S1 E03 | The Early-Morning Ferry from Port Blair to Havelock Island

The alarm rang at 4:30 a.m., and by 5 we were in an auto, bumping our way through sleepy Port Blair streets. Destination: Haddo Jetty. Mission: score a government ferry ticket to Havelock before they ran out. We’d done the whole vaccine certificate stamping circus the previous day, so today was all about showing up early and hoping for the best.

The queue was already snaking by the time we arrived, but somehow we landed second in line. The clerk first offered us ₹900 tickets, but with a little persistence we got the cheapest option—₹700 each—for deck class. And just like that, we were holding two golden slips to Havelock on the MV Coral Queen.

The ferry itself felt surprisingly comfortable: air-conditioning humming, plenty of space to walk around, and even a glimpse of deluxe cabins we couldn’t afford but secretly admired. Shishira, who had been on an older, rickety ferry years ago, couldn’t believe the upgrade—this one carried nearly 800 people yet felt neat and well-maintained.

As the ship pulled away from Port Blair, drizzle misted down, umbrellas went up, and the salty air wrapped around us. From the deck we spotted a lighthouse that looked exactly like the one on the ₹20 note, and the Andaman islands stretched out like something from Jurassic Park. We dozed for an hour, then woke to the sight of emerald hills and turquoise water announcing Havelock’s arrival.

A quick ₹100 auto ride later, we reached Green Valley Resort, our home for the next two weeks. The humidity clung to us, the ocean shimmered nearby, and it finally hit us—we’d made it to Havelock Island.

Catch the full journey in today’s vlog—it’s an early morning hustle, a rainy ferry ride, and the sweet arrival at paradise.