Luxury Havelock Island Tours
Home to Radhanagar Beach, a long white crescent backed by forest, plus reef snorkelling, diving and mangrove kayaking off the Andamans' most visited island.
Plan My Havelock Island Trip
Overview
Havelock Island At A Glance
Havelock Island is the Andamans' island of beaches and reefs. It was renamed Swaraj Dweep in 2018, though many visitors still use the old name. A luxury Havelock Island tour is built around slow days. Begin with Radhanagar Beach on the west coast. It is a long white crescent backed by rainforest. Come late in the day for sunset. Try Elephant Beach for snorkelling, where live coral starts a few metres from the sand. Kala Pathar Beach on the eastern side is quieter. It is named for its black rocks. Want to go deeper? Scuba diving is offered here, from try-dives to certified dives. Prefer to stay dry? A sea walk lets you stroll the seabed in a weighted helmet, with no diving skills needed. At dusk, paddle the mangrove creeks by kayak. Serious anglers can charter a boat beyond the reef line. Your private guide and driver plan each day around the tide and your pace. Reef conditions and marine life vary, and nothing is promised. Check current details with your guide before every water activity. Two or three nights here feels about right.
- Best Time
- November to April, when the seas are generally calmer for beach days and reef activities. Conditions vary, so keep water plans flexible.
- Getting There
- Havelock is reached by sea from Port Blair, which has the nearest airport. Crossing times depend on the vessel and the sea, so check current details with your guide.
- Where To Stay
- Barefoot at Havelock, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans, SeaShell Havelock
- Continue To
- Neil Island, Port Blair
- Coordinates
- 11.98° N, 92.99° E
What To See
What To See In Havelock Island
Havelock Island's real highlights are what a private guide builds each day around.
Radhanagar Beach
A long white crescent backed by rainforest on Havelock's west coast — best at sunset.
Elephant Beach
Havelock's snorkelling beach — live coral starts a few metres from the sand.
Kala Pathar Beach
Havelock's quiet eastern beach, named for the black rocks at its northern end.
Scuba Diving off Havelock
Try-dives and certified dives on Havelock's reefs — the best-known diving in India.
Sea Walking at Havelock
A weighted helmet lets you walk the seabed among the reef fish without knowing how to dive.
Game Fishing off Havelock
A chartered boat out past the reef line for trevally, tuna, barracuda and the odd sailfish.
Mangrove Kayaking
Paddle the mangrove creeks at dusk, when the water itself lights up.
How To Travel
Journeys Through Havelock Island
Every journey comes with a private guide and driver for each day on the road. Full details live on each journey's own page.
7 Nights
Andaman Signature Island Circuit
Havelock Island · Neil Island · Port Blair
7 Nights
Andaman Scuba Diving Journey
Havelock Island · Neil Island · Port Blair
7 Nights
Andaman Port Blair Explorer
Havelock Island · Neil Island · Port Blair
6 Nights
Andaman Adventure & Watersports
Havelock Island · Neil Island · Port Blair
5 Nights
Andaman Barefoot Luxury
Havelock Island · Neil Island · Port Blair
5 Nights
Andaman Island Hopper
Havelock Island · Neil Island · Port Blair
5 Nights
Andaman Havelock Dive Retreat
Havelock Island · Neil Island · Port Blair
5 Nights
Andaman Islands & History
Havelock Island · Port Blair
Where To Stay
Where To Stay In Havelock Island
Stays are chosen for the setting and the service, then matched to the pace of your route.
Barefoot at Havelock
★★★★★
Barefoot at Havelock sits behind Beach No. 7 — Radhanagar — the beach Time magazine once named the best in Asia. The resort is a short walk through forest to that sand. It is built as an eco-resort, from thatch, wood and local materials, and it holds sustainability certifications that most Andaman properties do not. Accommodation ranges from air-conditioned tented cottages up to standalone Andaman and Nicobari villas, all set among rainforest rather than in a row. The dive centre on site has been rated Havelock's best, and the resort arranges diving, snorkelling, kayaking and paddle-boarding directly. The OMA Spa runs treatments in an open thatched pavilion. Dining is at The Swimming Elephant, a large thatched hut, with a focus on island seafood. This is the rustic-luxury alternative to Havelock's polished five-star — closer to the forest, and on the island's best beach.
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans
★★★★★
Taj Exotica sits on Radhanagar Beach No. 7, once named Asia's best beach by Time magazine. The resort spreads across 46.5 acres of tropical forest on Havelock Island, known locally as Swaraj Dweep. Every stay here is a villa stay. There are no standard rooms, only 72 pool and garden villas raised on stilts among the trees. The architecture borrows from the design language of the Jarawa tribe, native to these islands. Thatched roofs, natural wood, and wide balconies keep the resort in conversation with its forest setting. Villas open onto private plunge pools or shared garden views, depending on category. Interiors mix minimalist comfort with local craft touches. Dining follows the same island-forward approach. Restaurants serve fresh local seafood alongside international menus, often under open sky. The Jiva Spa offers treatments drawing on Ayurvedic tradition, set within its own garden pavilion. An Olympic-length infinity pool overlooks the sea, and a second pool sits closer to the beach for quieter mornings. Active travellers have plenty to do. The resort runs snorkelling trips to nearby reefs, and Havelock's dive schools are a short trip away. Kayaking, cycling, and nature walks through the surrounding forest round out the activity list. A kids' club keeps the resort family-friendly without disrupting its quiet luxury feel. Reaching Havelock takes some effort. Most guests fly into Port Blair, then take a ferry of roughly ninety minutes to two and a half hours depending on the vessel. That journey is part of the appeal. Few five-star resorts in India feel this remote, or this untouched. For travellers chasing a genuine barefoot-luxury escape, Taj Exotica delivers a rare combination: five-star service on one of the world's most celebrated beaches.
SeaShell Havelock
★★★★
SeaShell Havelock sits on Govind Nagar Beach, a quieter stretch of Havelock Island's coastline shaded by coconut groves. TripAdvisor has repeatedly rated it a top beach resort in India, and the accolade shows in how the property is run. It is polished without feeling formal, and relaxed without feeling careless. Accommodation spans several distinct categories rather than one repeated room type. Nicobari Cottages are wooden duplexes inspired by traditional Nicobari houses, with a two-storey layout that suits couples wanting something different from a standard room. Andaman Bungalows sit closer to the water, sea-facing, with private sit-outs and a soaking tub in the bathroom. Between these sit Andaman Cottages tucked into the coconut groves, air-conditioned Andaman Chalets under lofty wooden roofs, and Havelock Cabanas with high wooden ceilings and their own balconies. Dining runs across three venues. Bonova Cafe & Pub covers casual all-day eating, White Lotus serves Indian and continental fine dining, and High Tide is an alfresco bar right on the beach for evening drinks as the sun goes down. Sattva Spa handles wellness treatments, and there is a dedicated yoga space for guests who want to start the day with something quieter. Havelock's diving scene sits right at the resort's doorstep. SeaShell runs its own certified dive shop, so booking a reef trip or a beginner's course takes no real planning. Snorkelling, kayaking, and beach walks round out the activity list for guests who prefer to stay closer to shore. For travellers who want genuine island character alongside four-star comfort, without the price tag of Havelock's ultra-luxury properties, SeaShell Havelock is a well-regarded, dependable choice.
16
years crafting private India journeys
30,000+
travellers guided end to end
4.5
from 15 reviews on Trustpilot
Ministry of Tourism
NIDHI Certified Tour Operator
Rajasthan Tourism
Recognized Travel Agency
Travel for LiFE
Sustainable Tourism Pledge
Google Reviews★★★★★
Verified business reviews
Frequently Asked
Questions About Havelock Island
How many days do you need in Havelock Island?
Two to three nights works well. That covers Radhanagar Beach at sunset, a reef day at Elephant Beach and one more water activity such as kayaking or a dive. Add a night if you want a slower pace or plan to try diving. Sea travel from Port Blair takes time, so plan arrival and departure days sensibly.
What should I know before visiting Havelock Island?
Pack reef-safe sun protection, a hat and light, quick-drying clothes. Carry cash and water, as facilities are simple on the beaches. Do not touch or take coral or shells. Sea conditions can change plans, so keep a spare day. Check current details with your guide for any water activity.
When is the best time of day to visit Radhanagar Beach?
Late afternoon is the classic choice, as the light turns gold toward sunset on the west coast. Mornings are calmer and quieter. A guide can time your visit to the tide and the day's weather. Check current details with your guide on swimming conditions before entering the water.
Can beginners try diving or snorkelling at Havelock?
Yes. Try-dives are offered for first-timers, and snorkelling is possible at Elephant Beach. A sea walk is another option for those who prefer not to swim. Operators brief you before you enter the water. Conditions vary, so check current details with your guide.
Are your tours in Havelock Island private?
Yes. Every journey is private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and the pace is yours to set.
What is the best time to visit Havelock Island?
November to April, when the seas are generally calmer for beach days and reef activities. Conditions vary, so keep water plans flexible.
How do I get to Havelock Island?
Havelock is reached by sea from Port Blair, which has the nearest airport. Crossing times depend on the vessel and the sea, so check current details with your guide.
Can I combine Havelock Island with other cities?
Yes. We can join Havelock Island to other cities in Andaman & Nicobar in a single route, with transfers and stays planned around it.
Can you arrange hotels in Havelock Island?
Yes. Stays are part of every journey. We match them to your budget and to the pace of your route.
How do I plan a trip to Havelock Island?
Share your dates and who is travelling using the form on this page. A specialist replies with a private route for you to review.
Continue The Route
More Of Andaman & Nicobar
The other cities in Andaman & Nicobar we build private journeys through, each with its own guide.
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
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