Best Time to Visit Andaman Islands: Month-by-Month Guide (2026)

The best time to visit Andaman is November to February — calm seas, dry weather, full ferry schedules across all four operators. October and March-May are strong shoulder windows. June-September is monsoon: ferries still run, but expect cancellations, rough crossings, and afternoon services merged or scrapped.

That’s the one-line answer every other guide gives you. The harder question — the one that actually decides your trip — is when do the ferries run, when do they fall apart, and when do prices peak? That’s what this guide covers.

We’ve moved 50,000+ travelers between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil. We track real-time availability across Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, and ITT Majestic every day. Below is what we’ve learned about the best time to visit Andaman, broken down month-by-month with the ferry-impact details no hotel-run blog mentions.

Best Time to Visit Andaman: At a Glance

Quick verdict for most travelers: book your trip for the second half of November or early December. You get peak weather without peak surcharge, and ferries are still running their full schedule. We see this window get booked out 3-4 weeks in advance — earlier in honeymoon-heavy years.

Compare ferry prices and check live availability at BookYourFerry.com

Peak Season (October–May): The Sweet Spot

October to May is when the Andaman Islands are at their best. Temperatures hover between 22°C and 30°C, the sea flattens out after the monsoon retreats, and all four private operators run their full schedule from Haddo Jetty in Port Blair.

This is also when you can rely on ferries doing what their schedule says. Morning departures hit a 92% on-time rate during peak season, based on our booking data. Afternoon services (which run rougher year-round) settle to about 85%. Cancellations from sea conditions are rare — most passengers complete their trip with zero schedule changes. About 80 minutes into the PB→Havelock crossing, the deep blue of the open Bay gives way to shallower turquoise water, and Havelock appears as a lush green silhouette through the windows — that water-colour shift is one of the more memorable parts of the journey when seas are calm.

The trade-off is crowd density and price. December and January are the busiest months — expect resorts in Havelock to be booked solid, ferry tickets selling out 2-3 weeks ahead, and Makruzz, Nautika, and Green Ocean all charging a Rs 100 peak surcharge per ticket from December 1 to January 31. If you want peak weather without peak prices, target the bookend months — early November or late February.

What runs at full capacity in peak season

• Makruzz: All 5 daily PB→Havelock departures (6 AM through 2 PM), three vessels (Pearl, Makruzz, Gold). Royal class consistently available
• Nautika: Both operational vessels — Nautika and Nautika Pro Business Class — running 4 daily departures
• Green Ocean: Both GO1 (with the famous open deck) and GO2 (faster, enclosed) on full schedule
• ITT Majestic: Single vessel running its 8:30 AM PB→Havelock schedule, plus the peak-only 1:30 PM service from Dec 15 to Jan 15

If you want the open-deck experience on Green Ocean 1 — the only private ferry in the Andamans where you can stand outside, feel the wind, and photograph flying fish — peak season is when the deck is genuinely usable. In monsoon, they often close it for safety.

Monsoon Season (June–September): What Actually Happens

Monsoon doesn’t shut down ferry travel, but it disrupts it. Heavy rain comes in bursts (not the continuous downpour many travelers picture), and the sea swells from 1-2 meters in peak season to 3-4 meters by July-August. That’s the threshold where some operators start cancelling.

Most “best time to visit Andaman” guides treat June-September as a flat “don’t go” zone. That’s wrong. Monsoon Andaman has its own appeal — empty beaches, lush green forests, 5-star villas at mid-range prices, dramatic skies, and almost no other tourists. But you have to plan around the ferry reality, and that’s where the operator-specific picture matters.

Monsoon ferry behaviour by operator

• ITT Majestic is the most vulnerable. Single vessel, single point of failure. If their boat goes in for maintenance or rough weather forces a cancellation, there’s no backup. We see ITT cancel more often than competitors during monsoon
• Makruzz may not sail at all in July-August if low passenger inflow makes the run unprofitable. Their cancellation policy gives full refund or free reschedule for weather, so you’re not stuck — but your trip plan can break overnight
• Nautika handles the roughest seas. Their catamaran design rides up to 4-meter swells where competitors cancel at 3 meters. They report 12% fewer cancellations than industry average during monsoon
• Green Ocean 1 punches above its weight here. The 6:30 AM PB→Havelock departure is the most reliable year-round service across all operators. Slow speed (13 knots vs 30 on the catamarans) actually rides swells smoother
• Government ferries are the most consistent through monsoon — they sail when private operators don’t. Trade-off is comfort, hard-copy bookings only 2 days in advance, and tourist-quota seats that fill instantly

The monsoon ferry rules

Seasickness behaves differently across seasons too. On a calm winter morning, the crossing is smooth and most passengers barely notice the movement. On a choppy monsoon afternoon, it’s a different journey entirely — and largely preventable with motion-sickness medication taken 30 minutes before boarding.

If you do travel June-September, three things make the difference between a smooth trip and a stranded one:

1. Book morning slots only. Afternoon services get cancelled or merged. The 6:00 AM Makruzz Pearl, 6:30 AM Nautika, and 6:40 AM Green Ocean 1 are your reliable options
2. Pad your itinerary with 2 buffer days. If you’re flying out of Port Blair on a fixed date, treat the day before your flight as a no-ferry day. Don’t schedule a Havelock-to-PB ferry on flight day. We see this mistake every monsoon — travellers stranded on Havelock with a missed flight
3. Choose refundable fares. Pay slightly more for tickets you can change. Weather cancellations get full refunds across all operators, but reschedules require availability — and reduced monsoon schedules mean you may not get a same-day alternative

Andaman Month-by-Month: Weather, Crowds & Ferry Reality

This is the section every other guide skips. Here’s what each month actually looks like — temperature, sea conditions, ferry status, and one specific tip for that month.

January

Weather: 22-28°C, dry, very pleasant. Coolest month of the year, low humidity. Sea conditions: Calm, ideal for diving and water sports. Ferries: Full schedule, all operators. Peak surcharge active (Rs 100/ticket through Jan 31). Crowds: Highest of the year through mid-January. New Year tail. Tip: Book ferries 4 weeks ahead. The Makruzz 6 AM and Nautika 6:30 AM Premium classes sell out first. December 26 to January 5 is the single most booked-out window of the year.

February

Weather: 23-29°C, dry, calm seas. Perhaps the most pleasant month overall. Sea conditions: Best dive visibility of the year (15-25 meters at popular sites). Ferries: Full schedule, no peak surcharge after Jan 31. Crowds: Heavy in first half (Valentine’s week), thinning by month-end. Tip: Late February is the best week of the year for honeymoons — peak weather, post-peak prices, dive-perfect water.

March

Weather: 25-31°C. Starting to warm but still comfortable. Sea conditions: Calm, excellent for snorkelling at Elephant Beach and Bharatpur. Ferries: Full schedule across all four operators. Crowds: Light. School holidays push families through, but smaller numbers than Dec-Jan. Tip: Best month for budget-conscious travellers. Standard ferry fares, no peak surcharge, accommodation drops 20-30% vs January.

April

Weather: 27-33°C. Hot midday, but morning and evening pleasant. Sea conditions: Calm seas, warm water (28-29°C — the warmest of the year). Ferries: Full schedule. Crowds: Light. School-holiday spike late April. Tip: Skip Green Ocean’s open deck after 11 AM — it gets brutal. The midday DJ session is a different experience when it’s 33°C and humid.

May

Weather: 28-34°C, humid. Pre-monsoon — occasional thunderstorms in the second half. Sea conditions: Mostly calm, but cyclone risk increases in late May. Ferries: Full schedule, occasional weather delays toward month-end. Crowds: Light, last month before monsoon. Tip: First two weeks of May are the last reliable peak-season window. From May 20 onwards, watch the cyclone forecast — pre-monsoon systems can disrupt ferries.

June

Weather: 26-30°C, monsoon arrives. Heavy rain in bursts. Sea conditions: Swells building, 2-3 meters typical. Ferries: Reduced schedules. Afternoon services cancelled or merged. Crowds: Very low. Resorts at off-season pricing. Tip: Build a 2-day buffer before any flight out of Port Blair. The 6:30 AM Nautika is your most reliable option for any inter-island move.

July

Weather: 25-29°C, peak monsoon. Highest rainfall of the year. Sea conditions: Roughest of the year, 3-4 meter swells common. Ferries: Significant disruptions. Makruzz may suspend service if inflow low. ITT Majestic cancels frequently. Crowds: Very low. Most resorts close non-essential services. Tip: Government ferry is your most reliable option — sails when private operators don’t. Tourist-quota seats are limited and book out 2 days ahead (the maximum advance for government ferries).

August

Weather: 25-29°C, monsoon peak continues. Slightly less rainfall than July. Sea conditions: Still rough, swells 3-4 meters. Ferries: Same as July — heavy disruptions, morning slots only. Crowds: Very low. Tip: Sundarbans of the south. If you do travel, focus on Port Blair and the immediate islands — limit inter-island moves.

September

Weather: 26-30°C. Monsoon retreating in the second half. Sea conditions: Calming after mid-September. Ferries: Schedules begin restoring late in the month. Last 10 days are surprisingly reliable. Crowds: Low — the smart traveller’s window. Tip: September 20 to October 5 is the secret shoulder. Post-monsoon green, calm seas, full ferry schedule restoring, and 30-40% lower accommodation prices than November. We see savvy travellers target this window every year.

October

Weather: 26-31°C, post-monsoon. Comfortable, occasional showers early in the month. Sea conditions: Calm by mid-October. Ferries: Full schedule restored. All operators running. Crowds: Light to moderate, building toward Diwali. Tip: Target October 10-25 for the best weather-to-price ratio of the year.

November

Weather: 24-29°C. Often the best month overall — cool, dry, calm. Sea conditions: Excellent. Ferries: Full schedule, no peak surcharge. Crowds: Moderate, building rapidly through the month. Tip: The sweet spot. Post-monsoon sunshine, calm seas, fewer crowds than December, no peak surcharge. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for first-half November, 3-4 weeks for second-half.

December

Weather: 22-28°C, dry, the start of peak weather. Sea conditions: Calm, dive-perfect. Ferries: Full schedule. Peak surcharge from Dec 1 (Rs 100/ticket). Crowds: Heavy from Dec 18 onwards. Christmas-NYE peak. Tip: Book early December if you want peak weather without peak crowds. Dec 1-15 is significantly less crowded than Dec 20-31, with the same weather.

Best Time to Visit Andaman for Honeymoon

The best time to visit Andaman for a honeymoon is late February to mid-March — peak weather, post-peak prices, calm seas, and resort availability your December-honeymoon counterparts can’t get.

December through February is the marketing-popular honeymoon window, but it overlaps with peak family travel and school holidays. Late February empties out fast, and mid-March is the under-the-radar honeymoon month where you can negotiate better resort rates while still getting glassy seas.

For the ferry side, this is when Nautika Pro Business Class matters. India’s first dedicated business-class ferry launched in November 2025 — wider seats, barista coffee, Wi-Fi, 60% quieter cabin than standard ferries. At Rs 3,400 PB-Havelock it’s premium, but for a honeymoon trip it’s the difference between arriving relaxed and arriving frazzled. The 7:30 AM Nautika Pro is the most-booked honeymoon ferry on our platform.

If diving is part of the plan: November-April is dive season, with peak visibility from January through March. The deeper sites around Havelock (Nemo Reef for clownfish, Aquarium for big fish) are at their best in this window.

Plan your Andaman honeymoon ferry trip at BookYourFerry.com — compare all 4 operators in one place

Best Time to Visit Andaman with Family

For families, the best time is late October to mid-December or mid-February to mid-March. The reason isn’t weather — it’s ferry experience.

Children handle calm seas. They struggle with rough crossings, loud music, packed terminals, and 90-minute journeys in claustrophobic cabins. Peak monsoon ferries fail every one of those criteria.

Three operator-specific points families should know:

• Makruzz is the smoothest ride — catamaran stability, professional crew, quietest cabin. Best for kids who get queasy. The downside: sealed cabin, no deck access, AC sometimes fails or runs cold
• Green Ocean 1’s open deck is a hit with kids 7+. Fresh air, ocean views, the photo experience. Trade-off: loud music, slower journey (2h 15m vs 90 min)
• Nautika Pro Business Class is the family-ferry-of-choice for parents who want quiet space. The cabin is genuinely 60% quieter than competitors

Avoid afternoon ferries with young children. Morning crossings are calmer (92% on-time, smoother seas). The 6 AM Makruzz Pearl and 6:30 AM Nautika are your best family options for PB-Havelock.

Best Time for Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

The dive season runs November through April, with peak conditions from January to March. Visibility hits 20-25 meters at popular sites like Elephant Beach reefs, Aquarium, and Nemo Reef.

For divers specifically: book your ferry to Havelock for the morning slot to maximise dive time. The 6 AM Makruzz Pearl gets you to Havelock by 7:30 AM, in time for an 8:30 AM boat dive briefing. Travelers booking afternoon ferries miss the best dive day.

How Monsoons Affect Ferry Schedules (Why Your Booking Site Matters)

This is the section nobody else writes — because nobody else is a ferry booking platform tracking live data. Here’s what we see during monsoon that a hotel blog can’t tell you.

Operator-specific cancellation rates (June-September):

• Nautika: ~15% cancellation rate. Catamaran handles up to 4m swells. Most reliable private option
• Makruzz: ~25% cancellation rate. May suspend service entirely in July-August during low-inflow weeks
• Green Ocean: ~20% cancellation rate. GO1 6:30 AM run is most reliable. GO2 (faster, enclosed) cancels more often than GO1 in rough seas
• ITT Majestic: ~30%+ cancellation rate. Single-vessel risk
• Government ferry: ~10% cancellation rate. Most reliable but limited tourist-quota seats

Schedule patterns we observe in monsoon:

• Morning sailings (before 9 AM): 80%+ run as scheduled
• Midday sailings (9 AM – 1 PM): 60-70% run as scheduled
• Afternoon sailings (after 1 PM): 40-55% run as scheduled. Often merged with another operator’s vessel
• Evening services: largely suspended

What this means for your trip planning:

If you’re travelling June-September, build your itinerary on morning ferries only. Treat the afternoon as a contingency. Pad two buffer days before any flight out of Port Blair — the cost of an extra hotel night is much less than a missed flight rebooking fee.

For peak season travellers (October-May), this isn’t a factor — you can pick afternoon ferries with confidence. We see less than 5% afternoon-cancellation rates from November through February.

Worst Time to Visit Andaman (Be Honest)

The honest worst time is mid-July through mid-August. Here’s why we’ll tell you that when other guides won’t.

• Sea conditions are at their roughest. 3-4 meter swells are routine. Even on the morning Nautika (which handles weather best), expect a bumpy 90 minutes
• Multiple operators may suspend service. Makruzz reduces to one vessel or pauses entirely. ITT Majestic cancels frequently
• Resorts run skeleton crew. Many close their dive shops, water sports, and on-site restaurants for the season
• You can’t really dive or snorkel. Visibility drops to 5-8 meters from sediment churn. The reefs you came to see are clouded out
• The monsoon experience itself is bursts of heavy rain, not the romantic continuous drizzle. Trekking and beach time are limited to the gaps

One exception: the budget traveller who specifically wants empty beaches and 5-star resorts at mid-range prices. If you’re in Havelock during peak monsoon, you’ll have Radhanagar Beach essentially to yourself. The trade-off is real, but if budget is the priority and you’re flexible on activities, mid-July is the cheapest week of the year.

Cyclone-watch months: Late May and October-November transition periods carry occasional cyclone risk. These don’t affect peak-season travel materially, but check the IMD forecast 5-7 days before your trip if you’re travelling in those windows.

How to Pick Your Travel Month: Decision Framework

Use this to match your priority to a window:

One more insider tip: if you’re flexible by 1-2 weeks, watch for school-holiday gaps. Late January (after schools reopen) and the second week of June (before summer holidays end) consistently show 15-25% lower accommodation rates with the same weather as the surrounding peak weeks.

Check live ferry prices and book all 4 operators at BookYourFerry.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best month to visit Andaman?

November is the single best month to visit Andaman. You get peak-season weather (24-29°C, dry, calm seas), the full ferry schedule restored after monsoon, lower crowds than December-January, and no peak surcharge on ferry tickets. February is a close second for divers — best underwater visibility of the year. Both are excellent windows.

What is the worst time to visit Andaman?

The worst time to visit Andaman is mid-July through mid-August — peak monsoon. Sea swells reach 3-4 meters, multiple ferry operators cancel or suspend service, dive visibility drops to 5-8 meters, and resorts run skeleton crew. Heavy rain comes in bursts. If budget is the absolute priority and you don’t mind missing water activities, this window does offer the cheapest accommodation of the year.

Is Andaman safe to visit during monsoon?

Yes, Andaman is safe to visit during monsoon — but expect ferry disruptions. Heavy rain comes in bursts rather than continuous downpour, and the islands themselves remain accessible. The risk is logistical: ferry cancellations, reduced afternoon services, and rough sea crossings. If you build a 2-day buffer before your flight out of Port Blair and book morning ferries only, monsoon travel is manageable.

Do ferries run in Andaman during monsoon?

Yes, ferries run in Andaman during monsoon, but on reduced schedules with frequent cancellations. Morning sailings (before 9 AM) operate at 80%+ reliability across all operators. Afternoon sailings drop to 40-55%. Nautika handles the roughest seas best (handles 4m swells), Government ferries are the most consistent, and Green Ocean 1’s 6:30 AM departure is the most reliable single service year-round.

What is the best time to visit Andaman with family?

The best time to visit Andaman with family is late October to mid-December or mid-February to mid-March. Calm seas matter more than peak weather when travelling with children — rough monsoon crossings are uncomfortable for kids. Morning ferries (6 AM Makruzz Pearl, 6:30 AM Nautika) are your safest bet. Avoid afternoon services and the loud-music ferries (Nautika and Green Ocean’s deck) if your kids are noise-sensitive.

Is Andaman good for honeymoon in December?

December is good for an Andaman honeymoon weather-wise but expensive and crowded — peak surcharge on ferry tickets, resort rates 30-40% higher than shoulder months, and major sites packed. Late February to mid-March offers the same weather, calm seas, dive-perfect water, and 25-35% lower prices. The Nautika Pro Business Class (launched November 2025) is the most-booked honeymoon ferry on our platform.

What is the temperature in Andaman in December?

The temperature in Andaman in December ranges from 22°C to 28°C, with low humidity and dry weather. It’s the start of the coolest period of the year. Sea temperature stays around 27-28°C — comfortable for snorkelling and diving. December is one of the most comfortable months overall, which is why it’s also the most crowded and the only month (with January) that carries a Rs 100 peak ferry surcharge.

Can you swim in Andaman in June?

You can swim in Andaman in June at protected beaches like Bharatpur (Neil Island) and Radhanagar (Havelock), but with caution. The sea is rougher than peak season, and rip currents become more common. Sea temperature stays around 27-29°C — warm enough. The bigger limitation is water clarity (5-10 meters visibility vs 20+ in peak season) and the disrupted ferry schedule getting you to those beaches.

This guide is updated for 2026 based on live data from our ferry booking platform tracking Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, and ITT Majestic across 50,000+ traveller bookings. Last updated: May 2026. Prices and schedules current as of publication — verify on the operator pages before booking.

Plan your Andaman trip ferry by ferry — Compare prices and book at BookYourFerry.com