Government Ferry Route

Port Blair to Neil Island Government Ferry

DSS usually runs one daily government ferry from Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), leaving Phoenix Bay Jetty around 6:20 AM. Some sailings call at Havelock on the way, which pushes the total duration to 3 hours or more. Direct sailings manage 2 to 2.5 hours.

Operator

DSS

Duration

2 - 2.5 hours

Frequency

Daily

Fare from

₹435

Departure:Phoenix Bay Jetty
Arrival:Neil Island Jetty (Shaheed Dweep)
Typical departure times:6:20 AM

About this sailing

Port Blair to Neil Island -- DSS route details

Per the DSS 2025-26 fare schedule (effective 07/04/2025), non-islander fares on this inter-island sector are the same as the Port Blair-Havelock leg: roughly DECK ₹435, BUNK/Spl.DECK ₹860, O/CABIN ₹1,140 and DELUXE ₹1,420. Islanders pay the subsidised rates (₹75, ₹135, ₹150 and ₹240). MV Swaraj Dweep and MV Sentinel are the common vessels on this route; which classes are actually offered depends on the vessel.

Booking opens on STARS exactly 2 days before travel at 9:00 AM IST. Demand on this sector is lighter than Havelock, so tourist quota tends to stay open a bit longer. Peak-season weekends still sell out within the first hour. Per DSS terms, kindly report 2 hours before sailing; gates close 30 minutes prior.

Fares

Port Blair to Neil Island government ferry price

Class	Non-islander fare	Islander fare	What you get
DECK	₹435	₹75	Open-deck entry class -- cheapest DSS ticket on this sector.
BUNK / Spl.DECK	₹860	₹135	Bunk or special deck class.
O/CABIN	₹1,140	₹150	Ordinary cabin class where offered.
DELUXE	₹1,420	₹240	Top-tier class on select vessels.

Fares are indicative -- confirm the exact current fare on the STARS e-Ticketing portal before booking. Islander fares require a valid Islander Identity Card.

Booking

How to book this sailing

Book on STARS e-Ticketing 2 calendar days ahead at 9:00 AM. Peak-season weekends can sell out within an hour of quota opening.

Online:STARS e-Ticketing, opens 2 calendar days before travel at 9:00 AM IST.
Offline: Counter at Phoenix Bay Jetty, cash only.
Helpline:1800-345-2714.
Max booking size: 10 passengers per day per account.
ID required: Government photo ID for every passenger at booking and boarding.

Full STARS booking guide →

Vessels

DSS ships that run this sector

MV Swaraj Dweep

Government passenger ferry

MV Sentinel

Government passenger ferry

Vessel rotation changes seasonally -- the STARS portal shows the exact vessel for your sailing.

Reliability

What to expect -- and contingencies

Weather and sea conditions can force a cancellation, especially in the southwest monsoon (June to September). Some DSS sailings also make a halt at Havelock en route, which adds 45 to 60 minutes to the listed duration.

Private ferry alternative

Consider the private catamaran for this sector

Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean and ITT Majestic run private high-speed ferries on this sector at roughly ₹900-1,500, typically 2 to 2.5 hours. Similar duration to DSS but bookable online any time without the 2-day window.

View private ferry options from Port Blair to Neil Island →

FAQs

Port Blair to Neil Island government ferry -- questions

Per the DSS 2025-26 fare schedule (effective 07/04/2025), non-islander fares on this inter-island sector are roughly DECK ₹435, BUNK/Spl.DECK ₹860, O/CABIN ₹1,140 and DELUXE ₹1,420. Islanders pay the subsidised rates of ₹75, ₹135, ₹150 and ₹240 respectively. Always verify on STARS since class availability varies by vessel.

Some sailings do stop at Havelock en route, which extends the crossing to 3+ hours total. Direct sailings take 2 to 2.5 hours. The STARS portal shows the routing for each scheduled departure.

Typically one daily departure from Phoenix Bay Jetty, usually in the early morning around 6:20 AM. Verify the schedule on the STARS portal as rotations change seasonally.

Private high-speed ferries (Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean, ITT Majestic) are similar in duration (2 to 2.5 hours) but bookable online instantly, generally more reliable in poor weather and more comfortable. Government ferries are 30-40% cheaper if the schedule fits and you can secure the 2-day-ahead quota on STARS.

Ready to book?

For government ferries, head to STARS e-Ticketing. For instant private-catamaran booking, use the search bar above.

Open STARS Portal ↗