Havelock Island

3–4 daysBest: Oct–MarIslands#radhanagar#beach#diving

Radhanagar beach and island life

Why this weekend?

Radhanagar beachScuba divingElephant beach

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · Arrive & Radhanagar
- Morning ferry from Port Blair
- Lunch at a beach shack
- Radhanagar sunset — stay for dark
- Night walk under the stars (no light pollution)
Day 2 · Reefs & water
- Elephant Beach snorkel / sea-walk
- Afternoon dive-shop intro or reef snorkel
- Sunset at the jetty café
Day 3 · Slow island day
- Kalapathar + south-coast drive
- Lazy lunch, hammock time
- Sunset at the island's west tip

Geography & terrain

Swaraj Dweep (Havelock), the Andamans' best-known island, is 38 km² of rainforest and coconut shore at the mouth of the archipelago, 2.5 hours by ferry from Port Blair. Radhanagar Beach arcs along its west coast; Elephant Beach hides behind a jungle trail on the north.

History & culture

Named after British officer Henry Havelock in colonial surveys, the island only got roads in the 1970s. Its modern history is tourism: the backpacker guesthouses of the 1990s became the dive-shop capital of India's coral coast.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–4,000/night

Mid-range

₹4,000–9,000/night

Comfort

₹9,000+/night

Things to do

Radhanagar Beach
Elephant Beach
Kalapathar
Snorkel & dive reefs
Beach-road cycle rides

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: ₹14,000–32,500 (3 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,500–9,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹1,800–2,200

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

Reef-safe sunscreen — the reefs are the reason to come
Water shoes for coral shallows
Island power cuts happen — a power bank and torch help

Frequently asked questions

How do I reach Havelock?

Ferry from Port Blair (2–2.5 h) — book the Makruzz or the government ferry online a few days ahead.

Is diving needed to see the reef?

No — snorkelling off Elephant Beach and the jetty shows plenty. Diving takes you to turtles and the drop-offs.

How many days should I spend?

Two nights covers the icons; three lets you dive, snorkel and slow down — which is the point.