Havelock Island
Radhanagar Beach, reef diving and the island most people picture when they think 'Andaman'.
Havelock — officially Swaraj Dweep — is the reason most people come to the Andamans. Radhanagar Beach is routinely ranked among Asia's best, the reefs off Elephant Beach are the easiest in the islands to snorkel, and the dive schools here are the most established in the archipelago. It's a 90-minute to 2.5-hour ferry from Port Blair, and most itineraries give it the longest stay of any single island.
Why Visit Havelock Island
- Radhanagar Beach — wide, white sand, genuinely one of the best sunset spots in India
- The Andamans' main scuba diving hub, with certified schools for beginners and experienced divers
- Elephant Beach for snorkelling and easy water sports
- The best resort and dining options outside Port Blair
Places to See
Radhanagar Beach
Havelock's signature beach — long, soft sand and calm, clear water, best visited late afternoon for sunset.
Elephant Beach
Reached by a short boat ride or a jungle trek, with an easy shallow reef that's ideal for first-time snorkelling.
Kalapathar Beach
A quieter beach with black volcanic rock and a coconut grove backdrop — best for a sunrise visit or a slow morning.
Things to Do
Beaches
How to Reach
Government and private ferries run daily between Port Blair and Havelock (roughly 1.5–2.5 hours depending on the operator). We book these in advance as part of every itinerary that includes Havelock.
Travel Tips
- Elephant Beach access depends on tide and sea conditions — mornings are generally more reliable than afternoons.
- If diving is a priority, build in a buffer day; conditions occasionally push a dive by 24 hours.
- Radhanagar Beach gets busy right at sunset — arrive an hour earlier to get settled.
Gallery
Havelock Island FAQs
Yes — it's wide, uncrowded relative to its reputation, and the sunset is genuinely one of the best in the islands. Go an hour before sunset to find a good spot.
Planning a trip to Havelock Island?
Tell us your dates and we'll suggest the best-fit itinerary.
Packages Featuring Havelock Island
Honeymoon Escape
Port Blair, Havelock and Neil, paced around sunsets and sea-view stays.
Havelock Honeymoon
A compact honeymoon route for couples with limited time — Port Blair and Havelock only.
Family Explorer
The full South Andaman circuit at a genuinely family-friendly pace.
Family Getaway
A shorter family trip covering the essentials — Port Blair and Havelock.
Scuba Diving Special
Two full diving days in Havelock, for beginners and certified divers alike.
Adventure & Sea Walk
Sea walk, snorkelling and reef time — no diving certification required.
Budget Getaway
The essential Andaman experience — Port Blair and Havelock — in the shortest practical trip.
Budget Island Hop
Fit all three main islands into four nights without overspending.
Luxury Retreat
Premium sea-view resorts, private transfers and a deliberately unhurried schedule.
Offbeat North Andaman
Limestone caves, mangrove creeks and Ross & Smith Islands — the Andamans beyond the usual circuit.
Classic Leisure Tour
The complete Andaman introduction — every major South Andaman stop, plus Baratang, at a comfortable pace.
Exclusive Private Journey
A fully private, extended route built for groups and extended families who want the complete islands, at their own pace.
Nearby Destinations
Port Blair
Gateway to the Andamans — history, harbours and your first island evening.
Almost every Andaman trip begins and ends in Port Blair. It's the administrative capital, the only city with a commercial airport, and home to the Cellular Jail — the single most important historical site in the islands. Most travellers spend their first and last nights here, using it as a base for a city tour before heading out to Havelock or Neil.
Explore Port Blair →
Neil Island
The slower island — Natural Bridge, bicycle roads and fewer people.
Neil — Shaheed Dweep — is smaller and quieter than Havelock, and most travellers treat it as the wind-down stop of the trip. It's compact enough to get around by bicycle or auto in a day, with four distinct beaches, a genuinely unusual natural rock formation, and a slower pace overall.
Explore Neil Island →
Ross Island
Colonial ruins reclaimed by the forest, a short boat ride from Port Blair.
Once the administrative headquarters of British India's penal colony, Ross Island is now a quiet ruin — old ballrooms and bungalows wrapped in the roots of banyan trees, with deer and peacocks wandering freely. It's typically combined with North Bay in a single half-day boat trip from Port Blair.
Explore Ross Island →