Bharatpur Beach, Neil Island: Coral, Glass-Bottom Boats and Calm Water Next to the Jetty
Bharatpur Beach is the first thing you see as the ferry pulls into Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep). It is a short curve of white sand right beside the jetty, with shallow, very calm water and coral growing a few metres off the shore. Most of Neil's water sports start from here, so in the morning it is the busiest beach on the island.
This page covers timings, what to do, whether you can swim, how to get there and the other beaches close by.
Updated October 2026 by the Blue Bubble Andaman team in Port Blair
Bharatpur Beach at a Glance
WhereBharatpur, Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
From Neil JettyAbout 500 m, a 5 to 10 minute walk
From Port Blair1 to 2 hours by ferry
TimingsRoughly 6 am to 5:30 pm
Best ForGlass-bottom boat, snorkelling, a calm swim
Coming in on the morning ferry? Do the glass-bottom boat first, ideally before 10 am. The water is usually at its clearest then, and the queue is shorter before the day-trippers from Havelock land.
Bharatpur Beach seen from the Neil Island jetty
What the Beach Is Like
The beach is small, a few hundred metres of sand between the jetty and a line of trees at the far end. A reef sits close to shore and keeps the lagoon flat and shallow on most days. At low tide the sea pulls back a long way, and you can see dark patches of coral and rock just under the surface.
Boats are pulled up along the sand, and a handful of stalls sell coconut water, snacks and tickets for rides. It is lively from about 8 am until lunch and quieter in the afternoon. If you want a long, empty beach to walk on, Laxmanpur and Sitapur are better. Bharatpur is where you come to get in the water and see what is under it.
Things to Do at Bharatpur Beach
All of these are booked at the counters on the beach. Rates change from season to season, so ask at the counter or check with us before you go.
Most Popular · Non-Swimmers
Glass-Bottom Boat Ride
About 15 to 30 minutes · Families, kids, non-swimmers
A small boat with a glass panel in the floor takes you out over the reef. You see brain coral, sea fans and lots of small reef fish without getting wet.
Some boats stop on the way back so you can snorkel for a few minutes if you feel like it.
Easy · Shallow Reef
Snorkelling
Guided, gear included · Basic swimming helps
Guides take small groups by boat to a patch of reef a little off the beach, hand out masks, fins and life jackets, and swim beside you. You do not need to be a strong swimmer.
On a calm, sunny morning you can expect parrotfish, clownfish and, if you are lucky, a turtle.
For Beginners
Scuba Try-Dive
No certificate needed · Half day
Dive shops on Neil take beginners on short try-dives, with an instructor holding on to you the whole time. Most dives go by boat to sites around the island instead of straight off the sand.
Certified divers can join fun dives. In December and January, book a day ahead.
Quick Thrill
Jet Ski and Banana Ride
A few minutes per ride · Groups and older kids
If you want something faster, jet ski and banana boat rides run from the beach. Rides are short and are stopped when the sea gets choppy.
Life jackets are given with every ride. Keep your phone in a dry pouch or leave it with someone on the sand.
Doing more than one island? See our Andaman activities page for water sports on Havelock and around Port Blair.
Can You Swim at Bharatpur Beach?
The water stays shallow and calm for a long way out, which makes Bharatpur one of the easier places on Neil for a swim. Keep to the side away from the boats, since they come and go from the shore all morning. The sea floor has broken coral and rock in places, so old sandals or water shoes save your feet.
Tide makes a big difference here. At low tide the water over the reef can be ankle deep, so plan your swim for a rising or high tide. Please do not stand on live coral or pick up shells and coral pieces. Taking them off the islands is not allowed, and the reef here is what makes the beach worth visiting. Read the signboards near the entrance and follow what the staff tell you.
Best Time to Visit Bharatpur Beach
October to May is the season. December to March has the calmest water and the best visibility for the glass-bottom boat and snorkelling, and it is also when Neil gets most of its visitors, so book rooms and ferries early. April and May are hot, but the sea is often flat and very clear. From late May to September the monsoon brings rough water, some rides stop and ferries are sometimes cancelled.
Within the day, go in the morning. The boats start early, the light on the reef is good, and the beach gets busier as ferries arrive from Havelock and Port Blair. For sunset, head to Laxmanpur. For sunrise, go to Sitapur.
How to Reach Bharatpur Beach
Getting to Neil Island
Neil Island is reached only by ferry. From Port Blair it takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the boat and whether it stops at Havelock on the way. From Havelock it is about 45 minutes to an hour. Private ferries are faster and air-conditioned. Government ferries cost much less, but their tickets are hard to get at short notice.
From the Jetty to the Beach
Every ferry comes into Neil Island jetty, which locals also call Bharatpur jetty. The beach is about 500 m away, a 5 to 10 minute walk. Autos and cabs wait outside the jetty if you have bags. To see the rest of the island, rent a scooter or bicycle near the market, or book a cab for half a day.
If you travel with us, we book the ferry tickets and the transfers on Neil for you. See our Andaman tour packages.
Beaches and Places Near Bharatpur Beach
Neil is a small island, and everything below is within a 15 minute ride of the jetty. Most people cover all of it in a day and a half.
Best for Sunset
Laxmanpur Beach
About 2 km from the jetty · Evening
A long, wide beach on the western side of the island, with lots of shells and dead coral washed up on the sand. Come in the late afternoon and stay for the sunset, the best on Neil.
Low Tide Only
Natural Bridge
About 3 km from the jetty · Walk over rocks
A rock arch shaped by the sea, which locals call Howrah Bridge. You reach it by walking across the exposed reef at low tide, past rock pools with small fish, crabs and sea cucumbers.
The rocks are sharp and slippery, so wear proper footwear and take a local guide if you can.
Best for Sunrise
Sitapur Beach
About 5 km from the jetty · Early morning
At the eastern tip of Neil, with limestone rocks and a shoreline that changes a lot with the tide. Leave your hotel by about 5 am in winter to catch the sunrise.
Least Crowded
Ramnagar Beach
Western side of the island · Half an hour or more
A small beach that very few visitors bother with. There are hardly any shops, so carry water. Go if you have done the busy spots and want somewhere quiet.
For hotels and a full plan of the island, read our Neil Island guide.
Fitting Neil Into Your Andaman Trip
Most people spend one or two nights on Neil between Havelock and Port Blair. Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island is the big swimming beach, and the beaches around Port Blair fill the first and last days of a trip. Our list of Andaman beaches covers every island.
Want Bharatpur Beach and Neil Island built into your Andaman trip?