Flying home to India over the December–January break? A few days in the Andamans turns the family visit into a proper holiday as well.
At a glance: how does an Andaman Islands holiday from New Zealand work?
Plan a 4 to 6 day add-on to your India trip. Fly Auckland to India, then take a domestic flight to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) from Chennai (about 2 to 2.5 hours), Kolkata (about 2 hours), Bengaluru (about 2.5 hours) or Delhi (about 4 hours). December and January sit inside the dry season, roughly October to May. Most foreign passport holders, including New Zealanders, currently need no permit for the main tourist islands. Book flights and ferries early; Christmas to New Year is the islands’ busiest fortnight.
Why the Andamans suit a Kiwi summer break
The New Zealand summer holidays start no later than Saturday 19 December 2026 and run until Term 1 begins between 28 January and 3 February 2027. That is six weeks. Most of our families spend it with parents and grandparents in India. A short beach break in the middle gives the kids a holiday of their own, and you a few quiet days.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a Union Territory of India, so there is no extra international flight, no new visa and no new currency. What you get is clear water, white sand and warm, mostly dry weather.
One thing to know before you search. In 2024 the Indian Government renamed Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram. Havelock Island became Swaraj Dweep and Neil Island became Shaheed Dweep in 2018, and Ross Island is now Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. Locals and booking sites still use the old names, so we use both here.
Getting there: domestic flights to Sri Vijaya Puram
All flights land at Veer Savarkar International Airport (airport code IXZ) in Sri Vijaya Puram. Flight times below are approximate, from airline and schedule sites checked on 2 October 2026.
Fly from | Approx. flight time | Good to know |
Chennai | About 2 to 2.5 hours | The natural choice for Tamil families. Direct flights most days. |
Kolkata | About 2 hours | The shortest hop. Good if family is in the east. |
Bengaluru | About 2.5 hours | Direct flights available. Handy if you fly Auckland to Bengaluru. |
Delhi | About 3.5 to 4 hours | Direct flights available. Longer, so choose a morning departure. |
If you are starting in Tamil Nadu, explore flights Auckland to Chennai first, then add the Chennai to Sri Vijaya Puram hop. We can put the domestic sectors on the same booking as your international flights.
Island hopping: ferries and the three main islands
Sri Vijaya Puram is the arrival point and has the history. The beaches people fly for are on Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) and Shaheed Dweep (Neil), both reached by ferry.
Private fast ferries such as Makruzz run several times a day between Sri Vijaya Puram and Swaraj Dweep. The crossing takes about 90 minutes. They are the easiest option with children and grandparents.
Government ferries are cheaper but slower, and seats are harder to secure from overseas.
Swaraj Dweep to Shaheed Dweep is a shorter crossing, so a two-island trip is very doable in five days.
Book ferries in advance for late December and early January. Sailings can be delayed or cancelled when the sea is rough, even in the dry season, so never put a ferry on the same day as your flight back to the mainland.
A sample 5-day Andaman itinerary for families
This is the shape most of our families use. It can stretch to six or seven days with a slower pace.
Day | Where | Plan |
1 | Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) | Fly in from the mainland. Visit the Cellular Jail and stay for the evening light and sound show. |
2 | Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) | Morning ferry across. Settle in, then an afternoon at Radhanagar Beach for the famous sunset. |
3 | Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) | Elephant Beach for snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride. Quiet afternoon at Kalapathar Beach. |
4 | Shaheed Dweep (Neil) | Short ferry hop. Bharatpur Beach for calm, shallow water with the kids. Natural rock bridge at low tide. Sunset at Laxmanpur Beach. |
5 | Back to Sri Vijaya Puram | Morning ferry to the capital. Afternoon flight to Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Delhi. Keep a spare day before any international flight. |
Permits, documents and money
Permits. Foreign visitors once needed a Restricted Area Permit. That has been relaxed. At the time of writing, the Andaman and Nicobar administration says most foreign passport holders need no permit for the main tourist islands, including Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep. You show your passport and Indian visa at the immigration counter when you land. A small number of nationalities still need prior approval, and rules can change, so check the official Andaman tourism site before you travel.
Indian visa. New Zealand passport holders need an Indian visa or OCI card for the whole trip, including the islands.
Travel advice. Read the New Zealand Government’s travel advice for India at safetravel.govt.nz before you go, and register your trip.
Money. Carry enough cash. ATMs are limited on the smaller islands and card machines fail when the connection drops.
6 tips for families visiting the Andamans
1. Book the Christmas to New Year weeks early
Domestic flights and the better ferries fill fast between 20 December and 5 January, because Indian families holiday then too. Book the island leg with your international flights.
2. Keep a buffer day
Leave at least one clear day between your last ferry and your flight out of India. Weather delays are the most common problem we see.
3. Take the sun seriously
The sun is strong all day. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, rash shirts and hats for the children, and plan beach time for the morning and late afternoon.
4. Water safety first
Swim only where locals and lifeguards say it is safe, and stay inside flagged areas where they exist. Insist on life jackets on every boat, including the short glass-bottom rides. Keep young children within arm’s reach, as you would at home.
5. Expect patchy connectivity
Mobile data and wifi are slow or absent on the smaller islands. Download your tickets, maps and booking confirmations before you leave the mainland.
6. Pack for island life
Light cotton clothing, swimwear and rash shirts, water shoes for rocky beaches, a waterproof phone pouch, motion sickness tablets for the ferries, a basic first aid kit, insect repellent and a power bank.
Why book your India and Andaman trip with Mann Travel?
Mann Travel is based in Papatoetoe, South Auckland, and specialises in flights from New Zealand to India. We can build the whole journey on one booking: Auckland to India, the domestic flights to Sri Vijaya Puram and back, and hotels if you want them. Today’s homepage shows Auckland to Delhi and Auckland to Mumbai from NZD 920 per person, and Auckland to Bengaluru from NZD 992 per person, checked 2 October 2026, prices change daily. Our Hindi, Punjabi and English speaking team is available 24/7, we offer flexible payment options such as PayLite and Afterpay, and verified students and teachers can save $25 on selected return flights with MannPass.
Let’s take you home, and to the beach.
Search live fares at manntravel.co.nz/flights or call our Auckland team on 09 973 1940. Want us to plan the Andaman leg? Contact us with your dates.
frequently asked questions
Do New Zealanders need a permit for the Andaman Islands?
At the time of writing, no. Most foreign passport holders are exempt from the Restricted Area Permit for the main tourist islands and simply show their passport and Indian visa on arrival. Check the official Andaman tourism site before you travel, as rules can change.
How do I get to the Andaman Islands from New Zealand?
Fly Auckland to an Indian city such as Chennai, Bengaluru or Delhi, then take a domestic flight to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). From Chennai the flight is about 2 to 2.5 hours.
When is the best time to visit the Andamans?
Roughly October to May, the dry season. The December–January New Zealand summer holidays fall inside it. June to September is monsoon, with rough seas and ferry cancellations.
How many days do I need in the Andamans?
Five days covers Sri Vijaya Puram plus Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep at a family pace. Add a buffer day before your international flight.
Are the Andaman Islands good for children?
Yes, with care. Calm, shallow beaches such as Bharatpur on Shaheed Dweep suit young children. Watch the sun, use life jackets on boats and swim only where it is safe.
Fares, flight times and entry rules change. Figures above were checked on 2 October 2026. Always confirm live prices, ferry schedules and current permit rules before booking.
