Havelock Island
A thousand kilometres east of the Indian mainland, Havelock — officially Swaraj Dweep — rewards the two-flights-and-a-ferry effort with Radhanagar Beach, a sweep of white sand and forest regularly ranked Asia's best, plus elephant-green jungle and some of the Indian Ocean's cheapest diving.
- Best forDivers & snorkellers · Beach lovers · Budget travellers
- In February28°C · 4 rainy days · sea 29°C
- Ideal stay4–5 nights, within a week in the Andamans
- Approx. flying time~17h 15m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyINRIndian rupee
- LanguageHindi and English
- Local time14:554h 30m ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / D / MBring an adapter
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+91
Why go
Officially renamed Swaraj Dweep, this is the most developed island in an archipelago closer to Myanmar than to India, and development still means dirt roads, beach huts and generators. Jungle presses against the sand, the shallows run pale turquoise, and the reefs offer some of the least expensive diving in the Indian Ocean. Evenings are dark, quiet and star-heavy, since there is essentially no nightlife to speak of.
Getting there takes commitment: a flight to Port Blair, then a ferry across open sea. Once you are in, plan a week and give a couple of days to neighbouring Neil Island. December to April brings the calmest water and clearest visibility, while the monsoon months turn crossings rough and many places close. Anyone needing reliable connectivity, or a choice of restaurants after dark, will struggle.
- Ideal stay
- 4–5 nights, within a week in the Andamans
- The vibe
- Remote, barefoot, faintly off-grid
From our guides
Mobile signal is patchy and nightlife means bioluminescence. Take the government ferry from Port Blair or a faster catamaran. Visit December to April, between monsoons, and book huts ahead for January.
Featured in Ten quiet tropical islands nobody talks about yet
Things to do
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Radhanagar Beach
A long, wide arc of white sand backed by tall forest on the island's west side, consistently rated among Asia's finest. Sunset is the moment everyone gathers for.
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Elephant Beach
Reached by boat or a muddy jungle trail, this shallow bay has the easiest snorkelling on the island, with coral starting only metres from the shore.
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Kalapathar Beach
Black rocks and driftwood on the eastern shore, facing sunrise. Quieter than Radhanagar and the better choice for an early swim before the heat arrives.
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Diving the reefs
Sites around the island suit beginners and experienced divers alike, with soft corals, reef sharks and rays. Courses here cost far less than in most of the region.
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Bioluminescence kayaking
Night paddles through the mangrove creeks light the water with plankton on darker nights around the new moon. Guided trips only, for good reason.
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Neil Island
A short ferry away, smaller and slower, with a natural rock bridge, shallow bathing beaches and a bicycle-sized road network.
Getting there
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Fly to
Port Blair (IXZ)
Nearest airport to Havelock Island, about 46km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Havelock Island
Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata or Delhi, then take a ferry from Port Blair harbour to Havelock, about 90 minutes on the private catamarans or two and a half hours on the government boat.
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On the ground
Getting around
One road runs from the jetty past the village to Radhanagar Beach, roughly 20 minutes by auto-rickshaw or scooter. Scooters are the standard way to get about and dive boats leave from the jetty area.
Public transport: A local bus shuttles along the island's single road a few times a day. Auto-rickshaws and hired scooters fill the gaps, and ferries between islands must be booked ahead in season.
Flights
Los Angeles Havelock Island, Andaman Islands, India
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Roughly 17h 15m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 28°C in January to 30°C in April. Driest in January and March; wettest in July, with rain on about 29 days. The sea is warmest in April at around 31°C, coolest at 29°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
February28° · rain 4 days · sea 29°Warm with the odd shower.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — January to March. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Beach huts, eco-cottages and a small number of proper resorts. No large chains, no high-rise and limited air conditioning outside the mid-range places.
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Best base overall
Vijaynagar, Beach No. 5
A long shallow east-coast beach with most of the mid-range resorts, dive schools and cafes strung behind it. Sunrises rather than sunsets, and the sand at low tide turns muddy in places.
Find stays in Vijaynagar, Beach No. 5 -
Best with children
Radhanagar, Beach No. 7
The famous sweep of white sand shelves gently and lifeguards patrol the main section. There are only a handful of places to stay nearby, so you eat where you sleep.
Find stays in Radhanagar, Beach No. 7 -
Best value
Govind Nagar
The village near the jetty has the cheapest huts, the market and the ferry office, which suits early departures. It is functional rather than pretty, and mosquitoes are enthusiastic.
Find stays in Govind Nagar -
Quietest
Kalapathar
South-east of the main strip, a thin ribbon of sand backed by jungle with a few scattered properties. Getting anywhere means hiring a scooter, and power cuts are routine.
Find stays in Kalapathar
Worth knowing before you book: Book huts and the Port Blair ferry together for December to February, when both sell out. Bring cash, as card machines need a signal that often is not there.
Search everything else in Havelock Island by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Fly to Port Blair, then take a government ferry or a faster private catamaran, roughly ninety minutes to two hours. Book crossings well before you travel.
- Permits
- Foreign nationals are registered on arrival in the Andamans and some islands remain closed entirely. Carry your passport for ferry check-in every time.
- Cash
- ATMs are few and often empty, and card machines depend on a working connection. Withdraw what you need in Port Blair before boarding the ferry.
- Timing
- December to April is dry and calm; heavy monsoon rains from May to September bring cancelled ferries and closures. January is the busiest month.
- Safety
- Swim on patrolled beaches, respect flags, and avoid creeks and mangrove edges where saltwater crocodiles have been recorded.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Radhanagar Beach
Havelock, Andaman Islands · 5km away →
The Andaman Coast: Phuket
Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta, Thailand · 738km away →
Koh Yao Noi
Thailand · 750km away →
Ko Nang Yuan
Thailand · 772km away →
Ko Tao
Thailand · 775km away →
Railay Beach
Krabi, Thailand · 776km away →Elsewhere in India
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Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Havelock Island?
For warm, mostly dry days, January to March. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 28°C in January to 30°C in April. Driest in January and March; wettest in July, with rain on about 29 days. The sea is warmest in April at around 31°C, coolest at 29°C.
How long should I spend in Havelock Island?
Our suggestion: 4–5 nights, within a week in the Andamans.
How do I get to Havelock Island?
Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata or Delhi, then take a ferry from Port Blair harbour to Havelock, about 90 minutes on the private catamarans or two and a half hours on the government boat.
Do I need a car in Havelock Island?
No. A local bus shuttles along the island's single road a few times a day. Auto-rickshaws and hired scooters fill the gaps, and ferries between islands must be booked ahead in season.
What currency and language are used in Havelock Island?
Currency: Indian rupee (INR). Language: Hindi and English. Plugs: type C and D and M.
Who is Havelock Island best for?
Best for divers & snorkellers, beach lovers and budget travellers. In a phrase: remote, barefoot, faintly off-grid.