Swaraj Dweep, formerly Havelock Island, lies in Ritchie's Archipelago within the Andaman Islands, east of Great Andaman. It's part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under the South Andaman administrative district. Situated 41 km northeast of Port Blair, the capital city.
Beaches to explore in Havelock Island
Radhanagar Beach, also known as Number 7 Beach, graces the western coast and earned the title of "Best Beach in Asia" by Time in 2004. It proudly holds the Blue Flag certification since 2020, signifying its eco-tourism efforts. Other noteworthy beaches include Elephant Beach, Vijay Nagar Beach, and Kalapathar Beach. To reach Elephant Beach, one can take a boat from Swaraj Dweep jetty or opt for a trek. The island's major beaches are Radhanagar, Elephant, and Kalapathar.
How to reach
Swaraj Dweep is accessible from Port Blair via government-operated ferries, private cruises, and helicopter services. Government ferries run 2-3 times daily, subject to weather conditions. A local bus links the jetty and villages on an hourly basis. Private ferries like Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika, Nautika Lite, and ITT Majestic offer different sailing times from Port Blair and Neil Island to Swaraj Dweep. Within the island, transportation options include cabs, two-wheelers, or buses, with cabs or two-wheelers being the most convenient. travellers typically utilize the ferry service from Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep, Swaraj Dweep to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), and Neil Island back to Port Blair.
Stay Options in Havelock
Numerous accommodation options are available on Havelock Island, ranging from budget to luxury stays. Beach No. 3 and Beach No. 5 are popular choices for accommodation, as visitors prefer to stay close to the island's beautiful beaches.
Network Connectivity
Internet connectivity on Swaraj Dweep has significantly improved since the installation of an undersea cable from Chennai to Port Blair. High-speed internet is now available, and mobile networks of Airtel and BSNL cover the island.
