Landmarks in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
- 01
Beach No. 1
The northernmost beach on Havelock, smaller and more secluded than the main beaches. It has clear water and is favoured by visitors seeking a quieter, more personal beach experience.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to April, morning to early afternoon
- Tickets
- No entry fee or facilities. This is an undeveloped local beach; no lifeguards or vendors.
- 02
Beach No. 3
A lesser-known beach on the eastern side, with excellent snorkelling and fewer visitors than the named beaches. It is popular with local residents and repeat visitors who know the island well.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; early morning for calmest conditions
- Tickets
- No entry fee or facilities. This is a little-developed beach with minimal infrastructure.
- 03
Elephant Beach
A long, quieter beach backed by thick jungle, named for visits by working elephants in earlier decades. It is the gateway to the forest trekking routes and reef snorkelling on Havelock's eastern flank.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours for beach and basic trekking; 4–5 hours with full forest walk
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; morning entry to avoid midday humidity in the forest
- Tickets
- Beach access is free. Guides for jungle treks can be arranged through your resort or at the beach entry point. Rates and availability vary; confirm before arriving.
- 04
Govind Nagar Jetty
The main ferry terminal where boats from Port Blair dock, and the social and commercial hub of Havelock's settlement. The jetty is where the island's rhythm is visible.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Around arrival and departure times of ferries (usually morning and afternoon); early evening is lively with residents
- Tickets
- No fee to walk on the jetty during the day when ferries are not boarding. During ferry operations there may be access restrictions; ask the staff.
- 05
Kalapathar Beach
A scenic beach known for its rock formations and dark sand streaked with mineral deposits. The rocky setting offers more varied snorkelling and a dramatic seascape for photographers.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours for exploring and snorkelling
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; calm seas in the morning
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Local guides can help navigate the rocks and identify snorkelling spots; rates vary.
- 06
Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7)
The most photographed beach on Havelock Island: powdery white sand, emerald shallow water and a long curve backed by coconut palms. It is consistently rated among India's top beaches.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours for swimming and sunbathing; half an hour just for photos
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to April for calm seas and clear water; early morning (before 8 am) or after 3 pm to avoid crowds
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Lifeguards are usually present. If you plan to use a beach hut or sunbed, these carry hourly or half-day charges; verify rates with local providers before settling in.
- 07
Swaraj Dweep Lighthouse
The white lighthouse on the northern tip of Havelock Island, automated since the 1970s and visible from several beaches. A working navigation aid that has guided boats for decades.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours round trip from Govind Nagar
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Late afternoon when the sun is lower and the breeze is cooler
- Tickets
- The lighthouse is not generally open for interior tours. You can walk around the headland and photograph it from outside.
- 08
Vijayanagar Beach (Beach No. 5)
A peaceful, crescent-shaped beach on the northern coast with fine sand and shallow entry, less crowded than Radhanagar and equally beautiful for swimming and snorkelling.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours for beach time; half an hour for photos
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to April; afternoon for the best light
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Beach facilities are minimal; the nearest amenities are in Vijayanagar Village.
Neighbourhoods in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
- 09
Govinda Nagar
The main commercial and residential hub of Havelock Island, where most resorts, shops and restaurants are concentrated. It is the de facto town centre for visitors and locals alike.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours for shopping and meals
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning for shopping, evening for restaurants and the waterfront
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Shop and restaurant pricing varies; prices are moderate to mid-range compared to mainland India.
- 10
Krishna Nagar
A quiet neighbourhood in the northern part of Havelock Island, primarily residential with some guesthouses and small eateries. It offers a peaceful, unhurried island experience.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours for walking and meals
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or evening for peaceful walks
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Small guesthouses and eateries offer modest accommodation and simple meals at good prices.
- 11
Radha Nagar Village
A quiet residential village inland from Radhanagar Beach, where local families live and agriculture persists alongside tourism. It offers a glimpse of everyday island life away from the beaches.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours for a walk and a meal
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning for a peaceful walk, evening to see families returning from work
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The village has a few small shops and one or two cafés that serve simple meals.
- 12
Shyam Nagar
A residential neighbourhood mixing family homes and small guesthouses, with a local character distinct from the resort-heavy Govinda Nagar. It is quieter and offers a window into everyday Havelock.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours for walking and meals
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning for a quiet walk, evening for local restaurants
- Tickets
- No entry fee. A few small cafés and guesthouses offer meals and basic hospitality.
- 13
Vejoy Nagar
A residential neighbourhood on Havelock's east side where local families live alongside guesthouses and small restaurants. It feels more lived-in than the beach areas.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes of walking and sitting
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon when locals are moving about; midday is very quiet
- Tickets
- No entry fee. This is a residential area, so respect that and avoid intruding into private spaces.
Experiences in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
- 14
Mangrove Creek Kayaking
Guided kayak tours through narrow mangrove creeks on the east coast, paddling between roots and through tunnels of green. A quiet, meditative experience for active travellers.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including transport and instruction
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; calm mornings are ideal for spotting wildlife
- Tickets
- Mangrove kayak tours cost roughly 2000–3000 rupees for a 2–3 hour session. Life jackets are provided. No experience required; guides teach paddling basics.
- 15
Reef Snorkelling
Half-day or full-day snorkelling trips to shallow coral reefs, usually at Vijayanagar or Radhanagar Beach reefs, with abundant fish, turtles and corals visible in 2–8 metres of water.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours for a half-day trip; 5–6 hours for a full day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; the water is clearest and calmest in winter
- Tickets
- Half-day snorkelling typically costs 1500–2500 rupees per person; full day 2500–4000 rupees. Mask, snorkel and fins are provided. Book through your hotel or directly at the jetty.
- 16
Scuba Diving (Dixon's Pinnacle, Jackson's Reef)
Certified scuba diving at two signature reefs: Dixon's Pinnacle, a rocky formation rising from 40 metres, and Jackson's Reef, known for encounters with sharks and turtles. Both require PADI certification.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours including boat time, briefing and two dives
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; monsoon months (May–September) have poor visibility and rough seas
- Tickets
- Dives are offered by licensed operators based near Govind Nagar Jetty. A single dive costs roughly 4000–6000 rupees; a two-dive trip is more economical. PADI certification is mandatory; bring your logbook.
Read the Scuba Diving (Dixon's Pinnacle, Jackson's Reef) guide →
- 17
Trekking to Elephant Beach
A guided 2 km trek through forest on the eastern side of Havelock, ending at a small beach where sea eagles hunt and few tourists venture. A short but physical walk on rough ground.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours including transport, trek and beach time
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- October to April; avoid midday heat
- Tickets
- Forest entry and guides are typically 500–1000 rupees per person. Book through your hotel; you must go with a guide for forest safety and forest regulation.
- 18
Water Sports and Sea Walking
Activity options including sea walking (in helmets on the seabed), parasailing, jet skiing and banana boat rides, mostly offered by beach resorts and operators near Radhanagar Beach.
- Time needed
- Sea walking: 30–45 minutes; other activities: 15–30 minutes each
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; sea walking requires calm, clear water
- Tickets
- Sea walking typically costs 2500–4000 rupees for a 30–45 minute session. Jet skiing, parasailing and banana boats cost 1500–3000 rupees each for 15–20 minutes. All are offered through beach resorts; book directly or through your hotel.
Day trips in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
- 19
Ritchie's Archipelago
A group of small islands east of Havelock with pristine coral reefs and almost no development. Reached by private speedboat or organized day trips. A specialist destination.
- Time needed
- 6–8 hours including boat travel, briefing and snorkelling
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; the sea is calm enough for boat travel
- Tickets
- Ritchie's Archipelago visits are typically private tours, costing 10,000–15,000 rupees per person or higher, depending on group size and boat. Minimum group size is usually 4–6 people. Book through operators in Govind Nagar who have permissions to visit.
- 20
Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island)
A neighbouring island 45 minutes south by ferry, smaller and quieter than Havelock with its own coral reefs, beaches and slower pace. A half-day or full-day excursion from Havelock.
- Time needed
- Full day: 4–6 hours on the island plus ferry time; or half-day: 2–3 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to April; same seasons as Havelock
- Tickets
- Ferry tickets are roughly 250–350 rupees one way. Check schedules at Govind Nagar Jetty; services typically run in the morning and afternoon, but frequency varies seasonally.
