Elephant Beach, Havelock Island: Quick Travel Guide

Elephant Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Havelock Island with its powdery white sand, clear water, and lots of activities like snorkeling, parasailing, and more.

Surrounded by lush green tropical forests, this beach is blessed with stunning coastal scenery. It is located on the north-western coast of Havelock Island, about 9 km from the jetty.

The beach is named for the wild elephants that lived in the nearby forests and used to visit the beach often. We spent half a day at this beach but didn’t see any elephants.

Upon checking with some locals, we found out that the elephants have not been visiting in recent years. So, there are probably very few elephants or no elephants in this area now. The beach nonetheless is still known as Elephant Beach.

If you are considering a trip to Havelock Island, Elephant Beach is surely a must-visit. Here is our guide to Elephant Beach to help you plan your trip.

A Quick Glance Through

• How To Get There
• Things To Do
  • Explore The Underwater Wonders
  • Ride The Glass Bottom Boat
  • Indulge in Water Sports
• Where To Stay
• Best Time to Visit
  • Beach Timings
• Nearby Places To Visit

How To Get There

The easiest way to reach Elephant Beach is by taking a ferry from Port Blair to Havelock Island, and then another ferry to Elephant Beach.

The entire journey is about 2.5-hour long: Port Blair to Havelock (2 hours), Havelock jetty to Elephant Beach (20-25 minutes).

It is also accessible from Radhanagar Beach via a 6-km long trekking trail. However, the track is not well-marked. So, hire a guide if you want to go trekking.

Things To Do At Elephant Beach

Explore The Underwater Wonders

Teeming with exquisite coral reefs and a vibrant sea life, Elephant Beach is perfect for snorkeling and sea walking. The underwater visibility is superb for viewing marine life up close.

Snorkeling: It lets you see the corals and other marine life without leaving the surface of the water. You are essentially floating on the water with your face down in a snorkel mask.

Sea Walking: It is a unique way to witness the undersea world closely. You actually take a stroll at the bottom of the sea, called sea bed. For underwater breathing, you need to wear a protective helmet that is connected to the air (oxygen) supply from the water surface.

Ride The Glass Bottom Boat

Glass bottom boat ride is ideal for those looking to explore the underwater world without getting wet.

It doesn’t require any equipment to observe the sea life thriving beneath the surface. You can see the coral reefs and different types of fish from the comfort of a boat.

Indulge in Water Sports

This beach is heaven for water sports enthusiasts. There is a plethora of exciting activities to enjoy, like jet skiing, parasailing, and speed boating.

If you plan to do lots of activities, book a package instead of paying for each activity separately.

Practical Information: Havelock Island was officially renamed Swaraj Dweep by the Indian Government in 2018. Although it is popularly still referred to as Havelock Island, you might find the official name mentioned at many places.

Where To Stay

Havelock Island has a nice range of hotels, from budget-friendly to luxury.

Wild Orchid Resort is a great choice for budget travelers. It is tucked in a quiet location of Havelock, about a 15-minute drive away from the jetty. The rooms are cozy and comfortably furnished. Their in-house restaurant ‘Red Snapper’ serves up amazing seafood.

There are several other accommodation options if your budget is on the higher side. SeaShell Resort and Havelock Island Beach Resort are a few of the beautifully located beachside properties. Check Prices and Availability of Hotels.

Best Time To Visit

The most desirable time to visit Elephant Beach is between October and May. The weather is pleasant for enjoying all kinds of outdoor activities.

In monsoon months, typically from June to September, water activities are not conducted due to heavy rainfall. So, avoid planning your trip during the rainy season.

Elephant Beach Timings

The beach is open from 8 am to 4 pm. The first ferry from Havelock Jetty departs at 8 am.

After getting there, you have about 3 hours to spend at the beach. The same ferry picks you up from the beach and brings you back to the jetty.

Nearby Places To Visit

Radhanagar Beach

Radhanagar Beach is not only amongst the most beautiful beaches in India but all of Asia. It lies roughly 2 km away from Elephant Beach and 10 km away from Havelock Jetty. This is mainly a swimming beach and water sports facilities are not available here.

It is also popular as a sunset beach. At sunset, the beach is adorned in hues of pink, orange, and blue as the sun goes down the horizon. Simply sit by the shore and experience this magical moment.

Also Read: Radhanagar Beach – A Quick Guide To One of Asia’s Best Beaches.

Kalapathar Beach

Kalapathar Beach is a serene and secluded beach on the eastern coast of Havelock Island. It is approximately 6.5 km from the Havelock Jetty. The beach is famed for its wide shoreline and magnificent landscapes.

Further Reading

For more travel inspiration and tips for your Andaman vacation, please read some of these posts.

• An Essential Travel Guide To Andaman Islands.
• 12 Best Places in Port Blair To Visit.
• 15 Incredible Things To Do in Andaman.
• 6 Best Things To See and Do in Neil Island.

You might also want to check out our blog on beach quotes:

135 Short Beach Quotes To Inspire Your Next Vacation.

Over To You Now…

We hope you found this Elephant Beach Travel Guide helpful. Have you visited this spectacular beach in Andaman? Let us know in the comments below.

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