Havelock Island, officially Swaraj Island, is one of the largest islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It spreads over an area of 92.2 km2 (35.6 sq mi). Havelock Island is named after Sir Henry Havelock, a British general who served in India. It was renamed Swaraj Island in December 2018 as a tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose. On December 30, 1943, Bose hoisted the Indian flag over Port Blair and declared the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to be free of British control. Subsequently, he renamed Andaman Island as Shaheed and Swaraj as Nicobar Island. Havelock is one of the few places where tourism growth, with a focus on promoting eco-tourism, has been enabled and encouraged by the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory of India. Havelock Island was spared much of the destruction caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and no casualties were reported. At the northern tip of the island, near Govinda Nagar, a lighthouse was built in 2005. Radhanagar Beach, also known as Number 7 Beach, is one of Havelock’s most popular beaches and was named “Best Beach in Asia” by Time magazine in 2004. The coveted blue flag certification was also bagged by Radhanagar beach in 2020. A Blue Flag beach is an eco-tourism model that aims to provide clean and hygienic bathing water, services, safe and healthy environment to the visitors or beachgoers. Elephant Beach on the northwest coast and Vijay Nagar Beach (No. 5), Beach No. 3 and Beach No. 1 on the east coast are other prominent beaches. Another popular beach is Kalapathar. Government-operated ferries and private cruises will access the island from Port Blair. Helicopter services are also provided.
Radhanagar Beach is one of the most famous attractions in Havelock Island and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands itself. Commonly known as Beach No. 7, Radhanagar has been given the title of the best beach in Asia and the 7th best beach in the world. Needless to mention, on your trip to Andaman, it is one of the most beautiful beaches you can see. Adored by the coconut trees on all sides and covered with tropical jungle on both sides, Radhanagar Beach opens up a world of complete serenity and relaxation for its visitors. As soon as you enter the gate, you will be welcomed by one of the most spectacular sceneries the island has to offer. A panoramic sea view complemented by soft white sand, stretching as far as your eyes can see, will surely raise your mood and give you a feeling of rejuvenation. Combined with ideal blue sky meshing into the horizon, the emerald blue waters with just the correct amount of splash make you want to go for a swim, almost instantly. A lot of huts, benches, and chairs are scattered around the beach, along with tall trees that give you a pleasure to relax, take in the beauty and unwind with a few snacks and drinks. The double story hut at the center of the beach provides a complete view of the sea in front and is a great place to capture photographs. Radhanagar is one of the few beaches in the Andaman where swimming is not prohibited. There are medium waves and they don’t have too much current. In addition, the depth of the sea is ample and transcends steadily, so you can enjoy long hours of playing with your loved ones in the ocean. There is no better place in Havelock than this if you enjoy swimming and need to go for a dip. During opening hours, lifeguards are stationed near the beach who constantly track the area, so you can easily get assistance in case of any mishaps. It is not recommended to go too far into the sea to ensure the safety of visitors. There is a great swimming depth of 10 meters, above which the water currents and waves begin to get a little rough.
Elephant Beach is one of the main attractions situated in Andaman and Nicobar, on Havelock Island. Getting to the beach on a ferry takes about twenty minutes, and seeing the beach alone is enough to make you fall in love with this place. The beauty of clean shores, untouched by pollution created by man. It is one of the most popular beaches in Andaman and annually attracts many tourists. There are several tour agencies that organize day trips to the beach on a regular basis, especially during the peak seasons, because of its popularity.The bright coral reefs that can be found at a depth that is as shallow as just one meter are very popular at Elephant Beach. This may sound too good to be true, but during their trip to Andaman, it is one of the things that drives tourists to visit this city, and never makes it lose its charm.Elephant Beach is a public beach and it can be visited by anyone. The beach does not remain accessible for the whole day, however, so you need to schedule your visit during the first half of the day to get as much time as possible on these beautiful sandy shores and enjoy all the activities and stuff the beach has to offer.Swimming, fishing, kayaking and a number of other extremely exciting water sports that are famous in Andaman are some of the most popular attractions around the beach. On Elephant Beach, you can also discover the famous underwater world of the Andaman Islands and see some of the most thrilling marine life, such as the famous coral reefs, turtles, sea anemones and many other colorful fishes. In and around the beach, there are also quite a few refreshment spots where you can grab some snacks or enjoy a delicious fresh seafood meal made from the catch of the day. If you plan to visit a travel or tour service, they will arrange the meals along with the kit. It’s perfect for all sorts of people to visit Elephant Beach, whether you’re traveling with a group of friends, with your family, or even with someone special. In order to keep you busy the whole day, there are ample events. Children can enjoy splashing in the waves and trying different water sports, while adults can just lie on the beach and enjoy the fun atmosphere, as well as some refreshments. Make sure you don’t forget scuba diving, as it is the most common activity around the beach, and all age ranges can do it. So, if you are planning a visit to the beautiful Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands, make sure you make some space for this famous beach in your itinerary and try all the exciting activities that the beach has to offer. Read our comprehensive guide for those who are interested in visiting the beach to understand all the important stuff you would need to know before going to Elephant Beach.
