Havelock Island

3.   Havelock Island. This is a must see, feel and stay! There is a ferry service (both govt and pvt) and a chopper service too. The difference between govt run and pvt ones (both have fixed timings) is the matter of vintage and speed. You may take Makruzz cruise that starts at a respectable time of about 0800h and reaches soon after the early morning one that has a slower speed but starts pretty early. On Makruzz, try and book first class seat (only few) if you want to go out on the deck. Otherwise, the Premium segment is good enough. Cafe charges twice the MRP (simple calculations) and serves basic snacks. The breakfast from the hotel can also be consumed on board.

    We were lucky enough (or kind courtesy our tour operator) to have first row seats on to and fro journeys bu despite clear announcements and requests and instructions, people crowd around the wind screen and screw up every one else's happiness. Luckly, such an exuberance was not there on our return journey, Sea salt appeared to worked its magic to calm them down. Some inputs....

This is Makruzz Vessel

Yes, the Premium class is good enough- comfortable and neat

This is the famous lighthouse of North Bay (you can find it on a Rs 20/- note.....on the way to Havelock

Havelock Jetty (about 2.5 hrs from Port Blair)

Makes one proud...every time, every where!

Dolphin Resort at Havelock 

It is again an ANIIDC run property and undoubtedly the best on the shelf. It is bang on a very shallow and peaceful beach. Over years, many small to medium range resorts have come up in line with this resort, each one with beach next to it . But there is no concept of private beaches and guests staying in one property can walk all over the long beach, without any hindrance. The resort serves pre-ordered buffet meals @ Rs 150/- per head and offers a few other limited options for non-veg seekers. A good bar serves you only inside its hall and in one small verandah....remember, no daru even in the lawns!

The beach next door....the lawns finish into the beach. It is silver sand, blue-turquoise water beauty 

Very few beaches can match those in Andamans as far as cleanliness, clarity of water, gentle waves and virgin silver sands are concerned

One has to wade  knee deep for about a 100m into the sea to reach this tree machan.  The sea floor is gentle and almost plain. When the low tide sets in, one can simply walk across to it without wetting the feet

A small family get-together at the Machan

Yes, Dolphin is the best of all in Havelock

This is the world famous Radha Nagar Beach; purported to be number 4 for its beauty. 

Beauty, undoubtedly, is unmatched. There are some basic facilities like lockers and seating areas that have been created in a coconut grove that separates a small market-cum-parking from the beach per se. But between the grove and the beach, there is a long line of high and thick foliage that isolates the beach from view. While such a privacy is great, it poses some basic logistic problems. There is nothing to keep your stuff while you swim in the sea. For a lone traveller or a a small group, keeping towels and water in the grove and then taking a dip is something that is not ideal. Otherwise, absolutely stunning!

This beach at Radha Nagar is not as shallow as elsewhere in Havelock but the areas have been well marked and slope is gentle. This was also the most crowded of all the beaches but the crowd is as you see in the pic.....reminded of Callangute? Ha, ha....no way, I am sure!

Yes, it is a pearl!

 

This is what comes of the Machan during low tide that coincides with sun set. Beware of those spikes during high tide when these become invisible to a casual eye. These are solid, hard and sharp.

Where is all the water?

Hunter at work

Low tide also reveals the hidden beauty- an ecosystem that exists under water

Reminded me of the Sea Pirates!

Kala Pathar beach is another gem in the wilderness. Before 2004 Tsunami, a huge black rock stood here....doesn't exist any longer but the name stays

A typical hut

A speed boat takes you to Elephanta Beach that is known for its undersea corals and water activities. We had been promised a complimentary snorkeling session here by our tour operator but before our arrival here, we were informed about a recent govt decision to stop the system of boat ride-cum-snorkeling in the interest of the safety. My protest was natural since we had not been informed about it beforehand. The tour operator agreed to pay for it whenever and wherever we wanted to do that. Turned out to be blessing in the disguise since we then did it at a place that is one of the best in the world and they paid for it! 

Enroute to Elephanta

Elephanta Beach offers many water activities like banana ride, sea scooter, under sea walk and snorkeling

This line marks the end of the safe area. For about 50m from the beach and till this point, water is about 4.5 ft deep and gives a feel of a swimming pool; no waves. just ripples!

Under Sea Walk is offered here and in North Bay. We did it here but after doing other activities in North Bay later, we realised that the best place to do this activity is North Bay where water is more clear and environment more rich in under sea life.

(Date is wrong!!) Under sea walk is an experience in itself. While many shied away from it, our brave daughter simply took it on even at the cost of being a bit uncomfortable- something that she never showed during the activity!

Elephanta sea pool

This beach has a line of eco-friendly facilities alongside and that way, it is more user-friendly

Selfie time!