Havelock - Locked in Heaven on a moonlight night. Review on Agatti Island

The one truly magical island around Port Blair which is definitely not to be missed is "the Havelock", known for its warm azure blue and very pleasant tropical sea with enchanting virgin beaches of white sands. From Port Blair it takes almost half a day to reach here by ferry. The islands' Radhanagar beach speaks for itself, standing still and totally isolated. A walk along this beach on a moonlit night and starry skies is heavenly! It is around 10km from the boat jetty, and is one of the best beaches for swimming and just taking life as it comes.

Havelock is actaully a 100 sq km island, is 55 km northeast of Port Blair and with its clear water is perfect for snorkeling. The whole snorkeling dive comes to life here with very interesting aqutic lifeforms and vivid corals making for a rewarding trip! This is one of the few islands of A&N at which tourists are permitted to stay overnight.

In perspective, the three main Andaman islands are called North, Middle and South. Around them are smaller mangrove-fringed islets, including this paradise called Havelock Island.

The corporations's local buses visit two of its popular beaches, known by a simple numbering system: they are No. 7 ("Radhanagar") and No. 5 ("Dolphin Yatri Niwas", the government hotel); on the island there seem to be good hotels, bust mostly expensive, and one fantastic eco-lodge - it is probably the best accommodation in the Andamans.

The boat jetty at village #1 is the entry point to this place while the main shopping area is in village #3, a couple of kilometers to the south from here. The villages are connected by hourly buses, which also go to beach #7 so wait at the jetty bus stop.

No.7's crystalline waters offshore make it one of the diver's destinations for underwater exploration: it is full of pristine corals, colourful fish, and mysterious seabeds, in short a diver's paradise.

There are government ferries from Port Blair to major islands, Havelock included, though timetables are rhetorical and the ride is chug-a-chug slow and bad weather disrupts the service. Upmarket resorts arrange private chartered speed boats.

When to go

Being in the tropical belt, the temperatures remain in the 22-32º C region all year round. The monsoon season means a lot of heavy rain - staring from mid May going to mid September - making this period extremely unsuitable for beach holidays. The best season is late November to early May, when it is dry.

Where to go

Book with with A&N Tourism in Port Blair and opt to stay either at the Tent Resort (right on the Radhanagar beach - sheer delight!) or Dolphin Yatri Niwas Complex. Tent Resort, next to beach #7, has good tents, but you can only stay for four days at a stretch. A restaurant is nearby.

Tip

Take the deluxe launch (twice a day) from Port Blair - it takes 1.5 hours as compared to half day by the other government ferry!