Explore Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)

Shaheed Dweep, still widely known as Neil Island, is the quietest of the three main tourist islands and small enough to cover by scooter in a day. Private ferries reach it from Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) in 45 minutes to 1 hour, and Makruzz and Nautika also run direct sailings from Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) in about 2 hours.

What to see on Neil

Bharatpur Beach, right beside the jetty, is a shallow lagoon used for glass-bottom boat rides and jet ski. Laxmanpur is the sunset beach, and at low tide you can walk across the exposed reef at Laxmanpur Beach 2 to the rock arch known as the Natural Bridge or Howrah Bridge, about 2.5 km from the jetty. Check the tide table and wear reef shoes, because the arch is only reachable when the tide is out. Sitapur, at the eastern end, is the sunrise beach.

Havelock or Neil

Havelock has more beaches, dive centres, cafes and hotels. Neil is smaller, quieter and easier to cover in a short stay. Most first-time itineraries include both, with two nights on Havelock and one on Neil.

How to get to Neil

Private ferries sail Havelock to Neil in 45 minutes to 1 hour. Makruzz and Nautika run direct Port Blair to Neil sailings of about 2 hours, and government ferries also sail direct. Many travellers still route Port Blair to Havelock to Neil and back to Port Blair so they cover both islands in one trip.

Best time to visit

October to May is the dry season, and November to April is calmest for ferries and snorkelling. Reef walking at the Natural Bridge depends on the tide rather than the season, so check tide timings on the day.