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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Havelock Island

Havelock Island which is also known as Swaraj Island is part of Ritchie’s Archipelago and is located in the Andaman Islands. It is famous for its beaches and dive sites that attract tourists to it. This makes it the most visited island in the Andaman. The island was named after Sir Henry Havelock, a British general who had served in India.

In 2018, the island was renamed Swaraj Island by India’s prime minister Narendra Modi as a tribute to Chandra Bose who proclaimed the Andaman and Nicobar islands free from British rule. The island encourages tourism and this article provides some fascinating facts that will give tourists more insight into the beautiful site

1. It is the largest island of the Andaman and Nicobar islands

The Andaman and Nicobar islands are a union territory of India. They comprise 572 islands and out of all these, only 37 are inhabited. Havelock Island is the largest island among these many islands and it has the distinction of being the most visited. This can be attributed to the magnificent scenic sites that attract tourists to it. Also, the local government encourages tourism on this island as it provides the residents with a source of income and also boosts the economy.

2. The elephant beach

The beach is located at a remote corner of the island and it is one of the famous tourist destinations when they visit the island. The beach has an interesting history on how it got its name in that in medieval times, elephants were used to bring people to this beach because there were no other transport facilities. Because of the presence of elephants in that area, the beach was named after them.

However, in current times tourists going to the elephant beach will not find elephants but they can participate in other fun activities like bird watching, snorkelling and swimming.

3. Scuba diving on the island

Havelock Island is famed for its pristine beaches are an ideal place for adrenaline junkies to enjoy themselves. The rich coral reef vegetation found in the sea will make the tourist’s underwater experience memorable when they go scuba diving.

Scuba diving is the most famous activity on the island and it is run by professional scuba divers who give instructions on how to use the equipment and also guide the tourists who want to try the sport for the first time. The scuba diving equipment is available on the beach where one can rent them.

4. The great Radhanagar Beach

This is the most beautiful beach on the island. It was even rated as the most beautiful beach in Asia in 2004 and the seventh best beach in the world. The beach features long stretches of white sand, perfect blue waters, tropical forests and amazing sunsets. The breath-taking sight takes one’s breath away and it is popular among honeymooning couples.

The place is ideal for relaxing as the environment is pleasant and thus improves a person’s mood and allows them peace of mind.

5. Commercial fishing is banned on the island

The Andaman and Nicobar islands banned commercial fishing within their territory. This means that people cannot do fishing with the aim of selling fish. This can be attributed to the fact that eco-tourism is promoted in this place and therefore if fishing is done it disturbs the natural ecosystem and negate the objectives set.

However, game fishing is allowed and tourists can try the sport so that they can get the most out of the experience.

6. The island can be reached via a ferry

The island is only accessible by ferry since no road connects the mainland to it. Visitors can book a ferry online so that they can eliminate the hassle when they reach the port. Apart from the privately-owned cruises, there is a government one that takes people from Port Blair to Havelock Island. Both vessels offer unique experiences to the tourists.

However, some helicopters transport people to Havelock Island but it is difficult for individuals to purchase tickets because they are most used to transport government officials who are going there under official work.

7. The island has good seafood

The island lives up to expectations when it comes to seafood in that it has tasty seafood that increases the culinary palate of the tourists. Visitors can explore the many food outlets and restaurants in the locale and try out different cuisines. This ensures that they get something that they do not normally get at home and thus makes their holiday experience memorable.

8. It is an ideal spot for candid photos

The scenic sandy beaches found on Havelock Island paired with lush tropical forests and turquoise blue waters make the perfect spot for a candid photograph. The nice features make the pictures taken to look good. Therefore, this is an ideal way to commemorate the trip as one will always have something to look at that will remind them of Havelock Island. Also, the best time to take a picture is in the evening as one will get great sunset pictures.

9. The island features spectacular hiking trails

The island has great topography that is ideal for hiking. The green forests make for an intriguing experience. Adventurous visitors can try the hiking trail that goes for 1.6 km and takes a person to the elephant beach. During the trek, one will get to see different birds, reptiles and various plant life. This makes for a wholesome experience.

10. Accommodations on Havelock Island

The island is a big island destination and this means that there are various holiday hotels where a person can stay. Therefore, one has to know which beach they want to stay at so that they can choose the right accommodation. The beaches are named using numbers and therefore, there are beaches 1 to 7.

Additionally, the hotels have different prices which means that a tourist can get accommodation that suits their budget.