Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Andaman

A tropical island in the Andaman Sea whose Radhanagar Beach regularly ranks among Asia's best, offering dive certification, snorkelling at Elephant Beach and mangrove kayaking, with easy side trips to Neil Island and Port Blair.

Havelock Island (officially Swaraj Dweep) is the most popular holiday island in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, lying in the Andaman Sea about 40 km northeast of the capital, Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair). It is renowned for the white sand and sunsets of Radhanagar Beach, snorkelling at Elephant Beach, sunrise at Kalapathar Beach on the east coast and India's most established dive certification scene, while mangrove kayaking and night-time bioluminescence are also highlights. A classic itinerary: spend 3–4 nights on Havelock diving or snorkelling and relaxing on the beach; take the 1-hour ferry to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) for a day trip to see the natural bridge and the sunset; and allow half a day to a day in Port Blair at the start and end of your trip to visit the Cellular Jail and its sound and light show, Ross Island and North Bay Island, or to snorkel in the marine national park. Getting there: fly to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi or elsewhere, then take a private fast ferry or government ferry to Havelock, about 1.5–2.5 hours; be sure to book ferry tickets in advance in peak season. Foreign visitors need no additional permit to enter, but some protected and tribal areas are off-limits. The dry season from Nov to Apr has the best sea conditions; during the southwest monsoon, May–Sep, seas are rough and most diving and boat services are suspended. ATMs are scarce and internet connections weak on the island, so bring cash.

Top sights

• Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7) – A long stretch of white sand on the west coast of Havelock Island, named one of Asia's best beaches by Time magazine. Famous for its sunset…
• Elephant Beach – A snorkeling beach reached by speedboat or a forest hike. Coral reefs close to shore and a range of water activities are concentrated here.
• Havelock Scuba Diving (Dixon's Pinnacle etc.) – India's best-known diving island, offering experience dives and certification courses. Fish schools at dive sites such as Dixon's Pinnacle…
• Kalapathar Beach – A beach on Havelock's east coast at the end of the main road, famous for its black rocks and sunrises. It is quiet and uncrowded.
• Vijaynagar Beach (Beach No. 5) – A long beach near the accommodation area on the east coast. When the tide is out, the shallows open up, and the shade of old mahua trees on…
• Havelock Mangrove Kayaking – Guided kayaking through mangrove channels. Watch birds and forest by day, and see bioluminescence in the sea at night.
• Natural Bridge, Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) – A natural coral-rock arch on Neil Island's shore. At low tide you can wade across the reef for a close look at the tide-pool life.
• Laxmanpur Beach No. 1 – A wide, curving white-sand beach on the northwest tip of Neil Island, strewn with shells and coral. It is the island's most popular sunset…
• Bharatpur Beach – A shallow bay beside Neil Island's jetty with crystal-clear water. It is the most convenient place for snorkelling, glass-bottom boat trips…
• Sitapur Beach – The sunrise beach at the far southeast tip of Neil Island, where limestone cliffs meet the open Andaman Sea. The scenery is wild and quiet.

Where to eat

• Something Different Beachfront Restaurant – A seaview restaurant beside Beach No. 2. Grilled red snapper and garlic prawns are among the island's most praised dinn…
• Anju Coco Restaurant – A long-established seafood restaurant on Beach No. 5 in Vijaynagar, popular with dive instructors, with crab masala as…

Itineraries

• Andaman Three Islands & Baratang Caves – Connect Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil islands, plus a trip to the Baratang caves, balancing history and beaches.