Secret Beaches in Andaman You Should Visit in 2026

Beyond the postcard shots — where the real shoreline begins

Andaman's famous beaches need no introduction. Radhanagar has been called one of Asia's best. Elephant Beach draws snorkellers by the boatload. Neil Island's Bharatpur is on every itinerary. But for every beach that appears on a travel poster, there are a dozen more that don't — unmarked on most maps, reachable only by a forest trail or a local fisherman's boat, and utterly, gloriously empty. These are the beaches that make seasoned Andaman travellers go quiet when you ask them about their favourite spot. This is where the real archipelago reveals itself.

1. Neil's Cove — Havelock's Best-Kept Secret

Most visitors to Havelock follow the same well-worn path to Radhanagar Beach, take their photographs, and leave. What almost none of them know is that a ten to fifteen-minute walk along the coastline to the northwest leads to an entirely different world. Neil's Cove is a horseshoe-shaped lagoon of extraordinary beauty — sheltered, intimate, and framed by coral reefs and dense green vegetation on all sides. The water inside is a shade of teal that seems almost artificially vivid until you realise that no filter could do this justice.

Unlike the open sweep of Radhanagar, the cove wraps around you. The sound of the open sea diminishes. The light catches the water differently. There are no operators, no crowds, and no facilities — just the rock formations, the sand, and the kind of quiet that Havelock's busier spots no longer offer. It is one of the most photogenic spots on the island, and one of its most genuinely peaceful.

A word of caution: saltwater crocodiles have been spotted in and around the cove's inlets. Swimming is strictly prohibited at dawn and dusk, and warning signs must be heeded. Visit for the beauty, the sunset, the photography — not for a swim.

How to reach: Walk northwest along the shoreline from Radhanagar Beach — approximately 10–15 minutes. Alternatively, follow the jungle trail through the Mohwa forest from the right side of the beach. Best visited in the late afternoon for sunset.

2. Sitapur Beach — Neil Island's Sunrise Secret

Neil Island is small, slow, and wonderfully unhurried — but even here, most visitors gravitate to Bharatpur and Laxmanpur. Sitapur Beach, at the island's eastern tip, is where those in the know go for sunrise. The beach faces directly east, the horizon is unobstructed, and the natural rock formations at the water's edge create a foreground that photographers dream about.

Outside of the sunrise crowd — which is modest at best — Sitapur is deserted. The water is calm enough for swimming in season, the sand is fine and white, and the walk along the shore to the rocky headland at the far end reveals tide pools full of life. There is no better way to start a morning in Andaman.

How to reach: Bicycle or auto-rickshaw from Neil Island jetty, approximately 15 minutes. Arrive before 5:30 AM for the best light.

3. Lalaji Bay Beach — Long Island's Hidden Paradise

Getting to Long Island already puts you ahead of most tourists. Getting from Long Island to Lalaji Bay Beach puts you in a category of traveller entirely your own. Located on the western coast of Long Island, Lalaji Bay is reachable either by a private chartered fibre boat from the jetty — a 30 to 40-minute ride through open sea and mangrove creeks that is scenic in its own right — or by a 1.5-hour jungle trek through dense forest from near the eco-huts.

The beach that awaits is exceptional. A wide, gently curving stretch of soft white sand slopes into calm, crystal-clear water fringed by coconut palms. There are no vendors, no crowds, and no noise beyond the natural kind. A forest rest house at the bay offers basic accommodation for those who want to stay overnight — one of the most immersive ways to experience Andaman's quieter side. Dolphins are occasionally spotted from the shore, and the sunsets here, with Guitar Island silhouetted on the horizon, are genuinely magnificent.

How to reach: Ferry to Long Island from Yerrata or Rangat, then either a private boat charter (30–40 mins) or a jungle trek (approx. 1.5 hrs) to the beach. Carry all food and water. A forest rest house is available on-site.

4. Mark Bay — Long Island's Untouched Crescent

Long Island gives twice. Beyond Lalaji Bay, on the far side of the island, lies Mark Bay — a crescent of soft white sand framed by jungle on three sides and an impossibly blue lagoon on the fourth. While Lalaji Bay is accessible by boat, Mark Bay demands a 45-minute forest trek from the main village, and that walk — dappled light filtering through the canopy, birdsong, the smell of salt growing stronger — is as much a part of the experience as the beach itself.

There is no road, no shortcut, and no crowd on the other side. The beach is yours alone. Snorkelling in the lagoon is rewarding and safe, dolphins are occasionally spotted offshore, and the sense of having genuinely earned this view makes every step of the trek worthwhile. Bring enough water, food, and time.

How to reach: Ferry to Long Island from Yerrata or Rangat, then a boat ride from Long Island jetty (approx. 1 hour) to North Passage Island. A Forest Department permit is required. Carry all supplies — there are no facilities on the island.

5. Butler Bay — Little Andaman's Empty Horizon

The four-hour ferry ride south from Port Blair to Little Andaman filters out most casual tourist traffic, which means Butler Bay exists in a state of tranquillity that the more famous beaches can only dream of. Stretching for kilometres without a single development in sight, this is a beach that gives you the full, unedited version of what Andaman's shoreline can be — vast, open, unhurried, and entirely on its own terms.

The surf here is consistent, attracting a small and devoted community of surfers who have quietly made this corner of the island their own. Non-surfers simply walk, swim, and sit. The sunsets at Butler Bay — vast open sky, no obstructions, the sea turning copper and then deep violet as the light fades — are among the finest in the entire archipelago. There are no resorts, no noise, and no agenda. Just the ocean, the sky, and as much time as you choose to give it.

How to reach: Ferry from Port Blair to Little Andaman (approx. 4 hours), then a short auto-ride to Butler Bay. Plan a minimum of two nights on the island to make the journey worthwhile.

6. Bada Balu Beach — The Local Escape Near Port Blair

Just 25 kilometres from Port Blair, tucked within the lush folds of the Chidiya Tapu area, Bada Balu Beach is the kind of place that doesn't appear on tour operator brochures — and that is precisely what makes it worth seeking out. While day-trippers head to Corbyn's Cove and package tourists tick off the usual Port Blair checklist, this long, quiet stretch of grayish sand and shallow turquoise water sits largely undisturbed.

The beach has a character all its own. Unlike the blinding white sands of Havelock or Neil, Bada Balu's shoreline is wilder and more textural — fallen trees, forest fringe, driftwood, and the sound of birds rather than boat engines. The water is shallow and calm close to shore, making it perfectly suited for paddling and leisurely wading. Facilities here are minimal — there are no shacks, no rentals, no vendors. Carry your own water, food, and everything you need for the day.

Bada Balu pairs beautifully with a broader Chidiya Tapu day — combine it with the Chota Balu Beach hike, the Munda Pahad trek, or a sunset stop at Chidiya Tapu itself for one of the finest full days you can spend on South Andaman without boarding a single ferry.

How to reach: Hire a taxi from Port Blair — approximately 45 minutes, around ₹1,000–₹1,500 one way. Buses to Chidiyatapu are also available from the main bus station. Best visited in the late afternoon.

Before You Go — A Few Things to Know

Respect the wildlife warnings. Neil's Cove is beautiful but carries a genuine crocodile risk in its inlets. Follow all warning signs and never swim at dawn or dusk.

Permits matter. Some beaches on outer or tribal-reserve-adjacent islands require permits. Always check with the District Administration or your accommodation before venturing to remote locations.

Go early. Almost every beach on this list transforms at dawn. The light is better, the wildlife is more active, and any other visitors are rare. Set the alarm.

Leave nothing behind. The reason these beaches remain pristine is partly that fewer people visit — and partly because those who do treat them with respect. Pack out everything you bring in.

Travel slowly. Long Island, Little Andaman, and the outer islands reward travellers who stay for multiple nights. The best moments here are always the unplanned ones.

Andaman's secret beaches are not hidden because they are hard to find. They are hidden because most people don't bother to look. In 2026, be the traveller who does.