Places to Visit in Havelock Island & Around

Places to Visit in and Around Havelock Island

Spent your first few days in Andamans exploring attractions in and around Port Blair? Next comes the serenity of Havelock Island. The scuba paradise of Andamans is quiet but interesting and promises a good time without the constant crowds of Port Blair. We recommend spending at least 2 days in Havelock, leaving time for fun dives, exploring the island and exploring places near Port Blair.

Is Havelock For Me?

Havelock is for:

1. Families with older kids (so they can try adventure sports).
2. Honeymoon couples looking for a dash of adventure in their romantic holiday.
3. Solo travellers and backpackers.
4. Seasoned divers looking for a professional setup and a thriving diving community.

Read More: How to Reach Havelock Island

Places to Visit in Havelock Island

1. Visit Radhanagar Beach

Visit Radhanagar Beach, a Blue Flag Certified beach in Havelock. The certification is given to beaches that are touted as the cleanest, safest and most environmentally friendly beaches in the world. Radhanagar beach was also crowned the ‘Best Beach in Asia‘ by TIME magazine. The crescent-shaped beach has white sands and turquoise blue sea. We will stop with the descriptions and urge you to go visit the beach.

What You Need To Know

• Distance: 12 KMs from the jetty
• Time taken to reach: 20-25 minutes from Havelock harbour
• Transport Options: Local buses, air conditioned buses and jeeps. You can rent private cabs or bikes
• Experiences: Swimming, walking along the beach and watching the spellbinding sunset. You can also have a picnic by the beach
• Amenities: Public restrooms, changing rooms, showers and locker rooms are all available at the beach and can be used for a nominal fee. Seating options with makeshift shades are also available

2. Elephant Beach

Elephant Beach is a bustling hub of adventure activities. The clear waters offer a great scuba diving and snorkelling experience. While you must try jet skiing, parasailing, glass bottom boat rides, banana boat rides and sea walking, don’t miss out on mangrove kayaking. This is a relaxing experience of sailing through the dense mangrove forests. Want to know about the prices and best ages for each activity at Elephant Beach? Get all the details here.

What You Need To Know

• Distance: 9 KMs from the jetty
• Time taken to reach: 20 minutes from Havelock jetty
• Alternate Route: Trek through mangrove jungle (challenging trek)
• Trek Distance: 1.8 Km
• Total Trek Time: 60-90 minutes
• Transport Options: Local buses, air conditioned buses and jeeps. You can rent private cabs or bikes
• Experiences: Swimming, water sports like snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, banana boat rides, trekking
• Amenities: Free access to changing rooms, basic showers and toilets. Lockers are available but at a nominal fee. Lifeguards are present on the beach to ensure the safety of tourists. You can find benches to lounge on and small stalls/vendors selling water, snacks and fruits

3. Kalapathar Beach

Kalapathar beach gets its name from the nearby Kalapathar village. This beautiful beach has long stretches of white sands covered with big black rocks. This Havelock beach is famous amongst tourists, but if you want to avoid the crowds then head towards the South end of the beach for seclusion. The peaceful vibe and stunning sunrise views make it a favourite for early risers and photographers.

What You Need To Know

• Distance: 8 KMs from the jetty.
• Time taken to reach: 15-20 minutes from Havelock jetty.
• Experiences: You can swim in the waters (be cautious because of sharp rocks and corals) or head here early to click pictures of a beautiful sunrise. Try and spot the volcanic rock formations scattered across the beach.
• Amenities: No changing rooms but public restrooms are available. Option to lounge on wooden chairs or tie a hammock between trees.

4. Vijaynagar Beach (Beach No. 5)

Vijaynagar Beach lies along the road to Kalapathar and is one of the best beaches in Havelock and first beach you’ll come across on that route. Though often overlooked, it’s breathtakingly beautiful with sapphire blue waters, soft sands, and swaying coconut trees lining the shore.

What You Need To Know

• Distance: 1.1 kilometres from Kalapathar Beach and approx 9 KMs from Havelock Jetty
• Time taken to reach: 15-20 minutes from Havelock jetty
• Experiences: Swim in the waters but be careful of the sharp corals. You can also unwind and sunbathe. There are no water sports available at the beach
• Amenities: Public restrooms are available but there are no changing rooms. There are no snack stalls on the beach so carry water and snacks with you

5. Scuba Diving Sites in Havelock

Havelock Island is known as the scuba diving capital of India. The island is dotted with some of the most famous dive sites in the country like The Wall, Aquarium, Lighthouse, Johnny’s Gorge, and Dixon’s Pinnacle. Each dive site offers something different, coral gardens, deep walls, reef sharks, and schools of colorful fish, drawing divers from across the country throughout the year. PADI-certified dive schools such as Barefoot Scuba, Lacadives, Dive India, and Gypsy Divers operate across the island. These dive centers are well-equipped and run by experienced instructors who know the waters inside out.

What You Need To Know

• Recommend Dive Shops: Barefoot Scuba, Lacadives, The Dive Master, Ocean School Andaman
  
• Single Dive Cost: INR 3000/- to INR 8,000/-
• Duration: Approx 60 minutes (Only Dive)
• Recommended Dive Resorts: Lacadives,Scubalov, Barefoot at Havelock
• Open Water Certification Cost: INR 28,000/- to INR 36,000/-
• Duration: Approx 3-5 days. Beginners can book Boat Dives with us

General Guidelines For Exploring Places in Havelock

1. Transport:

Havelock’s local transport is not as frequent as Port Blair’s, so it’s best to explore the island by renting a scooter (approx INR 400/- to INR 600/- per day), booking a private cab or renting a cycle (best for short distances). Havelock Jetty is the main arrival and departure point for Havelock. Government and private ferries head in and out of Havelock everyday.

2. Permits: 

• Indian nationals don’t need permits or documents to explore Port Blair. Just carry your government authorized ID proof
• Foreign nationals need a passport and tourist visa

3. Restrooms and Facilities:

• Restrooms are available at Havelock Jetty and some beaches like Radhanagar and Kalapathar Beach. These are basic but functional
• Changing room facilities are unavailable in most beaches
• Food stalls sell snacks and water. There are good fine-dining options too for couples and families visiting Havelock
• There is a government health centre near the market area for basic treatments

4. Mobile Network & Connectivity:

Airtel and BSNL offer good connectivity near the market, jetty area but not much in secluded beaches. While the call signal is decent at most spots in Havelock, the internet is often patchy. The WI-FI speed at hotels and cafes is very limited and not great for remote work.

5. Best Time To Visit Havelock:

• October to May (Peak Season): The pros are no heavy rains, clear weather and perfect diving conditions. The cons are expensive stays, higher prices and crowded waters.
• June to September (Off Season): The pros are cheaper stays, less crowded beaches. The cons are limited activities and heavy rains.

Places to Visit Around Havelock for a Perfect Day Trip

1. Neil Island

Neil Island is what Havelock used to be. The quaint island is great to unwind but also indulge in water sports. Apart from scuba diving, you can try snorkeling, kayaking, and other activities. The best part? It’s just a 45 minute ferry ride from Havelock making it the perfect spot for a day-trip.

What You Need To Know

• Ferry Connectivity: Private and Government Ferry
• Private Ferry Cost: INR 1500/- to INR 3000/- per person
• Total Time Via Private Ferry: 45 minutes
• Earliest and Last Private Ferry Timings: 9:15 AM | 2:30 PM
• Private Ferry Frequency: 7
• Experiences: Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Island Exploration and visit to Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach (amazing sunrise) and Laxmanpur Beach (amazing sunsets and natural bridge)
• Permit/Documentation: No
• Connectivity: BSNL is the most reliable provider though most networks get patchy in remote areas
• Transport: Scooter rentals, bicycles, taxis and autos are limited
• ATMs: 1 ATM on the island but it’s often non-operational
• Facilities: No malls or supermarkets but basic amenities are available. Only small government clinics are present in case of medical emergencies

2. South Button Island

It’s likely you haven’t heard of this island, it’s one of the smallest national parks in India which is a 2 hour speedboat journey from Havelock. The island has some amazing scuba spots and It’s especially famous among divers and snorkelers for its shallow coral reefs, crystal-clear water, and vibrant marine life. The island is also part of the Rani Jhansi National Park comprising 2 other islands. There’s also a small unmanned lighthouse sitting atop the island’s only hill, making it feel even more remote and wild.

It’s part of a protected national park, and landing on the island is prohibited to preserve its delicate ecosystem. All scuba diving, snorkeling, and boating activities happen offshore, around the reef, in designated areas.

What You Need To Know

• Getting There: Rent a private speed charter boat or on a trip with diving/snorkeling guides.
• Total Time: 2 hours.
• Entry Fee: INR 50/- for Gate Pass and an additional INR 50/- for photography.
• Best Time To Visit: December to April.
  
• Experiences: Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
• Permit/Documentation: Yes, you need a forest permit
• Connectivity: Very poor

3. Barren Island

Barren Island is the India’s only active volcano is located in the Andamans and it’s possible to experience this geological wonder, from a distance. The volcano rises 2,250 meters above sea level. The island is only accessible by charter boats and tourists are not allowed to step on the island. You can cruise along the volcano and take in the sight of ash plumes rising into the sky. It’s a surreal experience. The time taken from Havelock to Barren Island is considerably shorter than that from Port Blair.

What You Need To Know

• Ferry Connectivity: Only Private Charter or Speed Boats
• Boat Ride Cost (Round Trip for 8 people): INR 1,50,000/- (approx + Taxes)
• Shared Boat Rides: 25,000 INR per person
• Distance from Havelock: 90-100 kilometers
• Total Travel Time (Round Trip): 4-5 hours from Havelock | 2.5 hours one way
• Trip Start Time: 5:30 AM
• Experiences At Barren Island: Cruise along the volcano. Options to try activities like snorkeling and game fishing
• Permit/Documentation: Yes, permits are required which are issued by the Indian Navy and Forest Department
• Connectivity: No mobile coverage near the island or on the boat journey
• Facilities: Your private charter boat will be equipped with food, drinking water, snacks and basic toilet facilities. Carry emergency medicines and plenty of sunscreen

General Guidelines for Travelling Around Havelock

Safety

• A lot of the islands are unmonitored by lifeguards, so make sure to practice precaution while swimming or snorkeling
• While Havelock is safe for solo travellers and backpackers, it’s best to venture with a group to the more secluded islands
• Network connectivity is dismal in the nearby islands, so download offline maps and other content

Accessibility And Amenities

• Islands around Havelock are uninhabited, so while visiting them carry water and snacks
• Changing rooms, showers, lockers are all unavailable on smaller islands

Clothing & Essentials

• Wear light, breathable clothing that dries quickly – perfect for the humid coastal climate and beach activities
• Wear non-slip footwear that can survive wear and tear. There will be tons of walking to do so carry necessary pain relieving sprays
• Apply and carry reef-safe sunscreen and pack your sunglasses too
• Insect repellent is a must, especially if you’re visiting forested islands or staying out past sunset
• Carry essential medications as pharmacies are not available on smaller islands