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Port Blair is the capital of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a tropical archipelago in the Bay of Bengal about 1,370 km east of the mainland. The city is the gateway to Havelock and Neil islands, home to the Cellular Jail where Indian freedom fighters were imprisoned, and a base for some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in South Asia. This guide covers Port Blair weather, the best season to visit, what to do, and where to stay across the town and its islands.
Welcome to Port Blair
Most visitors land at Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) on direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, then spend a night or two in town before ferrying out to the islands. The town itself is compact: Aberdeen Bazaar is the commercial centre, Marine Hill holds the better hotels, and the harbor jetties at Phoenix Bay and Haddo run ferries to Havelock and Neil. Allow one full day for the Cellular Jail, the marine museum, and Corbyn’s Cove Beach, then plan the islands separately. Port Blair sits on the east coast of South Andaman Island, and its climate is shaped by the Bay of Bengal: warm and humid all year, with the southwest and northeast monsoons splitting the rainy months. Because the city sits inside a protected bay, the waterfront stays relatively calm even when the open sea around the outer islands gets rough.
Port Blair Weather at a Glance
Port Blair has a tropical monsoon climate with highs of 29°C to 32°C (84°F to 90°F) and lows of 23°C to 25°C (73°F to 77°F) every month. Annual rainfall is about 3,180 mm, concentrated in the May to September southwest monsoon and the October to December northeast monsoon. Sea temperatures hold at 27°C to 29°C (81°F to 84°F) all year, which is why diving works most of the year outside the monsoon. For the full numbers, see the Port Blair weather by month guide.
Getting Around Port Blair
Within Port Blair, auto-rickshaws are the standard way to move, charging ₹20 to ₹150 depending on distance, while taxis run ₹300 to ₹1,200 for day hire. Ferries to Havelock Island leave from Phoenix Bay Jetty and the Haddo government terminal, taking 2 to 2.5 hours on private operators like Makruzz, Green Ocean, and ITT Majestic at ₹1,000 to ₹1,600 one way. Neil Island is a further 40 to 90 minutes from Havelock. Most visitors do the islands as a loop: Port Blair, then Havelock, then Neil, then back. Book private ferries online or through your hotel a day ahead in peak season; government ferries are cheaper but sell out fast and require advance booking. For a month by month look at when the sea is calmest, see best time to visit Port Blair.
Seasonal Snapshot of Port Blair
- December to March: Dry, sunny, calm seas, 25 to 80 mm of rain per month; peak season with the highest prices.
- April to May: Hot and humid, April highs of 32°C (90°F); dry through April then monsoon rains arrive in May; lower prices.
- June to September: Southwest monsoon, 500 to 620 mm of rain per month, rough seas, frequent ferry cancellations; lowest prices.
- October to November: Northeast monsoon, easing rain (320 mm in October, 210 mm in November); good value from mid-November.
Port Blair Travel Guides
- Port Blair weather by month: temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions for every month of the year.
- Best time to visit Port Blair: which months deliver the best weather, lowest prices, and fewest crowds.
- Things to do in Port Blair: the Cellular Jail, Ross Island, beaches, and diving, with hours and ticket prices.
- Events and festivals in Port Blair: the Island Tourism Festival, Beach Festival, and religious celebrations by date.
- Port Blair neighborhoods: Aberdeen Bazaar, Marine Hill, and the island areas, who each suits, and hotel prices.
- Where to stay in Port Blair: hotels by area and budget, from Marine Hill resorts to Neil Island cottages.
- Port Blair travel tips and FAQ: airports, ferries, visas, money, tipping, and safety, answered directly.
Quick Facts About Port Blair
- Airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), 4 km from the city centre.
- Ferries: Private ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean, ITT Majestic) to Havelock take 2 to 2.5 hours and cost ₹1,000 to ₹1,600 one way.
- Currency: Indian rupee (₹); ATMs are concentrated in Aberdeen Bazaar and thin out on the islands.
- Visa: Indian e-Visa for most nationalities; no separate permit is needed for the main islands since 2018.
- Best months: December to March for weather and diving; November and late April for lower prices.
- Dive season: December to April, with the best visibility (15 to 30 m) in February and March.
Food and Restaurants in Port Blair
Seafood dominates menus in Port Blair, and the best places to eat sit in Aberdeen Bazaar and along the Marine Hill road. Try grilled red snapper or lobster at the open-air restaurants near the Cellular Jail, and don’t skip the Bengali and Tamil family-run eateries for fish curry and rice thalis. Fresh coconut water and tropical fruit are cheap from roadside stalls. Budget meals cost ₹150 to ₹300 per person, while a seafood dinner with drinks at a mid-range restaurant runs ₹600 to ₹1,200 for two. On Havelock and Neil, most eating happens at your resort since standalone restaurants are few.
Day Trips from Port Blair
The three main day trips from Port Blair are Ross Island, North Bay Island, and Wandoor’s Marine National Park, all reachable by boat from Aberdeen Jetty within an hour. Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island) is a 20-minute ferry to the ruined British headquarters, and North Bay is the glass-bottom boat and snorkeling stop. Havelock and Neil islands are best done as overnight stays rather than rushed day trips, since the ferry alone eats 4 to 5 hours of the day round trip. If you only have one day outside town, pair Ross Island in the morning with Corbyn’s Cove in the afternoon. For a complete list with hours and prices, see things to do in Port Blair.
Where to Stay in Port Blair
Choose Aberdeen Bazaar or Marine Hill for town sights and early ferries, the airport strip or Corbyn’s Cove for beach access without a ferry, and Havelock or Neil for the resort beaches. Budget guesthouses run ₹1,200 to ₹3,000, mid-range hotels ₹3,000 to ₹7,000, and top beachfront resorts ₹15,000 and up. For three hotel picks in each area, see the full where to stay in Port Blair guide.
Suggested Hotels in Port Blair
Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bay Island
This hilltop resort on Marine Hill has a swimming pool, spa, and restaurants with views over the Bay of Bengal. Best for couples and travelers who want a full-service resort in town. Check rates and availability
Sea Shell Port Blair
Sea Shell Port Blair is a reliable mid-range hotel about 1 km from the Cellular Jail with a rooftop restaurant and buffet breakfast. Best for families and first-time visitors. Check rates and availability
Hotel Shompen
Hotel Shompen has air-conditioned rooms opposite the Anthropological Museum, with a restaurant and tour desk. Best for budget travelers who want a central, walkable base. Check rates and availability
