From Neil Island Back To Port Blair

The way back to Port Blair from Neil is same as the way you went. You catch a ferry from the docks. We caught the Makruzz ferry which probably is the ferry of my choice.

Always remember to check ferry schedules to see how many boats leave from the island and at what times. This is because Neil has lesser number of ships arriving and leaving the port. So if you miss the one in the morning, your next window will be in the evening. This is specially important if you are catching a flight back from Port Blair on the same day. 

Neil has a shorter jetty than Port Blair, thankfully. But if you reach before time for the ferry, as is advisable, there is a que at the gate of the docks. The gates open when the ship arrives. This is not uncommon and happens in every port. However, things get tricky if it starts to rain :). 

Que leading to the gate of the docks on Neil Island. Waiting before the Makruzz ferry arrives. 

Most people traveling don’t carry umbrellas. So when it rains, people go scurrying for shelter. If you are one of the wise ones with an umbrella this can put you right in front of the que. But truth be told, your position in the que hardly matters. Once the ship comes in, the gates will be opened and everyone will get to board.

It so happened that when I was boarding the ship from Neil to Port Blair we were experiencing rainy  weather with slightly choppy seas. There was a cyclone close by and these were the side effects. So yeah, the waiting and the walk to the ship can drench you if you do not have an umbrella. You can easily purchase one from one of the beaches.

Conversely, it can get really hot and sunny on the docks as well. Many a times you are standing and waiting for the ship to either come in or to start boarding. There is not too much shelter on the docks. So keep a sunscreen handy as well. Which you should anyway, specially when you are traveling.

The docks can get hot and sunny. There is a limited shelter to the side.

One thing I would like to mention here sailing when the weather is a little rough. Many passengers were nervous about the weather and their safety because of the stormy weather. Everyone needs to know that if there is a risk the ships will not run. The ships know better whether they can sail in a certain weather or not. They know what weather they can sail in and what weather they cannot.

The ships are also built to sail through rough seas. You see, the shipping companies are not going to risk the lives of hundreds of passengers as well as the lives of the crew. They would rather wait for a few hours or even sail the next day rather than take the chance.

So be re-assured. If the ship is sailing, it is because it has been determined that it is safe to do so and it is safe for you to get on the boat. Yes, the ride may be more rocking than usual but only a little and not to enough any overt dis-comfort.

It also gets a little crowded when you reach the ship and have to check in your baggage. All baggage is stored in the hold of the ship. The crew is standing on the docks next to the ship and you have to hand your baggage over to them. This process is repeated when you disembark from the ship. Everyone crowds around on the ship while the luggage comes out from the hold and is piled up outside.

There is no formal method of baggage identification. Which is why everyone gets rather frantic and wants to be in front and get to their luggage first. It's a very good idea to put some kind of a luggage identifier on your bags and suitcases. Fluorescent luggage identifier belts serve the purpose well. Or tie a colorful piece of cloth in a way that it will not come off easily.

I found the process of submitting and retrieving baggage to be better with Makruzz as compared to Green Ocean. It was a little more organised and less frantic.

The crowd around the ship waiting to pick up their luggage as it gets unloaded from the ship.

The journey from Neil to Port Blair is slightly shorter than Havelock and Port Blair. It will be faster if you choose Makruzz.

Arriving in Port Blair is an easier experience than departing from it. The reasons is that while the walk outside again is not much shorter, you will get porters and rickshaws right from the side of the ship to take your luggage all the way out. A good option if you are traveling with multiple pieces of luggage. Plenty taxis and auto-ricksahws can be found on the main road although they all charge inflated prices.

One thing that is bound to alarm you is the amount the taxis charge in the Andaman. If you find Port Blair expensive, wait till you get to Havelock. A trip to a place 10 mins away at night for dinner, wait for 1.5 hour and back can set you back by 2000 INR. This is ridiculously high.