Andaman vs Maldives: Which Island Getaway Is Right for You?

Both destinations get pitched as 'India's Maldives' and 'the real Maldives' respectively, but they serve genuinely different trips. The honest answer to which is better depends on budget, visa comfort, and what you actually want to do once you're there.

Budget is the clearest differentiator: a comfortable 5-night Andaman trip runs ₹25,000-35,000 per person including flights, while a comparable Maldives trip with an overwater villa starts closer to ₹90,000-120,000 per person. If budget is the constraint, Andaman wins easily.

Maldives is built for total relaxation — resort islands, all-inclusive plans, and minimal movement once you arrive. Andaman rewards a bit more activity: ferry-hopping between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island, visiting Cellular Jail, and genuinely excellent, affordable scuba diving.

For a first international honeymoon with a bigger budget and zero interest in logistics, Maldives is the simpler, more indulgent choice. For a domestic trip that still delivers turquoise water, coral reefs, and a sense of adventure, Andaman is very hard to beat for the price.

We run both — the Andaman Island Paradise package covers Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island over six days, while the Maldives Overwater Dream package is an all-inclusive villa stay with a sunset dolphin cruise.