Havelock Island

Havelock Island (Hindi: हैवलॉक द्वीप, Malayalam: ഹെയ്വ്ലോക് ദ്വീപുകള്‍), now known officially as Swaraj Dweep (Island of Freedom), is the most visited of the Andaman Islands. It's becoming popular for its beaches, laid back atmoshere and great scuba diving.

Understand


The Indian government has been advocating eco-friendly tourism development on Havelock for a while now, and while it's the most visited of the islands it sees only a fraction of the visitors that crowd other island destinations such as Thailand. The pace of life is slow, the locals are friendly and still not too affected by tourism, and the facilities are moderately basic for the most part. While many of the lodges have 'resort' in their names, none come even close, thankfully.

The beaches have been given a rather boring numbering system instead of names, although some names like Radhanagar are in popular use. The arrival port is at Beach #1, the junction at the center is Beach #3 (aka Govind Nagar), the junction near Dolphin Resort is Beach #5 (Vijay Nagar) and so on. Govind Nagar, the main "town", is small and has only a handful of shops and local dhabas. Most accommodation is grouped along the road from Beach #3 to Beach #5. From the 'junction' near Beach #3 a road veers off to Beach #7 (Radhanagar Beach), the most beautiful spot on the island.

Mid-January until mid-May sees the best weather, and often the best diving conditions. The days are mostly sunny at this time of year, and the sea sometimes flat enough to reflect the clouds. The monsoon usually hits around late May, lasting until the end of July, and is probably the worst time to visit the island – strong winds, frequent rain and low visibility underwater. August thru November see some occasional showers and slightly rougher seas, but diving can still be great at this time of year. The weather often takes a turn for the worse for the month of December through early January.

Havelock island now has an ATM, and some of the hotels and resorts are able to perform card transactions. Nevertheless, it is best to make sure you take plenty of cash with you from Port Blair. Also, it is hard to buy some items in the market - differing factors of sun cream can be hard to find, as can mosquito repellent.

Get in


Ferries are the major way on or off the island. 2-3 arrive daily from Port Blair (2-4 hours) and one from Rangat, one of which comes via Neil Island. Schedules vary according to day and season, so enquiry locally, and see Andaman and Nicobar Islands about the differences between the ship types.

Government-operated ferries are best booked in advance, as seats often sell out. Rates are ₹250 for Coach and ₹350 for First Class. These ferries are air conditioned and can be booked in advance from the counter at the DSS in port Blair. A booking counter is also available in Havelock at the Jetty and operates from 09:15 to 12:15 and 02:15 to 16/15. You will have to get there early and stand in line, but as soon as the counter opens it can become pretty hectic so be prepared.

In busy seasons, local ferries should be booked in advance. You can buy tickets yourself from the Port Blair ferry office on arrival, or resorts will often offer to pre-book your tickets for the journey there and back, which you can either picked up from a travel agency on Port Blair, or they will send someone to meet you prior to your ferry. This is a good idea particularly if you're trying to make it from your flight to your resort on the same day, as the schedules don't leave much room for error. If you don't have a return ticket, try and get your resort to book - or you will need to get the Havelock port early and elbow your way to the front of the queue as the locals do, and even then the ferry can still be fully booked with all of the resorts taking the tickets. On the return, the 4:30PM ferry gets booked up first, so it's often safer to get the 10:00 if you need to be sure of making onward connections.

Alternately, there are many an air-conditioned catamaran ferry from Port Blair to Havelock. Tickets prices starts from ₹1000 to ₹3000. As the ferry is more expensive it is less likely to be full, and its schedule meets incoming flights. Tickets can be booked from a dedicated ticket booking window at Port Blair, thus avoiding the queue barging. On return you can book through your guesthouse (or wild orchid, emerald gecko & andaman bubbles) on Havelock. Some of the shops in the market also book the tickets on these cruises at same price so it should not be difficult to get them.

Flight times from Port Blair to mainland India sometimes are changed without warning - including being brought forward. So it's definitely worth calling the day before to confirm your onward flights. Also be prepared to stay couple of days more than planned in Havelock because the boats to Port Blair will be cancelled if the weather is bad.

The other option is to fly in. Pawan Hans (+91-3192-233601) helicopters do operate from Port Blair but since it has limited seats it is always advisable to confirm the availability well in advance. The sea plane operations have been suspended since 2016.

Get around



 * Walking is the most common form of transport.
 * Local buses and shared jeeps ply the 2 main roads between the port (on Beach #1), Radhanagar Beach (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 (10-10:30) arrives. The cost of a ticket from Beach #1 to Radhanagar is around  50, shared jeeps a little more.  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, although foreigners tend to have to stay back a bit to complete their permit formalities.  The journey from Beach #1 to Radhanagar is around 30-45 minutes.
 * Auto-rickshaws are also available. Fares are more or less standardized: from Beach #5 resorts to the market costs ₹.100, from Beach #1 (the port) to Beach #5 ₹200, and a return trip from the market to Radhanagar Beach (with waiting time) is ₹. 400.  You can usually flag them down on one of the main roads, or at the market.
 * Bicycles, scooters and motorcycles are available for hire near the centre of 'town' (Beach #3), or inquire at your guesthouse. A Honda Activa will run around ₹500/day. Geared motorcycles are available for ₹500/day and gearless scooters (Honda Activa etc.) for ₹500/day. If you intend to hire for more than one day, then bargaining can bring down the price further. Petrol is available at some of the shops in the market or look out for boards that say "Petrol Pump". It's available for approximately ₹. 80 per litre (Apr 2019), and can go up to ₹. 120 per liter at some shops.

Bicycles are available for ₹. 80 per day (Apr 2019).


 * Private taxi operators A/c and non-a/c taxis are available for hire through your resort or travel agent. However these are pricey and non-reliable. A/c taxis charge around ₹1,500 for a full day (eight hours) but the eight hours exists in theory. They will drop you off at your destination and disappear. For the return trip, you either have to pre-fix a pick-up time with them or give them a call on their cell phones. You may be better off hiring a scooter or motorcycle for the day.

See

 * [[Image:Radhanagar LateAfternoon.JPG|thumb|Radhanagar Beach in the late afternoon|300x300px]]
 * [[Image:Radhanagar LateAfternoon.JPG|thumb|Radhanagar Beach in the late afternoon|300x300px]]

Do




Scuba diving
Scuba diving is probably the biggest activity on the island other than lying around and eating great seafood. Andaman Bubbles, Barefoot Scuba, Doongi Dives and Dive India are the top 4 SSI http://www.divessi.com/ PADI certified dive centers, provide good equipment and offer training up to instructor. They share pretty much all of the same discovered dive sites, and prices are more or less standardized at ₹.4500 for discover scuba dive for non-certified divers, with a 10% discount for your own equipment for fun dives for certified divers. You don't need to be a swimmer to do the discover scuba diving. However, you should book your schedule with the dive center's well in advance as there are limited trips.

The diving possibilities around the Andamans are vast and it feels that what has been discovered is only the beginning... and even that is pretty great. Look for more sites to open up soon. Havelock is the main center for diving in the island chain. Usual places for diving are Elephant beach and Lighthouse in Havelock. If you're an experienced diver, also enquire about dive expeditions, where they will take you out hunting for new and undiscovered sites. For certified divers, South Button is another great place to dive.

Earlier, diving was done in converted dungi fishing boats but Government has mandated compulsory use of speed boats now for safety of tourists.In the event of an accident, the nearest recompression chamber is at the naval base in Port Blair, so it's wise to keep your diving profiles on the conservative side.





Snorkeling
Snorkeling is also popular, with several options.


 * Radhanagar Beach (Beach #7) has a couple of food shacks at the end of the road that rent out fins and masks for ₹50/each. There are great reefs for snorkeling in both directions from the end of the road.
 * Elephant Beach also has some good snorkeling sites.
 * Both of the dive shops can also take along snorkelers to some of the off-shore sites.
 * Local fishermen offer day trips and half day trips to different locations. South Button Island is particularly good as the reef is shallow, colourful and beautiful. It makes sense to get a group of 5-10 people together to share the cost of the boat.
 * Near Havelock Jetty, opposite reservation counter there is a small lane which goes alongside the beach. Keep going on that road and you'll reach some boats parked at the shore. They can take you for snorkeling at Lighthouse and Elephant Beach. Corals out there are worth watching. They charge 2000/- for a couple for Speed boat transfer + Snorkel.

Trekking
If you've had enough of the beach, try a little hot and sweaty jungle trekking. If you're into confluence hunting, you can find 12°N 93°E just 800 metres away from the end of beach #5. Guides can be arranged through resorts. The Wild Orchid Resort and Emerald Gecko Resort also conduct Jungle treks and you can walk into the reception and check on their offers.


 * Barefoot Eco Tours, operating from the Barefoot Brasserie at the jetty and at Barefoot at Havelock Resort can arrange interesting treks both on Havelock and at other islands (e.g. Long Island) and even conduct overnight camping and trips including trekking, kayaking and snorkeling.
 * Wild Orchid Resort, on beach #5 organise trekking, fishing trips and snorkeling.
 * Emerald Gecko Resort, on beach #5 organise trekking, fishing trips and snorkeling.

Fishing
A local trip on a speed boat with two local fishermen to the nearby mangroves (which is not that great if you've seen dense mangroves before) and then to deeper waters for fishing. The fishermen will prepare fishing lines for you and you can catch fishes. Duration: 3-4 hr. Time: 15:00-19:00 usually. Cost: ₹. 3500.

Buy
Govind Nagar has a few basic shops selling daily essentials plus a small pharmacy. If you pick up one of the ubiquitous Andaman & Nicobar T-shirts sold everywhere for ₹50, take one with black printing, as white text bleeds off the first time you wash it.



Eat
Some food is grown on the island (like tasty bananas), but most vegetables and fruits are imported. The best thing to eat is the locally caught fresh seafood.

Budget

 * Catch of the Day is for sale near the port on Beach #1 in the afternoons, and you can have your guesthouse cook it up for a fee
 * Pristine Beach Resort (Now moved to Diglipur), Orient Legend Resort and the others in the same vein all have restaurants serving the catch of the day, local Indian food and some traveler's favourites like french fries and chow mien.
 * Symphony Palms Beach Resort has their own restaurant which has very good vegetarian food. Boufets for ₹350 per head.
 * Catch of the Day is for sale near the port on Beach #1 in the afternoons, and you can have your guesthouse cook it up for a fee
 * Pristine Beach Resort (Now moved to Diglipur), Orient Legend Resort and the others in the same vein all have restaurants serving the catch of the day, local Indian food and some traveler's favourites like french fries and chow mien.
 * Symphony Palms Beach Resort has their own restaurant which has very good vegetarian food. Boufets for ₹350 per head.

Splurge

 * [[Image:Radhanagar beach during sunset.JPG|thumb|Radhanagar Beach at sunset|300x300px]]
 * Venom(Bar) and Charcoal(Restaurant) at Symphony Palms beach no 3(B3) is one of the best restaurants in the islands offering delicious food in the best price .The price of the food is in mid range segment. The restaurant is known for the best sea food and its good services.
 * Red Snapper at the Wild Orchid Resort is the one of the better and most expensive restaurants on the island, serving freshly caught and well-prepared seafood and a selection of Indian and continental dishes. It's best to go from the specials board or ask your waiter for his recommendation. Lunch or dinner will run about ₹300-600 per person.
 * Emerald Gecko is run by the same couple who run the Wild Orchid. The food is similarly tasty, the menu is much, much smaller, and it's a bit cheaper. Evening meals cost around ₹200.
 * Clown Fish Cafe is also a restaurant in Wild Orchid. it is located at the Andaman Bubbles Dive Center. and has a variety of snacks and milk shakes.

Drink

 * Beer is available at most of the resorts and at the "English Beer & Wine Shop" near the port. Wild Orchid, B3, Symphony Palms offers various brand of beers
 * Alcohol all types of alcohol are available at the bar in the Wild Orchid Resort.
 * Fresh coconuts are available around the island - after you drink the juice they'll be happy to whack it open so you can eat the flesh too.

Sleep
The majority of accommodation on offer are cheap palm-thatched beach huts. High season is from mid October to March, although these dates vary depending on demand. Most of the budget and mid range places double their prices in this time.

Budget
The boom in tourism means that there is not always enough accommodation to meet demand &mdash; the majority of the places between Beaches #3 and #5 have huts for around ₹200/night, so it makes sense to start at one end and work your way down looking for an available hut. In busier times you may end up pitching a tent if you have one, or sleeping in a hammock for a night or two until something frees up.

Mid-range

 * Dolphin Beach Resort is a government run resort. It's popular with Indian families, their VIP suites offering excellent value. On the plus side if you can't live without a/c, then you can find it here in large huts for around ₹1000, cheaper than you'll get elsewhere. There's a restaurant on site, and pre-booking in Port Blair is advised. ₹500–2000.
 * Symphony Inn, at the middle of Beach #5. Has a good beach spot, rooms are nice and are kept clean and tidy, there are some shops right outside the resort that offer Ayurvedic massage, Internet, General Store. Nice bamboo bungalows ₹2000 Non AC, AC @ ₹4000, including breakfast. If you are staying more night you can bargain and get some discount. On the downside there are no phones in the rooms so if you need any thing you will have to go to the reception personally if you don't find any one of the helper there.
 * V-Knot Residency, at Govind Nagar is a newly constructed RCC Hotel with well furnished and clean rooms AC ₹1600 and Non AC ₹1100, they can give you discount if contacted directly.
 * Symphony Inn, at the middle of Beach #5. Has a good beach spot, rooms are nice and are kept clean and tidy, there are some shops right outside the resort that offer Ayurvedic massage, Internet, General Store. Nice bamboo bungalows ₹2000 Non AC, AC @ ₹4000, including breakfast. If you are staying more night you can bargain and get some discount. On the downside there are no phones in the rooms so if you need any thing you will have to go to the reception personally if you don't find any one of the helper there.
 * V-Knot Residency, at Govind Nagar is a newly constructed RCC Hotel with well furnished and clean rooms AC ₹1600 and Non AC ₹1100, they can give you discount if contacted directly.
 * V-Knot Residency, at Govind Nagar is a newly constructed RCC Hotel with well furnished and clean rooms AC ₹1600 and Non AC ₹1100, they can give you discount if contacted directly.

Stay safe
Mosquitoes are a nuisance, particularly at dusk and after rain, and the Andaman Islands are malarial. Use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and long trousers in the evening, and sleep under a mosquito net.

Sandflies can be a problem while sunbathing. Occasionally they are in a larger number, so longer shirts and trousers are recommended.

Wild dogs can be a problem, especially along the beach at night – people are sometimes bitten. Carry a stick or a handful of stones to scare them off.

If you plan to be out until sunset or beyond its a good idea to carry a torch. It can get dark, especially if there's no moon out, and the beaches are often backed by dense forest.

Beware of currents at Radhanagar Beach during monsoon (June - Sept). There have been two recorded accidents as people have been caught out by powerful waves during the monsoon months. Supposedly the authorities have taken action to employ trained lifeguards and put up watchtowers.

Beware of jagged edges of Bleached Coral at Beaches #2, #3 and #5 as the shallow beachfront waters on the northern coast of Havelock (the backpacker strip) is covered with this.

Beware of Saltwater Crocodiles from the Sanctuary on neighbouring islands. A woman was killed in May 2010 while snorkeling.

Beware, there some travel agents and touts who appear honest but try to scam people.

Mail
There is a small post office next to the port at Beach #1.

Phones
Landlines are scarce, and with the exception of a couple of the nicer accommodation options, most places don't have a phone.


 * PCO/ISD's (phone booths) are located on Beach #5, near the junction at Beach #3 and near the port at Beach #1. Service outages are common.
 * Mobile phones can be used in many parts of island. Service is provided by BSNL and Airtel. Although the Airtel service disappears if you move far from the jetty. Vodafone and Idea Cellular also provide the service throughout the Island which is more reliable and stable.

Internet
Internet access on Havelock is extremely slow and unreliable, and also expensive. you can get satellite internet on some of the dive resorts, but at ₹300 an hour it's extremely expensive


 * Wild Orchid Resort has a satellite broadband internet cafe. though the speeds are not lightning fast, it is definitely better than dialup.
 * Pristine Beach Resort has a couple of computers which every once in a while are connected to the internet via a near-dead dial-up connection.
 * Anu's Internet Cafe has two computers set up in a shop just off the main road near Dolphin Resort in village no.3. It is not fast but still usable.
 * Island Vinnie's can burn photos onto CDs or DVDs for a fee, and claim to have non broad-band internet access.

Outside Symphony Inn there is a cyber cafe, charges are ₹2 per minute the connection is a dial up connection with 45 kbit/s.

Go next
Escaping the island is hard to do, since tickets are only available at the Jetty, at the *. Expect long queues and limited opening times (09:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00). Book your ticket at least two days before. Only half the available seats are sold in advance. If you are unlucky, try to show up very early the same day as your departure and hope for the best. Before to queue, head up to the window and ask for the ticket form. Fill it while queuing and when it's your turn, tender it to the officer. Prepare a copy of your Andaman stay permit, your passport if needed and the exact fare. After getting your ticket, check the reported details accurately to avoid later complications.


 * Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)  a smaller and quieter island, with only 2 accommodation options. Some say it's best to stop here before Havelock.
 * Diglipur the far north of the island chain, and the jumping off point for Smith and Ross Islands.
 * Long Island (Andamans) a small and still untouched island a 2-hour boat-ride north of Havelock.