Travel guide · Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) · last checked 7 July 2026
Neil Island travel guide: beaches, the Natural Bridge & a 2-day plan
Neil Island — officially Shaheed Dweep — is the Andamans' slow island: four beaches within cycling distance of one market, a rock arch you time to the tide, and not much else, which is exactly the point. It's 45 minutes from Havelock, quieter in every way, and a favourite on our honeymoon itineraries. Here's the whole island, honestly.
Getting to Neil Island
From Port Blair
Government ferry roughly ₹400–500 (about 1.5 hrs); private ferries (Makruzz, Nautika) roughly ₹1,000–1,400 (about 1 hr), with morning departures daily. The crossing threads through the archipelago — take a window seat.
From Havelock
Government ferry roughly ₹300–400 (1 hr); private ferries roughly ₹700–1,000 (45 min), usually early-to-mid afternoon. Most trips pair Havelock and Neil in one loop — ours do.
On the island
Neil is small: a bicycle (₹100–200/day) or scooter (₹400–600/day) covers everything, and autos run short hops. The full beach circuit is about 8 km of flat road.
Practical tips
Book ferries 1–2 weeks ahead in season. Carry cash from Port Blair — the island ATM is unreliable. Download offline maps; the internet is spotty.
Ferry departures at a glance
| Route | First | Last | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havelock → Neil | 9:15 AM | 3:00 PM | 45 min – 1h 15m | ₹1,000 |
| Neil → Port Blair | 10:35 AM | 4:15 PM | 1h 15m – 1h 30m | ₹1,050 |
Timings from the May 2026 timetable — they shift with season and sea. Live schedules and booking on BookYourFerry.com, our sister ferry-booking site.
The four beaches
Each has its own character, and all sit within one easy cycling circuit of the market.
Laxmanpur Beach 1
The sunset point
A long stretch of white sand with shallow water made for wading, near the main market — the most accessible beach on the island. Come between 4 and 6 PM: the wide sandy expanse turns gold as the sun drops into the Andaman Sea. Free entry.
Laxmanpur Beach 2 — the Natural Bridge
The iconic rock arch
Home to the Natural Bridge (locals say Howrah Bridge) — a rock arch carved by centuries of wave erosion on coral rock. Time it for low tide, when you can walk right up to the formation across the exposed coral shelf. A photographer's favourite and Neil's signature sight.
Bharatpur Beach
The water-sports hub
Next to the jetty, with calm shallow water that suits families and first-timers: snorkelling, glass-bottom boat, banana boat and jet ski all run from here in season. The shallow reef holds plenty of colourful fish.
Sitapur Beach
The sunrise beach
On the eastern coast, about 3 km from the market — rocky shores, tide pools full of small marine life, and the island's best morning light. Less crowded and more wild than the others; cycle or take an auto before dawn.
Things to do on Neil
Snorkelling at Bharatpur
Coral gardens close to shore in clear, shallow water — accessible even for beginners and non-swimmers. Equipment and guides at the beach.
Cycling the island
The best way to see Neil: flat roads link all four beaches in an 8 km circuit, 2–3 unhurried hours with stops. Rent from the market.
Glass-bottom boat
The reef without getting wet, from Bharatpur Beach — about half an hour on the water. Good for children and anyone not keen to swim.
Scuba diving
Neil's dive sites (Margherita's Mischief, K-Rock) are quieter than Havelock's — beginner dives run with full training and an instructor close by.
Sunset at Laxmanpur
Don't miss it. Arrive 30 minutes early for a good spot; the coral shore against the sunset is one of the Andamans' defining views. Free.
Fishing mornings
Local fishermen take early trips, and the morning fish market is worth a wander for a taste of island life either way.
Where to stay on Neil
Most accommodation clusters near Laxmanpur Beach and the main market. Rates are indicative and seasonal — book 2–3 weeks ahead for October–May; off-season walk-in rates drop sharply.
Budget
₹500–1,500/night
Simple guesthouses and beach camps near Laxmanpur — clean rooms, fans or basic AC. Fine if you plan to live outdoors anyway.
Most picked
Mid-range
₹1,500–4,000/night
Comfortable resorts near Bharatpur and Laxmanpur with AC, hot water and on-site restaurants; some with direct beach access. Where most of our guests land.
Premium
₹4,000–10,000/night
The island's best rooms and service — gardens, pools, premium dining. The honeymoon pick.
Where to eat
Dining is simpler than Havelock's — most hotels cook, vegetarian food is everywhere, and the fresh catch is the point. The island-wide food story is in our Andaman food guide.
Chand Restaurant
₹200–400 per headThe seafood pick — the butter garlic crab is the order, and the day's fish is grilled fresh.
Blue Sea Restaurant
₹200–400 per headMulti-cuisine with fresh fish daily and relaxed outdoor seating.
Garden View Restaurant
₹150–300 per headReliable Indian food and breakfasts, generous portions — easy with families and groups.
Market eateries
₹100–150 per headCheap and authentic near the main market — a fish thali here is the local lunch.
A 2-day Neil Island plan
Built around the two hours that make Neil worth the ferry: the Laxmanpur sunset and the Sitapur sunrise. For the whole-trip version see our Andaman itinerary — or our honeymoon packages, where Neil usually gets its own night.
- 1
Day 1 morning — arrive & Bharatpur Beach
Ferry in from Port Blair or Havelock, check in, and rent a cycle or scooter at the market. Start at Bharatpur: snorkel the shallow reef or take the glass-bottom boat while the water is calm.
- 2
Day 1 afternoon — the Natural Bridge at low tide
Lunch (the butter garlic crab at Chand has earned its reputation), then cycle to Laxmanpur Beach 2 for the Natural Bridge. Aim for low tide so you can walk the exposed coral shelf right up to the arch.
- 3
Day 1 evening — Laxmanpur sunset
Claim a spot on Laxmanpur Beach 1 half an hour before sunset and let the sky do the work. Dinner at your hotel or near the market.
- 4
Day 2 morning — Sitapur sunrise, optional dive
Up at 5:30 for sunrise on Sitapur's rocky eastern shore and its tide pools. After breakfast, an optional beginner dive at Neil's quiet sites — less crowded than Havelock's.
- 5
Day 2 afternoon — beach time & loose ends
More water sports at Bharatpur, the beaches you missed, or nothing at all — Neil rewards idleness. The small market covers souvenirs.
- 6
Day 2 evening — depart
Afternoon ferries head back to Port Blair or on to Havelock, typically between 2 and 4 PM. Reach the jetty 30 minutes early. If Port Blair is next, the Cellular Jail evening show rounds off the day well.
Neil Island questions we get asked
How many days do you need for Neil Island?
One to two days. A single full day covers all four beaches, the Natural Bridge and a water activity; two days adds diving and a far more relaxed pace. Day trips from Havelock work, but staying a night buys you both the Laxmanpur sunset and the Sitapur sunrise — the island's two best hours.
Is Neil Island worth visiting?
Yes — it's the quieter, slower counterpart to Havelock. The Natural Bridge is unique in the Andamans, the Laxmanpur sunsets are genuinely special, and Bharatpur's snorkelling is easy and good. It suits couples and anyone after peace; its size means you see everything without rushing.
How do you reach Neil Island from Havelock?
By direct ferry: the government boat takes about an hour (roughly ₹300–400) and private ferries like Makruzz and Nautika about 45 minutes (roughly ₹700–1,000), usually departing in the afternoon. Book ahead in the October–May season — boats fill up.
What is the Natural Bridge on Neil Island?
A natural rock arch at Laxmanpur Beach 2, formed by wave erosion working on coral rock over centuries. Visit at low tide to walk up close across the exposed coral shelf. It's one of the most photographed spots in the Andamans.
Is Neil Island safe?
Very — a small, peaceful island with a friendly community and next to no crime. Solo travellers, women and families are comfortable here. The real constraint is medical: facilities are basic, so carry your prescriptions; the nearest hospital is in Port Blair.
What water sports are available on Neil Island?
Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat, banana boat, jet ski and scuba diving, mostly from Bharatpur Beach near the jetty. Everything depends on weather and sea state — October to May has the calmest water. We quote current activity prices on WhatsApp rather than publish stale ones.
Is there an ATM and mobile network on Neil Island?
There's one SBI ATM near the market and it's often out of cash — carry what you need from Port Blair. BSNL and Jio have coverage; internet is slow and hotel WiFi is basic, so don't plan to work from here.
How this page stays true
Ported from our long-running Neil Island guide and re-checked 7 July 2026. Ferry times are from the May 2026 timetable and shift with the season — check live schedules on BookYourFerry.com. Hotel, restaurant and activity prices are indicative ranges; we confirm current numbers when we build your plan.
Give Neil a night, not a rush.
Tell us your dates and we'll time the ferries, the low tide at the Natural Bridge and the Laxmanpur sunset — the three things day-trippers usually miss.