Havelock Island, located 55 kms north east of Port Blair is one of the most important tourism destinations of Andaman & Nicobar. Only one third of the island (northern part) is inhabited, mostly by Bengali settlers. Despite being a popular tourist destination, Havelock still retains its laid back charm. It is ideal for tourists who want to enjoy the slow pace of island life untouched by excessive tourism development like the South East Asia.
This is one of the few islands in the Andamans Chain where foreigners are permitted to stay overnight. A holiday at Havelock is a great way to relax and rejuvenate while exploring the breathtakingly beautiful sandy beaches and lush virgin forests.
It is one of the few places where the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has permitted and encouraged development of tourism, with a focus on promoting eco-tourism. Havelock Island was largely unaffected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and its resultant tsunami and there were no documented casualties or large scale destruction.
Havelock Island was named by the British after Major-General Sir Henry Havelock. Ironically, he was knighted for his role during the Indian Mutiny, 1857, which threatened to end British rule. His statue now stands in Trafalgar Square in London.
The climate at HavelockIsland is similar to the rest of the islands in the Andamans. It experiences a tropical climate with average temperature fluctuating between 23 and 30°C. The average relative humidity is 80%. There are mainly two seasons - summer and monsoon. The monsoon lasts from the end of May to August again from November to mid December.
The best time to visit Havelock is between the months December to April with Dec-Jan being the peak tourist season. August through November see occasional showers and slightly rougher seas, but diving can still be great at this time of year.
It is advisable to carry enough cash while traveling to Havelock as there are no money changing facilities/ATM’s here.
Port Blair is the only place on the Andaman Islands where you can find money changing and banking facilities. Cash and travelers cheques can be changed at Port Blair. There are many travel agents and a few banks that offer money changing facilities. Some of the hotels also offer money changing facilities for their guests.
Ferries are the only way of getting to the island. There is at least one daily ferry from Port Blair and often 2 or 3. Boats depart from the Phoenix Bay Jetty in Port Blair.It takes about 2 ½ hours to get to Havelock from Port Blair. If the sea is rough it may take upto 3-4 hours. The timing for these ferries is not fixed so it is advisable to check at the jetty or ask the locals around.
Note: It is not possible to go to Havelock Island straight from the Port Blair Airport on the same day (day of arrival) - as the flight arrives only after 7.30/8.00 am.
HavelockIsland is also linked to NeilIsland and Rangat in the Middle Andaman through several ferries a week.
Getting around
Walking is the most common form of transport.
Local buses ply the 2 main roads between the port (on Beach #1), RadhanagarBeach (Beach #7), and Beach #5 where the bulk of the accommodation is located. There is a local bus for Radhanagar waiting at beach #1 at around the time the ferry (10-10:30AM) arrives. The cost of a ticket from Beach #1 to Radhanagar is around Rs 6. Try to get off the ferry quickly and walk out of the parking area (where all the taxis and autorickshaws are parked) to catch the bus. The journey from Beach #1 to Radhanagar is around 30-45 minutes.
Auto-rickshaws are also available. From Beach #1 (the port) to Beach #5 costs Rs 50.
Bicycles, scooters and motorcycles are available for hire near the center of 'town' (Beach #3), or inquire at your guesthouse.
Source: wikitravel
RadhanagarBeach (Beach # 7): Situated on the north western side of the island, RadhanagarBeach is a nature lover’s paradise with white sandy beaches, crystal clearturquoise waters, exotic coral reefs, beautiful sunsets and dolphins and turtles. In November 2004, RadhanagarBeach was voted by Time Magazine as the 'BestBeach you can get to in Asia' and it remains the most popular beach in Andamans. The RadhanagarBeach is the best beach for swimming and snorkeling. A great destination for a day trip and picnic lunches.The beach is backed by a lush green forest and one can take an elephant ride into the forest in the peak season.
ElephantBeach: The Elephant beach situated 10 kms from the market is popular with Indian tourists and good for day trips. 30 minute hike on a jungle path or a one hour boat trip will get you to this secluded beach with corals and exotic marine life. The beach is ideal for snorkelling . The shoreline here was largely swept away by the 2004 tsunami and the beach is a fraction of what it used to be.
VijaynagarBeach (Beach # 5): The calm waters of this beach are both refreshing and relaxing. Here you can float in natural sea salts while surrounded by pristine nature. Still an undeveloped paradise, you can wander for miles undisturbed and in peace.
Market (# 3)
2 km from the jetty, the heartbeat of Havelock, the market is timid and intermittent in the morning and until 3 pm. Bustling with life after 3 pm, one can see all the action here- from bananas to bright lit sweet stalls, from fresh veggies to fresh fish,you can find everything at this market.
Activities
The HavelockIsland is a great place for adventure tourism. The island offers exciting opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, fishing and diving. The island is also a great base for hiking, kayaking and sailing to the nearby island. The waters around this Island are rich in corals and exotic marine life and you can get a close look at them by going snorkeling and scuba diving.
DIVE India, located at Island Vinnie's Tropical Beach Cabanas Resort on Beach #3 and Barefoot Scuba located at CafeDel Mar on Beach #3 are the two certified dive centres. They have good equipment and provide a training instructor.
For those looking to splurge on accommodation Wild Orchid Resort, Barefoot at Havelock and Silver Sands are good options. Tourists on a smaller budget can try Island Vinnie's Tropical Beach Cabanas, Pristine Beach Resort and Emerald Gecko. If you are looking for basic, simple accommodation try one of the various lodges or tent resorts at Havelock.
NeilIsland - quieter than Havelock with nice beaches and decent snorkeling. You can also walk through the jungles or cycle through the paddy fields.
Diglipur – the far north of the island chain, and the jumping off point for Smith and RossIslands.
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