The best time to visit Port Blair (a.k.a Sri Vijaya Puram) is during the dry/peak season, from October to May. This period offers the most favorable and pleasant weather conditions for exploring this gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The best time to visit Andaman islands depends on what type of trip you want to take, the type of weather you prefer. Read this blog post to find out!
Port Blair has the only commercial airport and the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is renowned for its rich history, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture. Knowing when to visit Port Blair can make all the difference in experiencing everything Port Blair has to offer. Tourists travelling to and from the Andaman Islands, usually spend a day in Port Blair on the day of arrival and departure.
Weather Patterns and Their Impact on Your Visit to Port Blair
Understanding Port Blair‘s weather patterns can help you plan your Andaman trip more effectively. This bar graph of monthly temperature ranges and rainfall variations highlights the best times for specific activities across the Andaman spans. During the peak season, Port Blair offers the best conditions for exploring its stunning beaches and historical sites. In contrast, the monsoon season brings lush landscapes but also challenges for travel.
Discover Your Perfect Season to Explore Port Blair
1. The peak season in Port Blair lasts from October to May, covering both winter season and summer months, and is peak tourist season ideal for scuba diving, water sports, outdoor activities, beach activities and sightseeing.
2. The monsoon season in Port Blair, from June to September, brings heavy rainfall and strong winds, making it less favorable for most activities.
Peak Season (October to May):
Port Blair weather between October to May is dry weather plays with pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall during this period. This makes it an peak tourist season and best time to visit for outdoor activities such as sightseeing, Island hopping, water sports, sea walking and scuba diving. The clear skies, calm seas, good underwater visibility and comfortable tropical climate enhance your experience of Port Blair‘s natural beauty and attractions.
However, because of the dry shoulder season’s perfect weather conditions, and it also being a holiday season on the Indian mainland, October to May is the best time to visit Port Blair and considered to be the peak tourist season of Andaman Island. Port Blair Hotel prices and flight tickets might shoot up due to higher demand.
Average temperatures ranging typically between 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 89°F).
Places to Visit in Port Blair During the Dry Season:
- Cellular Jail: Explore this historic site, a poignant reminder of India’s struggle for independence and attend light and sound show for a deeper understanding.
- Corbyn’s Cove Beach: Relax on picturesque Corbyn’s cove beach, enjoy thrilling water sports and explore Japanese bunkers.
- Mount Harriet National Park: Trek through lush trails of mount harriet national park and enjoy panoramic views of all the islands nearby.
- Ross Island: Wander through the ruins of this former British administrative hub and explore several Japanese bunkers from world war II.
- Museums: Visit Samudrika Naval Marine Museum and the Anthropology Museum to explore the history of vibrant marine life, indigenous tribes and cultures of Andaman islands.
- Island Hopping: Best time to visit nearby Jolly Buoy Island, Havelock Island, Ross Island and Neil Island for a peaceful vacation.
- Scuba Diving in Port Blair: Explore the underwater world filled with rich marine life and the vibrant coral reefs in Chidiya Tapu and North Bay island as you scuba dive into an unforgettable experience.
- Barren Island: Explore the India’s only active volcano.
Main Events:
1. Island Tourism Festival: The Island Tourism Festival, organised by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration in {Port Blair, the festival celebrates all things tourism-related. Hosted in the month of January, visitors flock to the city from other islands as well as the mainland to be a part of the colourful celebration during this peak season. The festival showcases the cultural heritage and traditions native to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and usually continues for 10 long days.
2. Diwali: Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. The festival is celebrated with enthusiasm in Port Blair, accompanied by the bursting of crackers. During this time, wearing traditional attire and visiting temples are part of the Diwali ritual.
3. Holi: Holi or the festival of colours is celebrated on a full moon day. Holi is enjoyed by the inhabitants using colours, and coming together for the festival in Port Blair.
4. New Year and Christmas: Christmas and New Year in Port Blair are vibrant highlights of the peak season and is a time filled with festivities as this period is witness to a high influx of travellers. The city of Port Blair is decorated with lights during Christmas, and multiple restaurants host buffets and dinners during New Year’s Eve.
5. Turtle Nesting Season: Turtle Nesting Season begins in November and goes onto March. This is the period in which the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. It is always advisable to check with local operators about this, as this may vary on weather condition. Turtle Nesting usually takes place in Diglipur, 300 km from Port Blair.
Travel Tips:
Due to the popularity of peak season, it’s advisable to book Port Blair hotels and flights to Port Blair well in advance. High demand can lead to increased prices, so planning ahead will help you secure the best deals.
Monsoon Season (June to September):
The monsoon season in Port Blair brings heavy rainfall, high humidity, and occasional cyclones. Spanning from June – September experience high rainfall, it transforms the region into a lush green, tropical paradise. it’s perfect for offbeat travel, appealing mainly to adventure seekers and budget travelers. Though not ideal for most tourist activities and water sports enthusiasts due to rough seas in monsoon months, this season offers a unique experience with lush greenery forests, beautiful beaches, fewer crowds, and plenty of budget-friendly options for those looking to explore a different side of the Andaman Islands.
Temperature ranging generally between 23°C to 31°C (73°F to 88°F).
Places to Visit in Port Blair During the Rainy season:
- Waterfalls: Explore Wimberly Gunj waterfalls in Port Blair, which are especially impressive during the monsoon months.
- Chidiya Tapu: Ideal for bird watching and nature walks, with the monsoon period enhancing the island’s lush beauty.
- Local Markets: Explore Port Blair’s markets for shopping unique souvenirs and local delicacies.
- Wandoor Beach: Enjoy the monsoon rains and peaceful surroundings, perfect for a quiet day out in Port Blair.
- Samudrika Naval Marine Museum: Gain insights into the marine life and history of the Andaman Islands in samudrika naval marine museum.
Main Events:
1. Ganesh Chaturthi: The auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in Port Blair, and all across India, heralds the birth of Lord Ganesh, signifying a period of happiness and celebration.
2. Independence Day: On the 15th of August, Indian Independence Day is celebrated in Port Blair, by hoisting the National Flag, parades, and illuminated ships of the Indian Navy and Coast Guards from sunset tonight. The Cellular Jail at Port Blair celebrates Independence Day with Sound and Light Shows dedicated to the freedom movement in India.
3. Monsoon Tourism Festival: Held in mid-July, the Monsoon Festival is organized by local authorities and is a fun way to explore while visiting Andaman Islands during the off-season! Enjoy amazing discounts at Port Blair hotels, indulge in local food, art, and crafts, and groove to live music and rain dance parties. With stalls from local entrepreneurs and service providers like BSNL and Airtel, this festival offers a mix of culture, entertainment, and useful info for tourists.
Travel Tips:
Be prepared for potential disruptions in travel plans due to unstable Andaman weather condition. While many tours, trips, ferry services may be canceled, it’s essential to check for up to date information. You can enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer tourists in Port Blair. Additionally, remember to wear light clothing to stay comfortable in the tropical climate.
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The kayaking experience was super fun and knowledgeable. Mr.Ali was very friendly and ensured we had a clam and a relaxing paddling experience and enriched us with facts about mangrove trees, it’s ecosystem and Abadman islands and clicked some cool pics 🙂
Ross Island is ideally a two part trip, the morning to evening portion includes going around the island looking at the ruins from the era of the British and Japanese rule. the late evening portion includes a spectacular sound, light & video show (yes you read it correctly!!) which has been created specially for Ross island by Revathi (the actress)
This is a over hyped, and not worth the time and money spent to reach here. It used to be called the “Paris of the East” when the British settled here. But everything is destroyed now.
The only good place here is a beach that is on the other side. You will need to climb down and up a lot of steps to get there.
It was a perfect location for family fun, the erstwhile Ross Island has all the history of a mini Paris, albeit at the cost of all Indian labour and is an example of the British opulence over poverty stricken India. Perfect for taking pics and the picturesque light house was delightful. We took the buggy as we were a large family with kids. There are deer and peacocks too.
