Havelock Island is the beach that most people picture when they think of the Andamans: wide white sand, clear water in shades of green and blue, and some of the best scuba diving in the country. It sits in Ritchie’s Archipelago, about 40 km northeast of Port Blair, and was officially renamed Swaraj Dweep in December 2018. This guide covers how to reach it, the main beaches, diving, costs, the best season and the rules that protect its reefs and turtles.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) is an island in the Andaman group, reached by ferry from Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram), known for Radhanagar Beach and its dive schools. The best months are October to May. Indians need no permit; foreigners’ rules were relaxed in 2018.
About Havelock Island and the Swaraj Dweep name
Havelock is part of Ritchie’s Archipelago in South Andaman district. The South Andaman administration describes it as a tourist island of white sand beaches, coral reefs and forest, sitting roughly 39 km northeast of Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). Wikipedia’s figures put its area near 92 sq km, at about 12 degrees north.
In December 2018 the island was renamed Swaraj Dweep. The name was announced during events marking the anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisting the Indian flag at Port Blair on 30 December 1943. Neighbouring Neil Island became Shaheed Dweep in the same round of renamings. Both names, Havelock and Swaraj Dweep, are still in common use, and ferry tickets and signage now carry the new names.
Best time to visit Havelock Island
The dry season, roughly October to May, is the reliable window for Havelock. Seas are calmer, ferries run more predictably, and underwater visibility for diving is at its best. The southwest monsoon (June to September) brings rough crossings and cancelled sailings, though the island stays green and rates drop.
| Period | Conditions | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| October–November | Post-monsoon, warm, occasional showers | Fewer crowds, greenery, early-season diving |
| December–February | Driest, calm seas, peak visitors | Diving, beaches, families; book well ahead |
| March–May | Hot and humid, clear water | Best underwater visibility, snorkelling |
| June–September | Monsoon, choppy seas, ferry disruptions | Budget travel, but plans need buffer days |
DiveIndia and PADI both put the diving sweet spot from October to May, with December to March the most settled. Water stays warm through the year, roughly 26–29°C.
How to reach Havelock Island
There is no airport on Havelock. You fly to Port Blair, then take a ferry. Veer Savarkar International Airport (code IXZ) at Sri Vijaya Puram is the gateway; its new terminal opened on 18 July 2023, and it took its first international flight, from Kuala Lumpur, in November 2024, according to the Airports Authority of India and press reports. Domestic flights connect it to Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and other cities.
From Port Blair, two ferry types cross to Havelock. Government ferries run by the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) are cheaper and are booked through the official STARS e-ticketing portal; the crossing takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. Private air-conditioned catamarans such as Makruzz, Nautika and Green Ocean cover the roughly 38-nautical-mile route in about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Sailings are weather-dependent and can be cancelled in the monsoon.
| Leg | Mode | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| To Port Blair (IXZ) | Flight | 2–5 hrs from mainland hubs | Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru; book early in peak season |
| Port Blair → Havelock | Private AC ferry | ~1.5–2 hrs | Makruzz, Nautika, Green Ocean; from Haddo jetty |
| Port Blair → Havelock | Government ferry (DSS) | ~2.5–3 hrs | Book on the DSS STARS portal; limited daily sailings |
Book the return ferry when you book the outbound one. Private services sell out fast in December and January, and a missed sailing can cost you a day. If your onward flight is tight, keep a buffer day in Port Blair.
The beaches of Havelock Island
Radhanagar Beach, also called Beach No. 7, is the headline. Time named it Asia’s best beach in 2004, and it received a Blue Flag certification in 2020. It faces west, so it is the island’s main sunset spot; there is no swimming after dusk and lifeguard flags should be respected.
Elephant Beach, on the northwest coast, is the popular snorkelling and watersports spot, reached by a short boat ride or a forest trek. Kalapathar Beach, on the east, is quieter, with black rocks against pale sand and good morning light.
| Beach | Where | Best for | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radhanagar (No. 7) | West coast, ~12 km from jetty | Sunset, swimming, long walks | 2–3 hrs, evening |
| Elephant Beach | Northwest, boat or ~1.5 km trek | Snorkelling, watersports | Half day |
| Kalapathar | East coast | Sunrise, quiet, photos | 1–2 hrs, morning |
Scuba diving and snorkelling on Havelock Island
Havelock is India’s busiest recreational diving base. PADI lists more than 20 dive sites around Swaraj Dweep, from coral gardens to walls and pinnacles, and several PADI five-star centres run courses from a first try-dive up to instructor level. Water temperatures sit around 26–29°C, and dry-season visibility runs from about 15 to 30 metres.
You do not need to swim well to try a beginner “discovery” dive with an instructor, but you must be honest on the medical form. Snorkellers get plenty from Elephant Beach and boat trips. Whatever you do, do not stand on or touch the coral: the reef is living, and contact kills it.
A suggested three-day itinerary
- Day 1: Morning ferry from Port Blair. Check in, lunch, then Radhanagar Beach for the afternoon and sunset.
- Day 2: Early boat to Elephant Beach for snorkelling, or a first scuba dive with a dive centre. Rest through the midday heat; Kalapathar or a beach cafe in the evening.
- Day 3: A second dive or a slow morning, then the ferry back to Port Blair. Keep a buffer if you fly out the same day.
With more time, add a day trip to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), a short ferry away, for its natural rock bridge and quieter beaches.
Where to stay on Havelock Island
Accommodation clusters near the jetty and along the road to Radhanagar and Kalapathar. Options run from simple guesthouses to beach resorts. The figures below are indicative planning estimates for a double room in season and should be reconfirmed directly with properties.
- Budget (₹1,200–₹3,000/night, indicative): guesthouses and homestays near the jetty and Vijaynagar; basic rooms, fans or AC.
- Mid-range (₹3,000–₹8,000/night, indicative): cottage-style resorts with restaurants, many a short walk from the beach.
- Luxury (₹10,000+/night, indicative): beachfront resorts with dive tie-ins and pools.
Book two to three months ahead for December and January. Power and mobile signal can be patchy, so a property with reliable back-up power is worth paying for.
Food to try
Havelock’s food leans on the sea. Look for grilled or curried fish (often reef fish or tuna), prawns and crab, alongside South Indian staples and North Indian traveller favourites at most cafes. Coconut water (nariyal paani, fresh from the shell) is everywhere and cheap.
- Fish curry with rice: the everyday local plate; coconut features in many versions.
- Grilled catch of the day: beach cafes grill whatever came in that morning.
- Tropical fruit: banana, papaya and pineapple, often served fresh at breakfast.
Choose seafood responsibly and avoid anything protected, such as lobster in breeding season, if local guidance advises against it.
Budget breakdown
The table below is a per-person planning estimate for a three-day, two-night Havelock trip in mid-range comfort, excluding the flight to Port Blair. All figures are indicative and should be reconfirmed before you travel.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return ferry Port Blair–Havelock | 2,000–6,000 | Higher on premium private catamarans; cheaper on DSS |
| Stay (2 nights, mid-range) | 6,000–16,000 | Per double room; halve for shared |
| Food and water | 1,500–3,000 | Beach cafes to resort dining |
| Diving / snorkelling | 3,000–6,000 | One try-dive or a snorkel trip |
| Local transport (scooter/auto) | 800–1,500 | Scooter hire or shared autos |
Assumptions: mid-range room shared by two, one dive or snorkel outing, no shopping. Peak-season December–January rates run higher; the monsoon is cheaper but riskier for ferries.
Permits and rules
Indian citizens need no special permit for Havelock or the other common tourist islands; a government photo ID is enough. For foreign nationals, the Ministry of Home Affairs relaxed the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime in 2018, removing the advance-RAP requirement for many inhabited islands including Havelock and Neil. That relaxation has been extended in stages, so foreign visitors should reconfirm the current validity and any registration-on-arrival step with the A&N administration before travelling. Restricted, tribal and defence areas remain off-limits to everyone.
Environmental rules are taken seriously. The A&N administration bans many single-use plastics, including thin carry bags and small PET bottles; carry a refillable bottle. On the reef, do not touch or stand on coral, do not chase or feed marine life, and do not remove shells or coral. Sea turtles nest on Andaman beaches, so follow lifeguard and forest-department guidance, avoid bright lights on nesting beaches at night, and keep your distance from nests.
Practical tips
- Connectivity: mobile signal and internet are limited and can drop; download maps and tickets before you leave Port Blair.
- Cash and UPI: ATMs exist but can run dry; carry enough cash, as card and UPI acceptance is uneven at smaller places.
- Health: there is a government hospital on the island for basics; serious cases go to Port Blair, so travel insurance helps. There is no altitude concern here.
- Getting around: hired scooters and shared autos cover the island; roads are narrow, so ride carefully.
- Solo women travellers: Havelock is generally relaxed; stick to lit areas after dark and keep a charged phone, as you would anywhere.
- Packing: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, light cotton, a dry bag and a refillable bottle for any season; a light rain layer for the shoulder months.
Nearby places
Havelock pairs naturally with the rest of the archipelago. If you are building a longer trip, our Andaman Islands travel guide sets out the wider region, Port Blair sights and island-hopping logistics.
| Place | Distance/access | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) | Short ferry from Havelock | Natural rock bridge, quiet beaches |
| Port Blair | ~40 km, ferry | Cellular Jail, museums, airport |
| Ross Island area | Boat from Port Blair | Colonial-era ruins, day trip |
If your heart is set on beaches but the Andamans do not fit this trip, mainland alternatives worth reading up on include the shacks and sands in our roundup of the best beaches in Goa and the calmer backwater coast in our guide to the best beaches in Kerala.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a permit for Havelock Island?
No. Indian citizens do not need a permit for Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) or the other common tourist islands; a valid government photo ID is enough. Permits still apply to restricted, tribal and defence areas. Foreign nationals should reconfirm current Restricted Area Permit rules with the A&N administration before travelling.
How do you reach Havelock Island from Port Blair?
Fly into Veer Savarkar airport at Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram), then take a ferry. Private air-conditioned catamarans such as Makruzz and Nautika cross in about 90 minutes to 2 hours; government DSS ferries take around 2.5 to 3 hours. Book both legs early, as peak-season sailings sell out.
What is the best time to visit Havelock Island?
October to May is the reliable window, with calm seas, dependable ferries and the clearest water for diving. December to March is the driest and busiest. The June-to-September monsoon brings rough crossings and cancelled ferries, so build in buffer days if you travel then.
Is Havelock Island good for scuba diving?
Yes. Havelock is India’s main recreational diving base, with more than 20 dive sites and several PADI five-star centres, per PADI. Beginners can do a guided try-dive, while certified divers reach walls and pinnacles. Dry-season visibility runs roughly 15 to 30 metres, in water around 26 to 29 degrees Celsius.
Why was Havelock Island renamed Swaraj Dweep?
Havelock Island was renamed Swaraj Dweep in December 2018, during events marking Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisting the Indian flag at Port Blair in 1943. Neighbouring Neil Island became Shaheed Dweep at the same time. Both old and new names remain in common use on tickets and signage.
How many days do you need on Havelock Island?
Two to three days suits most visitors: a day for Radhanagar Beach, a day for snorkelling at Elephant Beach or a dive, and time for Kalapathar and the ferry. Divers or slow travellers can happily fill four or five days, especially by adding a Neil Island day trip.
Last updated and sources
Havelock suits beach lovers, first-time and experienced divers, and anyone wanting a slow island few days. Go between October and May, and book ferries and rooms well ahead for the December–January peak.
Last updated: 25 September 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: South Andaman District Administration, Swaraj Dweep & Shaheed Dweep; Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), A&N Administration; Airports Authority of India, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) airport; Andaman & Nicobar Tourism, Restricted Area Permit information; PADI, Diving Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep); DiveIndia, Best time to visit the Andamans; Wikipedia, Havelock Island (for area and the Time 2004 and Blue Flag 2020 references). Accessed September 2026.
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