Andaman in October is worth it if you want lower prices and thinner crowds, and you can accept some rain. Early October still carries monsoon showers, around 15 wet days on average. The second half clears up fast, seas calm down, and dive centres reopen. Late October is the smarter bet.
What is the weather like in Andaman in October?
October is a month of two halves. The first couple of weeks still feel like the tail of the monsoon, with warm, sticky air and rain that arrives in short, heavy bursts. By the last week or so, the sky settles and the islands start to look the way you pictured them.
Temperatures stay steady through the month, roughly 24°C to 32°C, with high humidity that makes the heat feel heavier than the number suggests. Rain is the real variable. Port Blair averages close to 300 mm of rain across about 15 wet days in October, though that total swings hard from year to year. The chance of rain on any given day falls from roughly two in three in September to under half by late October. So you will probably see rain. You will rarely lose a whole day to it.
| Early October | Late October | |
|---|---|---|
| Rain | Frequent short bursts | Occasional showers |
| Sea conditions | Still choppy | Calming down |
| Ferries | Cancellations possible | More reliable |
| Diving | Centres reopening, visibility mixed | Clearer water |
| Hotel prices | Low | Low, rising near month-end |
| Crowds | Very thin | Thin, building |
Is October a good time to visit Andaman?
For a first trip, October works if value and space matter to you more than a guarantee of blue sky. Hotels on Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) and in Port Blair sit at shoulder-season rates, well below the December to January peak, and the beaches are quiet enough that you are not hunting for a free patch of sand.
The trade-off is certainty. You cannot plan October the way you would plan January. Keep a loose itinerary, leave a buffer day in Port Blair, and do not book your return ferry for the same morning as your flight home. Travellers who need every single day to plan should wait for November onwards. Everyone else gets a cheaper, calmer version of the same islands.
Can you scuba dive and do water sports in Andaman in October?
Yes, with a caveat about timing. Dive centres on Havelock and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) reopen through October as the sea settles, and underwater visibility improves steadily towards the end of the month. Early October dives can be called off at short notice when the water is churned up, so book with an operator who lets you reschedule without a fight.
Snorkelling, sea walking and jet skiing run on the calmer days. If diving is the main reason for your trip, aim for the last ten days of October, or push into November when conditions are more dependable. For a first Discover Scuba dive, a calm late-October morning off Havelock is hard to beat.
How do ferries and island-hopping work in October?
Most first-timers follow the Port Blair to Havelock to Neil route. Private air-conditioned ferries such as Makruzz, Nautika and Green Ocean run this circuit daily. They cover the roughly 57 km Port Blair to Havelock leg in about 90 minutes to two hours and cost between 1,200 and 2,500 rupees one way depending on class, as of October 2026. Government ferries are cheaper, but harder to book online and slower to board.
In October the risk is the sea, not the schedule. Rough water early in the month can cancel sailings with little warning. Book your inter-island ferries in advance, but keep a spare day in hand so one cancelled crossing does not take the whole plan down with it.
Do you need a permit to visit Andaman in October?
Indian tourists do not need a Restricted Area Permit for the main islands like Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. Foreign nationals should check the current Restricted Area Permit position before travelling, because the rules have eased in recent years but still carry exceptions for certain nationalities. The season makes no difference here. October is treated like any other month.
Separate forest and park permits still apply at specific sites, such as the national parks and the limestone caves at Baratang, and you buy those locally on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is October a good month for Andaman beaches?
Yes, especially the second half. Radhanagar on Havelock and the beaches on Neil Island are quiet and cheap to reach in October. Swimming is usually fine on calm days, but follow the local flags, since currents can pick up after heavy rain. Early-month seas look greyer than the blue you see in photos.
How much does an Andaman trip cost in October?
Less than in peak season. October falls in the shoulder window, so hotels and resorts discount heavily against December and January rates. Ferries run 1,200 to 2,500 rupees per leg and most water sports start around 1,500 rupees. Flights to Port Blair are the biggest single cost, and midweek fares tend to be lower.
Will ferries get cancelled in October?
Sometimes, mostly early in the month while the sea is still rough. Cancellations ease as October goes on. Book inter-island ferries ahead, pick operators that allow rescheduling, and leave a buffer day in Port Blair before your flight home so one missed sailing does not derail the trip.
Is scuba diving possible in Andaman in October?
Yes. Dive centres reopen through the month and visibility improves towards the end of October. Early dives can be called off when the water is churned up, so choose a flexible operator. For the clearest water and calmest conditions, the final week of October or early November is the safer window.
Which places should you skip in October?
Skip long open-sea day trips in the first week, when sailings are least reliable. Jolly Buoy and other marine-park excursions depend entirely on the weather, so they are better left for late October or later. Port Blair’s indoor sights, like the Cellular Jail, make a good rainy-day fallback.
Do Indian tourists need a permit for Andaman?
No. Indian citizens travel freely to Port Blair, Havelock and Neil without a Restricted Area Permit. You only buy separate forest or park tickets for specific protected sites, and you get those locally. Foreign nationals should confirm the current permit rules before they travel, as exceptions still apply to some nationalities.
What should you pack for Andaman in October?
Light cotton clothes, a compact rain jacket or a small umbrella, and quick-dry footwear. Carry enough cash, because ATMs are limited outside Port Blair and some counters take cash only. Reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag for ferry crossings earn their space. Humidity stays high, so lean on breathable fabrics.
To know more information about Andaman in October, check out andamantourism.org
