Elephant Beach

Half dayBest: Oct–MarBeaches#snorkeling#coral#watersports

Shallow coral beach for snorkelers

Why this weekend?

Coral snorkellingSea walkBeach sports

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The day-by-day plan

Morning · Snorkel session
- Early boat or forest walk
- Shore snorkel at slack tide
- Beach breakfast
- Second snorkel round
- Return by midday

Geography & terrain

Elephant Beach is the small north-east cove of Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), an arc of soft sand under rainforest cliffs, reached either by a 45-minute forest trail from the Kalapathar road or by a 15-minute boat from the jetty — the island's gentlest snorkelling water.

History & culture

The name puns loosely on the elephant-shaped rock offshore rather than live herds; for two decades the cove has been the island's entry-level snorkel spot, kept simple by design — a shore-based reef, a snack counter and boats ferrying day-trippers from the jetty village.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,200–2,800/night

Mid-range

₹2,800–6,000/night

Comfort

₹6,000+/night

Things to do

Coral shelf snorkelling
Elephant rock
Forest trail
Cliff views over the bay
Parrotfish & anemone life

Eat & drink

Grilled reef fish
Coconut and seafood curries
Tropical fresh fruit platters

Getting there

Fly: Veer Savarkar Airport (IXZ), Port Blair
Train: No rail — island chain served by ferries
Road from Port Blair: road + ferry hub for all islands
Getting around: Autos and scooters on the islands; ferries between them

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹5,500–13,000 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,200–6,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹800–1,200
Per day · Activities: ₹800–1,200

Month by month

Jan · Best: 23–30°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 23–30°C · None rain
Mar · Good: 24–31°C · None rain
Apr · Good: 25–32°C · Light rain
May · Hot: 25–32°C · Moderate rain
Jun · Monsoon: 25–30°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 25–29°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 25–29°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon: 25–30°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 24–30°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 23–30°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 23–30°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi / Bengali / Tamil (multi-language islands) (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–Mar
Connectivity: Patchy off the main islands — download offline maps
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

Mornings only — the bay roughens with the afternoon breeze
Coral shoes prevent reef cuts on the shelf
No lifeguards or shade: bring water and a hat, stay inside the sandy arc

Frequently asked questions

Boat or jungle trail?

The trail (45 minutes of flat rainforest walking) is the prettier route and costs nothing; boats suit families in a hurry.

Is it beginner-friendly?

Yes — this is Havelock's gentlest reef, three to four metres deep and close to shore; a guide is optional but worth it the first time.

Why is it sometimes closed?

The boat service pauses on rough-sea days in monsoon; the trail keeps the beach reachable year-round.