Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 4-Day Budget Breakdown & Itinerary
- Estimated Total Costs by Travel Style
- How to Reach Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
- Accommodation Options & Typical Prices
- Food, Shopping & Culture
- History & Importance
- Best Time to Visit
- Top Things to Do
- Nearby Attractions
- Money-Saving & Practical Tips
- Traveler-Specific Tips
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Havelock Island—officially Swaraj Dweep—is Andaman’s laid-back star, wrapped in emerald jungle and silky white-sand beaches like Radhanagar and Elephant Beach. If you’re wondering how much a 4-day trip here really costs, this guide breaks down day-by-day expenses, realistic price ranges, and smart savings without missing the island’s best experiences. All prices are indicative for 2025–2026 and can vary by season and availability.
4-Day Budget Breakdown & Itinerary
Assumptions: Prices are per person unless mentioned; double-occupancy for stays. Ferry and lodging can fluctuate by season (Dec–Feb peak). Choose activities per your interest and budget.
Day 1: Port Blair to Havelock, Radhanagar Sunset
- Airport (Port Blair) to Jetty transfer: INR 200–500 (auto/taxi, shared more economical)
- Ferry Port Blair → Havelock:
- Government ferry: INR 550–900 (subject to availability)
- Private catamaran (e.g., Makruzz/Green Ocean): INR 1,400–3,000
- Havelock Jetty to hotel: INR 150–400 (auto) or scooter rental INR 500–800/day
- Meals: breakfast INR 150–300; lunch INR 250–600; dinner INR 300–800
- Activity: Radhanagar Beach sunset (free)
Expected spend (Day 1):
- Budget: INR 1,400–2,200 (govt ferry + shared transfers + local eateries)
- Mid-range: INR 2,800–4,200 (private ferry + scooter + mid-range cafes)
- Comfort: INR 4,000–6,000 (private ferry premium seats + private taxi + boutique dining)
Day 2: Elephant Beach Snorkeling or Intro Scuba Dive
- Transport: Scooter fuel INR 100–200 or cab INR 800–1,500 for the day (short hops)
- Option A – Elephant Beach Snorkel Trip:
- Shared boat: INR 1,200–2,500 (basic snorkel often included)
- Guided snorkel upgrade: INR 800–1,200
- Option B – Try Scuba (Discover Scuba Diving): INR 3,500–6,500 (gear, instructor, photos often extra INR 500–1,000)
- Meals & drinks: INR 600–1,500
Expected spend (Day 2):
- Budget (Snorkel): INR 1,800–3,500
- Mid-range (Snorkel + cafe stops): INR 3,000–5,000
- Comfort (Try Scuba + photos + taxi): INR 5,500–9,000
Day 3: Kalapathar Sunrise, Beach Time, Bioluminescence Kayaking
- Kalapathar Beach sunrise: free (transport fuel INR 100–200)
- Leisure: beach hopping/cafes: INR 400–1,200 (snacks/coffee)
- Bioluminescence kayaking (night, weather/tides dependent): INR 2,000–3,000
- Dinner: INR 300–900
Expected spend (Day 3):
- Budget (skip kayaking): INR 600–1,300
- Mid-range (kayak + cafes): INR 2,800–4,300
- Comfort (guided small-group kayak + plush dinner): INR 3,500–5,500
Day 4: Optional Neil Island Day Trip or Chill + Return Ferry
- Option A – Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) day trip:
- Return ferry Havelock ↔ Neil: INR 1,000–2,800
- Local transport + meals: INR 600–1,500
- Option B – Chill in Havelock: cycling, spa, café hopping INR 600–2,500
- Ferry Havelock → Port Blair (if returning today): same as Day 1 (INR 550–3,000)
Expected spend (Day 4):
- Budget (chill + govt ferry back): INR 1,300–2,300
- Mid-range (Neil trip + private ferry back): INR 3,000–5,800
- Comfort (Neil + taxi + premium ferry): INR 4,500–7,500
Notes: Many travelers keep the first/last night in Port Blair due to ferry/flight timings. If you sleep in Port Blair on Day 4, add a budget hotel (INR 1,000–2,500) or mid-range stay (INR 3,000–5,500).
Estimated Total Costs by Travel Style
Excluding flights. 4 days/3 nights focused on Havelock, per person, twin-sharing:
- Shoestring: INR 6,000–9,000
- Govt ferries, hostel/guesthouse, snorkel (no scuba), public/auto transport, local eateries.
- Value/Mid-range: INR 12,000–20,000
- Private ferry one way, scooter rental, one guided snorkel or bioluminescence kayak, cafés, comfortable stays.
- Comfort: INR 22,000–38,000
- Private ferry both ways, try scuba, taxi transfers, boutique stays, spa/activities.
- Dive-focused (with 2–3 dives): INR 28,000–55,000
- Multiple fun dives or a certification course; activity costs dominate.
Flights to Port Blair (return): INR 6,000–20,000 from major Indian cities (seasonal). Add to totals if calculating door-to-door budget.
How to Reach Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Step 1: Fly to Port Blair (IXZ)
- Direct/one-stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad (2–5 hrs).
- Book morning arrivals for same-day ferry connections.
Step 2: Ferry to Havelock
- Government ferries: cheapest; limited seats; book early at counters in Port Blair. Duration ~2–2.5 hrs.
- Private catamarans (Makruzz/Green Ocean/ITT): faster, online booking, assigned seats. Duration ~1.5–2 hrs.
- Indicative fares (one way): INR 550–3,000 depending on class/operator/season.
Local Transport on Havelock
- Scooter rental: INR 500–800/day + fuel (carry license).
- Auto-rickshaws: INR 150–500 per hop; negotiate before boarding.
- Taxis: INR 1,200–2,500 for half-day, route-dependent.
Accommodation Options & Typical Prices
- Hostels/Guesthouses (Govind Nagar/Vijay Nagar): INR 800–1,500 per night (fan/AC, simple rooms).
- Mid-range beach cottages: INR 3,000–6,000 (AC, breakfast, beach access).
- Boutique/Luxury resorts (near Radhanagar/Vijay Nagar): INR 7,000–18,000+ (spas, private beach stretch).
Seasonality: Peak (Dec–Feb) 20–50% higher; Monsoon (May–Sep) discounts but rough seas/rain likely.
Where to stay: Govind Nagar (central, cafés), Vijay Nagar (quiet beach line), near Radhanagar (west-coast sunsets, farther from cafés).
Food, Shopping & Culture
Food
- Seafood thalis (fish curry, rice) INR 250–500; Andaman mud crab and grilled fish priced by weight.
- Beach cafés serve continental/Indian meals INR 300–900; coffee INR 150–300; fresh juices INR 100–200.
- Vegetarian options available; inform for Jain/vegan needs.
Shopping
- Buy: locally-made wooden handicrafts, spices, coconut products.
- Avoid: coral, shells, turtle-shell—illegal to purchase/transport.
Culture & Etiquette
- Respect the marine park rules; do not touch corals or marine life.
- Dress modestly in villages; beachwear is fine on beaches/resorts.
- Cash is still king; ATMs are few and may run dry on weekends.
History & Importance
Once named after British General Sir Henry Havelock, the island was officially renamed Swaraj Dweep in 2018. It is famed for sustainable marine tourism, calm lagoons, and Radhanagar Beach, which earned international acclaim in the 2000s as one of Asia’s best beaches. Today, it’s Andaman’s flagship destination for beginner-friendly diving and slow island life.
Best Time to Visit
- November–April: Best weather and sea conditions; ideal for diving/snorkeling.
- May–September: Monsoon; choppy seas, intermittent ferry disruptions; lush landscapes and lower rates.
- Shoulder windows: Late Oct and late Apr can be great value with decent visibility.
Top Things to Do
- Radhanagar Beach sunset and long shoreline walks.
- Elephant Beach by boat or forest trail; snorkel over reefs.
- Scuba diving: sites like Aquarium, Lighthouse, The Wall (for certified divers).
- Bioluminescence night kayaking in mangroves (tide/moon dependent).
- Kalapathar Beach sunrise and photo stops along the east coast.
- Cycling village lanes; café-hopping at Govind Nagar.
- Game fishing and sunset cruises (higher budget).
Nearby Attractions
- Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep): Natural Bridge, Laxmanpur sunsets; 45–90 min by ferry.
- Port Blair (day before/after): Cellular Jail, Light & Sound show, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, North Bay.
- Advanced trips: Barren Island (live volcano) expedition cruises—expensive and weather-dependent.
Money-Saving & Practical Tips
- Book ferries early in peak season; mix one govt ferry with one private to balance cost and comfort.
- Scooter share: split with a partner/friend to cut local transit cost by half.
- Pick 1–2 paid marquee activities (e.g., intro scuba or bioluminescence) and keep the rest free (beaches, sunrise/sunset).
- Carry adequate cash; cards may fail due to patchy internet. There are limited ATMs on Havelock.
- Connectivity: BSNL/Airtel usually better; expect slow data. Download maps offline.
- Permits: Indian nationals don’t need special permits for Havelock; foreigners receive Restricted Area Permits on arrival in Port Blair (check current rules).
- Eco-care: reef-safe sunscreen, no single-use plastics, take trash back from beaches.
- Safety: follow lifeguard flags; currents can be strong beyond reef-protected lagoons.
Traveler-Specific Tips
Families
- Choose mid-range resorts with on-site dining and easy beach access.
- Opt for glass-bottom boats and calm snorkel lagoons; carry floatation aids for kids.
Honeymooners
- Stay near quiet beach stretches (Vijay Nagar/Radhanagar side).
- Plan one splurge: private dinner, couple dive, or sunset cruise.
Friends/Backpackers
- Base in Govind Nagar for hostels, rentals, and cafés.
- Share scooters, pick one big-ticket activity, and use local thali joints to stay on budget.
FAQs
Q: Is 4 days enough for Havelock Island?
A: Yes. Four days comfortably cover Radhanagar, Elephant Beach, one marquee activity (scuba or kayaking), and downtime. Add a day if you want a Neil Island trip or a dive course.
Q: How much cash should I carry?
A: For budget/mid-range travelers, carry INR 8,000–15,000 per person for 4 days, excluding prepaid hotels/ferries. ATMs are limited and may run out of cash.
Q: Do I need a permit for Havelock?
A: Indian nationals don’t. Foreign nationals typically receive a Restricted Area Permit at Port Blair on arrival; check the latest regulations before travel.
Q: What does an intro scuba dive cost?
A: Expect INR 3,500–6,500 including gear and instructor. Photos/videos may be extra (INR 500–1,000). Prices vary by season and dive shop.
Q: Can I rely on mobile data and card payments?
A: Connectivity is improving but remains spotty. Carry cash, and don’t depend on online payments, especially at smaller shops and during network outages.
Conclusion
Across four days in Havelock Island, a thoughtful mix of ferries, simple stays, free beach time, and one or two signature experiences keeps costs predictable without compromising the magic. With clear seas from November to April, easy snorkel spots, and slow-island charm, Swaraj Dweep fits both shoestring and comfort budgets—just plan ferries early, carry cash, and travel light on the reefs.
