Situated on the western coast of Swaraj Island (Havelock Island), Radhanagar Beach is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Andaman. With the presence of delicate white sand beneath your feet, lush green forest in the backdrop, and exclusive turquoise ocean in the eye-front, Radhanagar Beach is a Natural wonderland in the middle of the Bay of Bengal. Indeed, it’s one of the best honeymoon destinations in India.
Due to its undefine beauty and serenity, the beach was selected as Asia’s best and World’s 7th best beach by Time Magazine in 2004. Later in 2016, Radhanagar Beach was enlisted among the top 15 beaches in Asia according to Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice; certainly, in 2022 it snatched the top position in the same list. In 2021, Radhanagar Beach has also been awarded the Prestigious Blue Flag certification from “Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark”.
So, definitely there is something special about Radhanagar Beach!
Other Indian Beaches in the recent list of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice:
- Cavelossim Beach
- Agonda Beach
- Varca Beach
- Benaulim Beach
Despite its fame and massive popularity, Radahangar Beach has never been overcrowded like other top beaches in India, which keeps its serenity alive. The prime reasons behind this are:
- It is isolated and away from the center of Andaman (Port Blair).
- Limited transport options (only ships).
- Controlled tourism policy by the government.
- Limited and expensive accommodation near Radhanagar Beach.
I’m glad to share my personal experience in this amazing destination; below I’m introducing a complete description of the place, including things to do around, best hotels near Radhanagar Beach, how to reach there, ideal time to visit, food details, and more. Hope the following information will help you to plan a great trip to Radhanagar Beach in Havelock (Swaraj Island).
Related: North Bay Island in Andaman: Plan a Fantastic Day Trip
Things to do in Radhanagar Beach
What’s on your mind when you are on a beach holiday?
Usually, it’s about lazing around, witnessing the ocean beauty, relaxing in a serene ambiance, walking on clean sand, pristine water to take bath, rhythmic waves, watersports for fun, and of course, a bit of privacy. Radhanagar Beach offers almost everything on the list, and offers in a better way than your expectation!
Experience the Morning Vision
Being stationed on the western coast of Havelock, sunrise view is absent in Radhanagar Beach, still, it looks fabulous early in the day when the morning sun enlightens the pristine white sand from the rare side. In the morning when high tide appears, the backwater at the left corner of the beach overflows by the ocean thrust; local fishermen effortlessly hunt their catches sinking inside! Indeed, it’s an amazing sight to stand and see!
Foreign delegates often complete their jogging session early in the morning; the finest white sand of Radhanagar Beach is pretty comfortable to run barefooted. You can fairly join them to enjoy the same.
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See the panoramic view from the watch tower
On a sunny morning, Radhanagar Beach looks extremely beautiful! With the reflection of clear blue sky on the ocean face, it appears to be shaded turquoise; foamed waves thud on the wide stretched white coast in a rhythmic motion, sweet breeze gives a perfect blend to the ambiance. Lush green vegetation at the backdrop creates a spectacular frame that demands hundreds of photo snaps.
Near the entrance of Radhanagar Beach, there is a wooden watch tower. Climbing on the top tower you can have a magnificent panoramic view of the whole area; it’s undeniably beautiful!
May also read: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island (Ross Island in Andaman)
Enjoy Sea Bath at Radhanagar Beach
Having medium waves, lesser current, and adequate depth, Radhanagar Beach is an ideal coast to enjoy water play. Also, lifeguards constantly surveil the area to avoid any sort of accident.
Although Havelock Island (Swaraj Island) is very popular for coral viewing, the Radhanagar Beach area is totally free from corals and hidden boulders. So, anybody may wish to go deeper, but it is always safe to stay within 10 meters from the beach, beyond that the waves are a bit rough; and so is the water current.
A certain water area near the beach is enclosed by red flags (approx. 50 meters of radius); only this area is allowed for bathing. If you cross the range coastguards will scold you.
For your Note:
- Sea Bath at Radhanagar Beach is allowed up to 5 PM, beyond that high tide appears.
- There are no corals near Radhanagar Beach, so don’t try to go deeper to discover such things. This may be dangerous.
- You can avail of paid showers at the beach in exchange for only INR 10.
- You can rent lockers near the beach in exchange for INR 10.
May find interesting: Ashwem Beach in Goa: Where Serenity blends with Ultimate Comfort
Try Jungle Trekking
The beachside jungle/hill trekking opportunity is very limited in Andaman, which you are getting in Radhanagar Beach. On the left side of the beach, there are jungles and small hillocks where you can plan a short trek in the afternoon session.
You have to reach the foothill by crossing a backwater (Lagoon) that remains filled with seawater in the morning (when high tide appears), so you have to wait till the appearance of low tide so that you can cross the lagoon in one jump.
Also, the jungle trek towards Neil’s Cove lagoon is an entertaining trip, which covers approx. 1.5 km path through the evergreen beach forest of Havelock.
Related: Trip to Chidiya Tapu Beach and Surroundings (Andaman)
Enjoy beautiful evenings watching the sunset
Watching the sunset from Radhanagar Beach is a much-awaited moment of the trip. So, reach the beach early in the afternoon to experience the color changes (preferably between 3:30 – 4:00 PM).
Late in the afternoon when the sun becomes faint you can step towards the lagoon at the left. It’s a fine place to snap some photos in the middle of lonely wide sand with the narrow stream in between, and blue ocean at the backdrop. Alternatively, you can wait on the watch tower or beachside echo park for the sunset.
When the sunset starts you can notice it automatically, especially if you are standing on the beach.
The turquoise color of the sea suddenly starts changing! Also, the blue sky alters in the same way. The whole area turns to orange followed by faint red until the sun disappears; soon after its departure the whole sky becomes red and violet; floating clouds reflect on the ocean, presenting an ever-romantic ambiance all over the place!
Late Evenings at Radhanagar Beach
At night you are not allowed to visit the beach unless you are staying at a beachfront resort like Barefoot or Taj Exotica.
But, your evening gonna be very exciting if you plan properly!
It’s fine if you are staying at any of the mentioned resorts, you can enjoy the evening completely! In case, your stay point is any other cheap hotel near Radhanagar Beach, you may feel bored. So the best idea is to go to The Swimming Elephant restaurant (adjacent to Barefoot Resort) and enjoy a fantastic dinner party!
Other places to visit near Radhanagar Beach
There are some other spots in Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) that you can cover by renting a car. Below is the list of places to visit nearby.
- Elephant Beach (2.3 km)
- Neil’s Cove (1.5 km)
- Kalapathar Beach (13 km)
- Vijay Nagar Beach (12 km)
- Govind Nagar Beach (10 km)
Scuba dive near Radhanagar Beach (Havelock Island)
The western coast of havelock is full of scuba diving spots, especially near Govind Nagar Beach; several scuba diving agencies are selling their service. Some of them are Barefoot Scuba, Seahawks scuba, Wowscuba, etc. Our experience with Seahawks Scuba was very good.
Did you visit: Limestone cave at Baratang Island; It’s An Exciting Day Trip
Where to stay near Radhanagar Beach
Choosing the right hotel is one of the most important things when you are away from home. If you don’t get the homely comfort or even better, your whole trip becomes a nightmare.
No worries, Radhanagar Beach is a world-famous place, where not only Indians but lots of foreigners visit every year; you’ll get limited but exclusive accommodation near Radhanagar Beach.
Below I’m introducing some of the best resorts and hotels near Radhanagar Beach where you can stay without any hesitation. Some of the following listed are luxury and expensive, some are cheap. Choose your favorite one based on your budget.
Barefoot Havelock
Nestled in the seaside rainforest, Barefoot Resort is ideally tuned with the surroundings, offering a splendid holiday experience into the lap of mother nature. The resort is a bit expensive; however, if your budget permits, it’s much worth staying here compared to the conventional and cheap brick-mortar hotels.
Rent starts from: INR 15000 (USD 185) (inclu. GST)
You’ll get 3 types of cottages in Barefoot
- Tented Cottages
- Nicobari Cottage
- Andaman Villa
Tented cottages are basically luxury tents and its very spacious (46m2). Nicobari cottages look similar to the typical Nicobari housings; these are made of wood and leaves. Andaman villas are completely wooden cottages and are most gorgeous!
Resort Barefoot at Havelock features a restaurant, bar, and free private parking facilities. The private beach area is approximately 200 m away from the center. Although you can’t see the ocean right from the room, you can reach the beach by a short walk through the green forest.
The accommodation also provides luggage storage which is especially required for foreign tourists who are on a long trip to India.
Other facilities:
- Continental breakfast is served every morning at the property.
- Every cottage has featured a balcony with garden views.
- Each room is equipped with a private bathroom, free toiletries and towels, a minibar, tea/coffee maker, single-room air conditioning facility, etc.
- Recreation: jungle treks, supervised scuba diving, snorkeling. (at suitable spots in Havelock)
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Havelock
If you are looking for a 5 star hotel near Radhanagar Beach, Taj Exotica is the best without any confusion.
The property is not only beautiful but very well maintained by the Taj authority and its super courteous staff. Traditional Nicobari welcome songs and warm farewells are the parts of their courtesy that offer you lovely experiences.
Occupying 46 acres of beachfront rainforest area, this resort affords almost everything that you expect for a comfortable stay. Equipped with very nice and spacious villas, an infinity pool, glass-roofed restaurant, sun terrace, and garden area, it’s a little paradise at the edge of Havelock Island.
Note: This resort is expensive; it’s much more suitable for wealthy tourists and foreign delegates.
Room Rent starts from: INR. 40000 (USD 497) (inclu. GST)
Other facilities:
- Continental breakfast is served every morning at the property.
- Some rooms have lagoon view.
- Each room is equipped with private bathroom, free toiletries, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and DVD Player.
- Recreational Center: jungle treks, supervised scuba diving, snorkeling, night kayaking, and shell-craft lessons at the.
- Beauty and wellness treatments at the Jiva Spa.
- Gaming options: table tennis, billiards, and mini-golf.
- Yoga center available.
Harmony Resort
If you are looking for a budget accommodation near Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Harmony Resort is one of the best.
It’s a casual hotel close to the entrance of Radhanagar Beach. All rooms are wooden, moderately spacious, and equipped with ensuite bathrooms. The hotel is only 400 m away from Radhanagar Beach; so you can access the beach anytime you want.
The resort features a kitchen and dining space, offering delicious foods at reasonable prices. free private parking is available. They can accommodate rented cars on demand.
Room rent starts from INR 1550 (USD 19)
Other facilities
- Indian/English/Irish breakfast is served every morning.
- All rooms feature a small terrace with garden views.
- Each room is fitted with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, and free toiletries.
- The accommodation offers room service and free WiFi.
Other good resorts near Radhanagar Beach
- Bowfins Resorts (Distance from the Beach: 1.3 km; Rent starts from INR 10000)
- TSG Blue Resort & Spa (Distance from the Beach: 600 m; Rent starts from INR 3500)
- Blue Ocean Resort (Distance from the Beach: 600 m; Rent starts from INR 2500)
- Dreamland Resort (Distance from the Beach: 200 m; Rent starts from INR 2500)
Food & Restaurants near Radhanagar Beach
Yellow coconuts! This one is at the top of my favorite food list in Andaman! Indeed, typical Andamanese coconuts with delicious taste can force you to repeat and repeat and repeat, especially if it features a fine kernel inside! Of course, the water of the same is equally sweet. In Radhanagar beach yellow coconuts are vevry much available, sold by local hackers.
Apart from that, in Andaman you should taste different dishes of fresh seafood (if you are a non-vegetarian); I suggest when you are traveling to Havelock or Andaman, don’t waste much money on broiler chicken because you’ll get this anywhere.
Below I’m suggesting some restaurants in Radhanagar Beach and the surroundings where you can try some delicious dishes.
- Shoreline (Taj Exotica) – Great for lunch and dinner; expensive
- Turtle House (Taj Exotica) – Great for lunch and dinner
- The Swimming Elephant (Barefoot) – Great for lunch, dinner, and drinks
- Mohwa – good for snacks
How to visit Radhanagar Beach
Expecting, your base point is Port Blair, the first thing you have to do is book a cruise to reach Swaraj Island (Havelock Island).
Online services are massively available nowadays; you can prebook your Havelock cruise prior to your Andaman trip from the following portals.
For your special note, the weather in Andaman is pretty uncertain. In case the weather condition doesn’t not favor, your cruise may be canceled. The online portals may decline, sending your money back as the term of cancellation due to the worst situation. But you’ll be missing the joy of Havelock.
However, if you book your Havelock trip via a local travel agent, you have the chance to resume the trip if the weather changes. They generally alter the schedule based on the situation, and can arrange a common ship for your Havelock trip if cruises are canceled due to bad weather (this happened in our case). So, specifically for the Andaman trip, it is better to rely on local tour agents rather than online portals (it’s just a suggestion).
By the way, if you arrive at Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) safely, next, you have to reach your resort near Radhanagar Beach. The beach is approx. 10 km away from the Jetty. Bus services and rented cabs are available near the Jetty.
However, if you are traveling as per the tour operator’s plan, they definitely arrange a car for you so that you can reach the hotel without any hassle. Alternatively, if you plan by yourself you can contact the hotel authority to arrange a pickup.
If you are staying elsewhere in Havelock away from Radhanagar Beach, you can rent a car or bike to attend there.
When to visit Radha Nagar Beach
November to March, these 5 months are considered the peak season in Andaman and also the best time to visit Radhanagar Beach. Many tourists visit there in the months of September and October; in these months the weather remains a bit uncertain, though on a clear day Radhanagar Beach looks equally beautiful.
Wrapping up
Needless to mention, Radhanagar Beach is a must-visit destination if you are on an Andaman trip. The heavenly beauty and serenity of this beach can’t be compared to so many beaches in India.
Other beautiful Beaches in India :
- Cola Beach (Goa)
- Palolem Beach (Goa)
- Paradise Beach (Puducherry)
- Kalacha Beach (Goa)
- Agonda Beach (Goa)
- Poovar Island (Kerala)
- Mandrem Beach (Goa)
- Arambol Beach (Goa)
- Kovalam Beach (Tamilnadu)
It is strongly suggested, you should travel Radhanagar Beach on right season and book the right accommodation.
It is recommended to stay near Radhnagar Beach for at least a complete day. Many tourists stay away from the beach and visit there for 1-2 hours which is not enough to experience the real ecstasy of this little paradise.
Have a nice trip!
Dr. Suvankar Das is a scientific advisor by profession, associated with a CRO organization. He pursued his doctoral degree in Chemistry in 2015. Later, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher & scientist in a couple of institutes/companies.
Besides his scientific journey, Dr. Das is also a passionate traveler and travel blogger. He loves to share all his travel experiences with other travelers so that everyone can enjoy hassle-free holidays with their own tour plans.
He believes, the most beautiful thing in this world is the WORLD itself. so there is no way to live like a clock; rather live it like a compass!
