Havelock IslandAbout Havelock Island
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 22° - 29° | 26° | 39 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.4h |
| February | Ideal | 22° - 30° | 26° | 27 mm | mostly sunny | 71% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Ideal | 23° - 31° | 27° | 24 mm | some cloud | 69% | 1.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 25° - 32° | 31° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 2.1 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Good | 25° - 31° | 31° | 339 mm | overcast | 79% | 2.9 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.5h |
| June | Good | 24° - 30° | 30° | 449 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.7h |
| July | Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 420 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.6h |
| August | Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 432 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.4h |
| September | Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 495 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 316 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 203 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| December | Very Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.3h |
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.