Why You Should Visit North Andaman
North Andaman, centred on Diglipur, is the quiet, wild end of the islands. You come for the Ross and Smith sandbar, turtles nesting at Kalipur, and Saddle Peak, the highest point in the chain. The catch is distance. It is a long haul, so it rewards travellers with time, not a short first trip.
What makes North Andaman worth the trip?
The simplest answer is space. While Havelock fills up, North Andaman stays empty, and its best sights feel like you found them yourself. Ross and Smith are two small islands joined by a thin sandbar that you can walk across at low tide and that vanishes under the sea at high tide. It is the kind of place that still feels untouched.
Then there is the wildlife and the height. Kalipur Beach is one of the few spots in India where four species of sea turtle come ashore to nest. Saddle Peak rises to 732 metres, the tallest point in the whole island chain, with a steep jungle trek to the top. Add a cluster of small mud volcanoes near Diglipur, and you have a side of the Andamans most visitors never see.
| Sight | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ross and Smith Islands | Twin islands joined by a sandbar | Forest permit and boat from Aerial Bay (around 5,000 for six) |
| Saddle Peak | Highest point in the islands, 732 m | 8 km trek, small forest permit, 6am to 2pm |
| Kalipur Beach | Turtle nesting beach with a hatchery | Four species nest December to April |
| Diglipur mud volcanoes | Cluster of small mud craters | Near Shyam Nagar, no permit |
| Lamiya Bay | Quiet pebble beach | Near the Saddle Peak trailhead |
How do you reach North Andaman?
This is the part that puts people off, and you should know it before you commit. Diglipur sits about 290 km north of Port Blair by road, a drive of up to 12 hours along the Andaman Trunk Road. The route crosses creeks by vehicle ferry and passes through the Jarawa reserve in a convoy, with the same no-stopping, no-photography rules that apply further south.
The sea route is easier on the body. Government ships run from Phoenix Bay in Port Blair to Aerial Bay near Diglipur a few times a week, a trip of around ten hours, with overnight sailings that let you sleep through the crossing. A limited helicopter service is the fastest option, but seats are few and usually booked out. Whichever way you go, getting there eats the best part of a day.
How long do you need, and when should you go?
Give North Andaman at least two to three days on the ground, on top of the travel. A rushed overnight dash is not worth the road. With a couple of clear days you can fit Ross and Smith, a Saddle Peak trek and a turtle visit without racing.
The drier months, roughly October to May, are the time to go, when the road stays open and the sea is calm. The turtle nesting season runs from about December to April, so time your trip for those months if seeing a nesting turtle or a hatchling release is the goal. Monsoon travel here is harder, since heavy rain can block the trunk road and rough the ferries.
What are the honest trade-offs?
North Andaman is beautiful, but it is not polished. Stays are mostly simple guesthouses and a few modest resorts, not the beach properties of Havelock. ATMs and card payments are limited, so carry enough cash from Port Blair. Mobile signal and internet can be patchy once you are out of Diglipur town.
A few sights also need permits. Ross and Smith require a forest-department permit and a boat from Aerial Bay, around 5,000 rupees for a six-seater as of recent listings. Saddle Peak needs a small forest permit bought at the trailhead. Indian travellers need no separate area permit for North Andaman, while foreign nationals should check the current Restricted Area Permit rules before they travel.
Who should visit North Andaman, and who should skip it?
Go if you have a week or more, you have already seen the southern islands, or you simply prefer empty beaches and nature over resorts and water sports. Birdwatchers, trekkers and slow travellers get the most out of it. Skip it if you are on a first, short trip built around Havelock’s beaches and diving, or if long bus and ferry journeys wear you down. In five days or fewer, the road alone would cost you too much of the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Andaman worth visiting?
Yes, if you have the time and want the quiet, wild side of the islands. The Ross and Smith sandbar, the turtle beach at Kalipur and the Saddle Peak trek are special and far less crowded than the south. It is not worth it on a short trip, where the long journey would swallow most of your days.
How far is North Andaman from Port Blair?
About 290 km by road, a drive of up to 12 hours along the Andaman Trunk Road through the Jarawa reserve. By sea it is around 180 km, with government ships taking roughly ten hours, including handy overnight sailings. A limited helicopter service is quicker but hard to book.
What is the best time to visit North Andaman?
October to May, when the weather is dry, the sea is calm and the trunk road stays open. For turtles, aim for the nesting season at Kalipur, roughly December to April. Avoid the peak monsoon months, when rain can close the road and disrupt the ferries.
How many days do you need for North Andaman?
Plan two to three days on the ground, on top of the long journey each way. That gives you time for Ross and Smith, a Saddle Peak trek and a turtle or mud-volcano visit without rushing. Anything shorter means spending more time travelling than exploring.
Can you see turtles nesting in North Andaman?
Yes. Kalipur Beach near Diglipur is a known nesting site for four sea turtle species, with a government hatchery nearby. The season runs from about December to April. Nesting happens late at night and hatchling releases in the early morning, so ask locally about timings when you arrive.
Do you need permits for North Andaman?
For some sights, yes. Ross and Smith Islands need a forest-department permit and a boat from Aerial Bay, and Saddle Peak needs a small forest permit from the trailhead office. Indian travellers need no separate area permit for the region itself. Foreign nationals should check the current Restricted Area Permit rules first.
Is North Andaman good for a first trip to the islands?
Not usually. A first, short trip is better spent on Port Blair, Havelock and Neil, where the beaches and water sports sit close together. North Andaman rewards a second visit or a longer stay, when you have time to absorb the journey and trade polish for quiet.
To know more information about North Andaman, check out andamantourism.org
