Kayaking in Havelock
One of the best ways of exploring the sublime beauty of the Andaman Nicobar Islands is by kayaking in Havelock along the shoreline. Kayaking, a perfect water-sport for all age groups, has been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years. It offers a unique experience of not only getting a glimpse of the islands from a different perspective but also paddling around in the calm waters of beaches, bays, and mangroves. At the same time, you also get to observe the flora and fauna of the island whilst being away from the crowd.
There are various kayaking in Havelock packages that are listed on The Great Next website, ranging from INR 3000 to INR 4500 per person - depending on the time and location. These packages take you to along the shorelines of the Havelock island and let you explore beaches, bays, and mangroves. The kayaking in Havelock package costs include kayaks, paddles, and life jackets along with the services of an experienced kayaking expert.
If you’re not a swimmer but love the water, you can still try out a scuba diving experience in the Andamans. See more in our blog for Scuba Diving in the Andamans for Beginners.
Night kayaking in Havelock
An even more off-beat way to explore Andamans is night kayaking, where you go kayaking when the sun makes its way over the horizon. Night kayaking in Havelock is a gorgeous experience: you are treated to mesmerizing views of the evening sky over Havelock, thousands of stars, and the beach and mangroves in the night. You'll also get to see the bioluminescence on the shore and under your kayaks. Watching this bioluminescence is an enchanting experience that should not be missed!
Havelock, officially Swaraj Dweep, is one of the largest islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island belongs to Richie's archipelago and is located between Peel and Neil islands, in the north-east of the capital city of Port Blair.
Havelock Island is a tropical paradise surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea. Seven idyllic, white-sand beaches make up the shoreline of this island - lined with sweeping coconut palms and few shacks serving lip-smacking seafood. The island is also home to dense tropical forests and mangroves, along with rich flora and fauna that thrive not only in the woods but also in the waters around the island. Manta rays, dolphins and sharks are also the visitors of this gorgeous island. All these things come together to create a perfect blend for a tropical getaway.
Kayaking in Havelock: Itinerary
For kayaking in Havelock, you have to report to the Havelock jetty at the given time and meet your team and instructor there. Then, the instructor will give you a short briefing about the kayaking and safety guidelines that you need to follow. You then gear up and begin your 2.5-hour kayaking session. You'll get to paddle around in the blue waters and explore the mangroves of Havelock before you return to the jetty. There, you'll return your gear and head to your next adventure. The kayaking in Havelock trip ends here.
Kayaking in Havelock: Safety
Kayaking, in general, is a very safe water sport that only requires basic fitness. It is rare for a kayak to capsize or turn over, and it usually only happens when it is hit by a big wave or when the kayaker is fooling about in the water. Since you'll only be kayaking in calm waters, and as long as you follow all the safety guidelines, your kayak will not capsize. And even if it does tip over, in rare circumstances, you will be wearing a certified life jacket which will help you float and have an instructor close by to help you get back on the kayak.
Apart from this, the tour operators put safety before everything else, and your kayaking session will only take place when the weather and water are favorable. In case of high tide or heavy rain, the operator will wait for the conditions to improve or reschedule the session.
Reaching Havelock
To get to Havelock, you first have to reach Port Blair. You can reach Port Blair either by flight or cruise. And of the two, flying is the most convenient option. The Veer Savarkar International Airport of Port Blair is well connected to most major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, etc. with regular flights. If you have a few days to spare, then you can take a cruise from Kolkata, Chennai or Vizag to Port Blair. These cruises take around 70 hours to cross the Bay of Bengal, so plan your trip accordingly.
From Port Blair, there are government-run ferries and catamaran ferries to Havelock that run regularly. Government-run ferries are cheaper but take 2.5 hours to reach Havelock, and catamaran ferries, though comparatively expensive, only take 90 min to reach Havelock.
If you're looking for some adventure, then you can book a seaplane from Port Blair to Havelock. These Cessna seaplanes are run by Pawan Hans, connecting to the islands, but are expensive and run on a sporadic basis.
Getting around in Havelock
The best way of traveling within Havelock is walking, it is a great way of exploring the island and you don't have to rely on public transport. Other than this, there are 2 rickety buses running across the islands along with a few shared jeeps. You may even rent a car with driver for INR 550 for 35 km, or a motorcycle for INR 300-400 for a day. These prices are subjective.
Best time to go kayaking in Havelock
The best seasons to go kayaking in Havelock is during the months of summer and winter. During the summer months, the weather is warm but pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 37 degrees Celsius. In winter, the weather is serene and breezy, but still moderately warm with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. During the two seasons, the sea around the island is calm and stable, offering perfect kayaking conditions.
However, most water-sports are inaccessible during the monsoon months due to strong winds and heavy rains that lash Havelock. If you're planning to visit Havelock for its various water-sports, then it is recommended you avoid the monsoon season.
Connectivity in Havelock
There are only 2 ATM's in Havelock run by SBI and Axis bank. Most hotels also don't practice online transactions, so it is a good idea to carry sufficient cash with you when visiting Havelock.
As for mobile connectivity, BSNL works best. Airtel and Vodafone also have cell-towers in Havelock but the network is sporadic and weak. Many cafes and hotels also offer Wifi but it can be slow and expensive.
Check-out other adventure activities to do in Havelock, click here. And click here to go scuba diving in Havelock to explore the gorgeous marine life that thrives in the Andaman Sea.
Kayaking in Havelock Summary
- State: Andaman Nicobar
- Nearest city: Havelock
- Total days: 1 day
- Grade: Easy
- Season: Summer and winter
- Avg temperature: 20 to 37 degrees Celsius
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