Havelock Island

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Elephants are used to entertain tourists on some beaches at Havelock Island, Andaman Islands, India.

Havelock Island, with area of 113.93 km2, is the largest of the islands that comprise Ritchie's Archipelago, a chain of islands to the east of Great Andaman in the Andaman Islands. Havelock is situated 57 km north east of the capital city Port Blair. The population numbered 5,354 as of the 2001 census.[1]

Overview

The island is named after a British General, Henry Havelock who served in India. The island's current population consists of mainly Bengali settlers. Many of these settlers have Bangladeshi origin as these people were given settlement by the Indian government after the 1971 war between India and Pakistan.

Kala Patthar Beach

It is one of the few places that the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory of India has permitted and encouraged development of tourism, with a focus on promoting eco-tourism.

Havelock Island avoided much of the devastation by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and its resulting tsunami, and there were no documented casualties.

Beach No. 7 on the western coast, better known as "Radha Nagar" Beach, is one of the most popular beaches on Havelock and was named "Best Beach in Asia" by Time in 2004.[2] Other notable beaches include Elephant Beach on the northwest coast and Vijaynagar Beach (No. 5), Beach No. 3 and Beach No. 1 on the east coast. Kalapathar is another famous beach for a pit stop.

One can go snorkeling at Elephant Beach at Havelock Island. It is one of the most preferred snorkeling destinations after Jolly Bouy island in Port Blair.

Havelock Island has become a destination for honeymooners. The island has a lot of resorts by the beach to cater to the tourist, one of the most famous being the Symphony Palms Beach Resort located at Govindnagar Beach, Sea Shell Resort and Munjoh Ocean resort.

Access

To reach various islands, one needs to travel from one island to the other. The main islands that travelers visit apart from Port Blair are Havelock Island and Neil Island. To reach these islands, Government-operated ferries and Private cruises are available. Note that the timings at which the ferry sails changes as per weather conditions so make sure you contact respective ferry operators a couple of days prior to the sailing.

  • Government Ferry[3][4] - Operates all throughout the year
  • Makruzz[5] - Does not operate from May to August
  • Coastal Cruise[6] - Does not operate from May to August
  • Express Bhagya - This is the most recent one. It is yet known whether it operates during all seasons.
  • Green Ocean- Operates all throughout the year

Activities

  • Sea Walk[7] - Gives you an experience of underwater sea walk. The activity is available at Elephant Beach, Havelock Island. It costs 3200 Rupees and around 950 Rupees [8] to reach Elephant Beach.
  • Scuba Diving - This is the most available activity in the Andaman Islands. Many Scuba Diving companies offer varied kinds of courses, with certified diving available for both PADI and SSI. For beginners, there are beginner's diving courses from 30–60 minutes underwater and for advanced divers there are certification courses. You may refer [9] for all beginner and advanced diving courses and local prices in Havelock Island. Advanced SCUBA diving in Andaman Islands video [10] showcases the underwater reef of Havelock Island as well as other activities and experiences.
  • Snorkeling - available at Elephant Beach
  • File:Radha-Nagar-Beach.jpg
    Radha Nagar Beach
    Fishing and trips to uninhabited islands - These are new trips that are becoming more popular in Havelock Island and Port Blair. You can either go on a fishing trip or can just go around the Virgin Islands. Boats and off-beat trips are provided by a few companies in Andaman Islands. Fishing/boat trips in Black Marlin around Havelock can be referred at [11]

Budget hotels

  • V Knot Residency
  • Cross Bill beach Resort[12]
  • Island Vinnie Tropical beach Cabanna[13]
  • El Dorado[14]
  • Emerald Gecko[15]

All local island hotels and resorts can be found at [16]

== Helpdesk and tips == The only Wine and Beer shop selling Wine/Beer/Vodka/Whiskey etc. in the Havelock Island is managed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands Industrial Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) and is near to the State Bank of India (Branch+ATM) on the main road linking Jetty to Radhanagar beach- 2 kms from Boat Jetty.

Trips preferred by Travelers This island is mostly visited for 2 nights and 3 days by people coming on short trips for 5 nights or 6 nights to the Andamans. However, some prefer to extend their trip to a week or more. For 2 nights and 3 days trip you can do the following:

  • Day 1 - Reach Havelock Island and visit Radhangar Beach Sunset
  • Day 2 - Go for snorkeling trip to Elephant beach. At Elephant beach stationed Sea Walk boat is present, you may avail that activity as well. You can also change the trip to both Scuba Diving and Elephant beach trip.
  • Day 3 - You may go to Kalapathar beach or just spend the day at leisure. Note that you may have to check out your hotel and spend the day outside as the return ferry from Havelock starts from 3:00 pm onward.

For people extending their trip for more number of days can mix and match the about mentioned tour suggestion to best fit your requirements. Long duration travelers can take certified Scuba diving courses. Fishing trips also takes place around Havelock Island. You may contact local travel agencies to help you with your trip planning.

Havelock Waterdome

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Airline and destination

Airlines Destinations
Jal Hans Port Blair

Things to Know

  • Make sure you carry sunscreen lotion.
  • All water activities are subject to weather conditions
  • Sea walk is closed during Off Season
  • Scuba Diving is operational all throughout the year.
  • Elephant Beach snorkeling trips may be closed from June–August

More from Havelock Island Guide [17]

The five villages are Govinda Nagar, Bejoy Nagar, Shyam Nagar, Krishna Nagar and Radha Nagar.

Tourists should be aware, fatal crocodile attacks have occurred on the island. In 2010 an American tourist was taken while snorkeling. Later the crocodile was captured by the Andaman forest department and was sent to a zoo.

Gallery

  • Elephanta Beach, Havelock Island

  • Havelockradhanagar1.jpg

    Radhanagar Beach. Beach no.7, picture1

  • Havelockradhanagar2.jpg

    Radhanagar Beach. Beach no.7, picture2

  • Havelockradhanagar3.jpg

    Radhanagar Beach. Beach no.7, picture3

  • Havelockislandpic.jpg

    uninhabited area on Havelock.

  • Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, May2010.JPG

    Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, May 2010

References

  1. ↑ [1]
  2. ↑ http://www.time.com/time/asia/2004/boa/boa_soul_andaman.html
  3. ↑ https://trip.experienceandamans.com/ferry/government-ferry.html
  4. ↑ http://www.and.nic.in/transport/isfare.php
  5. ↑ http://www.makruzz.com/
  6. ↑ http://www.coastalcruise.in/
  7. ↑ http://sealinkadventures.com/
  8. ↑ http://www.experienceandamans.com/andaman-seawalk.php
  9. ↑ https://trip.experienceandamans.com/scuba-diving-activities
  10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh6H7yUKQqQ
  11. ↑ https://trip.experienceandamans.com/game-fishing-activities
  12. ↑ http://crossbillhavelock.blogspot.in/
  13. ↑ http://www.islandvinnie.com/
  14. ↑ http://www.eldoradoathavelock.com/
  15. ↑ http://emerald-gecko.com/
  16. ↑ https://trip.experienceandamans.com/all-hotel.html
  17. ↑ http://www.havelockisland-andaman.com/

External links

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