Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) : Complete Andaman Travel Guide 2026

Best Beaches in Havelock

Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7): the headline draw

Radhanagar Beach, on the western side of Havelock, is the island’s most famous stretch: a long curve of white sand backed by dense forest, with calm, shallow water at the right tide and one of the best sunsets in the Andamans. It is the single biggest reason most travellers come to Havelock, and it anchors any first-time itinerary. Arrive in the late afternoon for the sunset and allow time for the walk from the car park to the shore.

Elephant Beach: snorkelling & water-sports hub

Elephant Beach is where Havelock does its water sports. Shallow, coral-fringed water close to shore makes it good for snorkelling, sea walking and short boat-based activities. You reach it one of two ways: a short boat ride from Havelock jetty, or a forest trek. Most day-trippers take the boat. Because the coral starts so close in, it’s an easy first snorkel.

Kalapathar Beach: the quiet one

Kalapathar Beach, named for the dark rocks along its shore, runs between the forest and the sea on the island’s eastern side. It is far less crowded than Radhanagar, better for a quiet walk, photography and a calm sunrise than for swimming, and it makes an easy add-on by scooter or auto.

Top Things To Do in Havelock

Scuba diving at Havelock

Havelock is the Andamans’ scuba-diving capital: its clear water and healthy coral make it one of India’s top dive destinations, with sites suited to first-time discover-scuba dives through to certified and PADI courses. Popular dive sites around Havelock include Nemo Reef and The Wall. Conditions are best in the calm season (roughly November–April). For first-timers, a guided discover-scuba dive needs no certification; comfort in water matters more than swimming ability.

Compare scuba diving packages in Havelock.

Sea walking, snorkelling & kayaking

Beyond diving, Havelock offers sea walking (a helmet walk along the seabed needing no swimming skill), snorkelling over the Elephant Beach reef, and mangrove/night kayaking, including bioluminescence kayaking on dark nights. Sea walking and snorkelling are the most family-friendly options; kayaking suits travellers who want a quieter, low-impact experience.

Read more on sea walking at Havelock and the turtle and beach guide.

How To Reach Havelock from Port Blair

Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) is reached only by sea, on a ferry from Port Blair’s Haddo/Phoenix Bay jetty. Travellers choose between faster private air-conditioned ferries and the cheaper government ferry. Book the private ferries in advance in peak season; the government ferry is booked through the official Directorate of Shipping / STARS e-ticketing system.

Best Time to Visit Havelock

The best time to visit Havelock is October to May, when the sea is calm, skies are clear and diving visibility is at its best. The late-May to September monsoon brings rough seas and can suspend ferries and water sports, so it is the weakest window for a Havelock trip. December–January is peak season (book ferries and stays well ahead); the shoulder months either side are quieter with similar conditions.

Browse Andaman tour packages for a planned Havelock trip.

Where to Stay on Havelock

Most places to stay on Havelock cluster along the Govind Nagar / Vijay Nagar beach belt on the eastern side, close to the jetty and the main beaches. There are three rough tiers to choose from. Budget guesthouses and beach huts at one end, comfortable mid-range resorts in the middle, and a handful of premium beach resorts at the top, so the island works for backpackers and honeymooners alike. Book ahead for December–January.

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) is the easiest place in the Andamans to combine a world-class beach, scuba diving and snorkelling in one short, ferry-reachable stay. Use the guide above to pick your beaches and season, then plan the trip end-to-end with our Andaman travel resources and packages.

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