Havelock Island, part of the stunning Ritchie’s Archipelago, is the heart and soul of the Andamans. Speckled with countless white sand beaches surrounded by the beauty of tropical forest, Havelock is a coastal paradise promising unprecedented luxury with a blissful dollop of adrenaline. Home to some of the most stunning beaches of Andaman, the underwater world is guaranteed to lure you in with a plethora of water adventures like snorkelling, scuba diving, sea walking, surfing, and glass boat rides! Many Andaman packages include Havelock for its unmatched charm and vibrant marine life.
On a lazy day, get in your favourite hammock by the white sandy beaches and under the canopy of tall palm trees to reinvigorate your senses. Explore popular beaches like Vijayanagar, Radhanagar, and Bharatpur, and entertain the shopaholic in you by giving the iconic Market No. 3 a visit! If you’re a seeker of offbeat destinations, a fascinating trip to Barren Island, Inglis Beach, Merk Bay, and Kalapathar Beach is a delightful detour from the more popular, bustling Havelock beaches.
Places to Visit in Havelock Island:
1. Neil Island
Neil Island is one of the most popular places to visit in Andaman, and sits about 40 km to the south of the Andaman Islands. The face of the island is peppered with dense tropical forests, coral reefs, and lovely white sand beaches. It is also one of the best places in Havelock for experiencing the realm of underwater adventures like scuba diving, snorkelling, and surfing. Beaches like Laxmanpur, Sitapur and Bharatpur are the most frequented of all.
2. Radhanagar Beach
Skirting the southern coast of Havelock Island, Radhanagar Beach is something right out of paradise! Crowned Asia’s Best Beach, and 7th best in the world by Time Magazine, Radhanagar beach enjoys immense popularity. It is the beach that your island dreams are made of - pristine white sand caressed by azure waters and towered by lofty trees! It is the perfect place to experience the combination of comforting luxury and rugged wilderness.
3. Elephant Beach
Elephant Beach is best known for snorkelling, owing to the beautiful coral reefs that grace the seascape, along with an abundance of exotic marine life which will have you keep coming back for more. The boat or ferry ride to Elephant Beach from Havelock Jetty takes about 40 minutes. As the beach is applauded for its stunning coral reef structures, sea walking is an unmatched, surreal experience. It is safe to say that your trip to Havelock is incomplete without visiting Elephant Beach.
4. Barren Island
True to its name, Barren Island is a stretch of land that is completely devoid of human population. It also fosters the only known active volcano of South Asia, making it a truly fascinating destination for adventure seekers. Since the vegetation is scanty there, it is home only to goats, bats, birds and rats. However, obtaining special permission from the forest department is necessary to visit the island. Besides, there is a whole world of water sports to lure you along the way!
5. Vijaynagar Beach
The exquisite beauty of Vijaynagar Beach is ideal for those looking to bask in the comforting caresses of nature. Also famous as Beach No. 5, it is a go-to destination for exploring the exciting underwater world. The lingering tranquillity and solace that the beach offers make it a truly unmatched spot, veered off other bustling attractions in Andaman. You can also have a look at our guide on the best things to enjoy in andaman on your trip.
6. Long Island
Decidedly the most offbeat places to visit in the archipelago, the seascape of Long Island remains relatively unspoiled. It is famous among adventurers and explorers of untraced paths, but not many travellers are privy to the beautiful secrets that it harbours. It is also the perfect place for you to unplug and reconnect with yourself, given the isolated location of the place. If you can visit only a handful of places in Andaman, let Long Island be one of them.
7. Bharatpur Beach
A popular amongst travellers, Bharatpur Beach in Neil Island is a wide blanket of undulating waves, bordered by pristine white sand. What makes the beach stand out is the diversity in coral reefs and exotic marine life that thrives there. One of the best ways to fully admire the beauty of the beach and its wonderful residents is on a glass boat ride, which gives you a closer view, along with the illusion that you’re actually floating on water!
8. Kala Pathar Beach
Sitting about 12 km away from Havelock jetty, the beauty of Kalapathar beach remains relatively unexplored. One of the cleanest beaches in Andaman, Kalapathar is ideal for those looking for a respite from the crowded, popular beaches of Havelock. Roofing adventure, natural beauty and solitude, the beach is not yet well equipped with advanced facilities that the other beaches have.
9. Market No. 3
Market No. 3, also dubbed the heart and soul of Havelock Island, caters to all shopping whims and needs of travellers and locals alike. Lined with several shops and vendors selling everything from clothes to daily essentials and groceries, one needs to brush up on their bargaining skills to shop here. The market operates from morning to 03:00 PM only.
10. Merk Bay Beach
Snuggled in the secluded beauty of North Passage Island in Andaman, Merk Bay Beach is essentially a vast, unseen world awaiting exploration. A beguiling combination of clear turquoise waters and lovely white sand enchants the senses and redefines beauty. The one hour ride from Long Island jetty to Merk Bay is a scenic one as the path winds through unknown creeks and nooks. The island is apt for activities like dolphin spotting, birdwatching, or even for a simple yet refreshing walk by the moonlit shores.
11. Laxmanpur Beach
Looking for picture-perfect memories and postcard-worthy photos? Laxmanpur Beach is what you’re looking for! The beach, endowed with untouched beauty, deviates slightly from the frequently travelled paths. Its vast and open white shell sands form a striking contrast to the blue waters of other beaches in Andaman. You can also find a delightful amount of seashells and corals here. Activities like snorkelling and diving are best enjoyed at Laxmanpur Beach, while the majesty of the setting sun leaves stellar shades in the evening skies for you to revel in.
12. Inglis Beach
Inglis Island is located about 60 km away from Port Blair and is acclaimed widely for its diverse coral reef structures and wildlife. The endless expanse of turquoise green waters of Inglis is bound to leave you speechless. Encircled by vast forests, the island remains relatively isolated, making it an ideal destination for honeymooners and explorers. The offbeat destination, characterised by lovely white sand beaches and vast stretches of greenery, is something every adventurer dreams of. Don't miss out on checking out our top-selling Andaman honeymoon packages.
Things to Do in Havelock
1. Visit beaches
Andaman is a beautiful tropical world, and home to thousands of sparkling beaches. And while there are many places to explore in Havelock, essentially, it is nothing without its beaches. If you’re a seeker of offbeat places, Kalapathar Beach is the perfect place to explore, besides Vijaynagar Beach, Radhanagar Beach, and Kalapathar Beach. The most phenomenal experience is watching the slowly setting sun fire up the evening sky!
2. Have a Glass-Bottom Boat Tour
A menacing combination of adrenaline and peace, the iconic glass-bottom boat ride is a must-have experience when in Havelock. Unveil the marvellous secrets of the underwater world without dipping your toes in! The ride is generally about an hour long and can be experienced best at Bharatpur Beach, given its secluded location, ensuring you have only the pristine tropical beauty for company.
3. See Elephants training
Close to the Havelock jetty lies an elephant training camp where they’re trained meticulously to carry heavy logs and for other tasks. You can also take a tour of the thick forests of Havelock Island via elephant rides—a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Another such place to experience this is the training camp presided over by the Forest Department at Kalapathar.
4. Witness Elephants swimming
Elephant swimming is a widely talked- about activity in Andaman. The most famous swimming elephant, a 66-year-old wonder and the last of his kind, was adopted by Havelock’s Barefoot Resort. It was there that he met his end. Sadly, there are no more swimming elephants left in the Andamans anymore.
5. Explore the sea—Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is a must when visiting Andaman! The most popular water sport, scuba diving lures in herds and herds of travellers, nature lovers, and adrenaline junkies to Andaman every year. This is for good reason, as the spectacular beauty of the islands and the stunning diving sites is virtually unmatched. There are well-trained professionals and guides to oversee your adventure, and the top-notch modern equipment provided is an assurance of safety. If you’re looking for underwater adventures, Andaman will delight you.
6. Snorkelling
With no dearth of breathtaking white sand beaches and glistening turquoise waters in Havelock, snorkelling is one of the finest adventures you can have! One of the major highlights about snorkelling in Havelock is that there is not stipulated timings the must be adhered to and can be done anytime as per your convenience. Despite being an adrenaline-pumping activity, you’d be surprised at the feeling of tranquillity it brings you.
7. Sighting in Havelock
Havelock Island is arguably the most alluring destination in Andaman, with countless little treasures locked in its verdant, tropical bounds. From an array of crystal-clear beaches to explore to an astounding list of adventures to lose yourself in, Havelock has got it all. The most commonly chosen sightseeing spots are Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach, Barren Island, Neil Island, Bharatpur Beach, Vijaynagar Beach, and numerous others.
8. Kayaking in Havelock
Another stimulating activity to indulge in, kayaking was not as popular as scuba diving back in the day but is gaining rapid popularity. The realms of Havelock are deemed ideal to experience kayaking. Professionals guide your adventure, guaranteeing both safety and an exhilarating experience.
9. Seaplane ride from Havelock to Port Blair
Imagine witnessing the spellbinding grandeur of Andaman unfurling before you in a vast, green sprawl, cradling an endless stretch of the sea - a bird’s-eye view. That’s what the seaplane ride from Havelock to Port Blair promises, besides other things. The ride takes about 25 blissful minutes to cover the distance between Havelock to Port Blair, speckled with white sandy beaches.
10. Trek to Elephant beach
If you thought watersports were the only happening thing in Andaman, a refreshing jungle trek to Elephant Beach is just the myth-buster you need! Stunned, tall trees line the narrow trails to Elephant Beach, offering some of the island's best views. The trek begins at about 08:00 AM and lasts for 45 minutes, weaving through dense mangrove forests and marshlands.
11. Have a walk in the sea
A refreshing change from scuba diving, yet strikingly similar to it is the delightful adventure of sea walking. The best place to indulge in it is Elephant Beach in Havelock, where PADI certified instructors look after your journey and ensure you well-rounded safety and total fun. All you need is a well-trained instructor and a sea helmet, and you’re set! In fact, you can even take this up as a pre-scuba diving activity to test the waters, literally!
Things to keep in mind:
- Make sure to pack all your medical essentials in a single, easily accessible bag that you can carry everywhere. Carry medicines for fever, cough and cold, indigestion, headache, motion sickness, nausea, diarrhoea, painkillers, band-aid, gauze, cotton, and antiseptic cream. Although Havelock has a decent number of pharmacy shops, it is always advisable to carry your own supply of medicines with you in case of emergencies.
- Carry your govt. ID proofs everywhere you go. You will be required to produce them at airports, while staying in hotels, and possibly in other places.
- Locals are quite helpful, warm, and welcoming. Don’t hesitate too much to ask for advice and recommendations. The island is relatively safe, with minimum crime rates, even for solo female travellers. That said, you know when to avoid someone if you smell trouble. Do not get too friendly with someone you don’t know well. It doesn’t hurt to be cautious.
- If you wish to save money, consider using local transportation instead of hiring a private car. Not only will you make more friends, but also enhance your travel experience by a long shot.
- Carry a majority of your money in the form of cards, with only a bare minimum in cash to ensure protection. There are enough ATMs in Havelock.
- If you’re travelling during monsoons, keep an eye out for any weather reports that may be circulated.
