Havelock Island Guide: Beaches, Activities and Where to Stay
Havelock Island, officially Swaraj Dweep, is the centre of most Andaman holidays. It has the best-known beaches, the best diving and a good choice of resorts, all within a short ride of the main jetty.
How many nights do you need?
Stay at least one night. Two is ideal, and three is the most we recommend for a first visit. Because ferries take time, a same-day trip leaves very little time on the island.
The beaches
- Radhanagar Beach: a wide white-sand beach with shady trees behind it, famous for sunsets. Go in the afternoon and stay until the sky changes colour.
- Elephant Beach: known for coral and snorkelling. You reach it by a short boat ride or a forest trail, depending on conditions.
- Kalapathar Beach: a quiet stretch with dark rocks, often chosen for sunrise.
Read more in our guide to the best beaches in Andaman.
Things to do
- Snorkelling or glass-bottom boat at Elephant Beach.
- Scuba diving for beginners, with a trained instructor.
- Kayaking through mangroves, often early in the morning.
- Jet ski and other water sports when sea conditions allow.
- A beachfront candlelight dinner, popular with couples. See our honeymoon guide.
Where to stay
Havelock has everything from simple stays to beachfront resorts. Choose a place near Radhanagar for sunsets or near the jetty for easy ferry access. Our builder shows hotel names for each category. We only sell stays we have checked.
Getting there
Take the ferry from Port Blair. Read our ferry guide for options and tips. Many travellers continue on to Neil. See Havelock vs Neil.
Sample plans
- Havelock Escape for a short romantic trip.
- Havelock Adventure with scuba and kayaking.
- Havelock and Neil for the classic island trail.
Pick your dates and see a day-by-day plan and price in about a minute or see the Havelock Escape plan.
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Is Havelock safe for swimming?
Swim only where it is marked safe, at the right tide, and follow lifeguard advice. Some beaches have currents.
What is the best time of day at Radhanagar?
Late afternoon for the sunset. It can get crowded, so arrive early.
Do I need to book activities ahead?
In peak season, yes. We can arrange them with your package.
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