Havelock Island at a glance
Havelock Island, officially renamed Swaraj Dweep in an announcement of 30 December 2018, lies off Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) and is reached only by sea. There is no road link from the capital, so every trip starts with a ferry. Most visitors stay here for several nights, because the island combines white-sand beaches, organised water activities and named dive sites.
The island has four beaches: Radhanagar, Elephant Beach, Vijaynagar and Kalapathar. Each has a different job. Radhanagar is the beach for sand and sunsets, Elephant Beach is where organised water activities are based, and Kalapathar is a beach destination in its own right. If you want to try a dive on your first day, start with our guide to scuba diving in the Andaman Islands.
Getting to Havelock by ferry
Government and private ferries sail from Port Blair. Read the details on our Port Blair to Havelock ferry page.
Port Blair to Havelock
A fast private ferry typically takes about 90 minutes. Indicative 2026 fares start at ₹1,250 for an early departure and ₹1,800 to ₹1,900 for later ones, depending on the ferry and class. These are starting prices, not final checkout totals; check the current price when you book.
Havelock to Neil Island
The crossing takes about 60 minutes. Morning and afternoon sailings exist, so you can add Neil Island without returning to Port Blair first.
Check-in and weather
The private catamarans ask you to be at the jetty 45 minutes before departure and close boarding 15 minutes before. Sailings can change for weather or technical reasons, so keep a buffer if you have a flight the same day.
Our picks: Havelock dives
Two guided dives on Havelock, a short try-dive and a beginner boat dive where you choose the reef.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Havelock beginner boat dive, choose your reef
- One-to-one certified instructor
- 30 photos and 3 videos
- Speedboat to the dive site
Gear, shallow-water training and hotel pickup within 5 km are covered. Ask whether the marine park fee is included before you book.
Check availability →
Havelock try-dive experience
- Briefing and guide
- Dive equipment
- Photos and video
A short introduction of about 1.5 to 2 hours; it is not a certification course. Boat transport is only included if you pick that option, and you should ask whether the marine park fee is covered.
Check availability →Havelock Island tours and activities
Island trips, diving and water activities around Havelock with live prices and availability. Check the date against the monsoon and ferry plan before you book.
Elephant Beach
Elephant Beach is the place most organised water activities on Havelock are based around. Snorkeling and similar trips are sold from here, and the shallow water and coral shown in photos are the reason. Whether an activity runs on a given day depends on the sea and on clearance, so confirm with the provider when you book.
Coral bleaching affected parts of South Andaman in 2023 and 2024, and recovery is under way at many sites. Reef condition varies from site to site, so treat photos as an idea of what is possible, not a promise.
Kalapathar Beach
Kalapathar is a separate beach destination with clear water and white sand. Do not treat it as one more stop on an Elephant Beach trip. Plan it as its own visit, and follow local signs about where swimming is allowed, because an attractive coastline is not a general permission to swim anywhere.
For a relaxed beach day, visit Kalapathar on one day and Radhanagar for the sunset on another. Our Radhanagar Beach guide has the opening rule and the swimming zone.
Diving around Havelock
Havelock is an approved dive area, with Pilot Reef and Minerva Ledge as named sites. Havelock Jetty and Radhanagar Beach are explicitly excluded. A trial dive, a certification course and a dive for certified divers are three different things, and a trial dive does not give you a licence. Each programme starts with a medical questionnaire.
Diving in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park carries an extra fee per person and day, ₹500 for Indians and ₹1,000 for foreigners (2026), plus prior permission from the conservation authority. It is separate from the price of the dive itself.
Havelock resorts, transport and the monsoon
Havelock resorts and hotels cater to overnight guests, and the beach management plan treats them as a separate group from day visitors. Prices and availability change by season, so book before you travel in peak months.
On the island you will find auto-rickshaws, taxis, buses and motorbikes. Rental conditions, licence rules and insurance for motorbikes vary, so check them with the provider before you ride. See where to stay in the Andamans for the choice between islands.
June to October is the monsoon period, and heavy rain already starts in May. Boats and water activities can be affected during these months. If beaches and diving matter most, read the best time to visit before you fix dates.
Which Havelock beach for what
| Beach | Good for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Radhanagar | Sand, sunset, swimming in the marked zone | No diving at this beach |
| Elephant Beach | Organised water activities | Depends on sea and clearance |
| Kalapathar | A quieter beach visit of its own | Follow local swimming signs |
| Vijaynagar | A fourth beach on the island | Ask locally before planning around it |
For most visitors, Radhanagar for one afternoon and a booked water activity from Elephant Beach on another day is the right mix.
Havelock Island: frequently asked questions
Is Havelock the same as Swaraj Dweep?
Yes. Swaraj Dweep is the official name announced in 2018. Ferry timetables and many travelers still use Havelock.
Can I drive from Port Blair to Havelock?
No. The islands are separated by sea, and you reach Havelock by ferry from the capital.
Which Havelock beach for sunset?
Radhanagar is the sunset beach. Arrive by 16:00 to have time on the sand.
Where can I dive on Havelock?
Havelock is an approved dive area with sites such as Pilot Reef and Minerva Ledge. Havelock Jetty and Radhanagar Beach are excluded.
Is there a fee for diving off Havelock?
Yes. In the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park a daily fee of ₹500 for Indians and ₹1,000 for foreigners applies on top of the dive price, plus prior permission from the conservation authority.