Located 30 km southwards of the Andaman Islands, Neil Island is a tiny gem. It has several allures and thus is known as one of the best Islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Some of such attractions in Neil Island are impressive bio-diversity, unexplored coral reefs, lush tropical forests and clean white sandy beaches. Known as the ‘Vegetable Bowl’ of Andamans, it has some wonderful beaches, ideal for leisure as well as adventure. It can be called a less-commercialized version of Havelock Island. Ramnagar, Sitapur, Laxmanpur, and Bharatpur are some of the popular beaches here, named after characters of the great Hindu epic, Ramayana. This is a tiny island and can be covered by walking around for around two hours.
Activities at Neil Island
Visitors to the island have a lot of things to do at Neil Island. In the same manner as Havelock, the beaches here are numbered too. Between number 1 to 5, beach number 1 is known to be the most beautiful and offering snorkeling opportunities. One can also visit the splendid sunset point. A natural bridge rock formation adorns the beach no.2 but can only be seen during low tides. Beach no.5 is known for its captivating sunrises as it faces eastwards. Rocks and corals make swimming during low-tide, a difficult activity. Following are the activities here:
Scuba Diving – Andamans are known for owning one of the world’s richest coral reef ecosystem. The abundant marine life at Neil Island are still unexplored. The underwater marine life and coral reefs is found in different diving sites here. Laxmanpur beach I and Jetty area are popular dive spots. Diving can be done between December and May.
Snorkeling- Neil Island is one of the best places in Andaman for snorkeling and swimming. Sitapur beach is an ideal option for the same. Snorkeling can be done here in the shallow areas of the coral reef sans any equipment.
Cycling – Cycling is one of the best things to do in Neil Island. The tiny island has a flat terrain and thus can easily be covered on a cycle. Explore the village area and interact with the locals.
Water Sports – Water sports at Neil Island includes glass bottom boat ride for coral viewing, scuba diving, and Jet-Ski rides etc.
Game Fishing – Fishing can also be done here. In Ritchie’s archipelago, it offers the best of catches.
Other attractions – Neil Kendra, Lakshmanpur Beach – I & II, Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach, Natural Rock Formation, Sir Hugh Rose Island
How to reach
Two government ferries are available to Neil Island from the Phoenix Bay Jetty in Port Blair on a daily basis. Once a day, private Makruzz catamaran also goes from Port Blair and Havelock Island. Thrice a week, a ferry boat goes to Port Blair from Long Island, making stops at Havelock and Neil. It is best to check the schedules and rates before booking a ticket. In peak season, make the bookings well in advance. If you want to book a government ferry, advance booking is possible only four days prior. Foreign tourists, require copes of Visa, passport and permit for booking the ticket.
Andaman and Nicobar Tour Packages
Cities of Andaman and Nicobar
Things To Do in Andaman and Nicobar
- Andaman and Nicobar Tour Packages
- Andaman and Nicobar Tourism
- Best Time to Visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- How to Reach Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Fairs and Festivals in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Cities in Andaman and Nicobar Island
- Getting Around in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- History of Andaman Island
- Cinque Island Tourism
- Island Tourism Festival
- Diglipur Tourism
- Havelock Island Tourism
- Little Andaman Tourism
- Long Island Tourism
- Mayabunder Tourism
- Port Blair Tourism
- Ross Island Tourism
- Places to Visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Banana Boat Ride in Andaman Island
- Bird Watching in Andaman
- Glass Bottom Boating
- Jet Skiing in Andaman
- Scuba Diving in Andaman
- Sea Kart in Andaman
- Sea Walk in Andaman Island
- Trekking in Andaman
- Water Sports in Andaman
- Ayurveda Holistic Healing Center
- Aamkunj Beach, Rangat
- Chidiya Tapu Beach in Port Blair
- Corbyns Cove Beach
- Elephant Beach in Havelock Island
- Kalapathar Beach, Havelock Island
- Lalaji Bay Beach
- Radhanagar Beach
- Ross and Smith Island
- Sitapur Beach Neil Island
- Vijaynagar Beach, Havelock Island
- Wandoor Beach in Port Blair
- Jolly Buoy Island
- Neil Island
- North Bay Island
- Viper Island
- Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
- Mangrove Creek Safari in Andaman
- Bharatpur Beach Neil Islands
- Cellular Jail, Andaman Islands
- Chatham Saw Mill
- Laxmanpur Beach, Neil Island
- Viper Chain Gang Jail
- Anthropological Museum
- Fisheries Museum
- Forest Museum
- National Memorial Museum
- Samudrika Naval Marine Museum
- Zoological Survey Museum
- Parasailing in Andaman
- Tourist Attractions in Cinque Island
- Tourist Attractions in Diglipur
- Limestone Caves Diglipur
- Saddle Peak
- Tourist Attractions in Havelock
- Tourist Attractions in Little Andaman
- Tourist Attractions in Mayabunder
- Tourist Attractions in Neil Island
- Tourist Attractions in Port Blair
- Chidiya Tapu
- Mount Harriet National Park
- Tourist Attractions in Ross Island