Ultimate Guide to Honeymoon in the Andamans
Written By Manveenaa Bhasker on December 06, 2021 Planning Your HolidayHoliday Ideas
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You always knew that when and if you ever got married, you’d honeymoon on a tropical, dreamy island with the love of your life by your side? Join the gang!
In this blog, we’re going to tell you why and mostly, how you can plan your Honeymoon to the Andamans. It’ll give you all the clarity you need on how you can make the most of your Honeymoon on the romantic haven that is the Andaman Islands.
Why is Andaman the perfect spot for a Honeymoon?
While a lot of us are pining to head to an overseas location for a Honeymoon, we forget that India has a lifetime of romantic destinations to offer. So, if you’re thinking that azure blue seas and dancing palm trees on white-sand islands are only to be had in Thailand, Maldives and Indonesia, think again! Andamans is home to 572 lush, green islands floating (not literally) on the Bay of Bengal. It gets its fair share of newly-weds year after year, owing to its honeymoon-worthy location. Besides the romance quotient it: is one flight away from most metro cities, has tastefully-designed resorts with romantic rooms, offers scrumptious food and has a great range of activities that will give your trip the perfect amount of pizzazz!
Here is a list of all the things that make the Andamans a Honeymoon-worthy destination:
- You don’t need a visa or a passport to travel here if you’re an Indian citizen. All you’ll need is an Aadhar card or an equivalent government ID.
- It’s easily accessible via short, direct flights that operate from most metro cities. Delhi is the farthest metro city and it takes about 3 and a 1/2 hours at most from Delhi to Port Blair.
- There are plenty of couple-friendly hotels that make for an idyllic setting for a Honeymoon and they’re available across all budget levels.
- We have a choice of activities ranging from water sports to trekking to fishing and more. You’ll have something to keep you occupied every single day, if that’s what you’re after. For couples looking to do nothing and keeping it low-key, we have a host of resorts that are perched right on the beach, with a yoga room or a pool-side bar, and will offer you the rest & relaxation you need.
- It’ll give you a home-away-from-home vibe because the cuisine, the currency and the language are all comfortably Indian. Most restaurants serve Indian food with plenty of vegetarian options and most people speak Hindi.
A Honeymoon Plan: Romance v/s Adventure
Who says you can’t have it all? On the Honeymoon of your dreams, you sure can have it all! The romance, the adventure, the chill and the fun are all yours with the right plan. So, here are a few small tips to help you build a plan that’s perfectly balanced:
- Trip duration: For a trip that is mildly-paced and relaxed, we recommend somewhere between 7-8 days. Anything less than that could mean that you’re rushing from island to island with not much breathing space, and this can leave you feeling exhausted and cranky rather than rejuvenated. It also gives you the time and space to spend some actual quality time with your partner.
- More Havelock + Neil, less Port Blair: Port Blair is a great addition if you and your partner want a little bit of history and culture, but on a Honeymoon, most people want more romance and less history. So, even if you entirely leave out Port Blair in your Honeymoon plan, it’ll still be a win. Sorry Port Blair. Havelock & Neil islands are romance-appropriate island spots that will feel right from the moment you step in.
- Gently pepper with some adventure: We say this because a 4-day Scuba Diving Course may not be the ideal pick for a Honeymoon. It’s quite a mentally and physically taxing experience that doesn’t leave space for much else. You can expect to spend most of the day at sea, followed by some study and then be super-tired at the end of it all. Not very romance-friendly. Having said that, you can still add some diving, kayaking, trekking and snorkeling to create some shared experiences with your better half, sans the exhaustion. Read on and we’ll tell you how!
- More private experiences: You may want to ditch the group tours and day-trips in favour of private ones. So, your plan could include a private boat charter or a private trek. Visiting beaches around sunrise can afford you the most romantic walk on the beach with your partner. On a lucky day, you may end up being the only two people on it! And, most resorts should be more than happy to create a private candlelight or dining experience for you, away from the crowded buffets. Exclusive experiences like these will give you more alone time with each other and make for an intimate, memorable Honeymoon.
Top Hotels & Resorts for Honeymooners
The ideal Honeymoon starts with a couple-friendly, romantic resort or hotel. Whatever be your holiday budget, there’s a couple-friendly resort or hotel that’ll suit you perfectly. Here are our top recommendations:
Note: We are a little biased towards Havelock as a Honeymoon destination, compared with other islands, so you’ll find more mentions for it.
Luxury Stays
1. Forest-facing Deluxe Suite at Taj Exotica, Havelock
The deluxe villas are Honeymoon-appropriate with a vast expanse of 1580 square feet, a plush king-sized bed and a beyond-spacious vanity area. The bathroom features a full-sized bath tub with a rain shower. An outdoor deck is fully-equipped with chairs and beds to let you soak in the tropical sun. So the gist of it is: it’s a little slice of heaven inside a little slice of heaven!
Insider’s tip: Ask for a forest-facing room, this will give you a lot of extra privacy.
2. Pool Suite at Munjoh, Havelock:
If you’re the type of travellers that love a nice, lazy vacation that doesn’t require you to step out of your rooms (except maybe for meals), then Munjoh’s Pool Suite will make for an amazing choice. Priced at somewhere between Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 15,000 per night, the rooms feature a flat-screen TV, writing desk, feather pillows and an exclusive patio with a Love Lounger. This room’s best feature, however, is its hidden shallow pool, making it the ideal Honeymoon pick. Here’s to sunny afternoons spent wading in a luxurious pool with your spouse and a beer or two!
3. Andaman Bungalow at Seashells, Havelock
Seashells at Havelock is the quintessential Andaman property priced in the premium to luxury range. The Andaman Bungalow, in the range of Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 19,000, is a sea-facing room with a terrace balcony, fitted with wooden interiors and fully sound-proofed (so no squeaky wood noises). The resort is appointed with facilities like an indoor pool, a yoga deck and a bar with live music. So, you and beau can have a rocking time!
Mid-range Budget Stays
1. Pool-facing Room at TSG Blue Resort Havelock
At a 7-10 minute walk from Radhanagar Beach, TSG Blue is a great choice for couples looking to stay close to Radhanagar Beach and away from the more crowded side of Havelock. While the resort is equipped with an outdoor pool and a pool-side bar, the rooms are fully equipped with an air-conditioner, a king-sized bed and a patio sit-out area. It should cost you somewhere between Rs. 5000 to Rs. 8000 depending on the season. From here, the prettiest beach on Havelock and perhaps, the Andamans is accessible to you all day long!
2. Pool-facing Suite Room at Symphony Summer Sands, Neil Island
One of the nicer resorts on Neil Island, Summer Sands at Neil is home to a mini man-made lake that makes for Instagram-worthy Honeymoon pictures. Their tastefully-designed Suite rooms have an indoor swing, a pool view and in-room dining. The pricing can range anywhere between Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 12,000. Summer Sands has an indoor pool, a spa and a bicycle rental. So, if you’re looking for a pamper session with your boo, here’s where it can be had!
Budget Stays
1. Wild Orchid, Havelock
We’re suckers for oldies! Wild Orchid is a catch at this range, with its eco-friendly interiors and impeccably clean, presentable rooms. The restaurant, Red Snapper, is a favourite in town and serves some delicious seafood. Don’t forget to ask for their “Dessert of the day”. The highlight of this resort is the beach in the front which has perfectly calm waters and some serious views. You and your partner don’t have to go anywhere else looking for the perfect beach. It can cost anywhere between Rs. 3500 to Rs. 5000 per night.
2. Havelock Island Beach Resort
Touted to have one of the nicest candle-light dinners on Havelock, this resort has beach-side cottages that can be a superb fit for you. Their fully-fitted Deluxe cottages are a budget-sensitive pick and can range between Rs. 4000 to Rs. 6000 for two people.
For more Honeymoon resort options, browse through our extensive list here.
Andaman Honeymoon Bucket List
1. Rent a two-wheeler
Two-wheelers are such an integral part of an Indian romance, thanks to Bollywood movies! The front desk staff at your resort will be able to tell you where you can rent a two-wheeler at Havelock and Neil. Since public transport is not really an option and cabs can get expensive, two-wheelers are not just the most couple-friendly choice, they’re also the most fun! It gives you the freedom to move around without having to wait around on a cab and riding with your better half through the cool, lush jungles is an experience in itself. A two-wheeler hire for the day can cost anywhere between Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 for an Activa and Rs. 800 for a Royal Enfield, not inclusive of fuel charges.
Note: We do have winding roads in Havelock that can give you only a partial view of the road. Also, monsoons can make for slippery roads. So, being vigilant while riding is important, just like most places in the world.
2. Candle-light dinners
No Honeymoon is complete without at-least one candle-lit evening. The hype is so worth it. Imagine sitting in a dimly-lit restaurant with your beau; to top it off, you’ll have the pleasant company of candles, wine, great food and the sea breeze! It makes for some memories that can go right in your honeymoon memory box.
Most resorts and hotels in the Andamans have a candle-lit dinner package that you can book for some extra charge. It can range anywhere between Rs. 3500 to Rs. 7000, depending on the resort, the choice of food and any exclusive elements you may want to include like wine, decor and location.
Our recommendation: The Havelock Island and Barefoot resorts are both renowned for their stellar candle-light dinner set-up and food. They’re both somewhere in the Rs. 4000 to Rs. 7000 range depending on the time of the year.
3. Scuba Dive Together
Don’t do this just to tick a box. Diving with someone you love can be a near-spiritual experience (yes, even if you’re not a dreadlocked hippie). Sharing some silent space underwater with fish, corals and if you’re lucky, a turtle can be a breath-taking experience for the two of you, especially if you’re doing it for the first time.
If you aren’t certified, don’t try and do your dive certificate course on your Honeymoon (unless that’s always been on your Honeymoon wish list: a Honeymoon Scuba certificate!). Go for a DSD (Discover Scuba Dive) experience instead. It’s a mellow, safe and exciting experience for first-time divers which lasts somewhere between 20 – 25 mins. If you’re already certified, then you already know what to do. Go for a couple of fun dives and ask for good dive locations. Some research on dive spots before you arrive at Havelock or Neil will go a long way in ensuring you have a great experience. Click here to know more!
Our recommendation: Barefoot Scuba, Dive India, Andaman Bubbles and Lacadives at Havelock are all PADI certified dive shops with quality equipment and great teachers. Havelock is by far the most popular choice for divers in the Andamans. PADI*: Professional Association of Dive Instructors is the most popular certification body for Scuba divers in the world.
4. Enjoy a Day of Water Sports
Both Havelock and Neil have beaches where you can indulge in some adrenaline-fuelled yay time with your boo. In Havelock, it’ll be Elephant Beach and at Neil, you’ll find it on Bharatpur Beach. If you’re looking at Port Blair, then you have 2 spots: North Bay and Corbyn’s Cove. Activities include banana boats, jet skis, para-sailing, sea-karting and more. Each of these activities can range anywhere between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3000 per person for about 20 – 25 minutes. Read this piece to know the full-range of activities that are available on the islands!
5. Trek Together
Find your way to a marked, safe trail and enjoy yourselves some wholesome alone time. In particular, there are two beginner-friendly trails that we’d recommend. One is the trail on Havelock Island that takes you to Elephant beach. Although usually, most tourists visit the Elephant Beach via boat, trekking is the more adventurous way of getting there. It is quite popular, frequented by a lot of young people and takes about 45 minutes one-way to get there, on average. The other trail is in Chidiya Tapu, Port Blair, it starts on the Chidiya Tapu Beach and takes you through to Munda Pahad with a panoramic view of the islands around. It takes about 30 minutes one-way and it’s perfect for a relaxed trek that ends with some killer views. If you’re on the lookout for something with a higher difficulty level or more specialised like bird-watching treks, inter-tidal walks to understand the oceanic bio-systems, wildlife treks and such, you can reach out to us for the particulars! Also, here you can read about 2-3 other trails that we haven’t mentioned on here.
Our recommendation: We know of a few secret trails which are perfect for couples. There’s one on Havelock that takes you to a secret beach not frequented by a throng of tourists. Write to us to know more!
6. Go night kayaking with your Partner
You know how some people find fireflies very romantic? Well, night kayaking will afford you an experience of bioluminescence in the water! Come evening, planktons light up the surface of the water giving you a glow-y, lit-up night under the stars. A serene glide through the mangroves with chirping crickets awaits you on this trip. Uber-romantic stuff!
Our recommendation: Tanaz Noble from Tanaz Sea Kayak is your best bet. She’s been kayaking through mangroves for as long as we know and is an experienced guide. She operates out of Port Blair and it should cost you around Rs. 3000 per head.
For more ideas on what you can do on your Honeymoon, read our piece on romantic things to do in the Andamans!
How to make your Honeymoon extra-special?
The pressure to come up with the perfect Honeymoon plan can be very real. So, if you’re looking to turn up the oomph factor on what’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip, here is a list of things that may put a hole through your pocket but will remain etched in your memories forever.
Fly in with a Business Class Ticket:
Extra leg-room; priority baggage, check-in, boarding and disembarkation services; personalised seat service and gourmet food, what’s not to like? It’ll give your Honeymoon a strong start and put you in power-couple mode. From most metro cities to Port Blair and back, it can cost anywhere between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 70,000 per person.
Dine at a fancy restaurant:
You can make a reservation at any of the islands’ choicest restaurants, regardless of whether you’re staying there or not.
Book yourselves an evening of unforgettable food, service and ambience at one of Taj’s restaurants on Radhanagar Beach. Its Settlers Restaurant is a uniquely themed fine-dine restaurant with a community dining space that accommodates 10 people and serves up locally-inspired cuisine. It makes for a rare experience and should cost around Rs. 15000 for two people. Be sure to book well in advance since they only have 10 spots on any given evening. If community dining with 8 other people is not something you see yourself doing on your Honeymoon, their other restaurants Shoreline and Turtle House may catch your fancy.
You can also dine in style with Barefoot’s “Dine in Woods” themed dinner, surrounded by a lush forest and gentle sea breeze. Or have yourselves a dazzling evening at Swizzle Bar at ITC’s WelcomHotel in Port Blair.
You can book any of these experiences through our website, for the best deals!
Charter a private boat:
Go to sea on a boat, carry some bites, wine & beer, find a snorkel-friendly beach and perhaps, catch some fish: sound like an adventurous plan? We think so too. Book a day out on the waters with nobody but you and boo!
Arrange a Honeymoon Photo-shoot:
Andamans is blessed with the most scenic of spots to make for a Honeymoon album that you can proudly show-off to your family and friends. What’s more, it’s also home to talented photographers who’ll be delighted to click away and help capture these extra-special moments! Some options for locations include: Radhanagar Beach at Havelock, Munda Pahad at Chidiya Tapu and Mount Harriet at Port Blair.
Enjoy romantic sunsets with your partner:
Nothing like a good ol’ sunset to set the mood on a Honeymoon. One of the prettiest sunsets you’ll see is on Laxmanpur Beach at Neil Island. The sun sets completely at around 5:45 pm, so try and get there at-least half an hour ahead to experience it in its full glory.
Go to less-crowded beaches and islands:
We’ll be honest, this is a path that not many travellers choose to take. It can involve quite a bit of work and the adventure quotient can be a tad bit higher than what most people would like on a Honeymoon. But we do think it’s worth a mention. There are quite a few islands and beaches open to tourists that are less explored. You can explore a day snorkelling at Suar Mundi at Rutland, do a few days on Long Island chilling at Lalaji Bay Beach or head to Little Andaman to check out the waterfall at Hutbay.
If you think we should do a blog on all the under-explored places on the islands, leave us a comment below!
What’s it going to cost?
On average, a Honeymoon trip spanning 7-8 days can cost you anywhere between Rs. 65,000 to Rs. 80,000 per head including all three meals and other activities, including flight expenses. This can vary wildly based on what types of activities and rooms you choose, but below is the rough estimate based on currently available data.
Should you take a package or plan it by yourself?
Plan. It. Yourself. The last thing you want on your Honeymoon is to follow a rigid time-table that dictates every breathing minute of your day. This is where we pop in! Flexible travel is the name of the game and with bookings only a click away, you’ll be able to plan a seamless, customised holiday with us. It’ll give you the right amount of adventure and relaxation without having a guide breathing down your necks 24*7 and telling you what time to wake up the next day. Gosh, just no.
Happy Honey-mooning!
With this, we hope you’re able to plan a legendary Honeymoon trip that you and your partner will cherish forever. For any further info, you’re always welcome to reach out to us and we’ll be glad to help you with an apt travel plan!
We would love to hear back from you about what we can do to improve our content. Let us know if you’d like us to write about specific topics or if we can do something to improve existing blogs. If you like something we’re doing on our website right now, give us a shout-out on Instagram or let us know at editor@go2andaman.com. It’s always heart-warming to hear travel stories from travellers who’ve used our blogs as a guide to the Andamans!
Hi there! I’m a local from the Andamans; born, bred and raised, like they say. I’ve been happily travelling around here for the last 29 years of my life and have been to off-beat locations like Little Andaman, Long Island, Rutland, Barren Island and Ross & Smith. It may seem like a small place, but I feel like I still have so much to see! I’ve also been ridiculously in love with reading and writing for as long as I can remember. Put two and two together and it gives you this blog post.
