Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
Havelock Island is one of the most visited Islands in Andaman Islands. When you think to the Andaman Islands, Havelock Island is the first island that most of us want to visit. This island is very different from other islands in the Andaman archipelago. The trencher of Havelock Island serves you all holiday lovers with iconic beaches, engaging activities, and of course the stay in beachside resorts handpicked by our experts to suit your trip and budget.
It’s a pleasure having you here to read what we have to say about this already very famous and the most sought-after destination of Andamans – The Havelock Islands.
Fact: On 30 December 2018, the honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi renamed Havelock Island to Swaraj Dweep Island. Though the island is still referred to by its previous name of Havelock Island because of its following among travellers.
What To Expect at Havelock Island?
Havelock Island is the major hotspot for tourists because of the amazing features it possesses. The island has all the amenities and infrastructure to support the travellers who come to visit Havelock Island.
There are various properties for accommodations, restaurants, cabs, buses and share autos for internal transfers and several cruises and ferries operating from Swaraj Dweep to other islands. The island has all the modern facilities and beaches that will entice you! Different kind of watersports are available to experience the rich marine life at Havelock.
As of 2022, the internet facility has also improved and airtel provides a good internet connection at Havelock. Jio has also launched in the Andaman Islands as a recent update.
The functioning mobile networks in Andaman are Airtel, Vodafone, Jio and BSNL.
Havelock Island a.k.a Swaraj Dweep is visited by all types of travelers because it appears to be suitable for visitors of all ages. The kids love playing around in the safe waters, the elderly love the tranquility nature provides, youngsters and adventure junkies love the activities that keep them engaged and of course the special ones-the couples who admire the destination making it one of the most preferred honeymoon destinations in India.
How to Reach Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)?
Havelock Island is located about 57 kms from Port Blair. To reach Havelock Island you need to first reach Port Blair and then take a ferry to reach Havelock Island. The best and the most reliable way to reach Havelock Island is via sea only. It takes about 90 minutes to 2.5 hours to reach the island from Port Blair. Many ferries operate from Port Blair to Havelock Island and are frequently available. You can book the various ferry online.
Both government ferries and private cruises are operational on this island which gives you an option to choose what you prefer.
Fact: As of 2022 – No Seaplane is operational in the Andaman Islands.
Helicopter Services – This too is not available on a regular basis and only a handful of seats are available which can be booked only after you reach the Andaman Islands.
All ferry leaves from Haddo Jetty earlier the ferries used to sail from Phoenix Bay Jetty. It is very important to select the right ferry and book it to reach Havelock Island.
Considering Ferry as the most reliable way to reach Havelock Island. Mentioned below are the various ferries that are available to take you to Havelock Island.
Government Ferries
The government ferries in the islands are the lifeline of the Andaman as it caters to all the local islanders. Government ferry is very much in demand because of its unique experience. Low cost and a different way of travel, makes this ferry pretty popular among locals and other offbeat travellers.
Government ferry can be booked only a couple of days in advance manually at the STARS counter by standing in a queue.
You can ask your tour operator to help you with the Government ferry tickets.
Private Ferries
Several private ferry operators provide tickets to move from one island to the other. The main sector these ferry sail is Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. Private ferries are most preferred by the tourists because it is convenient and the booking is process is easy.
These ferries are faster and more comfortable compared to government ferries and the cruise tickets can be easily booked online.
Fact: The private cruises are pricy compared to the Government ferry.
The following ferries/cruises are available for Havelock Island.
1) Makruzz – Recommended
Makruzz is one of the most popular ferry in Andaman Islands. The operations of this vessel started in the year 2009 and since then it has connected all the top islands in the Andaman archipelago.
As on today, in 2022, Makruzz has 2 succeeding edition that has joined its fleet by the names Makruzz Gold and Makruzz Pearl. These new vessels of the Makruzz fleet are more advanced and spacious and operate in various routes to keep the islands and their people connected.
2) Green Ocean – Recommended Has Open Deck
The second most popular cruise is Green Ocean 1. It has an open deck and is pretty popular among travelers who wish to see the sea while cruising to Havelock Island. The only negative aspect of this cruise is that it’s a little slow because of its design. The seating capacity of this ferry is around 200 passengers.
3) Sea Link Cruise – Recommended
Sea Link Cruise was launched in 2019 and covers Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. This is another ferry that is reliable and can be selected for your onward journey in Andaman. Under this brand, another faster ferry Nautika is expected to launch in 2022.
4) ITT Majestic – Not Operational Since 2020
This is another high-speed luxury cruise that transfers passengers to Swaraj Dweep. This cruise is fully air-conditioned and has comfortable seats. Huge transparent glass in the ITT Majestic window runs through the entire length of the cruise which enables you to enjoy the beautiful sea views from your seats. This cruise can have seating for 200 passengers under two different categories, and the categories are Silver and Majesty.
All the ferries and cruises that function to Swaraj Dweep are available from both Port Blair and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep).
5) Aashi – Recommended
This cruise was launched in 2021 and provides sailing to Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. The cruise is good and can be considered while sailing to different parts of the islands in Andaman.
Get to know more ways about reaching Havelock Island in our article.
Places to Visit in Havelock Island?
1) Havelock Island is home to Blue Flag-certified beach. The famous Radhanagar Beach is one of the best beaches in India. Great for swimming and sunbathing, Radhanagar beach offers an amazing sunset experience.
2) Just 30 minutes by boat, Elephant Beach is one of the popular places on Havelock Island for water sports activities. At this location you can do Sea Walking, Snorkeling, Jet Ski Ride, Glass Bottom Boat Ride, Parasailing and as well can enjoy the beauty of the location and spend time at leisure.
3) Kalapathar Beach is another viewpoint at Havelock Island. The beach is easily accessible by road. This beach is popular for sunrise and for photoshoots. The beach is good to spend around 1-2 Hours at Havelock Island
Things to do in Havelock Island?
The charm at Havelock Island is mesmerizing. To us the best things to do at Havelock Island are as below :
1) Take a walk at Beach number 5 – Vijaynagar beach – This is one of the best beaches on Havelock Island. This beach is also very good for sunrise.
2) Go Scuba Diving – Try Boat Dive instead of a shore dive. Different kind of diving takes place at Havelock Island. Select from the beginner diving experience at Havelock Island.
3) Visit Radhanagar beach for a sunset experience – The preferred time is in the evening. Visit this white sandy beach for a never before experience.
4) Go for Night Kayaking – From April 2022, Kayaking has started its operation on Havelock Island. The night kayaking has been stopped and only day kayaking for Sunrise or sunset is allowed at the islands.
5) Visit Elephant Beach and Snorkel – The water sports hub for Havelock Island. Get indulge in various kinds of water activities at Elephant beach.
6) Go For Sea Walking – More Like moonwalking – Sea Walking at Elephant beach is a unique experience. Try this activity when you are at Havelock.
7) Go For Parasailing – Parasailing at Havelock island is done at Elephant beach.
8) Try a beachside Candle Lit Dinner – Various beachside properties provide Candle Lit Dinner and based on the experience the cost varies. 
9) Stay by a beach resort at Havelock – This is an absolute must when you are at Havelock Island. Stay by beach resorts for a lovely stay experience. The properties ranges from 3000 – 40000 Rupees per night.
Best Locations to Stay in Havelock Island
Havelock Island is very popular among travelers. However, not many are aware of what are the best locations to stay in Havelock Island. At Havelock, locations go by beach number. Beach numbers from 1 To 7 exist. However, not all the locations are the best ones to stay at Havelock Island.
The cost of accommodation varies from property to property. Some are beachfront properties and some are not. The budget for each property varies based upon their locations. There are varied categories of hotels starting from pocket-friendly economy hotels to fancy luxury and elite hotels that are quite expensive. The price range starts around 2000-2200 Rupees and the highest goes up to 40000-45000 Rupees. Most of them are beachside resorts or have private beaches. Whereas some properties have swimming pool facilities and a few of them have both pools and beaches.
The services, experiences, facilities, interiors, and space of the rooms differ from category to category and budget to budget. All the properties offering accommodations in Havelock Island have the basic amenities and services, the hotels and resorts are equipped with basic and modern amenities based on the categories. Most of the hotels have restaurants inside the properties themselves and the guests can have a meal in the hotel if they prefer. Knowing about where to stay in Andaman Islands is a crucial thing as if you are not aware of the best locations then you might end up selecting a hotel that looks good online, however, after you reach Havelock you might not love the location where the property is located.
Beach number 7 and Beach Number 5 offers the most amazing beach experiences in Havelock Island. Try to get accommodation around these beaches. Other beaches are as well good but not to the mark of Beach Number 7 & 5.
While choosing the best accommodation option for yourself, you can reach one of our island expert who will understand your budget and requirements to suggest the best option available at Havelock Island.
Recommended Hotels in Havelock Island
Below are some of the recommended hotels in Havelock Island. The price of the properties varies based on the season. Give a try to the below-listed properties for a memorable Havelock Island vacation.
Budget Options at Havelock
- Pano Eco Resort (Recommended)
- V Knot Residency
- Hotel Sourav
Standard Hotel Options these are basic properties
- Blue Island Beach Resort (Recommended)
- Blue Bird Resort (Recommended)
- Sundaze Beach resort
- Flying Elephant (Offbeat)
- Virgin Beach Resort
Deluxe Hotel Options at Havelock Island
- Havelock Holiday Beach Resort (Recommended)
- Havelock Haywizz
- Wild Orchid Beach Resort
- Aquays Beach Resort (Recommended)
Luxury Options at Havelock Island
- Symphony Palms Beach Resort
- Havelock Island Beach Resort
- Ocean Tree Beach resort
- Aparupa Sands Marina
Elite Resorts at Havelock Island
- Sea Shell Havelock
- Silver Sand Beach Resort
- Munjoh Ocean Suite
- Sandy Waves
- Coral Reef
All above Elite properties are recommended.
5 Star Stays at Havelock Island
- Taj Exotic
- Barefoot
- Tilar Siro
These star stays are some of the most beautiful experiences at Havelock Island.
Restaurants at Havelock island
Havelock Island AKA Swaraj Dweep has plenty of restaurants offering great foods of both pure vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines. There are two pure vegetarian restaurants and several other restaurants that offer non-vegetarian and multi-cuisine food. Do not miss out on the variety of seafood at the restaurants and food joints as the Andamans is a paradise for seafood lovers. Also, there are many beach-side cafes, you can stop by at a café for a snack or a drink and spend time with your loved ones in the amazing ambience that surrounds.
Bars and Lounges are available too; you can drop in for some fun and drink and enjoy your evenings here.
Top Recommended Restaurants at Havelock
- Something Different Cafe
- Bonava Cafe
- Anju Coco
- Red Snapper
- Kathmandu
- Fat Martin Cafe
- Full Moon Cafe
All the above restaurants provide a good food tasting experience when you are at Havelock.
How much will it cost to visit Havelock Island?
Your trip cost to havelock Island will vary mainly of the hotels that you select to stay at the islands and the food cost. We can basically break the cost in 3-4 point
- Cost of Accommodation
- Cost of Ferry tickets
- Cost of food
- Cost of Water Activities
- Cost of Transport
- Miscellaneous expense
If you add the above six points you will come to an approximate cost of your travel to Havelock Island.
The accommodation costs vary from Rupees 2000 Per Night to Rupees 20000 Per Night. Taj may cost you around Rupees 30000 per night at Havelock Island.
Per meal might cost you approximately 350 Rupees per person. Don’t forget food cost is on the higher side at Havelock Island. Then comes water activities that you do at Havelock Island. An approximate cost of Rupees 3500 Per Person is applicable for any decent water activity at Havelock.
Your transport cost, whether you are availing 2-wheeler or are hiring a private cab will cost you approximately 500 – 1000 Rupees per day.
Your ferry tickets to Havelock Island will cost around 1500 Rupees per person on each side.
Finally, your miscellaneous expense of shopping, laundry, Candle Light dinner, etc adds to your expense.
Havelock island is something you should not miss when on the islands.
A generally suggested itinerary for Havelock Island will be as below. We recommend a minimum of 2 Nights to visit Havelock
Day 1 – Ferry from Port Blair to Havelock Island. Later visit Radhanagar Beach for Sunset
Day 2 – Elephant Beach Visit and Any Water activity
Day 3 – Visit Kalapathar Beach at Havelock AND Either visit Neil Island from Havelock Island OR Return back to Port Blair.
Honeymoon on Havelock Island
This beautiful island is an ideal destination for a honeymoon tour. Havelock Island offers an amazing experience to honeymoon couples. The private beaches are easily accessible and provide you with ample time to get together and to know each other.
The ambience and the serenity of this island attract couples often making Havelock Island an ideal destination for honeymoon trips. Imagine having a candlelight dinner with your loved one by the beach, with no one around but just the sound of waves and nature for your company; Splendid! Isn’t it? If you are planning on a honeymoon trip then you must add Swaraj Dweep to your list as it is one of the most beautiful islands to make your trip a memorable one, and make your loved one feel special. There are a lot of packages specifically designed and tailor-made by us for honeymoon tours with attractive inclusions to make it special for the people who want to celebrate their union together in these islands.
Local Life – Although agriculture and fishing are the major occupations of the folks here, they are yet dependent on tourism as their major economic support directly or indirectly. This is one reason that be it an educated person from the hospitality sector or a common man/ small shopkeepers / any general public, you’ll find everyone very humble and of helping nature. The properties that provide accommodation and restaurants here are very impressive and comfortable which you will surely love.
Even though Havelock Island has all the major facilities that are available in Port Blair such as a marketplace, good transportation, accommodations, and other necessary amenities, most of the services/ commodities here in Swaraj Dweep are bought in from the capital town-Port Blair.
The islands that surround Swaraj Dweep are- Neil, Peel, Wilson John Lawrence, Henry Lawrence, Inglis, Middle button and North Button islands. Each of these islands is occasionally accessible for explorers who wish to know more about these islands.
Our Island experts can let you know when, how and how often you can visit some of these islands on special arrangements. Game fishing tours can be availed to explore uninhabited islands around Havelock.
Havelock island is a true gem of a destination and you will surely lovely experience here. The thumb rule for a good time at Havelock Islands is – Book your ferry, Book a property by the beach and that’s it you are all set to have a memorable time at Havelock Island.