Private Boat Charter to the Cinque Islands

The Cinque Islands are in the south of the Andaman archipelago, and the listing sells this as a charter to reach islands that few visitors see. The boat is run by Bite Me Charters, a fishing and charter operator, and it is hired by the group, so the people on board are your own party of up to eight. GetYourGuide showed US$558 per group of up to eight people in October 2026.

The boat is a 29-foot AquaInd, described in the listing as comfortable and spacious for up to eight people and fitted for fishing with a fish finder, GPS, chart plotter and safety equipment. For this trip it is used for island hopping, snorkelling and swimming at remote islands and hidden beaches. The listing promises clear water, coral reefs and little development. The trip leaves from the Game Fishing Jetty in Port Blair and is listed as lasting four hours.

The price includes the boat hire and fuel for the specified distance, breakfast and lunch, refreshments, juices, fruits and an ice box. Extra items need to be paid for separately. The listing says a sport permit fee of INR 500 per person per day applies to Indian nationals and must be paid in cash at departure from Port Blair; it does not say how foreign nationals are charged, so ask the operator. Additional meals, rented tackle, personal expenses and insurance, emergency evacuation charges, tips and excess baggage charges are also extra.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an Indian union territory in the Bay of Bengal, closer to Myanmar and Thailand than to the Indian mainland, and access to many islands is controlled to protect the environment and the Indigenous communities who live there. The Cinque Islands are part of a protected area, which is why a permit is involved and why the number of boats and visitors is limited. That control is the reason the islands stay clear and uncrowded, and it is also the reason to ask the operator exactly what documents you need. Bring your passport and a copy, and check whether permits are required for your nationality.

What the listing does not make clear is how much of the four hours is on the water. Reaching remote islands from Port Blair takes time, and four hours may include only a short stay at the islands themselves. Ask the operator for the travel time each way and how long you will have in the water, and whether the schedule allows an extra hour if conditions are good. A realistic plan lets you decide whether the charter fits your expectations, particularly if you want to snorkel at several places.

The seasons matter greatly. The best time for the sea is from about October to May, when the weather is drier and the water calmer, with the clearest visibility from December to April. The southwest monsoon from about May to September brings rough water, rain and cancelled trips, and cyclones are possible in the shoulder months. Port Blair is reached by air from Chennai, Kolkata and other cities, and flights are the only practical way for most visitors, so build a buffer day into your plans in case of weather.

The listing gives few details on the exact stops, the guide on board or the safety briefing, and its text mixes a fishing-charter description with the island trip. Ask the operator who comes with the boat, how long you spend at each island and what the permit rules are for your nationality. Bring sun protection, water shoes, a rash guard and a dry bag, and wear life jackets when asked.

Pack for a day at sea. Take a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves or a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, polarised sunglasses and plenty of drinking water, even though refreshments are provided. A small waterproof bag protects a phone and wallet from spray, and a light jacket is useful because the sea breeze can feel cool at speed. Bring your own snorkel mask if you prefer a fit you trust. Seasickness medicine taken before departure is wiser than after, and the middle of the boat gives the gentlest ride. Keep your passport and permits with you in a dry bag, because the rules in the islands are enforced.

Remember that this is a fishing boat first. The crew know the water, but they are not necessarily trained as tour guides, so do not expect long explanations of the islands. If you want to learn about the reef and the wildlife, ask the crew what they know and read about the area beforehand. Respect the rules of the protected area, take nothing from the beach and leave no rubbish.

The common mistakes are underestimating the heat and forgetting cash for the permit. The trip suits small groups that want to spend a morning on the water around the Andaman Islands with a private boat, rather than on a shared ferry.