Rainy But Rewarding: Our August Escape to the Andaman Islands with Thrillophilia
When Tapan Vachhani, Raj Vadiya, Priti Tumbadiya, Brijesh Akhia, Yash Shah, Jinal Shah, and Vandit Shah began planning their Andaman trip, they knew August was not considered the ideal season. Friends and family warned them about the unpredictable rains, the rough seas, and the possibility of sudden cancellations. But for this group of seven friends from Ahmedabad, the dates were the only ones that matched, and they were not willing to let go of the chance. They booked the trip through Thrillophilia, trusting that the company would help navigate whatever challenges the monsoon threw at them. That decision shaped everything that followed, turning what could have been a risky choice into a journey of unexpected beauty.
The group landed in Port Blair on August 14, greeted by air that carried the tang of the sea mixed with the faint scent of rain-soaked earth. They checked into Zostel, a simple yet cheerful place that immediately put them at ease. The rooms were clean, the staff friendly, and the walls carried the energy of young travellers who had passed through before. What stayed with them was their walk along Corbyn Cove Beach. The rain came down lightly, falling in sheets that seemed to stitch the sea and sky together. Later, at the Cellular Jail, the light and sound show left them speechless. The rain outside seemed insignificant compared to the stories of sacrifice and struggle they heard inside those walls.
The next morning, they boarded a ferry to Havelock Island. The ride itself was an adventure, with waves rocking the vessel and rain pelting against the windows. Instead of feeling uneasy, the group laughed through it, joking about being on a roller coaster. At Ocean Tree Beach Resort, they stepped into another world. The resort opened into its own private beach, where the sea stretched endlessly in shades of turquoise. The food was delicious, the staff warm, and the surroundings full of quiet charm. That evening, they went to Radhanagar Beach, where the monsoon revealed its softer side. The sand was pale, the sea alive with motion, and the horizon melted into mist. Standing there, the friends felt as if they had walked into a postcard.
Day three had been meant for Elephant Beach, but the weather intervened. Ferries were cancelled, and disappointment loomed. Yet Thrillophilia’s ground team quickly stepped in. Instead of letting the day slip away, they arranged a complimentary speedboatride to Ross Island. It turned into one of the best parts of the trip. Walking among old British ruins taken over by roots and trees, the friends felt the eerie beauty of time’s passage. Deer wandered fearlessly, the rain slicked the stone pathways, and the island looked like a forgotten film set waiting to be rediscovered. What could have been a wasted day became a highlight.
The group sought out adventure whenever they could. Scuba diving at Neemo Reef gave them an entry into another dimension. The underwater silence, the brilliant corals, the flash of fish darting past, and the sense of floating weightless left everyone stunned. For those less confident in the water, the glass-bottom boat ride was another delight. Jet skiing over rough waves filled them with adrenaline, while sea walking offered a surreal moment of standing on the sea floor, surrounded by schools of curious fish. The rains seemed irrelevant when they had these experiences to carry with them.
On the fourth day, they left Havelock, but not before pausing at Kalapathar Beach. The dark rocks scattered against the restless blue water were striking, more dramatic under grey skies. Neil Island was their next stop, where they checked into TSG Aura Resort. The rooms were neat, the service attentive, but the food fell short of expectations. It did not dampen their spirits though, as they explored the island’s calm beauty.
Neil revealed itself slowly. At Bharatpur Beach, the group enjoyed more water activities, laughing as the sea sprayed against their faces. At Laxmanpur Beach, they chose stillness, sitting quietly and watching waves roll in. The intermittent rain gave the place a hushed, private atmosphere, as if the island had been gifted to them alone. The friends found themselves falling into a rhythm of activity and calm, of laughter and silence, of sea spray and rain showers.
Returning to Port Blair on the final day felt bittersweet. The journey had passed too quickly. Yet there was one last indulgence. During their time in Havelock, they had stumbled upon Something Different Café, a place that became their favourite refuge. Its fresh food, cosy ambience, and welcoming staff made it ideal for sitting out heavy showers while swapping stories. Even as the rain pounded the roof, the café became a bubble of warmth and companionship, one that symbolised the trip itself.
Looking back, the group knew the Andaman Islands in August were not for everyone. Plans were disrupted, seas were rough, and the rains were frequent. Yet those very rains painted the landscapes in richer colours and gave the trip an unpredictable rhythm. What made it work was Thrillophilia’s constant support. Their ground team anticipated problems, offered alternatives, and kept the energy alive. Every challenge was turned into a different kind of memory.
If asked to describe the journey, they would call it rainy but rewarding. The monsoon shaped their days, but it never once broke their spirit. The group rated the trip an easy eight out of ten, not because it was flawless, but because it was real. For anyone planning a visit, they would suggest skipping August if perfect weather is non-negotiable. But if the monsoon is the only option, Thrillophilia ensures that the experience is still magical. For Tapan, Raj, Priti, Brijesh, Yash, Jinal, and Vandit, the trip was more than an escape from routine. It was a reminder of how friendship, laughter, and the right company can turn even stormy days into stories worth retelling. And above all, it was the moments under water and over waves that etched themselves into memory forever, long after the rains had faded.
Also Checkout: Thrillophilia Andaman Reviews