The Andamans' Island Hub
Swaraj Dweep — still commonly called Havelock Island, its name before a 2018 government renaming that honoured India's freedom struggle — is the single most popular island in the Andaman Islands, and the main reason most travellers make the trip at all. Part of Ritchie's Archipelago, it sits roughly 35 nautical miles from Port Blair, reached by a 90-minute to 2-hour ferry.
It's here that the Andamans' best-known beach — Radhanagar Beach — sits alongside Elephant Beach's coral gardens and the region's densest cluster of scuba diving centres. Havelock also has, by a wide margin, the best range of accommodation in the islands, from simple beach huts to high-end resorts.
Ferry tickets, hotel listings, and locals still mostly say "Havelock" in everyday use — both names point to the exact same island, and you'll see them used interchangeably throughout this guide and elsewhere.
🏝️ Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) at a Glance
Looking for activities and experiences? See our guide to the best things to do in Havelock Island.
Planning a beach holiday? Explore our guide to the best beaches in the Andamans.
Planning something active? Read our guide to scuba diving in the Andamans.
Best Time to Visit Havelock Island
Havelock is a year-round destination in theory, but the monsoon and the ferry crossing both make timing genuinely matter.
Calm seas, clear underwater visibility for diving, and comfortable temperatures for beach days. The most popular window, so book ferries and stays ahead.
Warmer and more humid, but seas stay generally calm and diving conditions remain good, with fewer crowds than peak winter.
Heavy rain and rough seas frequently disrupt ferries between Port Blair and Havelock; many dive operators scale back or close.
Even outside monsoon, the ferry crossing can be choppy in this window — worth knowing if you're prone to seasickness.
Our pick: December to February — calm seas, the best underwater visibility for diving, and reliable ferry schedules to and from Port Blair.
How to Reach Havelock Island
There's no airport on Havelock — every visitor arrives by sea, almost always from Port Blair.
- Private ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika): Faster, more comfortable, and air-conditioned — roughly 90 minutes from Phoenix Bay Jetty. The most popular option for tourists.
- Government ferries: Cheaper but slower and less frequent, with fewer daily departures — a good budget option if your schedule is flexible.
- Getting around Havelock: Once on the island, auto-rickshaws, rented scooters, and taxis cover the roughly 12 km stretch between the jetty, main market, and Radhanagar Beach.
The Beaches
Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7)
Havelock's headline attraction and, for many visitors, the reason they came to the Andamans at all. Named one of Asia's best beaches by Time magazine in 2004, it remains the most photographed stretch of sand in the islands. See our full Radhanagar Beach guide for details on timing your visit and what's (and isn't) allowed there.
Elephant Beach
Reached by a short boat ride or a muddy jungle trek, Elephant Beach is Havelock's snorkelling and sea-walking hub — shallow coral gardens close to shore make it accessible even for first-timers.
Kalapathar Beach
A quieter, rockier beach on the opposite side of the island from Radhanagar, known for dramatic sunrise light and far fewer crowds — a good pick if you want Havelock's scenery without the peak-hour footfall.
Vijaynagar Beach
A long, easy-walking beach close to the main market area, convenient for an evening stroll without needing transport.
Scuba Diving & Snorkelling
Havelock is the Andamans' diving capital, with more PADI dive centres than anywhere else in the archipelago.
- Discover Scuba (beginners): A short pool briefing followed by one shallow ocean dive — no certification or prior experience required.
- PADI Open Water certification: A multi-day course for those wanting to dive independently afterward, widely available across the island's dive shops.
- Popular dive sites: Lighthouse and Aquarium are well-known, beginner-friendly sites close to shore; more experienced divers have several deeper sites to choose from further out.
- Snorkelling: Elephant Beach is the easiest snorkelling spot, with shallow reef accessible without a boat trip.
Where to Stay on Havelock
Havelock has the widest range of accommodation in the Andamans, mostly clustered near the market/jetty area and along the road toward Radhanagar Beach.
- → Guesthouses near the market
- → Backpacker hostels
- → Basic beach huts
- → Beach-facing cottages
- → Mid-size resorts near Radhanagar
- → Dive-shop-affiliated stays
- → Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
- → SeaShell Havelock
- → Barefoot at Havelock
Suggested Visit Plan (2-3 Days)
Arrival & Radhanagar Beach
- ✓Morning ferry from Port Blair, check in
- ✓Afternoon at Radhanagar Beach for sunset
- ✓Evening at the market near the jetty
Diving & Elephant Beach
- ✓Morning scuba session or Discover Scuba dive
- ✓Afternoon boat/trek to Elephant Beach, snorkelling
- ✓Evening rest or a second beach visit
Kalapathar & Onward
- ✓Early morning at Kalapathar Beach for sunrise
- ✓Late morning ferry onward to Neil Island or Port Blair
* Many travellers continue on to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) for a quieter 1-2 days after Havelock.
Where to Eat on Havelock
- Seafood shacks near the market: Fresh catch — grilled fish, prawns, and lobster — at reasonable prices close to the jetty.
- Resort restaurants: Higher-end dining with wider menus, mostly attached to the island's mid-range and luxury resorts.
- Café-style spots near Radhanagar Road: Casual all-day options for travellers based near the beach rather than the market.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation/night | ₹1,500 | ₹5,000 | ₹18,000 |
| Ferry (round trip) | ₹1,200 | ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Food/day | ₹700 | ₹1,800 | ₹4,000 |
| Discover Scuba dive | ₹3,500 | ₹4,000 | ₹4,500 |
| Local transport/day | ₹300 | ₹700 | ₹1,500 |
* Figures are per person, per day (except ferry, a round trip figure). Diving is priced per session, not daily.
Essential Tips for Visiting Havelock
- Book ferries in advance during peak season: December-January sells out days ahead — don't rely on walk-up tickets.
- Carry cash: ATMs on Havelock are limited and occasionally run out — withdraw what you need in Port Blair first.
- Rent a scooter for flexibility: The island's single main road makes self-driving easy and is the most convenient way to reach Radhanagar Beach on your own schedule.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen: Protects both your skin and the coral you'll be swimming or diving over.
- Combine with Neil Island: A short ferry hop away, Neil offers a quieter, slower contrast after Havelock's bigger crowds.
✅ Do
- →Book ferry and dive slots ahead in peak season
- →Visit Radhanagar Beach for sunset
- →Try a Discover Scuba dive even as a beginner
- →Carry enough cash for the whole stay
- →Rent a scooter to explore at your own pace
- →Pair Havelock with a Neil Island stop
❌ Don't
- →Assume walk-up ferry tickets in December-January
- →Expect wide ATM access on the island
- →Touch or step on coral while snorkelling
- →Skip sunscreen even on cloudy days
- →Rush Radhanagar into a quick photo stop
- →Book a same-day onward ferry with no buffer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havelock Island the same as Swaraj Dweep?
Yes. The Government of India officially renamed Havelock Island to Swaraj Dweep in 2018 to honour the freedom struggle. Ferry tickets, hotel listings, and locals still commonly say 'Havelock' — both names refer to the exact same island, and you'll see them used interchangeably everywhere.
How do I reach Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) from Port Blair?
Government and private ferries run daily from Port Blair's Phoenix Bay Jetty to Havelock, taking roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on the vessel. Private ferries (Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika) are faster and more comfortable; government ferries are cheaper but slower and less frequent. Book ahead in peak season (Dec-Jan).
Is Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island?
Yes — Radhanagar Beach, also known as Beach No. 7, is Havelock's most famous beach, about 30-40 minutes by road from the island's main jetty. It was named one of Asia's best beaches by Time magazine in 2004, a reputation that still drives much of Havelock's tourism.
Can beginners try scuba diving on Havelock?
Yes. Multiple PADI-certified dive centres on Havelock run Discover Scuba sessions — a short briefing followed by one shallow ocean dive — with no certification or prior experience required. Certified divers can also complete a full Open Water course over several days at sites like Lighthouse and Aquarium.
How many days should I spend on Havelock Island?
2-3 nights is a comfortable minimum to cover Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach, and at least one dive or snorkelling session without feeling rushed. Divers or those wanting to slow down further often stay 4-5 nights.
Is the ferry crossing to Havelock rough?
It can be, especially between October and December when the sea is choppier. Most crossings are manageable, but if you're prone to motion sickness, consider sitting on the lower deck, taking a seasickness tablet beforehand, or choosing a larger private ferry over a smaller government one.
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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