Havelock Island, officially renamed Swaraj Dweep in 2018, is the most popular island in the Andamans and home to some of India's finest beaches and diving sites.
Top Attractions
- Radhanagar Beach: A sweeping stretch of white sand and turquoise water once rated among Asia's best beaches by Time magazine — the island's signature sunset spot.
- Elephant Beach: The main hub for snorkeling and water sports, with a shallow coral reef reachable by a short boat ride or a jungle trek from the jetty.
- Kalapathar Beach: A quieter beach known for its distinctive black rock formations and calm waters, popular for a peaceful walk.
- Scuba Diving Sites: Havelock is widely considered the scuba diving capital of India, with dive schools offering trips to reef sites teeming with coral and marine life.
Best Time to Visit
October to May offers the calmest seas and best diving visibility; the monsoon (June-September) brings rough water and disrupts ferry schedules.
How to Reach
Havelock is reached by government or private ferry from Port Blair, a journey of roughly 1.5-3 hours depending on the vessel.
