With its stunning silk-blonde beaches, twinkling teal shallows and some of the finest diving in South Asia, the densely forested Havelock Island (Swaraj Island) enjoys the well-deserved reputation of being a traveller's paradise. Indeed, for many, Havelock is the Andamans, which attracts the majority of tourists across the Bay of Bengal, many of whom are happy to stay here for the full duration of their journey.
Why Visit?
Havelock Island offers one of the best beaches in Asia, popular for its swimming elephants and beautiful reefs. Picture the white sandy beaches of Ko Pha Ngan before the backpackers, the full moon parties and the internet cafés, and Havelock Island. For those looking for a quiet escape, cut off from cell phones, internet and commercial beach attractions, Havelock Island is probably the next place to check out your list. Remember that there's no nightlife on the island.
How to get there
Regular flights to Port Blair (the capital and the main island of Andaman) depart from Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. With no international flights to Port Blair, travellers can take this opportunity to spend some time in India on either side of your journey to the Andaman Islands.
If you're in Port Blair, you can only reach by boat to Havelock Island. You can take the government ferry service, which runs a few times a day and takes 2.5 hours.
If you prefer a faster and more comfortable alternative, the Catamaran Ferry takes only 90 minutes to reach Havelock from Port Blair.
Be sure to book this online before you leave, as it could be a hassle to try and arrange this once you get to Port Blair and allow yourself enough time to make the next boat available.
When to go
Despite having a rainy season from May to September, Andaman Islands enjoy mild winters and hot summers, making it an almost year-round destination to visit. From October to February, you can enjoy temperatures between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius, the perfect months to enjoy idyllic beaches and water sports.
What to do
Beaches
For beach lovers, Havelock Island is a paradise with over seven idyllic tropical beaches, and beach bums can spend a week enjoying a new one every day. The most you can see in the house are the bamboo cottages concealed behind the sweeping coconut palms.
Of course, Havelock's most popular beach is Radhanagar Beach (Beach No.7). Once ranked as Asia's fourth-best beach by TIME magazine, the Andaman Islands are worth a visit just to see. A trip to the beach through a thick forest leads you to the sight of white sand and crystal clear blue water.
Nearby, Elephant Beach is the ideal spot for snorkelling and water sports. The most heavily struck beach on Havelock Island by the 2004 Tsunami provides an alternate landscape though still a paradise with white sand and the best coral on the island.
Adventure
Elephant Beach is the best location on the Andaman Islands for water sports and snorkelling. The activities offered include underwater sea walking, scuba diving, jet-skiing, glass-bottom vessels and banana trips. It is most easily reached by a 20-minute high-speed cruise from the east of the island, a boat ride providing breathtaking views of the island.
The turquoise crystal waters are ideal for a glimpse of the underwater world. Visit the PADI Diving School to arrange a scuba diving trip to see the unique marine life of Andaman and the enchanting coral reef. Even if you are not a guest at Barefoot, please contact the hotel to arrange a visit to see Rajan the Asian Elephant. Snorkelling amongst fish and swimming elephants is an opportunity you can never forget.
Also, trekking through the Andaman jungle is a must when visiting.
