Named after Henry Havelock, a British colonial time General in the region, Havelock is the Andaman’s star attraction and thousands of tourists flock to this paradise on earth every year. The five main villages featuring their own unique beaches are Govinda Nagar, Radha Nagar, Bejoy Nagar, Shyam Nagar, Krishna Nagar. Radha Nagar beach is the best of the lot having been rated by the coveted Time magazine as the best beach in Asia back in 2004.
The Havelock Islands is approximately 55 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Port Blair with around two to three departures daily from Port Blair to the island. Catamaran ferries take you there and if time is your concern, Pawan Hans operates choppers from Port Blair to Havelock.
Once you’re on Havelock Islands the best way to get around is on foot, exploring the various beaches, shacks and shopping places. Radha Nagar beach features pristine white sand with emerald colored reef and makes for a great place to spend an afternoon with some sumptuous seafood.
Elephant beach, another tourist favorite, is walking distance from Radha Nagar beach, and what a brilliant walk it is indeed. If walking’s not your thing, an auto rickshaw can be hired. Apart from rickshaws, one can opt to hire a cab or rent a two wheeler for a day.
Scuba diving is by far the most enjoyable activity on Havelock Island and the Andaman Islands are not well equipped with speed boats and a recompression chamber at Port Blair. Scuba expeditions for every appetite, beginner, intermediate and experienced are available on Havelock Island and are very reasonably priced. It’s a great way to explore marine flora and fauna up close and personal!
Apart from Scuba, trekking is another famous sport at Havelock Island with many tour operators offering standardized guided treks. Unlike other islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Island group, Havelock offers many hotel and dormitory options to suit every budget.
Café Del Mar and Wild Orchid are two places worth considering! Done with the sun and sand and you might want to head over to Village Number 3 which is the prime market place selling various local artifacts and accessories.
Don’t forget to try some authentic coconut water here. Drinks and beer are available at most of the restaurants and being a Union Territory, they’re reasonably priced.
Premium scuba diving and snorkeling are the highlights of the gorgeous Havelock Island. Glass-bottomed boats provide a similar up-close marine life experience. Jungle treks and camping are popular landlubbing activities, though the more delicately dispositioned can choose to retire to one of several luxury resorts. Refuel with fresh coconut milk and succulent, just-caught seafood, which dominates every meal.
Havelock Islands (often just Havelock for short) with an area of some 92 sq. km is the largest of the islands which comprise Ritchie’s Archipelago, a chain of islands to the east of Great Andaman in the Andaman Islands. The island population has Bengali settlers. It is one of the few places that the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar has permitted and encouraged development of tourism, with a focus on promoting eco-tourism.
Radhanagar Beach
It is one of the best beaches in the world. Unbelievably picturesque, flawlessly astonishing disclosure of nature’s splendor can be experienced here. Heavenly peace has dominated the place. There’s pin-drop silence for a moment, and there comes a well-mannered wave, 5km long, gently splashing in a beautiful accord, and there’s complete silence again till the next one. This splash is the only thing you can hear on the beach. Lush Mahua trees surround the beach, high-spirited, standing tall, as if touching the clouds. You get into the forest and you can’t see the sky. Check for elephant rides here.
Vijay Nagar beach
All the prominently listed ‘resorts’, except Bare Foot and Dolphin tents, are located along this beach. Unlike Bare Foot, which is located 100 meters off the shore and inside the ‘jungle’, most resorts on this side are on the beach. Quite and serene, it’s worth every penny spent on this God painted natural beauty!!
Govindnagar Beach
Govind Nagar, the main “town”, is small and has only a handful of shops and local dhabas. There is a recently opened Axis Bank ATM near the market place.
Elephant Beach
Located at one remote corner of Havelock Islands is Elephant Beach. One has to take a boat or go on a steep, but short trek to reach this desolate beach. But, once you have reached this beach, it is difficult to coax yourself to move out. Such is the pristine beauty of this place. The inner reaches of this beach are made up of mangrove forests and slush, but the side is close to the water. The sapphire colored waters, the gentle waves, the bare trees, the vast horizon and the sense of being alone amidst this rapidly changing nature truly intoxicates one’s soul.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the island is between October and May as the weather during this time is ideal for diving and other aqua sports. The days are warm and sunny and sea is calm to reflect blue clouds.
How to Reach
By Sea: Ferries are the easiest way to get to Havelock Islands (Beach number 1). About three ferries travel from Port Blair every day within a span of four hours each. There is a ferry service from Rangat via Neil Island once a day but it depends on the season and prior enquiry will save time.
Government operated ferries require to be booked in advance due to lack of space. There are two types of tickets that you can book – Chair Class and Seat Class (the more expensive option).
There is a more expensive catamaran ferry that can be booked at Port Blair. This is less likely to be full and gives much better facilities like leather seats and your own TV.
The most expensive way via sea to reach Havelock Island is by traveling on MV Makruzz, the first luxury catamaran which travels from Port Blair to Havelock Island port in about 90 minutes.
By Air: The nearest airport is Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair. There are regular flights to Chennai and Kolkata. An eight seater sea plane service is available that travels between Havelock Islands and Port Blair twice every day except on Sundays. Buses, rickshaws and taxis are available from the port.
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