Havelock Island Travel Guide
The sweet spot is about October to May , with the calmest sea and clearest water roughly from December to March, and rough seas in the monsoon.
The best time to visit Havelock, and when to stay away
The sweet spot is about October to May, with the calmest sea and clearest water roughly from December to March, and rough seas in the monsoon.
- October to May is the seasonThe pleasant months on Havelock run from about October to May. The sea is calm then, the sky is clear, and the beaches are at their best. The air stays tropical and steady all year, roughly 24 to 32 degrees Celsius, so it is never cold. What changes with the season is the sea. On an island where the water is the whole reason to come, that is what matters most to you.
- December to March for the clearest waterIf diving, snorkelling and calm swimming are high on your list, aim for roughly December to March. The sea is at its gentlest then, and underwater visibility is at its best. These are also the busiest and priciest months. So book the ferry and your rooms well ahead, especially around the Christmas and New Year weeks and the school holidays.
- The monsoon brings rough seasFrom about June to September, the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas. Ferries can be cancelled or delayed, and many water activities pause. The island is green, quiet and cheaper then, and some travellers enjoy that calm. But it is a gamble if your days are fixed. Plan the monsoon only if you can be flexible.
- Shoulder months are a fair compromiseOctober, and again April to May, sit between the crowds and the rain. You get mostly good weather, slightly lower prices than the December peak, and fewer people on Radhanagar Beach at sunset. For many families and couples, these shoulder weeks are the sweet spot. You enjoy the island's beauty without the peak season rush and the peak season rates.
From about June to September, the sea turns rough. Ferries can be delayed or cancelled, and many water activities pause. If your days cannot flex, plan for the clear season of about October to May. Choose December to March for the calmest sea, rather than gambling on a monsoon crossing.
How to reach Havelock, all by way of Port Blair
Every route to Havelock runs through Port Blair, and from there it is a ferry across the sea, there is no airport on the island.
The gateway to the whole Andaman group is Port Blair. Its Veer Savarkar airport has direct flights to Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi and other mainland cities. There is no airport on Havelock itself. So you reach the island by sea from Port Blair. It is wise to spend at least a night in Port Blair at the start of your trip.
From Port Blair, the crossing to Havelock, now Swaraj Dweep, is by ferry across the open sea. The distance is roughly 40 to 70 km. Private air conditioned fast ferries take about one and a half to two hours. The government ferry takes up to about three hours and costs less. Book your ferry in advance, as seats sell out in the busy season.
Private operators such as Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika, ITT Majestic and Sealink run the fast, comfortable ferries that most visitors take. They have assigned seats and enclosed cabins. The government ferry is cheaper, and a fine choice for a budget trip. But it is slower, less comfortable and harder to book online. Many travellers keep it as a backup.
Ferry timings are limited, usually a handful of departures across the morning and early afternoon. So plan your day around them, rather than assuming you can leave whenever you like. In rough weather, especially in the monsoon, sailings can be delayed or cancelled. Keep a buffer day before any flight home. Do not plan to leave the island on the same day you fly out of Port Blair.
Havelock is reached only by ferry from Port Blair. Private fast ferries take about one and a half to two hours, and the government ferry up to about three. Seats sell out in the December to March peak, so book ahead. Never plan to leave the island on the same day you fly home from Port Blair.
Radhanagar, Elephant Beach and the shores of Swaraj Dweep
The island's heart is its beaches, above all Radhanagar for its sunsets, with Elephant Beach for snorkelling and quieter shores at Kalapathar and Vijaynagar.
- Radhanagar Beach, the famous oneRadhanagar Beach, also called Beach Number 7, is the reason many people come to Havelock. Its long curve of soft white sand and clear shallow water have long placed it among the finest beaches in Asia. There is a netted safe swimming zone. The sunsets are best watched from the northern end in the late afternoon. They are the sort of view you will remember for years.
- Elephant Beach for snorkellingElephant Beach is the island's main spot for snorkelling and simple water sports. Coral and fish sit close to the shore. You reach it either by a short speedboat ride, or by a walk of about 1.8 km through mangrove forest. Wear proper shoes if you plan to walk. Go early, before the day boats arrive, for the calmest water and the best of the reef.
- Kalapathar and Vijaynagar, the quieter shoresFor a slower morning, try Kalapathar Beach on the eastern side, named for its black rocks. Vijaynagar Beach, also called Beach Number 5, is another quiet choice. Both are easily reached by road and far less crowded than Radhanagar. Vijaynagar is lined with tall mahua trees and dive resorts. It is a lovely place to swim gently, read in the shade, and watch the light change over the sea.
- The island beyond the sandAway from the beaches, Havelock is green and quiet, a place of village lanes, small farms and forest. Rent a scooter or hire an auto for the day. Then you can move between the beaches at your own pace and see the ordinary life of the island. It is small enough to feel knowable in a couple of days, which is part of its charm.
Unlike the road beaches, Elephant Beach is reached either by a short speedboat ride, or by a walk of about 1.8 km through mangrove forest. Wear proper shoes if you mean to walk. Go early, before the day boats arrive, for the calmest water and the best of the reef.
Diving, snorkelling and the experiences worth the trip
Havelock is one of India's finest scuba diving bases, with warm water and, in season, clear visibility, and gentler joys for those who prefer to stay near the surface.
- Scuba diving, even for beginnersHavelock is among the best places in India to dive, with over twenty dive sites and several certified dive centres. The sea stays warm all year, about 26 to 29 degrees Celsius. In season the visibility is good, often 15 to 30 metres. A complete beginner can do a supervised try dive with no certificate. You go down with an instructor to meet the reef, the coral and the turtles.
- Snorkelling and glass bottom boatsIf you would rather not dive, snorkelling at Elephant Beach brings you close to coral and fish in shallow, easy water. It suits children and nervous swimmers. Glass bottom boat rides show you the reef without your even getting wet. That is a gentle option for grandparents and small children. It lets a whole family share the underwater world together.
- Sea kayaking and the mangrovesGuided sea kayaking takes you quietly through the island's mangrove creeks. Sometimes it runs at dusk, when the water can glow faintly with bioluminescence on the darkest nights. It is calm, low effort and beautiful. It is a very different mood from the busy beaches. It is one of the experiences that makes Havelock more than just a place to lie on the sand.
- Sunsets, walks and simply restingNot everything here needs an activity and a booking. For many, the greatest pleasure of Havelock is the slow one. Take a long walk on empty sand at low tide. Read a book in the shade. Watch the sunset at Radhanagar, with the sky turning colours over the sea. Leave room in your plan for this, as it is what the island does best.
A healthy beginner can do a supervised try dive on Havelock with no certificate. You go down with an instructor in warm water, about 26 to 29 degrees Celsius, with good visibility in season. Be honest about any medical condition. Follow the safety briefing. Do not fly within the recommended time after a dive.
Where to stay in Havelock, and how long to give it
Stay on or near a good beach on the island itself, and give Havelock two to three nights within a wider Andaman trip.
- Stay on the island, near a beachHavelock has resorts and guest houses for every budget, from simple beach huts to comfortable sea facing rooms. Many sit along the road toward Vijaynagar Beach and the dive resorts. Stay on the island itself, rather than as a rushed day trip from Port Blair. That is the whole point. Then you catch the quiet early mornings and the sunsets that day visitors miss.
- Give it two to three nightsTwo to three nights on Havelock is the sweet spot for most travellers. That gives you a full day for Radhanagar and the sunset, and a day for Elephant Beach and diving or snorkelling. It also leaves time to slow down. One night feels rushed once you count the ferry each way. More than three suits those who truly want to do very little.
- Fit it into a whole Andaman tripPlan Havelock as part of a loop, not on its own. A common, comfortable shape is a night or two in Port Blair for the Cellular Jail. Then take two or three nights on Havelock. Then add a night on Neil Island, now Shaheed Dweep, before you return to Port Blair to fly out. This spreads the ferries sensibly and shows you the range of the islands.
- Book ahead in the busy seasonIn the December to March peak, and around New Year and the school holidays, the best rooms and the fast ferries fill early. So book both well in advance. In the shoulder and quiet months you have far more freedom to choose on arrival. Even then, settle your first night and your onward ferry before you reach the island.
A gentle guide to the cost of Havelock
Havelock can be done simply or in comfort; the ferry, the room and any diving are the main costs, and it helps to carry cash.
- The ferry acrossThe crossing from Port Blair is your first real cost. The government ferry is the cheapest way over, but slower and harder to book. The private fast ferries cost more, and they are faster and more comfortable. The pricier cabins cost more than the standard ones. Whichever you choose, book ahead in season. Treat the fare as a fixed part of your island budget.
- Rooms for every budgetWhere you sleep is your biggest choice. Simple beach huts and guest houses keep costs low. Mid range resorts add comfort and a good breakfast. A handful of high end properties charge a great deal more for seclusion and style. Prices climb sharply in the December to March peak and around New Year. So the same room can cost far more in high season than in the quiet months.
- Activities are extraDiving, snorkelling trips, kayaking and boat rides are all paid separately. A first dive or a snorkelling trip is an affordable treat, and most visitors feel it is well worth it. Scooter or auto hire to move between the beaches is cheap. Budget a little each day for these small pleasures, rather than assuming the room price covers the island.
- Carry cash from Port BlairThis is the practical warning that matters most. The island has only about two ATMs, and they can be unreliable. Many small eateries, shacks and rental places prefer cash. Draw enough cash in Port Blair before you sail. Then a broken machine on Havelock will not leave you stuck. It is far better to carry a little too much than too little.
The island has only about two ATMs, and they can be unreliable. Many small eateries and rental places prefer cash. Draw enough cash in Port Blair before you sail, so a broken machine on Havelock does not leave you stuck. It is far better to carry a little too much than too little.
Practical tips: ferries, cash, phones and permits
A few plain facts save trouble: book the ferry, carry cash, expect weak signal, and check the permit and registration rules close to your trip.
- Book the ferry, both waysFix your Port Blair to Havelock ferry and your return before you need them, especially in the busy season. Keep a buffer day before your flight home, so a delayed sailing does not make you miss it. Carry a printout or a screenshot of the ticket. Reach the jetty in good time, as boarding for the fast ferries closes well before departure.
- Expect to disconnectMobile signal on Havelock is limited. The BSNL network works best, other networks are patchy, and cafe wifi is slow. So tell family at home not to worry if you go quiet for a day. Many visitors come to see this as a gift, rather than a problem. It is a real chance to put the phone away and simply be on the island.
- Both names, one islandDo not be thrown by the two names. Havelock and Swaraj Dweep are the same island, renamed by the Government of India in December 2018. Both names appear on tickets, boards and maps. In the same way, Neil Island is now Shaheed Dweep, and Ross Island is now Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. Knowing this saves you confusion at the jetty and when booking.
- Check permits close to your tripIndian travellers need no special permit for Havelock. Foreign nationals no longer need a Restricted Area Permit for the main tourist islands, including Havelock, but they must still register on arrival. The rules can change. So if you are an overseas or OCI visitor, check the current position close to travel, rather than relying on an old blog. When in doubt, ask your airline or a reliable local operator.
Havelock and Swaraj Dweep are one island, renamed by the Government of India in December 2018. Both names appear on tickets and boards. In the same way, Neil Island is now Shaheed Dweep, and Ross Island is now Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. Knowing this saves you confusion at the jetty and when booking.
Safety, the sea and staying comfortable
The sea is the thing to respect here; swim in the netted zones, heed local advice on currents, and take the ferry weather seriously.
- Respect the sea and the flagsHavelock is a safe and friendly place, and the main hazard is the sea itself. Swim in the netted, patrolled zone at Radhanagar, rather than striking out alone. Watch for any warning flags. Take local advice on currents and tides seriously. The water can look calm and still pull. So keep children close, and do not swim far out, however inviting the sea appears.
- Dive and snorkel with proper operatorsUse established, certified dive centres, and listen to the safety briefing. Never dive or snorkel beyond your comfort or training. A supervised try dive is safe for a healthy beginner. But be honest with the instructor about any medical condition, and do not fly within the recommended time after a dive. A reputable operator will not let you rush this, and that is exactly right.
- Take the weather and the ferry seriouslyIn rough weather, particularly in the monsoon, ferries can be delayed or cancelled, and the open crossing can be choppy. If you feel seasick, sit low and central on the boat and look at the horizon. Keep a buffer day before any onward flight. Then a cancelled sailing is an inconvenience, not a crisis. Do not cut your timings fine.
- Sun, water and the small stuffThe tropical sun is strong even on cloudy days. Use good sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water, and rest in the shade in the afternoon heat. Carry any personal medicines with you. The island has only basic health facilities and a small hospital, and serious cases go back to Port Blair. A little care keeps your beach holiday from turning uncomfortable.
The main hazard on Havelock is the sea itself. Swim inside the netted, patrolled zone at Radhanagar, rather than striking out alone. Watch for warning flags, and take local advice on currents seriously. The water can look calm and still pull. So keep children close, and do not swim far out.
Havelock for every kind of traveller
The island rewards honeymooners, families, seniors and first time divers alike, each in a slightly different way.
- Honeymoon couplesHavelock is one of India's favourite honeymoon islands, and it earns the name. The sunset at Radhanagar, a quiet sea facing room, a candle lit dinner by the shore, a slow shared morning on empty sand: these are the memories couples come for. Choose a calmer resort away from the busiest stretch. Give yourselves the time simply to be together.
- Families with childrenFamilies do well here. The netted swimming zone at Radhanagar, the shallow snorkelling at Elephant Beach, and glass bottom boat rides give children safe, exciting things to do, while you relax nearby. Keep your days gentle, and carry sunscreen, water and snacks. Let the island set a slow pace. Children remember the sea and the sand far more than any packed schedule.
- Senior travellersFor grandparents and older travellers, Havelock is kind if you plan it gently. Take the comfortable private ferry, rather than the slow government boat. Choose a resort with easy access and little walking. Enjoy the beaches, the boat rides and the sunsets without the diving. A glass bottom boat lets you share the underwater world without getting into the water at all.
- First time divers and nature loversIf you have never dived, this is a wonderful place to begin. The water is warm, the instructors are patient, and reef life sits close to shore. If you love nature, you will enjoy the mangroves, the birds, the forest walks and the sheer quiet of the island. Come with an open, unhurried spirit, and Havelock gives you far more than a list of sights ever could.
A suggested Andaman plan around Havelock
The easiest shape is Port Blair, then Havelock, then Neil, spreading the ferries sensibly across about five to seven days.
- Start in Port BlairGive Port Blair a night or two at the start. See the Cellular Jail, the old Kala Pani prison where India's freedom fighters were held. Stay for its moving evening light and sound show. This grounds your whole trip in the islands' history before you head out to the beaches. It also lets you buy anything you need and draw cash before sailing.
- Sail to Havelock for the heart of the tripTake a morning ferry to Havelock, and give it two or three nights. Spend one day at Radhanagar with its sunset. Spend another at Elephant Beach for snorkelling or a first dive. Leave time to rest and wander. This is the core of your holiday, so do not rush it. The island rewards those who slow down and let the days unfold.
- Add Neil Island for a gentler noteFrom Havelock, a short ferry reaches Neil Island, now Shaheed Dweep. It is smaller and slower, with its natural rock bridge, quiet beaches and green fields. A night here is a lovely, calmer coda before you return to Port Blair. Neil suits those who want even more peace. It makes the trip feel complete, rather than a single stop repeated.
- Return with a buffer to fly outSail back to Port Blair with a full day in hand before your flight home, never on the same morning. Then a delayed ferry cannot make you miss it. Use that last day for anything you skipped in Port Blair, a little shopping, or simply an unhurried start. Over about five to seven days, this plan sees the best of the islands without strain.
Sail back to Port Blair with a full day in hand before your flight home, never on the same morning, so a delayed ferry cannot make you miss it. Over about five to seven days, the Port Blair, Havelock and Neil plan sees the best of the islands without strain.
The real questions travellers ask about Havelock
Short, honest answers to the questions that come up again and again before a Havelock trip.
- Is Havelock the same as Swaraj Dweep?Yes. Havelock Island was officially renamed Swaraj Dweep by the Government of India in December 2018, and both names are used, on tickets, signboards and maps. It is one island with two names. So do not be confused when you see Swaraj Dweep written where you expected Havelock, or the other way round.
- How do I reach it, and must I book the ferry?You reach Havelock only by ferry from Port Blair, as there is no airport on the island. Private fast ferries take about one and a half to two hours, and the government ferry up to about three. Yes, book ahead, especially in the December to March peak. Seats sell out, and turning up on the day is a gamble.
- Can a beginner scuba dive here?Yes. Havelock is one of the best places in India to try diving. A healthy beginner can do a supervised try dive with no certificate, going down with an instructor in warm, clear water. Be honest about any medical condition. Follow the briefing, and do not fly within the recommended time after diving.
- Will my phone and cards work?Only partly. Mobile signal is limited, with BSNL working best. There are only about two ATMs, and they can be unreliable, so carry enough cash from Port Blair. Treat the island as a place to disconnect. Tell family you may be quiet for a day. Do not rely on cards or a strong signal for anything important.
Planning Havelock from abroad
For families flying in from overseas, the trip is a long haul to Port Blair by way of a mainland city, and a little planning around ferries and permits makes it smooth.
- Route in through a mainland cityThere are no international flights to Port Blair. So from abroad, you fly first to an Indian hub such as Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Delhi. Then you take a domestic flight on to Port Blair. Book the Port Blair leg on the same trip, and allow a comfortable connection. Plan at least one night in Port Blair before you sail to the island.
- Check permits and registrationForeign passport holders no longer need a Restricted Area Permit for the main tourist islands, including Havelock, but they must still register on arrival. The rules can change. If you hold an OCI card, check your current position close to travel, since you are sometimes treated differently from Indian citizens. Confirm with your airline or a reliable Andaman operator, rather than relying on an old article.
- Give the trip enough daysAfter a long journey from overseas, do not squeeze the islands into two or three days. Allow about a week, so that jet lag, the flight to Port Blair and the ferries do not eat your whole holiday. A week lets you see Port Blair, settle into Havelock, add Neil, and keep the buffer day that island travel always needs.
- Pack and prepare for island simplicityBring any regular medicines, a basic first aid kit, good sunscreen and a hat, since the island has only basic shops and health care. Carry enough cash. Download your maps and any tickets before you sail, as the signal is weak. Coming prepared lets your family relax into the island, rather than hunting for things that are hard to find there.
Money, connectivity and timing for overseas visitors
Carry cash, expect weak signal, and time the trip for the clear season, the same rules as for everyone, but they matter more when you have come a long way.
- Carry plenty of cashDraw plenty of Indian rupees in cash while you are still in Port Blair, where banks and ATMs are reliable. On Havelock there are only about two ATMs, and they can be down, and many small places take only cash. As a visitor from abroad, you cannot easily solve a money problem locally. So arriving with enough cash is your single best preparation.
- Expect to be offlineInternational roaming, and even Indian SIM cards, work poorly on the island, with BSNL the most likely to hold a signal. Tell family at home that you may be out of touch for a day or two. Share your rough plan before you sail, and enjoy the disconnection. It is one of the last places where being unreachable is simply part of the experience.
- Time it for the clear seasonAim for roughly October to May, and December to March for the calmest sea. Avoid the June to September monsoon, when ferries can be cancelled. That is a real risk when you have flown across the world for this. If your dates are fixed by school terms abroad, build in extra buffer days against ferry delays.
- Use a reliable local operatorFor an overseas family, a trustworthy Andaman operator can book the ferries, rooms and activities in the right order. They handle the timing between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil, which is fiddly to do from abroad. It removes much of the guesswork. A good operator will also give you the current word on permits and registration for foreign and OCI visitors.
The island of white sand and two names
Far out in the Bay of Bengal, a sea crossing beyond the old prison island of Port Blair, lies an island that carries two names and one great gift. On the maps of an earlier age it was Havelock; since December 2018 it has borne the prouder name of Swaraj Dweep, the island of freedom, part of a group renamed to honour those who suffered for India's liberty in the Cellular Jail across the water. But names matter less here than the sea. On the far shore of the island the sand of Radhanagar Beach runs white and soft for a long clean curve, the water shading from glass to deep blue, and at the day's end the sun sinks into that sea in a slow blaze of colour that draws everyone to the northern rocks to watch in silence. Below the surface lie warm clear waters and coral gardens where a first time diver can meet a turtle face to face, and around the island there is little signal, little rush and little to do but swim, walk, rest and look. To reach Havelock is to leave the mainland and its noise behind, to carry cash and let the phone fall quiet, and to give a few unhurried days to an island that asks for nothing but that you slow down and see how beautiful the sea can be.
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Tour packages that visit Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
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7D / 6NAndaman Tour Package for Couples
- The Zonal Anthropological Museum
- The Samudrika Marine Museum
5D / 4NPort Blair LTC Tour
- Visit Radhanagar Beach.
- Visit Havelock Island.