Travel guide · Port Blair · last checked 7 July 2026
Port Blair travel guide: attractions, food, stays & a 2-day plan
Port Blair — officially renamed Sri Vijaya Puram — is the capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the gateway every trip passes through. Most itineraries give it two nights, and that's about right: enough for Cellular Jail and the Light & Sound Show, the Ross–North Bay boat day, the museums and a proper seafood dinner, before the ferry to Havelock. Here's how we'd spend that time.
Top tourist places in Port Blair
From colonial-era monuments to the water-sports islands offshore, these are the places to visit in Port Blair that fill its two days — with an honest line on what each is.
Cellular Jail
Must visitIndia's most historic colonial prison, now a national memorial. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the wings, galleries and the history of the freedom fighters imprisoned here — and stay for the evening Light & Sound Show. Tickets are inexpensive and sold on the day; we confirm current show timings when we plan your evening.
Ross Island
Half-day tripThe former British capital of the Andamans — atmospheric colonial ruins, an old church and the commissioner's house slowly being reclaimed by banyan roots, with resident deer wandering the grounds. A short boat hop from Port Blair, usually paired with North Bay as one half-day.
North Bay Island
Water sportsThe snorkelling and sea-walking hub closest to Port Blair, with a shallow reef that starts near the beach. Half-day boat trips leave from the Water Sports Complex; combo outings bundle the glass-bottom boat and water activities.
Corbyn's Cove Beach
BeachPort Blair's most accessible beach, about 7 km from the centre — a crescent of sand backed by coconut palms with swimming, jet skiing and beachside restaurants. An easy auto-rickshaw ride from Aberdeen; good for an evening visit.
Anthropological Museum
MuseumThe place to understand the islands' indigenous communities — the Jarawa, Sentinelese, Onge and Great Andamanese — through rare photographs, tools and artefacts. Closed on Mondays; allow 1–1.5 hours.
Samudrika Naval Marine Museum
Family friendlyA navy-run museum with marine specimens, tribal artefacts, shells and a detailed coral collection — a good primer on the Andaman Sea's ecosystem before you get in the water. Works well for families.
Flag Point & the waterfront
FreeThe Jai Hind memorial on the Marina Park waterfront, commemorating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose raising the tricolour here in December 1943 — the first Indian soil to see it. An easy sea-breeze stop with Ross Island on the horizon; free, and best around sunset.
Joggers Park
FreeA quiet landscaped park of lawns, flowerbeds, shaded arbours and walking loops — where Port Blair itself comes for the evening walk. Nothing to tick off, which is the appeal: an unhurried hour between the bigger sights, easy with children and older travellers.
Day trips from Port Blair
Port Blair is the launchpad for snorkelling islands, limestone caves and mangrove creeks — all doable without changing hotels.
The most popular day trip from Port Blair: a shared boat covers both islands — snorkelling, sea walking and the glass-bottom boat at North Bay, then the colonial ruins at Ross. A comfortable half-day, back by early afternoon.
A full-day adventure through mangrove creeks to the limestone caves and mud volcanoes, travelling in the escorted convoy through the Jarawa reserve — which means a pre-dawn start from Port Blair. Roughly ₹2,000–3,000 per person all-in as an indicative range; we confirm current convoy timings and costs when we plan it.
Chidiya Tapu (sunset point)
About 25 km from Port Blair, the islands' best-known sunset viewpoint, with nature trails, mangrove boardwalks and the Munda Pahad park nearby. Free to visit — hire a cab or scooter and aim to arrive by 4 PM.
Wandoor & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Around 30 km out, Wandoor offers glass-bottom boat rides over protected reefs — sea turtles, reef fish and coral formations without getting wet. Best in the morning, when the water is calmest and visibility is best.
Where to stay in Port Blair
Most hotels cluster around Aberdeen Bazaar, Haddo and Marine Hill. Rates below are indicative — they move with the season, and we confirm live prices when we build your quote.
Budget
₹800–2,000/night
Guesthouses and simple hotels around Aberdeen Bazaar — central, walkable to markets and restaurants, basic but clean. Best for backpackers and cost-conscious trips.
Most picked
Mid-range
₹2,000–5,000/night
Better amenities, some sea views, AC and in-house restaurants — the Haddo/Delanipur area is a good base. The balance most of our guests pick.
Premium
₹5,000–15,000/night
Resorts around Marine Hill with pools, multi-cuisine restaurants and panoramic views. The pick for honeymooners and anyone front-loading comfort.
Practical tip: stay a night or two in Port Blair before Havelock, and if you have an early ferry, book near Phoenix Bay Jetty. Aberdeen is the most convenient base for markets, restaurants and the jetty.
Local food & restaurants
Port Blair's food runs from fresh-catch seafood to bustling street stalls — South Indian, Bengali and coastal influences over whatever the boats brought in that morning. For the island-wide picture, see our Andaman food guide.
New Lighthouse Restaurant
₹400–700 per headSeafood near the harbour — grilled lobster, butter garlic prawns and a fish curry made with local spices. A favourite with tourists and locals alike.
Annapurna Cafeteria
₹100–200 per headPopular vegetarian spot for South Indian breakfasts — crisp dosas, idlis and generous thalis. The budget-friendly staple.
Amaya Restaurant
₹500–800 per headRooftop dining with sea views that earn their keep at sunset. Indian, Chinese and Continental; you pay a little more for the setting.
Icy Spicy
₹200–400 per headFamily restaurant with a wide menu and generous portions — an easy pick for groups and children.
Aberdeen Bazaar street food
₹50–150 per headThe main market comes alive in the evening — momos, chaat, pani puri, fresh juice. The most local way to eat in Port Blair.
Must-try dishes
Getting around Port Blair
The city is compact — Aberdeen Bazaar, Cellular Jail and Phoenix Bay Jetty sit close together. Cheapest to most comfortable:
Auto-rickshaw
City hops ₹50–200The everyday way around town. Meters are rarely used — agree the fare before you get in. Available at most tourist spots round the clock.
Rental scooter
≈ ₹400–600/dayThe independent option, rented near Aberdeen Bazaar. Fuel up near the Clock Tower; carry your licence.
Local bus
A few rupees a rideThe cheapest option — routes cover Corbyn's Cove, Wandoor and Chidiya Tapu. Slow and crowded at peak hours, but perfectly safe.
Private car with driver
≈ ₹1,500–2,500/dayThe comfortable pick for Wandoor, Chidiya Tapu and Baratang days — and the driver doubles as a local guide. This is what our packages use.
Walking
FreeAberdeen Bazaar, Cellular Jail and Phoenix Bay Jetty are all walkable from central hotels. Carry water and sun protection.
A 2-day Port Blair plan
Two days covers the highlights without rushing — history, one boat day, beach time and good food. For the full-trip version see our Andaman itinerary.
- 1
Day 1 morning — arrive & the museums
Land at Veer Savarkar International Airport and check in around Aberdeen. Start with the Anthropological Museum for the islands' indigenous history, then the Samudrika Marine Museum for the reef primer. They sit close together — 2–3 unhurried hours covers both.
- 2
Day 1 afternoon — Cellular Jail & the Light Show
A seafood lunch near the harbour, then Cellular Jail — the wings, the galleries and the central tower. Stay on for the evening Light & Sound Show; it is the single most affecting hour in Port Blair and worth planning the day around.
- 3
Day 1 evening — Aberdeen Bazaar
Dinner near the bazaar or graze the street food. The market lanes are good for shell jewellery and coconut-craft souvenirs.
- 4
Day 2 morning — Ross Island & North Bay
An early boat from the jetty covers both: snorkelling or a sea walk over North Bay's shallow reef, then the banyan-wrapped colonial ruins on Ross. Back in town by early afternoon.
- 5
Day 2 afternoon — Corbyn's Cove
A relaxed afternoon on the closest proper beach — swim, jet-ski or just take the shade and a fresh coconut. Beachside restaurants cover lunch.
- 6
Day 2 evening — Chidiya Tapu sunset, or an easy last evening
If the legs are willing, drive out to Chidiya Tapu for the islands' best-known sunset. Otherwise, a farewell dinner and an early night — most travellers catch a morning ferry to Havelock next.
Port Blair questions we get asked
What are the must-visit places in Port Blair?
Cellular Jail with the Light & Sound Show, the Ross Island & North Bay boat combo, Corbyn's Cove Beach, the Anthropological Museum and a Chidiya Tapu sunset. Two to three days covers all of it comfortably; on a short visit, prioritise Cellular Jail and the Ross–North Bay half-day.
What's the best sunset spot in Port Blair?
Chidiya Tapu, about 25 km from Port Blair, is the islands' best-known sunset viewpoint, with nature trails and mangrove boardwalks — hire a cab or scooter and aim to arrive by 4 PM. Closer to town, Flag Point on the Marina Park waterfront is a free, easy alternative, best around sunset with Ross Island on the horizon.
How do you reach Port Blair?
Direct flights connect Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai — roughly 2–3 hours depending on the city. There are no trains or roads from the mainland; ships from Kolkata and Chennai take 3–4 days and run irregularly, so almost everyone flies.
Is 2 days enough for Port Blair?
Yes — day one for Cellular Jail and the museums, day two for Ross Island and North Bay. Add a third day if you want Baratang or Wandoor. Most travellers spend two nights here before moving on to Havelock.
What is Port Blair famous for?
Cellular Jail and the Kala Pani chapter of India's freedom struggle, the nearby snorkelling islands, fresh seafood, and its role as the gateway and administrative capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It was officially renamed Sri Vijaya Puram, though nearly everyone still says Port Blair.
Is Port Blair expensive?
Moderate by Indian tourist-town standards. Budget travellers manage on roughly ₹1,500–2,500 a day, mid-range on ₹3,000–5,000. Meals at local restaurants run about ₹100–300. Ferries and water activities are the main costs beyond the room.
What is the best time to visit Port Blair?
October to May, with December–February the most pleasant (around 25–30°C). The monsoon months of June–September bring heavy rain but lower prices and thin crowds — and Cellular Jail and the museums stay open year-round.
Is Port Blair safe for tourists?
Very. It has a strong police presence and a low crime rate; solo travellers, families and elderly visitors get around comfortably. Standard precautions apply — keep valuables secure and use reputable transport.
How this page stays true
Ported from our long-running Port Blair guide and re-checked 7 July 2026. Hotel and restaurant prices are indicative ranges, not promises — they move with the season, so we confirm live numbers when we build your plan. Exact ticket fees and convoy timings change often enough that we'd rather tell you the current ones on WhatsApp than publish stale ones here.
Plan your Port Blair days properly.
Tell us your dates and we'll slot Cellular Jail, the boat day and the sunset drive around your ferry times — with a private cab and a driver who knows the town.