
Sea Walk can be done both at North Bay Island, Port Blair and Elephant Beach, Havelock Island. At Port Blair, the boat leaves from Andaman Water sports complex to North Bay Island. The boat ride to North Bay island costs 500 Rupees. Sea walk activity costs Rupees 3200. This activity allows you to walk on sea bed at a depth of about 10 meters. No swimming skills are required and people from age 7 to 60 years can avail this activity. For Havelock island the boat leaves from Havelock Jetty. Its the same boat that takes you to elephant beach as well. An additional 800 Rupees will be required to Elephant Beach. Pre booking of the tickets helps save time and you can select any slot from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM to avail this activity.
Bookings for Sea Walk can be done at
* Sea link adventures - Phoenix Bay, Port Blair [url=http://sealinkadventures.com/]]- Booking from ticket counters
* Experience Andamans - Dairy Farm, Port Blair [https://trip.experienceandamans.com/sea-walk-activities[/url] - Allows online booking
Scuba diving is the main activity on Havelock island other than chilling out, lying on the beaches or hammocks and eating seafood. Andaman Bubbles, Barefoot Scuba, DiveIndia and Doongi Dives and are the top 4 SSI [url=http://www.divessi.com/]]and PADI [url=http://www.padi.com/[/url]]certified dive centers, providing good equipment and offering dive training. They share pretty much all of the same discovered dive sites, and prices are more or less standardized at Rs.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. Since most of the sites are not very close, usually two dives are made in one trip and most of the dives are conducted from the morning till lunch.
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. As of now Havelock is the center of diving on the Andamans.
Earlier, diving was done in converted dungi fishing boats but the government has mandated the compulsory use of speedboats for the safety of tourists. With the increase in the number of divers and dive schools a decompression chamber was recently opened at the naval base in [[Port Blair[/url]].
The main dive schools on Havelock include the following:
*Andaman Dive Club one of the oldest dive club in Havelock near the jetty.
* Andaman Bubbles Dive Centre [url=http://www.andamanbubbles.com],]Wild Orchid Resort, Beach #5. phone="94760 53273"
* Barefoot Scuba [url=http://www.diveandamans.com[/url],]Cafe Del Mar, Beach #3.
* DIVE India [url=http://www.diveindia.com[/url],]Island Vinnie's Tropical Beach Cabanas Resort, Beach #3.
* Doongi Dives [http://www.doongidives.com[/url], A young but steadily growing dive school located on Beach #5 within Mundjoh Ocean Resort. Doongi Dives offers try scuba diving along with a variety of dive courses, fun dives as well as island hopping to neighbouring islands.
There are various other smaller dive schools found on the island such a Gold India, OceanTribe and ScubaLuv.
*Dive sites
The Andamans offer world-class diving, especially to advanced divers as the most popular dive sites such as Johnny's Gorge, Jackson's Bar and Dixon's Pinnacle are between 20-35m. Shallower dive sites also offer plenty of fish though some of the shallower sites have suffered as a result of coral bleaching attributed to the after-effects of the 2007 tsunami.
The main dive sites on Havelock are:
• Lighthouse (6-20m)
A sheltered site protected from currents, suitable for any kind of dives. A perfect place to see a big collection of various types of parrotfish.
• Elephant Beach (6-25m)
Named after the last elephant swimming here. Used usually for try scuba diving as well as open water diver training. Bumphead parrotfish, groupers, scorpionfish, sweetlips, seahorses and lots of other reef fish to be seen.
• The Wall (10-55m)
The wall drops down to a maximum of 55 meters. Lots of fish such as barracudas and big Napoleon wrasse. Ideal for night dives due to its close proximity and easy navigation.
• Minerva Ledge (10-18m)
A big dive site, thus referred separately such as Minerva I, II, III or IV. Usually with good visibility and
a possibility of seeing sharks.
• Aquarium (12-15m)
Named after the aquarium like variety of underwater life and ‘fish-traffic. The site usually has a good
visibility. Suitable for training dives.
• Pilot Reef (6-18m)
Beautiful corals. Scattered coral boomies (outcrops) at the bottom. Lucky divers may encounter Leopard sharks.
• Dixon's Pinnacle (18-40m)
Three pinnacles with a large array of sea life. Tube corals and barrel sponges on the pinnacles. Barracudas, Giant Napoleon wrasse, turtles, schools of snappers as well as the white-tip shark can be seen at this site.
• Jackson's Bar (20-35m)
A favorite among experienced divers who enjoy drift diving. Thermoclines are sometimes present in the currents. White-tip sharks, mantas, eagle rays, marble rays, turtles, barracudas and tuna can be sighted.
• Johnny's Gorge (25-30m)
One of the most popular sites, this is a small rocky outcrop in the open sea surrounded by an ocean of sand. The outcrops are home to large and small species. Dolphins, white and black-tip sharks, giant groupers, rays and eels among various others are found here.
Less frequently visited dive sites include Nursery, Jedi's Conclave, Inlet Wreck, MV Mars Shipwreck, Neil's Cove Reef, South Button, Jacob's Table and Broken Ledge. Every year new sites are being discovered, so check with your dive school for the latest updates.
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 Rs 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, colorful 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 along side 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.
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 [http://confluence.org/confluence.php?visitid=15948] just 800 meters 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 treking, 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.
Game fishing is another popular activity famous in Havelock Island. Even if you are not going for fishing trip then these boats can be hired for sightseeing around havelock island. Fishing boats are available on hire to visit uninhabited islands such as Peel Island, Wilson Island, South button, Inglis Island and John Lawrence. Fishing trips organizers are Experience Andamans [url=https://trip.experienceandamans.com/game-fishing-activities],]World Sport Fishing [http://www.worldsportfishing.com/andaman-islands-popper-fishing/[/url] and Andaman Sea Fishing.
Dhabas near the junction at Beach #3 serve seafood and basic local Indian food, and are the cheapest way to eat on the island. There are also snack stands near here selling samosas, sweets and the like. More dhabas can be found near Radhanagar Beach (Beach #7), serving fresh sea food at reasonable prices; you may have to wait up to an hour for the food out here.
There is a very good dhaba named 'Welcome Restaurant' serving decent veg and non veg dishes at very reasonable rates at the Govind Nagar intersection. It is patronized by mostly foreigners. It serves good continental dishes and lovely pancakes. The place is very clean and prepares everything fresh, hence it may take time to deliver your order.
* Geetha Restraunt near to market at Beach #3 serve Grilled fish,Prawns ... Grilled Fish starts from Rs 150 to Rs 350 ( Jan 2012) varies with size...
* 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, 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 favorites like french fries and chow mein.
* Symphony Palms Beach Resort has their own restaurant which has very good vegetarian food. Buffets for Rs 350 per head.
The high level restaurant is managed by an Indian / Austrian couple. The head chief in the kitchen is a Swiss cook. Lunch and dinner-menus contain pizza, fresh home made pasta (!), Indian dishes with tandoori oven as well as different fusion dishes, e.g. the excellent 'Pork spiessli' starter: skewed savoury pork. The restaurant is situated on the first floor and all tables offer a spectacular overview over the busy goings at the port and main road.
*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 know 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 Rs 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 - dinner will probably run more around Rs 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.
* An Italian restaurant, where the old Mahua restaurant (now shifted inside Barefoot Resort) used to be, offering good breakfast options, and pastas & pizzas for lunch and dinner, it is run by a native Russian lady along with her Bengali husband. It's located on the Radhanagar beach and managed by the Indian Government Tourism Board. The pizzas are a must-try if you go here. Do plan for a leisurely meal as all items on the menu are made from scratch on order.
Tented Accommodation
(Subject to
weather conditions)
Domes/Swiss
A/C Tents
Non A/C Tents
Rs.2500/-
Rs.1500/-
Rs.1000/-
282411,
282235
Reservation : Online Booking for Megapode Resort & Megapode Camping Resorts are
available for tourists. Visit www.aniidco.nic.in
The recent boom in tourism means that there is not always enough accommodation to meet demand - the majority of the places between Beaches #3 and #5 have huts for around Rs 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.
* Pristine Beach Resort closed and moved to North Andaman.
* Cafe del Mar, Beach #3. Perennially popular melting pot. Has a range of options from tents and/or basic A-frame huts with sheets for doors (the cheapest option on the island) to deluxe sea-facing huts. Rs 200 to Rs 2000.
* Orient Legend Resort, Beach #5. Another popular cheapie with huts starting from Rs 150 and a basic restaurant. Has hammocks if everything else is full, Rs 50.
* Sunrise Beach Resort, Beach #5. Similar to Orient.
* Island Camping, operated by the Andaman Tourist Office, offers pre-setup tents on Beach #7 where the road meets the beach. Tents range from Rs 150-500. The more expensive ones come with private bath and toilet, though no hot water is available. Bookings must be made in advance at the Tourism Office in Port Blair, though this can be done by telephone.
* El Dorado, Beach #3. Quite new, huts with communal showers and toilets Rs 200. Huts with en suite toilet and shower Rs 500. Due to the place being quite new most huts are reasonably clean and well maintained. Reasonable restaurant, serves beer.
* Gold India, Beach #3. Another newish resort. Huts with en suite toilet and shower Rs 500. Average restaurant, serves alcohol.
* Andaman Bubbles, Beach #5. A new resort with well constructed huts with en suite, tiled bathrooms. Rs 500-1250 (low - high season). Restaurant is shared with the next door Emerald Gecko, which serves the best food on beaches 3 & 5.
* Set in a quiet coconut grove at the far end of the beach, a new resort with well built budget huts all with en suite toilet and bathrooms
Eco Villa Palm Beach Resort one of the oldest and closest to the beach. having own portal for online booking www.havelock.co.in, Rs.2000 to 6000. having 12 Villas facing to the sea, and some of them are just 2 mtrs away from sea.(top choice of Lonely Planet)Tele: +91-3192-282-282.
* Emerald Gecko, at the end of Beach #5, [url=http://www.emerald-gecko.com/].]Quieter than some of the others and a little more expensive with slightly nicer huts. Also very popular, and has a great restaurant and friendly owner who can also arrange fishing trips. Huts Rs 900, bamboo bungalows Rs 1500, bamboo lodges Rs 2000.
* Island Vinnie's Tropical Beach Cabanas and Dive Centre, Beach #3, [url=http://www.islandvinnie.com[/url]]is also home of DIVEIndia. Accommodation has been redone for the 2009 season and the restaurant is now under the management of the hugely popular Full Moon restaurant. Be aware that during high season the dive center can be quickly full, so make your reservation in advance.
* 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 Rs 1000, cheaper than you'll get elsewhere. There's a restaurant on site, and pre-booking in Port Blair is advised. Rs 500-2000.
* Sea Shell resort [url=http://www.seashellhavelock.com[/url]][http://www.seashellportblair.com[/url] has good wooden cottages with a/c, and TV, should you need to watch the cricket. The setting is great beneath the palm trees (beware falling coconuts). The restaurant is good and the bar better that most on the island. Singles Rs 5,000, doubles Rs 6,000, incl. breakfast.
* 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 Rs 2000 Non AC, AC @ Rs 4000, incl 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 Rs. 1600 and Non AC Rs. 1100, they can give you discount if contacted directly.
Accommodation ranges from large rooms with en suite, TV and a/c, to whole two story cottages suitable for families. Rooms are clean, in good condition, and decorated in king style.
* One of the biggest resort in the entire havelock island offering 70 Scottish cottages. The resort has its own private beach, sumptuous interiors, and superb modern facilities. The Resort also has a full range of audiovisual equipment and trained staff.
* Wild Orchid Resort, [url=http://www.wildorchidandaman.com].]Offers reasonable accommodation in the mid range (real beds, nice bathrooms, some with a/c), with a semi-private path through the jungle to a nice spot on #5 beach, with wooden sun-beds for hire. The rooms are however increasingly looking worn down and there are other newer options available in the immediate vicinity. Also has a very good restaurant, the Red Snapper. Occasionally organize low-key evening beach parties/gatherings, with music and food. Rs 3000-4000 high season, Rs 1500-2000 low season.
* Barefoot Resort, tel. +91-3192-236008, [url=http://www.barefootindia.com[/url].]This eco-friendly resort is in seclusion at the far end of Beach #7 (Radhanagar Beach), perhaps the one of the beautiful location on the Island. It offers spacious detached accommodation in independent fan-cooled and duplex fan-cooled Nicobari Cottages and Air-conditioned Andaman Villas. Doubles vary from Rs 5300-15000 or more depending on type and season. It offers the islands only genuine Italian cuisine in its speciality restaurant by the beach "Mahua" (including a decent espresso) and also has great thalis and other authentic Indian fare on offer in its main restaurant.The location can be big drawback since there are no sea facing cottages that the resort offers. The resort offers only 18 cottages catering to mid range customers.
* Munjoh Ocean Resort, tel. +91-3192-282000 [http://www.munjoh.com/[/url]. Air conditioned, luxurious villas, suites & cottages surrounded by coconut & betel nut trees; the Munjoh Ocean Resort on Beach#5 is the only property on Havelock with a little rivulet cutting across its property onwards to the ocean. Quaint, indulgent accommodation & decent service with a restaurant & a bar; doubles tariffs vary from Rs 6000-13000.
There is a small post office next to the port at Beach #1.
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 [url=http://www.bsnl.co.in]]and Airtel [http://www.airtelworld.com[/url]. 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 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 rupees an hour it's extremely expensive
* Wild Orchid Resort has a a satellite broadband internet cafe. Though the speeds are not lighting 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 Rs 2 Per minute. The connection is dial-up with 45 kbps.