Havelock Island
Island Andaman Island renowned for beaches and scuba diving
An Andaman island known for white-sand beaches, coral reefs and dive sites such as Radhanagar; tourists come for scuba diving, snorkeling and boat trips to spot turtles.
Havelock Island is an island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, known for long sandy beaches and coral reefs; it was officially renamed Swaraj Dweep in 2018. It is one of the larger inhabited islands in the Ritchie’s Archipelago group and is a major tourism hub in the Andamans.
Beach-focused tourism dominates the island - the west coast has a white-sand bay about 2 km long that draws most visitors for swimming and sunsets. Snorkelling and scuba diving are common, with boat trips to nearby reefs and sheltered bays such as a popular reef-fringed snorkel site on the northwest. Local villages provide basic services, dive shops, and boat operators.
The island developed as a visitor destination in the late 20th and early 21st centuries with improved ferry links and dive infrastructure; the official renaming to Swaraj Dweep occurred in 2018. Traditional fisheries and small-scale agriculture continue alongside tourism.
Havelock/Swaraj Dweep sits in Ritchie’s Archipelago about 57 km northeast of Port Blair, the Andaman capital; regular government and private ferries serve the island and there is a small network of roads linking beaches and settlements.
- Name and access: The island was officially renamed Swaraj Dweep in 2018 but is still commonly called Havelock; ferry services link it to Port Blair with journeys of roughly 2 to 3 hours depending on vessel.
- Best time: Best snorkelling and diving conditions are usually in the dry season from November to April when visibility is highest.
What to See #
- Radhanagar Beach: A wide sandy bay of white sand about 2 km long on the island's west coast, regularly ranked among Asia's best beaches and popular for sunset views.
- Elephant Beach: A small coral-fringed beach on the island's northwest reachable by boat, known for snorkelling and reef access to see corals and reef fish.
How to Get to Havelock Island #
Ferries (government and private) connect Havelock to Port Blair; journeys take 1.5-3 hours depending on service. Flights to Veer Savarkar International Airport (Port Blair) from the Indian mainland are the usual way to begin; from Port Blair, catch the ferry to Havelock. On arrival, local taxis and motorbike rentals are common for getting around the island.
Tips for Visiting Havelock Island #
- Travel to Havelock Island via a ferry from Port Blair; book ferry tickets in advance during peak season (Dec-Mar).
- The island's beaches such as Radhanagar (Beach No. 7) are best early morning or late afternoon when light is best and crowds are smaller.
- If planning to dive or snorkel, choose a certified operator on the island for access to nearby coral sites; seasons vary for diving conditions.
Best Time to Visit Havelock Island #
Best visited between October and April when sea conditions are calm and beach access is reliable.
Weather & Climate near Havelock Island #
Havelock Island's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (2928 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). The driest month with just 24 mm.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 31°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (339 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (449 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (420 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (432 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (495 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (316 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (203 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
