Radhanagar Beach
Way out in the Bay of Bengal, Havelock Island's Radhanagar is a two-kilometre arc of white sand backed by rainforest rather than resorts — development remains mercifully sparse.
- Best forBeach lovers · Divers & snorkellers · Couples
- In December28°C · 9 rainy days · sea 29°C
- Ideal stay4–5 nights
- 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
On the west coast of Swaraj Dweep, better known as Havelock, a two-kilometre curve of white sand runs between the Bay of Bengal and a wall of rainforest. There are no buildings on the beach itself, just trees, a lifeguard post and a long shallow shelf of warm, clear water. Sunset draws most of the island to the sand, and the walk to the rocky headland at the northern end is worth the ten minutes.
Reaching it takes a flight to Port Blair and then a ferry of an hour and a half or so, which keeps numbers down. Give the island four or five nights, with dive sites and quieter beaches elsewhere on the coast filling the days. November to April is the dry season and the calmest for diving, while the monsoon closes much of it down. Indian permit rules apply to some islands, so check before planning.
- Ideal stay
- 4–5 nights
- The vibe
- Barefoot, forested, far from everything
From our guides
The swimming is superb, the sunsets cinematic, and the island's dive sites are among Asia's best. Getting there involves a flight to Port Blair and a ferry, which is precisely why it still feels secret. Visit November to April.
Featured in Ten far-flung beaches worth the long-haul flight
Things to do
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The main strand
Two kilometres of soft white sand with almost no development behind it, shelving gently enough for easy swimming when the flags allow.
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Sunset at the north end
The beach faces west, so the last half hour is the busiest and the best of the day. Arrive early for space on the sand.
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Elephant Beach
Reached by boat or a muddy forest walk from the main road, with shallow coral for snorkelling close to shore.
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Diving off Havelock
Sites around the island are well regarded across Asia, with courses and fun dives run from the jetty side of the island.
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Kalapathar Beach
A quieter east-coast stretch of pale sand and black rock, good for sunrise and usually far emptier than Radhanagar.
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The island interior
A single main road runs through paddy, forest and small settlements, easily covered by scooter or auto-rickshaw. Distances are short and the traffic is light.
Getting there
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Fly to
Port Blair (IXZ)
Nearest airport to Havelock, about 45km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Havelock
Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata or Delhi, then take a fast catamaran from the harbour to Havelock, about an hour and a half to two hours depending on the boat.
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On the ground
Getting around
Radhanagar is on the far side of the island from the jetty, around 20 minutes by taxi, auto-rickshaw or hired scooter, and the resorts run their own transfers.
Public transport: A local bus and plenty of auto-rickshaws cover the island; the mainland ferries need booking well ahead in season.
Flights
Los Angeles Havelock, Andaman Islands
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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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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
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
December28° · rain 9 days · sea 29°Warm with rain most weeks.
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, mid range eco resorts and a small number of smarter properties set back in the trees. No high rises, patchy power and air conditioning that is not guaranteed.
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Best base overall
Govind Nagar, Beach No. 3
The strip nearest the jetty, with dive schools, scooter hire, cafes and most of the island's rooms. The sea here is shallow and rocky, so you travel for the good swimming.
Find stays in Govind Nagar, Beach No. 3 -
Best with children
Vijay Nagar, Beach No. 5
A calm, shallow east coast bay with sunrise swims and a mix of simple resorts. Low tide leaves a long walk to the water and mosquitoes appear at dusk.
Find stays in Vijay Nagar, Beach No. 5 -
Best for couples
Radhanagar, Beach No. 7
Only a few places sit near the famous arc of sand, which means sunsets on your doorstep and near silence after dark. Eating options are limited to your own resort.
Find stays in Radhanagar, Beach No. 7 -
Best value
Port Blair
The capital has cheaper hotels and the airport, useful for a first or last night. Reaching Havelock still means a ferry each way, so it works as a bookend, not a base.
Find stays in Port Blair
Worth knowing before you book: The November to April season books out, especially around Christmas and Indian holiday weeks, and ferries must be booked separately and early. Card payments can fail, so carry cash.
Search everything else in Havelock 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 ferry to Havelock. Government and private ferries both run, and tickets should be secured in advance.
- Safety
- Currents and occasional crocodile sightings mean you should swim where the lifeguards indicate and follow any posted warnings.
- Cash or card
- Card acceptance is patchy and cash points can be empty. Bring rupees from Port Blair to cover the whole stay.
- Permits
- Foreign visitors receive a permit on arrival in the Andamans, and several islands in the group remain closed to visitors entirely.
- Timing
- November to April is dry and calm. Ferries are cancelled and diving is poor during the south-west monsoon.
Similar places
Ko Nang Yuan
ThailandAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 28°C in December, as here
Flamenco Beach
Culebra, Puerto RicoAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 27°C in December, as here
The Grenadines: Bequia
Mustique and the Tobago CaysAlso for beach lovers and divers & snorkellers · 26°C in December (28°C here)
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Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Radhanagar Beach?
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 Radhanagar Beach?
Our suggestion: 4–5 nights.
How do I get to Radhanagar Beach?
Fly to Port Blair (IXZ) from Chennai, Kolkata or Delhi, then take a fast catamaran from the harbour to Havelock, about an hour and a half to two hours depending on the boat.
Do I need a car in Radhanagar Beach?
No. A local bus and plenty of auto-rickshaws cover the island; the mainland ferries need booking well ahead in season.
What currency and language are used in Radhanagar Beach?
Currency: Indian rupee (INR). Language: Hindi and English. Plugs: type C and D and M.
Who is Radhanagar Beach best for?
Best for beach lovers, divers & snorkellers and couples. In a phrase: barefoot, forested, far from everything.