Havelock Island is a particularly popular tourist destination among all tourists to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is also among the largest islands in the archipelago, and at the largest dimension, spans across 41 km.
Initially, the island was named after Sir Henry Havelock, who used to be a General from the British era. Thereafter, in 2018, Sh. Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister renamed the island Swaraj Dweep. The new name was dedicated to the memory of the renowned freedom fighter, Sh. Subhash Chandra Bose.
Havelock Island is an absolute seaside paradise and a few of the tourist destinations at Havelock Island have been internationally recognized to be the best in the class. Radhanagar beach is located at the Havelock Island, and in 2004, it was declared by TIME magazine to be the best beach in Asia. This is a prestigious award and speaks volumes about the eco-friendliness and cleanliness of the destination.
Havelock Island offers a lot for a tourist’s selection and has over the years also been developed as an exquisite tourist destination. International tourists to Havelock Island have typically increased over the years.
Two of the finest ways of getting to Havelock Island are by waterways or roadways from Port Blair.
Top 5 things to do at Havelock Island
1. Visit Radhanagar beach
A visit to the Radhanagar beach is going to be a mesmerizing and one-of-a-kind holidaying experience. The destination is considered to be among the seven top beaches in the world.
It is during the winters that the maximum numbers of tourists on an Andaman tour prefer to visit the Radhanagar beach. During the time, the beach is associated with a lively buzz. Viewing the sunset from the white sands of the Radhanagar beach is one of the finest experiences on an Andaman tour. This makes the Radhanagar beach a must-visit destination for a tourist’s itinerary. The indigenous cuisines served in the vicinity of the Radhanagar beach never fail to delight the tourists.
2. KayakingKayaking around
The mangroves when at the Radhanagar beach is fun. Options for kayaking during the daytime or the night are both available at a tourist’s disposal.
When a tourist goes for a guided kayaking tour to the mangroves at the Radhanagar Island at night, he gets to experience bioluminescence. The marine phytoplankton is disturbed by the kayaking paddle, and releases light, making night kayaking a unique and exotic tourism experience.
4. Go scuba diving
Scuba diving is a popular beach sport at Havelock Island. Nemo reef is one of the prime scuba diving spots on the island. Guided, short scuba diving tours are available for seasoned divers and beginners alike.
4. Sea Walking
Sea walking is a unique watersport, and a tourist can experience the same when at Havelock Island. The sport is conducted in a large aquarium with natural settings. Tourists invariably enjoy the activity and mention it as one of the delightful experiences for their Andaman tour.
5. Visit Elephant Beach
Elephant beach, at Havelock Island, is a destination associated with fun and excitement. A tourist has a range of options for watersports at his disposal when at Elephant beach. They include Jet Ski rides, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat rides, and sea walking. A glass-bottom boat ride allows a tourist to get a firsthand experience of witnessing the indigenous marine life and colorful coral reefs, without having to enter the water.
6.Govind Nagar beach
Govind Nagar beach is another one of the prime beaches for your visit to Havelock Island. Excellent views of mystic coral reefs are available here as well, but swimming here is not advisable because of the mangrove roots. Therefore, tour guides always advise tourists against going swimming here. Instead, the beautiful coral reefs should be viewed while commuting using a glass-bottom boat.
7.Kalapathar beach
Kalapathar beach is one of the prime destinations across Havelock Island to witness an amazing sunrise. A visit to the Kalapathar beach is a wholesome package. One could get to the beach in time for the sunrise. Next, one could have a meal and go trekking over the treks at the lush, evergreen rainforests nearby. Then one can return to the beach for witnessing the sunset, before packing for the day.
Top tips to keep in mind when planning a trip to Havelock Island
- It is recommendable to book a hotel in advance before coming for a visit to Havelock Island. This is a potent safeguard against last-minute hassles.
- Along with the hotel, ferry tickets should also be booked in advance. Ferry tickets tend to get sold out quickly. Confirmed tickets bring peace of mind for tourists.
- Appropriate apparel and accessories make the Andaman trip more fun. One should also carry a pair of shoes for going trekking, and a pair of shoes for walking on the beach.
Havelock Island caters to the preferences of a range of tourists