Caleb78G9218343 at 18:02, 9 April 2026

2026-04-09T18:02:00Z

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{{short description|Island of the Andaman Islands}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Havelock Island
| local_name = Swaraj Dweep
| image_name = [[File:Havelock, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.JPG|250px]]
| image_caption = A view of a beach in Havelock Island
| image_alt =
| map = India Andaman and Nicobar Islands
| map_alt =
| map_width = 250px
| map_caption = Location of Havelock Island
| coordinates = {{coord|11.96|N|93.00|E|region:IN-AN_type:isle_dim:50000_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline,title}}
| etymology =
| location = [[Bay of Bengal]]
| archipelago = [[Andaman Islands]]
| waterbody = [[Indian Ocean]]
| total_islands = {{nowrap|1}}
| major_islands = {{hlist|Swaraaj Dweep}}
| area_km2 = 92.2
| area_footnotes =
| rank =
| length_km = 18
| width_km = 8
| coastline_km = 58.5
| elevation_m = 167
| elevation_footnotes =
| highest_mount = Yulutang
| country = {{flag|India}}
| country_admin_divisions_title = [[List of districts in India#Andaman and Nicobar (AN)|District]]
| country_admin_divisions = [[South Andaman district|South Andaman]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Island group]]
| country_admin_divisions_1 = [[Andaman Islands]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = Island sub-group
| country_admin_divisions_2 = [[Ritchie's Archipelago]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_3 = [[Tehsils of India|Tehsil]]
| country_admin_divisions_3 = [[Ritchie's Archipelago|Ritchie's Archipelago Tehsil]]
| country_largest_city = Govinda Nagar
| population = 6,351{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_rank =
| population_rank_max =
| density_km2 = 68.5
| density_rank =
| density_footnotes =
| ethnic_groups = [[Bengali people|Bengali]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 744211<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.india-codes.com/pincodes/a-n-islands-pin-code |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323224041/http://www.india-codes.com/pincodes/a-n-islands-pin-code |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 March 2014 |title=A&N Islands - Pincodes |date=22 September 2016 |access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref>
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 031928<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allcodesindia.in/stdcode/andaman+and+nicobar.php |publisher=allcodesindia.in |title=STD Codes of Andaman and Nicobar |access-date=23 September 2016 |archive-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017043815/http://allcodesindia.in/stdcode/andaman%2Band%2Bnicobar.php |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|http://www.and.nic.in/}}
| additional_info = {{Infobox|child=yes
| label1 =
| data1 =
| label2 = Literacy | data2 = 84.4%
| label3 = Avg. summer temperature| data3 ={{convert|30.2|°C|°F}}
| label4 = Avg. winter temperature| data4 ={{convert|23.0|°C|°F}}
| label5 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]| data5 =1.2[[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| label7 = Census code| data7 = 35.639.0004
| label8 = Official languages| data8 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Hindi]], [[English language|English]]
}}
}}
'''Havelock Island''', officially known as '''Swaraj Dweep''' ({{translation|[[Swaraj|Independence]] Island}}),<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |date=30 December 2018 |title='Bose, Shaheed and Swaraj,' PM gives new names to 3 Andaman islands |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/bose-shaheed-and-swaraj-pm-gives-new-names-to-3-andaman-islands-118123000418_1.html |access-date=9 July 2022}}</ref> is one of the largest islands in [[Ritchie's Archipelago]], to the east of [[Great Andaman]] within the [[Andaman Islands]]. It belongs to the [[South Andaman district|South Andaman]] administrative [[Districts of India|district]], part of the [[India]]n [[union territory]] of [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-VillageDirectory/Directory/short_code_rural_35.pdf |title=Village Code Directory: Andaman & Nicobar Islands |publisher=Census of India |access-date=16 January 2011}}</ref> The island is {{convert|41|km|0|abbr=on}} northeast of the capital city, [[Port Blair]].

==Etymology==
Havelock Island was previously named after a British [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|general]], [[Sir Henry Havelock]], who served in India.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Great Uprising in India, 1857-58: Untold Stories, Indian and British |first=Rosie |last=Llewellyn-Jones |publisher=Boydell & Brewer |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-84383-304-8 |page=168 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vcHQd-M5NsQC&pg=PA168}}</ref>

In December 2018, it was renamed, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Swaraj Dweep as a tribute to [[Subhas Chandra Bose]]. Bose had hoisted the Indian flag at Port Blair on 30 December 1943 and proclaimed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as [[Azad Hind|liberated from British rule]]. He had subsequently named [[Neil Island]] as Shaheed Dweep and [[Ross Island, South Andaman district|Ross Island]] was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep as well.<ref name="2018RenameHT">{{cite news |author1=Ananya Bhardwaj |title=Andaman's most-visited islands to be renamed during PM Modi visit |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/3-andaman-islands-to-get-new-names/story-NC3sWdg8oHAP6sLyXDBEeI.html |access-date=31 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
Havelock Island is one of the few places that the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory of India has permitted and encouraged development of tourism, with a focus on promoting [[eco-tourism]].

Havelock Island avoided much of the devastation by the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] and its resulting [[tsunami]] and there were no documented casualties.

There is a lighthouse at the northern point of the island, near Govinda Nagar, established in the year 2005.
<ref>{{cite web |title=Narcondam Island |url=http://www.dgll.nic.in/LightHouse.aspx?Consent_id=215&Module_id=16&LocationId=10&LangId=1 |access-date=18 October 2016 |publisher=Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships}}<br />[https://www.flickr.com/photos/mandobaron/2069461429/]</ref>

==Geography==
The island belongs to the [[Ritchie's Archipelago]] and is located between [[Sir William Peel Island|Peel Island]] and [[Neil Island]].

==Administration==
Politically, Havelock Island is part of [[Port Blair]] ''[[Tehsils of India|taluk]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://andssw1.and.nic.in/ecostat/basicstatPDF2013_14/1.Demogrpahy.pdf |publisher=andssw1.and.nic.in |title=DEMOGRAPHIC – A&N ISLANDS |access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref>

==Demographics==
The island's population of 6,351 (as of 2011){{citation needed|date=March 2017}} consists of mainly [[Bengali people|Bengali]] settlers. Many of these settlers have East Bengali origin as these people were given settlement by the Indian government after the [[Partition of India]] in 1947.

The six villages are:
* Govinda Nagar 2,940
* Vejoy Nagar (inc. Kalapathar) 1,099
* Shyam Nagar 856
* Krishna Nagar 719
* Radha Nagar 637
* Road between Shyam Nagar and Krishna Nagar 100<ref>[http://ls1.and.nic.in/doef/images/Havelock.jpg Map]</ref>

==Beaches==
Radhanagar Beach on the western coast, also known as Number 7 Beach, is one of the most popular beaches on Havelock Island and was named "Best Beach in Asia" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/2004/boa/boa_soul_andaman.html |title=TIMEasia Magazine: Best of Asia - Best Beaches You Can Get to |access-date=19 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123030227/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2004/boa/boa_soul_andaman.html |archive-date=23 January 2009 }}</ref> Radhanagar beach also bagged the prestigious blue flag certification in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Ravi Prakash |date=15 October 2020 |title=8 Indian beaches get prestigious Blue Flag certification. Check list here |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/best-indian-beaches-get-prestigious-blue-flag-certification-check-list-here-11602743882083.html |access-date=27 May 2023 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref> A Blue Flag beach is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the tourists or beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, safe and healthy environment. Other notable beaches include Elephant Beach on the northwest coast and Vijay Nagar Beach (No. 5), Beach No. 3 and Beach No. 1 on the east coast. Kalapathar is another famous beach.<ref>[http://www.andamans.gov.in/images/havlockmap.jpg beaches map]<br/>- [https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/100-best-beaches/index.html CNN]</ref>

To reach Elephant beach one needs to take a boat from Havelock Island jetty. Another way to reach Elephant beach is via trekking. The major 3 beaches at Havelock Island are namely Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and Kalapathar beach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Havelock Island Tourism - Detailed Travel Guide 2021 with Photos |url=https://www.experienceandamans.com/andaman-tourism/havelock |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=www.experienceandamans.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Ajay |title=Top Must Do Attractions in Havelock Island |url=https://blueandamantour.com/destinations/havelock-island/ |website=Blue Andaman Tour}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The island can be reached from Port Blair by government-operated ferries and private cruises.<ref>{{cite news |author1=A & N Administration |title=Ferry Program for Neil, Havelock & Rangat |url=http://www.andaman.gov.in/web/guest/neilhavrangat |access-date=15 October 2013 |archive-date=20 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520093624/http://www.andaman.gov.in/web/guest/neilhavrangat |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are also helicopter services.<ref>{{cite news |author1=A & N Administration |title=Helicopter Inter Island Schedule |url=http://www.andaman.gov.in/web/guest/helicopter-schedule |access-date=15 October 2013 |archive-date=20 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520090314/http://www.andaman.gov.in/web/guest/helicopter-schedule |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are 2-3 government operating ferries in a day.

A local bus connects the jetty and villages on an hourly circuit.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=8KnLFpjEHpUC&dq=avis+island+mayabunder&pg=PA26 bus]</ref> Private ferries that sail to Havelock Island are Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika, Nautika Lite and ITT Majestic these cruises have different sailing time and schedule<ref>{{Cite web |last=Travel |first=RSR Tours & |date=9 April 2023 |title=Private Ferry Schedule in Andaman Islands |url=https://rsrtoursandtravel.com/home/andaman-ferry-booking/#schedule |access-date=27 May 2023 |website=RSR Tours and Travel |language=en-US}}</ref> from Port Blair to Havelock Island and from Neil Island to Havelock Island. The ferry sailing to Havelock Island is subject to weather conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ferry and Cruise Booking and Timing in Andaman in 2021 |url=https://www.experienceandamans.com/ferry |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=www.experienceandamans.com}}</ref>

Travelers typically take the ferry service from Port Blair to Havelock Island, Havelock Island to Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) and Neil Island to Port Blair<ref>{{Cite web |title=Port Blair to Havelock Ferry |url=https://www.go2andaman.com/book-ferry/port-blair-to-havelock-ferry/}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Havelock Island, Mangrove trees in tropical sea, Andaman Islands.jpg|Mangrove trees, East side
File:Havelock Island, Tropical beach and tree, Andaman Islands.jpg|Trees on the beach, East side
File:Havelock Island, Canopy of tropical moist evergreen forest, Andaman Islands.jpg|Canopy of tropical rainforest
File:Havelock Island, Sunset at the beach, Andamans.jpg|Sunset on the beach
File:Radha Nagar Beach, Havelock Island.jpg|alt=Radha Nagar Beach|Radha Nagar Beach, Havelock Island
File:Radha Nagar beach, Havelock Island, Andamn, India- Sun set view.jpg|Radha Nagar Beach sunset view
File:Elephenta beach, Havelock Island, Andamn, India.jpg|Elephant Beach, Havelock Island
File:Kalapathar beach Havelock Island, Andaman, India.JPG|Kalapathar Beach
File:Promonant horticulture produce of Havelock, Andaman Island, India.jpg|Prominent horticulture produce of Havelock
File:Coral reef Elephant Beach ,Andaman 03.jpg|Coral reef Elephant Beach
File:Coral reef Elephant Beach ,Andaman 10.jpg|Coral reef Elephant Beach
File:Havelock Light House.jpg|Havelock Light House
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Havelock Island}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Portal|India|Islands}}
* [https://www.andaman.gov.in/tourism/Swarajdweep Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)] at Andaman & Nicobar Tourism website

{{South Andaman district |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in South Andaman district]]
[[Category:Ritchie's Archipelago]]
[[Category:Islands of South Andaman district]]
[[Category:Islands of the Andaman Sea]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]
[[Category:Islands of India]]
[[Category:Populated places in India]]
[[Category:Islands of the Bay of Bengal]]

Havelock Island - Revision history

Caleb78G9218343 at 18:02, 9 April 2026