By the Blue Bubble Andaman team, Port Blair. Last updated October 2026.
Radhanagar Beach, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep): A 2026 Guide to Beach No. 7, the Best Beach in India
If you've seen one photo of the Andamans, there's a good chance it was Radhanagar Beach. It's a long curve of white sand on the western side of Havelock Island (now officially Swaraj Dweep), with clear blue-green water in front and tall forest trees behind. Locals call it Beach No. 7, and a lot of travellers just say "Radha beach".
In 2004 TIME magazine named it the best beach in Asia. In 2020 it was one of the first eight Indian beaches to get the Blue Flag tag, which is given for clean water, safety and facilities. Our guests usually remember something simpler: the water is calm, it gets deeper slowly, and the sun sets right over the sea.
| Where | Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), Andaman |
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| From Havelock jetty | About 12 km, 20 to 25 minutes by road |
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| Timings | Early morning to sunset. Closed after dark. |
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| Entry fee | Free |
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| Best time of day | From about 3 pm, staying for sunset |
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| Swimming | Allowed in the marked zone during the day |
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| Facilities | Lockers, showers, changing rooms, washrooms |
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Radhanagar Beach on a clear morning
Why Radhanagar Is Called the Best Beach in Andaman
There are prettier spots for snorkelling and quieter coves, but Radhanagar is the one beach on Havelock that almost everyone can enjoy. The sand runs for nearly 2 km, so even in December you can find a patch to yourself if you walk a little. The sea floor slopes gently, which is why families with small children and people who can't swim well feel safe here.
The beach faces west. On a clear evening the sun drops straight into the sea, and that is the main reason most visitors come in the afternoon. There are no buildings on the sand, and the forest grows right up to the beach, so there's plenty of shade. It also has proper facilities, including lockers, showers, changing rooms and lifeguard towers, which most island beaches don't.
Radhanagar Beach timings and entry fee
Entry is free. The beach opens early in the morning and closes at sunset.
Please note: Radhanagar Beach is closed after sunset and tourists are not allowed to stay on the beach after dark. Security staff blow whistles and clear the beach once the sun goes down, so start walking back to the parking area as soon as the sunset is over. Night walks, bonfires and evening swims are not permitted.
The sun sets earlier here than most visitors expect. The Andamans use Indian Standard Time but sit far to the east, so evenings come early.
| Months | Approx. sunset | Weather |
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| November to January | 4:50 to 5:10 pm | Cool and dry. Peak season, so it's busy. |
| February to April | 5:15 to 5:40 pm | Warm with a calm sea. Good for swimming. |
| May to September | 5:40 to 5:55 pm | Monsoon. Rough sea on some days, fewer people. |
| October | 5:05 to 5:20 pm | Season starts. Green after the rains. |
Our advice is to get there by 3 or 3:30 pm. That leaves time for a swim, the walk to Neil's Cove and a coconut before the sun goes down.
Sunset at Radhanagar, the busiest time of day on the beach
How to reach Radhanagar Beach
Port Blair to Havelock Island
Fly into Port Blair (Veer Savarkar International Airport) and take a ferry to Havelock. Private ferries such as Makruzz, Nautika and Green Ocean are air-conditioned and take about 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the boat. In season they sell out, so book early. Government ferries cost much less but are slower, and tickets are hard to get at short notice. They work if your budget is tight and your dates are flexible.
If you book an Andaman tour package with us, we buy the ferry tickets for you, which saves a lot of stress in December and January.
Havelock jetty to Radhanagar Beach
The beach is about 12 km from the jetty, a 20 to 25 minute drive through villages and forest.
| Option | Approx. cost | Good for |
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| Private cab | From about ₹450 one way | Families, couples, anyone with bags |
| Rented scooty | About ₹500 to ₹700 a day | Confident riders who want to explore |
| Local bus | Very cheap, fixed times | Budget travellers who aren't in a hurry |
| Auto-rickshaw | Agree the fare first | Short trips around the island |
If you're travelling with us, the drive to Radhanagar is already part of your plan.
Road from Havelock jetty to Radhanagar Beach
Best time to visit Radhanagar Beach
October to May is the best time to visit. The sea is calm and the sky is mostly clear.
October to February has the most comfortable weather. It's also peak season, especially around Christmas and New Year, so book hotels and ferries well ahead. March to May is hotter, but the water is flat and very clear, which is good if you mainly want to swim. June to September is monsoon. Heavy rain can close the swimming area on some days and ferries are sometimes cancelled, but prices drop and the island is quiet.
Is it safe to swim at Radhanagar Beach?
Yes, as long as you follow the rules. It's one of the safer swimming beaches in the Andamans.
- Swim only inside the marked zone, where lifeguards watch from the towers.
- Swimming is not allowed after sunset, and there are no lifeguards then.
- Come out of the water if the red flag is up or a lifeguard blows the whistle.
- Read the advisory boards about currents, jellyfish or crocodiles, and stay out of areas marked off-limits.
- Children should swim with an adult, even in the shallow part.
Radhanagar is a beach for swimming and relaxing. For snorkelling, jet skis and sea walks, go to Elephant Beach, a short boat ride from the Havelock jetty.
Things to do at Radhanagar Beach
Most people come to swim. The water inside the safe zone is calm and clear enough to see your feet. After a swim, walk to Neil's Cove at the far end of the beach (more on it below), then find a spot near the water about half an hour before sunset.
Local photographers work on the beach and can take professional photos of you. Couples and families like this because everyone gets to be in the picture. Agree on the price and the number of photos before they start. If you'd rather take your own, the light is softest early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Drones usually need permission, so ask before flying one.
The trees behind the beach give good shade if you just want to sit with a book. There are no sun loungers or umbrellas for hire. Near the entrance, stalls sell coconut water, fruit, chai and simple snacks.
The shoreline at Radhanagar, with forest right up to the sand
Neil's Cove, the lagoon at the end of Radhanagar
Most visitors stay near the main entrance and never see Neil's Cove. It's a small, sheltered lagoon at the far end of Radhanagar Beach, closed in by rocks and thick forest. On a calm day the water is very still and clear, and you can often spot small fish over the sand from the shore.
To get there, walk along the beach away from the entrance for 15 to 20 minutes. Some people take the forest trail behind the beach instead because it's shadier. Both routes are flat and easy.
Swimming is not allowed at Neil's Cove and there are no lifeguards, so enjoy it from the shore. It's much quieter than the main beach and a good place for photos. There are no shops or toilets there, so carry water and wear sandals that can handle rocks. Go in the afternoon and leave enough time to walk back before sunset, since the whole beach closes after dark.
Neil's Cove is not the same place as Neil Island, which is a separate island a short ferry ride from Havelock.
Facilities at Radhanagar Beach
- Lockers for your phone, wallet and bags while you swim
- Shower areas to wash off sand and salt water
- Changing rooms and washrooms near the entrance
- Lifeguard towers along the swimming zone
- Beach photographers
- Snack and coconut stalls, and a small government emporium for souvenirs
- Parking for cabs and two-wheelers
There's no ATM at the beach, so carry some cash.
What to carry
- Swimwear and a change of clothes
- Towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- A refillable water bottle (plastic is discouraged)
- Cash for snacks, lockers and transport
- A zip pouch or dry bag for your phone
Please don't litter or take shells and coral. The beach has stayed this clean because visitors have looked after it.
Hotels near Radhanagar Beach
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa and Barefoot at Havelock are the resorts closest to the beach. Most other Havelock hotels are around Govind Nagar and Vijay Nagar (Beach No. 3 to 5), 15 to 20 minutes away by road.
Tell us your budget and we'll suggest a few. Our packages come with Standard, Deluxe or Premium hotel options.
Other beaches and places near Radhanagar
For more of the island, see our Havelock Island guide or the full list of Andaman beaches.
Our suggested half-day plan at Radhanagar
This works for most of the year. From November to January, start 30 to 45 minutes earlier because the sun sets as early as 4:50 pm.
- 2:30 pm: Leave your hotel.
- 3:00 pm: Reach the beach, put your things in a locker and swim in the safe zone.
- 3:45 pm: Shower, change and walk to Neil's Cove and back.
- 4:45 pm: Coconut water at the stalls and a photo session with one of the beach photographers.
- Sunset: Sit near the water and watch the sun go down.
- Right after sunset: Walk back to the parking area. The beach closes at sunset and visitors can't stay.