Nautika celebrates four years with 2.5 million passenger milestone

75 pc year-on-year growth in Andaman Islands

Nautika, a private ferry operator, which runs services to the Andaman Islands, says it has ferried 2.5 million passengers in under four years, driven by 75 pc average annual growth and a modern catamaran fleet transforming island travel into a luxury experience.

Nautika, a ferry operator in the Andaman Islands, says it has carried 2.5 million passengers in under four years, achieving an average year-on-year growth of approximately 75 pc.

In a press statement, Nautika  says that his meteoric rise positions Nautika as India’s youngest and most dynamic ferry service, turning routine inter-island hops into aspirational experiences complete with barista coffee, dolphin sightings and smooth catamaran rides across the Andaman Sea.

The statement adds that launched less than four years ago, Nautika has transformed ferry travel in the region and that the milestone highlights a shift in Indian tourism, where passengers demand journeys that match the magic of destinations like Havelock Island’s beaches and dive spots.

“When we started Nautika, we asked ourselves a simple question Why should the travel experience drop the moment you step onto a ferry. Our  2.5 million passengers are not just numbers they are families who arrived at Havelock Island relaxed instead of exhausted, honeymooners who started their romantic escape the moment they boarded, professionals who stayed connected while crossing crystal waters, and solo travellers who found their “magic window” moment watching the ocean. Our average year-on-year growth of approximately 75 pc shows that when you give Indian travellers a premium option, they do not just appreciate it they actively choose it. We have built Nautika to be an aspirational brand because we believe every Indian traveller deserves to feel like their vacation starts the moment they choose us, not when they finally reach their hotel,” says Anoop Kumar, Director, Nautika.

Also Read: Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Adventure, nature & culture beckon

The statement adds that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are witnessing explosive tourism growth, with domestic visitors surging from 235,000 in 2022 to 323,000 in 2023 at 37 pc rise and 710,000 in 2024 at 120 pc jump, while foreign arrivals climbed from 4,461 to 9,025, then 11,497 over the same period. Government projections forecast a 25 pc increase in 2025, driven by new infrastructure and routes.

Nautika says it is capitalising on this, aiming for over 75 pc market share in the high-end segment within three to five years by adding vessels to serve 3,000-4,000 daily passengers.

“We are not just responding to growth we are actively shaping the future of island tourism in India. With the government targetting a 25 pc increase in tourist arrivals for 2025 and infrastructure improvements opening new routes and destinations, we are  investing in the capacity, technology, and service excellence needed to serve over 3,000-4,000 passengers daily. Our goal is to make Nautika synonymous with premium island travel in India, setting standards that others aspire to match,” Kumar adds.