Andaman

Neil Island lies at a distance of 40 kilometres from the capital city, Port Blair. On account of its location, Neil island is aloof from other islands via roads, and the only way to reach here is via sea route. The journey from Port Blair to Neil island takes about 2 hours. Travellers can choose between government/private ferries that run daily shifts.

• Government Ferries - Government ferries are readily available to commute from Port Blair to Neil. Although they are more economical, locals get preference during bookings. The journey takes about 2 hours, and two boats make a round trip from the Phoenix Bay Jetty to Neil Island every day at 06:30 and 11:00 respectively.
• Private Ferries/Cruises- Since government ferries are mostly opted by islanders, an easygoing commute to Neil Island is via cruise/private ferries. Cruises also traverse from Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) to reach Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep).
• Helicopter - A government-run helicopter service called Pawan Hans is operational currently that flies roundtrip from Port Blair to Neil Island. To provide a faster and safer inter-island travel, it is now usually reserved for officials and medical emergencies.

What's noteworthy -

1. Do not leave ferry bookings for the last moment.
2. The timings are subject to change/cancellation due to weather conditions.
3. Tickets for government ferries are available at the counters while one can book tickets for cruises/private cruises online.
4. Some of the prominent cruise operators are Sea Link Cruise, Makruzz, Green Ocean Cruise and ITT Majestic.

Getting Around

Getting around Neil Island, to say the least is delightful. The island is about 7 km from one corner to another. The roads are well built and pretty easy to steer. When unsure of yourself, feel free to ask for directions to friendly locals. When in Neil Island, one can avail a few options for inbound transfers. Walking, however, is the best way to go about discovering the beauty of this quaint island.

• Cabs: One of the most convenient and comfortable means to travel within Neil Island, chauffeured cars are readily available for hire. Best suited for families and group travellers, cabs give you the freedom to take your time and explore the sight at your own pace.
• Two Wheelers: What can make the experience of a quaint island even better? Traversing its streets on a moped/cycle/bike sounds pretty close. While bicycles are budget and eco-friendly, the roads are scooter and bike-friendly. One can find vendors for the same near the jetty and throughout the island.
• Auto-rickshaws: Readily available, tuk-tuks or auto-rickshaws are another means to travel within the island. One can hail them at the jetty and marketplace.
• Buses: There is one government bus on the island. The route commences from the main bazaar and goes till Sitapur Beach. While one can choose to travel via bus, it primarily runs for the locals.

What's Noteworthy -

1. A valid license is a prerequisite to rent a vehicle.
2. Rickshaws are apt for short trips as the driver charges additional money for waiting time.