Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair): The Complete Gateway Guide

The Gateway to Andaman

Sri Vijaya Puram — still very widely known by its older name, Port Blair — is the capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the point almost every visitor to the archipelago passes through, whether they're here for a weekend or a two-week island-hopping trip. The Government of India officially renamed the city in September 2024, as part of a wider effort to replace colonial-era place names across the islands — but flight codes, ferry tickets, and everyday conversation still lean heavily on "Port Blair," so expect to hear and use both names interchangeably.

Sitting on South Andaman Island, Sri Vijaya Puram is equal parts working city and travel hub: it has the islands' only international airport, its main ferry jetties, its hospitals and government offices — and, tucked among all of that, one of the most significant historical sites in India's freedom struggle, Cellular Jail.

Most itineraries treat it as a bookend — a night on arrival, a night before departure — but that undersells it slightly. Give it a genuine day and a half, and you'll cover its best sights properly rather than rushing them between ferry connections.

Best Time to Visit

Since Sri Vijaya Puram is mostly a base for ferries and day trips, its weather matters less for sightseeing and more for how smoothly your onward island-hopping goes.

Our pick: November to February — calm seas mean reliable ferries to Havelock and Neil, which matters more here than the weather in the city itself.

How to Reach Sri Vijaya Puram

As the only international-standard entry point to the islands, getting here is straightforward — moving on from here is where planning matters more.

• By Air: Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) has daily direct flights from Chennai (~2 hrs), Kolkata (~2 hrs), and connections from Delhi and Bangalore — this is how the vast majority of visitors arrive.
• By Sea: Government passenger ships sail from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam, taking 56-60 hours — a slow but memorable option for travellers who aren't in a hurry.
• Onward from the airport: Prepaid taxis and app-based cabs run from the airport to hotels and the Phoenix Bay Jetty in 15-30 minutes depending on traffic and location.

Things to Do in Sri Vijaya Puram

• Cellular Jail: The National Memorial to India's freedom struggle, its cell blocks, museum galleries, and unmissable evening Light and Sound Show — read our full Cellular Jail guide for details.
• Corbyn's Cove Beach: A palm-fringed beach a short drive from the city centre — not the islands' best beach, but a pleasant, easy stop for a swim or sunset walk.
• Chatham Saw Mill: One of Asia's oldest and largest sawmills, with a small museum on the islands' timber and colonial history.
• Samudrika Naval Marine Museum: Run by the Indian Navy, covering the islands' marine life, geography, and tribal cultures.
• Anthropological Museum: A compact, informative look at the indigenous tribes of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, including the Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese, and Nicobarese.
• Ross Island & North Bay boat trip: A half-day excursion from Phoenix Bay Jetty combining the colonial ruins of Ross Island with the coral and snorkelling of North Bay Island.

Your Gateway Onward

For most travellers, Sri Vijaya Puram's real job is logistics — it's where you catch the ferry to wherever your trip is actually centred.

• To Havelock (Swaraj Dweep): Daily ferries from Phoenix Bay Jetty, roughly 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the operator — read our Havelock Island guide.
• To Neil (Shaheed Dweep): Similar journey time and frequency, often combinable with Havelock on the same multi-stop ferry.
• To Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur: Reached by road along the Andaman Trunk Road, or by a combination of ferry and road for the more remote northern stretches.
• To Little Andaman: A longer ferry crossing of 6-8 hours, best planned as a dedicated leg of a longer trip rather than a quick add-on.

Suggested Visit Plan (1.5 Days)

A day and a half is enough to see Sri Vijaya Puram properly without eating into your beach time elsewhere in the islands.

Where to Eat

Sri Vijaya Puram has the widest, most varied food scene in the islands — a good place to eat well before or after simpler island fare on Havelock or Neil.

• Fresh seafood: Grilled and curried catch of the day is widely available and consistently good — look for tuna, snapper, and lobster in season.
• Local Bengali and South Indian food: Reflecting the islands' mixed settler population, found in casual eateries across the city.
• Rooftop and waterfront restaurants: Several spots near Aberdeen Bazaar and Corbyn's Cove offer sit-down dining with sea views.

Budget Breakdown

* Excludes flights/ferry to the islands themselves. See our Andaman Islands travel guide for a full multi-island budget.

Essential Tips

• Book Cellular Jail's Light and Sound Show ahead: Tickets can be bought at the venue, but arrive early — shows run roughly twice each evening in English and Hindi and can fill up in peak season.
• Confirm ferry timings a day before: Schedules to Havelock and Neil can shift with sea conditions — check with your hotel or operator the evening before travel.
• Carry ID for foreign nationals: Register at the Immigration Office within 24 hours of arrival if you're a foreign national — it's quick, but don't skip it.
• Use prepaid taxis from the airport: Simpler and more transparent than negotiating fares on arrival.
• Don't overbook the city itself: A day and a half is plenty — save your extra time for Havelock, Neil, or the northern islands.

Frequently Asked Questions