Red Skin islands inside the park offer the best snorkeling, with glass-bottom boat tours when the water is too rough to enter. The park is closed on Mondays.
Mount Harriet National Park
Mount Harriet, the highest point in the South Andamans at 383 metres, has trekking trails through tropical forest and a viewpoint over Port Blair and Ross Island. It is about 15 km from town, reached by road then ferry or by a longer land route. Entry is ₹25 for Indians and ₹100 for foreigners, open 8:00 to 17:00. The Kalapathar viewpoint walk is the most popular trail.
Chidiya Tapu
Chidiya Tapu, 25 km south of Port Blair, is the best birdwatching and sunset spot near town. The area holds a small biological park and a short trail to the Munda Pahad viewpoint over the sea. It is free to enter and most people go for the 18:00 sunset. Hire a taxi for the round trip (about ₹1,200) since public buses are infrequent after dark.
Water Activities in Port Blair
Scuba Diving
Diving is the signature activity of the islands, with dozens of sites off Havelock and North Bay. A single guided dive costs ₹3,500 to ₹6,000 including gear, while a PADI Discover Scuba program for first-timers runs about ₹5,000. The season is December to April. Book through licensed operators only and check the Port Blair weather by month for the best visibility months.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling costs far less than diving, typically ₹700 to ₹1,500 for a guided session with gear at Elephant Beach or North Bay. The best reefs sit in 2 to 5 metres of water, so beginners see coral and reef fish without certification. Go at low tide for the clearest water and wear reef-safe sunscreen.
Glass-bottom Boat Rides
Glass-bottom boats run at North Bay Island and inside the Marine National Park for travelers who want to see coral without getting wet. Rides cost ₹500 to ₹800 and last 30 to 45 minutes. They are ideal for children, non-swimmers, and monsoon days when snorkeling is cancelled. Check the Port Blair travel tips guide for how to book ferry and boat trips reliably.
