Havelock, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

12/22/2015

Havelock, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The beauty of Havelock Island in Andaman kept me engrossed on my 10-day trip to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The moment I landed at Port Blair, I didn't know what to expect from Andaman Islands, I was on an impromptu, unplanned trip. All I knew was I wanted to dive and get certified as an Advanced Adventure SCUBA Diver in Andaman Islands. I had heard a lot about Andaman sea hiding many marine gems in its vast expanse. I knew the diving was good around Havelock Island and so I headed there the very next morning. I planned to dive to my heart's content in Havelock and then hop around different islands in Andaman. It's only after I stayed there for few days I realized how irresistible everything about this island is. "Unlike me", I didn't hop around to any other Island but spent all my days at Havelock.
I could just not keep my eyes away from the myriad shades of blue. I would keep gazing through the clear waters, the sky, the meadows, the crystal sand.

Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

A Key Note: If you are not a travel explorer and planning for a trip to Andaman, my personal advice here to you would be to opt for Andaman tour packages from a trusted Andaman travel agency that should have its presence locally in Andaman. Andaman islands are just the perfect destination for happy & newly married couples and if you are planning for your honeymoon in Andamans then you can check out some amazing Andaman Honeymoon Tour Packages.

The deep dive sites were around 1.5 hrs boat ride away. These rides gave me lot of time to make new friends on the boat and cherish the island from a distance.

Scuba Diving - Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Just when I would be done with my exhaustive diving in the day, i would get the entire beaches to myself for my "Me Time". Those were the most splendid evenings I spent here.

Kalapatthar Beach - Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

I hired a bike and rode around the interiors of the island. I got some pristine views straight from fairy tales.

Nature at Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Palm trees at Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Ducks at Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Forest at Radhanagar beach, Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The best and cleanest beach of Asia - Radhanagar beach, is the best place to unwind in the evenings. It has the most picturesque views of the sunset.

Sunset at Radhanagar beach, Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

I was so fascinated by the mangroves, I made extra efforts to walk through the inner lands to view them in abundance.

Mangroves at Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

I had celebrated my Birthday diving the entire day and a dinner in the night with my new friends, Christian from Switzerland and Kristina from Bulgaria. It took us very less time to be friends and crack ceaseless jokes over extended dinners. They asked me a lot of questions about India and shared details about their country too. After a couple of days, Kristina says this for me "We need to find another Indian friend. She doesn't know how to wrap a Saree and eats European food with us!"

Cafes at Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Well, honestly, I did think of going to Neil Island and Long Island. But everytime I would look at this cute chicken hut of mine, the thoughts would snap off. I had found the most ideal accommodation in Andaman.

Bamboo hut at Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Once the sun sets, the entire island becomes lazy and laidback. I spent one of the most memorable evenings on a secluded beach, under the star-lit sky, with a bottle of red wine. Such special moments can only be captured by eyes.

Flights to Port Blair:

Yes, they are expensive. It's the best if you can manage to find some offers during flight sale in advance. Flights from Nov-February are invariably expensive.

How to reach Havelock Island from Port Blair

Government ferries and private cruises sail from Phoenix Jetty in Port Blair everyday. The tickets have to be booked in advance, there is a very narrow chance of getting the ticket on the spot. The day I landed in Port Blair, I bought the private cruise ticket for the next morning

Cost of ferries to Havelock Island from Port Blair

Govt. ferries cost Rs.500-600, private ones cost Rs.800-1200.

Best time to visit Andaman Islands

November - February. The skies are clear and the weather isn't too hot. I had traveled in mid-November, just before it starts getting crowded in December.
Most tourists book packages, stay in Port Blair and make day trips to other islands. Havelock Island isn't much frequented by tourists. Neil Island is quieter than Havelock. Long Island is the quietest.

Island Hopping in Andaman Islands

Honestly, island hopping isn't quite simple in Andaman. Most of the islands are restricted and only govt. ferries are allowed to few Islands. The ferries don't run everyday. If you are backpacking, it is difficult to show up at the jetty and get a ferry. It's easier if you plan well and book the ferries in advance. Plus, the ferry schedule keeps changing and information isn't available anywhere except the office which is open only during the govt work hours. This was 1 more reason that I stuck to Havelock Island and didn't waste my time hopping around different islands. Also, I had been diving around different Islands and the shore life seemed lesser interesting after diving in the deep. But before flying back, I did pay a visit to the the abandoned Ross Island from Port Blair.

Accommodation in Andaman Islands

In Havelock: I stayed in the chicken hut in Barefoot Scuba Resort, which walked straight to the beach. These huts are available only to divers, at an affordable rate. It is equipped with a thick mattress covered with net, just enough for 2 people. The hut was the main reason I chose to dive with Barefoot. I couldn't have found any better accommodation than this.

In Port Blair: I landed at Port Blair with my rucksack, without any booking. Some auto-driver recognized me as a diver and offered to help me find a good accommodation after understanding my backpacking requirements. He suggested Lalaji's Bay View and helped me get a basic room at an affordable rate. He kept appreciating the rooftop cafe overlooking the sea, while he drove me there. I thanked him a hundred times after he got me there. That was undoubtedly the best place in Port Blair.

Rooftop cafe at Lalaji's Bay View

Read more on my experience in Andaman Islands:

Scuba diving in Havelock Island

The abandoned Ross Island

5 Comments

Dharmesh

12/26/2015 10:36:11

Beautiful shades and pristine..And nothing makes beach exploration more enjoyable then hopping around on a bike....On a different note, came across the "bungy pushing" piece...good

Chethan Ambekar

1/10/2016 20:20:56

Beautiful, like to be a solo traveler myself. Hope this would be a peaceful destination and thanks for your precise info :)

andaman Trip link

7/31/2018 15:07:48

andaman is the best i think to give rest to your soul from daily life.
i have heard first time about chicken hut.

Priya Singh link

5/19/2019 13:40:14

I must say the list is a great one. If you are visiting Port-Blair keep this as the checklist to visit places and i bet you love them all. Keep travelling. Good share

Azhar link

2/18/2021 20:51:55

Nicely covered. Havelock Island is infact a lovely place to rejuvenate. Did you get a chance to visit the Elephant beach? This statement of yours "Once the sun sets, the entire island becomes lazy and laidback." is so true about Havelock. A gem of a place to visit.

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