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Crystal clear water reflecting all the possible shades of blue! 

Pristine white sand beaches, roads lined with palm trees, lush green mountains and rich marine biodiversity. 

Isn’t it a perfect description of heaven on Earth! 

Can you imagine a place like this exists in India! Before we landed in Havelock, I had a different picture in mind. 

I expected it to be a usual, crowded tourist destination. But Havelock turned out to be an unspoiled paradise. 

A calm and peaceful island with laid back tropical vibes, Havelock is a treasure waiting to be explored. Perfect destination for nature lovers, laid back traveller and adventure enthusiasts.

Last week, we visited Havelock and I still can’t get over it. All I want is, to go back to this breathtaking destination again. 

In this blog, I have curated a 3-day itinerary for a perfect vacation in Havelock. This itinerary includes all the popular locations and activities, along with important information.

About Havelock, Andaman & Nicobar Islands 

Officially known as the Swaraj Dweep, Havelock is the largest island in Ritchie’s Archipelago, in the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The total land area of the island is 92.2km square, 18 km in length and only 8 km in width. 

How to reach Havelock 

Veer Savarkar Airport in Port Blair is the nearest airport, which is well connected with all the major airports in India. From Port Blair, Havelock can be reached by air or sea. The most convenient and economical is through the sea. It takes 1.5 -2 hours to reach Havelock. Both private and government ferries operate in this route. I recommend a private ferry for easy booking and to avoid waiting in long queues. 

Best Time to visit Havelock 

October to May is considered the best time to visit Havelock. The rainy season from June to September is not recommended because of high tidal waves, strong wind and heavy rainfall. 

Getting around in Havelock 

Travelling in Havelock is pretty simple. Most of the beaches are along the same road. You can choose one of the following modes of transport

1.Cabs – You can opt for a package tour that includes sightseeing, pickup and drop. Taxi can also be hired from Havelock jetty. Our tour package included sightseeing. If you hire a separate taxi, usually they ask for INR 1000 per location.  

2. Auto Rickshaw – Auto rickshaws are more economical than Taxi. They charge between 100 to 1000 depending upon the distance. For visiting Kalapathar beach (which was around 5 km from our resort, we paid INR 400 for pick and drop, including 1 hour waiting time)

3. Bike Rental – Most convenient, economical and easiest mode of transportation. You can hire a bike for INR 500 a day. Keep in mind, gas stations in Havelock shut at 5 p.m. 

4. Public transport – Public transports like shared jeeps and buses can also be used. Although I did not notice any public transport during our visit (maybe because of Pandemic)

How to spend 3 days in Havelock

Havelock is an idyllic tropical island with an abundance of natural beauty, marine diversity and azure beaches. Here is how you can spend 3 days in Havelock

Day 1

Swimming & Sunset at Radhanagar Beach

Radhanagar is one of the most popular beaches in Havelock. It is one of the 8 beaches in India to receive the prestigious Blue flag certification, one of the world’s most recognized voluntary awards for beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. Radhanagar beach is known for its stunning sunset vistas. One can also enjoy swimming on this stunning beach. Swimming on the beach is allowed only till 5.30 p.m. So, plan your visit accordingly 

Day 2  

Sunrise at Kalapathar beach 

Known for its mesmerizing sunrise, Kalapathar is another surreal beach beaming with turquoise water and white sand. This Idyllic beach is perfect for photoshoots or just lazing around soaking all the beauty around. The sun rises early in Havelock (around 5am-5.30 am), so you’re your visit accordingly. 

Scuba Diving at Nemo reef

Crystal clear water and rich marine biodiversity make Havelock one of the best diving sites in India. When in Havelock, it makes perfect sense to explore the underwater world. The best part is you don’t need any formal training to dive in Havelock. 

Many agencies and resorts organize scuba diving discovery experience for tourists. A 45-minutes session usually costs around INR1500 -2500, which includes pick up, drop, scuba gears, underwater photos and videos. Scuba diving starts from 5.30 a.m. in the morning and goes on till 1.30 p.m. Morning slots are best as the water is calm and clear. Book your slot in advance to avoid inconvenience. 

Unwind at Govind Nagar beach

After diving, head to Govind Nagar beach where the sublime sea and pristine beach awaits you. Shallow sea, crystal clear water, soft powdery silver sand and green cover makes this beach perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. 

Day 3

Water sports at Elephant Beach

For all adventure enthusiasts, looking for water activities and fun vibes, Elephant beach is the destination. The only beach in Havelock offers a wide selection of water activities like jet-skiing, snorkelling, Sea Walk, Glass Bottom Boats, parasailing kayaking, banana and sofa boat rides. Apart from water sports, the elephant beach is surrounded by dense tropical jungle, gigantic tree trunks and green cover. Snorkelling at this beach is highly recommended because of its rich corals and underwater diversity. 

How to reach Elephant Beach: 

The Elephant beach is located in the Northern part of Havelock and can be reached either by boat or trekking through the forest. It takes 20-25 minutes to reach by speed boat. The timings are limited, from Havelock dock the last boat goes to Elephant beach at 11.30 p.m. 

Note: Elephant beach remains open from 8 am to 5 pm 

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Day 4 

Checkout 

Visit Vijayanagar beach 

Checkout time at most of the hotels in Havelock is 8 a.m. whereas the last ferry departs to Port Blair at 4.30 pm. If you have some time, do visit Vijayanagar beach, one of the less frequented paradise in Havelock. The palm-fringed coastline, white sand and turquoise water display a perfect blend of green, blue and white. Vijayanagar beach is an absolute visual delight and will leave you spellbound. After you spend a laid-back morning on the beach, enjoy your lunch at beachside restaurants and head to the ferry. 

Some points to keep in mind

1.      Mobile network in Havelock is not great. You hardly get signal 

2.      Most of the places you need to pay cash as cards are not accepted (due to network issue)

3.      Havelock promotes ecotourism, only 2 Ltrs water bottle. Carry your own steel bottle for convenience

4.      Sun rises and sets early in Havelock.

5.      You need to carry RT-PCR test reports (covid negative test) by an ICMR approved lab to enter Andaman.   

I am sure after spending 3 blissful days in Havelock, you would not want to come back from this exquisite paradise. Have you ever been to Havelock . how was your experience?

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