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7 Things to Do on Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), Andaman Islands
Smaller and quieter than Havelock, Neil Island, officially renamed Shaheed Dweep, packs coral-fringed beaches, a natural rock bridge and easy cycling distances into a compact stretch of the Andamans.
Sep 27, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Neil Island, renamed Shaheed Dweep in 2018 along with several other Andaman islands, sits a short ferry ride from Port Blair and from the more developed Havelock Island, and has kept a slower, more agricultural character than its neighbour, with vegetable farms alongside its beaches and a single small market town. Here are seven ways to spend time there.
1. Walk out to the natural coral bridge at Bharatpur
At low tide, a natural rock and coral formation known locally as the natural bridge becomes accessible on foot near Laxmanpur, one of the island's more photographed sights and a reminder of how much of the coastline here is shaped by coral rather than sand alone.
2. Watch the sunset at Laxmanpur Beach
Laxmanpur is generally reckoned the island's best sunset spot, a long stretch of pale sand facing west across open water, quieter in the evenings than Havelock's more built-up beaches.
3. Snorkel off Bharatpur Beach
Bharatpur's shallow, relatively calm water and nearby reef make it one of the more accessible snorkelling spots in the Andamans for beginners, with glass-bottom boat operators running short trips out over the coral from the beach.
4. Cycle the island's back lanes
Neil Island is small and flat enough to cover largely by bicycle or scooter, with quiet lanes running past betel nut and banana plantations between the main beaches, a different pace from the taxi-dependent circuits on larger islands.
5. Eat fresh seafood at the Neil Kendra market
The island's small main settlement holds a cluster of simple seafood shacks serving the day's catch, generally considered better value and freshness than equivalent spots on more touristed Havelock.
6. Spot birdlife at Sitapur's rocky coastline
The island's eastern edge around Sitapur trades sand for rock pools and a rougher coastline, a good spot for early morning birdwatching away from the swimming beaches.
7. Take the ferry crossing itself as part of the trip
Government and private ferries connect Neil Island to Port Blair and Havelock; the roughly hour-long crossing between the islands runs past open turquoise water and is, on a clear day, worth treating as a scenic leg of the journey rather than a logistical one.
Traveller tips
- Neil Island has no airport; access is by government or private ferry from Port Blair, generally via Havelock Island.
- Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit for the Andamans, typically issued on arrival at Port Blair airport or by immigration; Indian citizens need no special permit.
- Power supply and mobile network coverage are less reliable than on Havelock; plan accordingly for connectivity.
- Coral around Bharatpur is fragile; reef-safe sunscreen and care not to stand on live coral are worth keeping in mind while snorkelling.
Where this is
Neil Island, Andaman Islands