Elephant Beach Boat Ride from Havelock: Price, Timings & Booking 2026
Elephant Beach has the best easy-access snorkeling in the Andamans — a shallow, living coral reef starting barely 30 metres from the sand. There are exactly two ways to get there from Havelock (Swaraj Dweep): a 20-minute speedboat from Havelock jetty, or a ~2 km forest trek. This page covers both, with boat timings, prices, and instant booking.
Book your Elephant Beach boat with us — same jetty rates, confirmed on WhatsApp within the hour, and we hold your slot even in peak season. Book on WhatsApp →
Havelock to Elephant Beach: Your Two Options
| Speedboat | Forest trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | ~20 min each way | 40–60 min each way |
| Cost | from ₹1,000/person (round trip) | Free (guide optional, ~₹300–500) |
| Start point | Havelock jetty | Trailhead past Radhanagar road (~8 km from jetty) |
| Difficulty | None — step in, step off | Easy-moderate; muddy after rain; proper footwear needed |
| Best for | Families, limited time, gear in tow | Budget travellers, walkers |
| Catch | Sea-condition dependent | Trail closes in monsoon; tide can cover the final stretch |
Most visitors take the boat out and, if the tide chart cooperates, some trek back. If you have only one Havelock day with a ferry to catch later, take the boat both ways — the schedule risk isn’t worth it.
Boat Timings & What the Trip Looks Like
- Departures: roughly 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM from Havelock jetty, in batches as boats fill
- Return: boats shuttle back through the afternoon; the beach winds down by ~4:00 PM
- Ride time: about 20 minutes each way, life jackets provided
- Best slot: the first boats (8:30–9:30 AM) — calmest sea, clearest water for snorkeling, and the reef before the day-trip crowds
The boat drops you directly on the sand. The famous fallen tree on the white sandbar — the most photographed spot on Havelock — is right at the landing point.
Price: What You Pay in 2026
| Item | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Speedboat round trip (incl. a guided snorkeling dip near shore) | from ₹1,000/person |
| Extended snorkeling with guide & gear | ₹500–1,000 add-on |
| Sea walk (helmet dive) | ₹3,000–3,500 |
| Jet ski / banana boat | ₹500–900 |
| Kids (under ~5) | usually free on the boat; confirm when booking |
Rates are the standard jetty-counter prices — booking through us costs the same, you just skip the morning queue and the “boats are full” gamble. Exact fare for your date is confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay.
Travelling with 4+ people or want a specific departure time? Message us your date and group size and we’ll block the boat: WhatsApp booking →
What to Carry (and What to Leave)
Carry: swimwear worn under clothes, towel, dry bag or zip-lock for phones, water, cash for on-beach activities, reef-safe sunscreen. Leave behind: large bags (no lockers), drones (permits are a headache), anything you can’t afford to get wet. There are basic snack stalls and gear-rental counters on the beach — it’s more organised than “remote beach” suggests, without being built up.
When Elephant Beach Boats Don’t Run
Boats are sea-condition dependent. In the monsoon window (roughly June to early September) services get suspended on rough days, sometimes for several days in a row — this is decided each morning. If the sea gods cancel your slot, you get a full refund or a free move to the next day, your choice. October to May is dependable, with December–February the sweet spot: flat sea, maximum visibility.
Fitting It Around Your Ferries
The clean plan for a Havelock day-trip with Elephant Beach in it:
- Morning ferry from Port Blair — Port Blair to Havelock timings
- First available Elephant Beach boat (we’ll sync your slot with your ferry arrival if you book both with us)
- Back by early afternoon; Radhanagar Beach for sunset
- Evening ferry out, or overnight — Havelock to Port Blair / Havelock to Neil Island
Booking your Havelock ferry and Elephant Beach boat together means one WhatsApp thread and zero timing guesswork.
FAQs
How do I reach Elephant Beach from Havelock?
Speedboat from Havelock jetty (~20 min, from ₹1,000 round trip) or a ~2 km forest trek from the trailhead off the Radhanagar road. The boat is the reliable option; the trek closes in monsoon and depends on tides.
Is the boat ride safe for kids and non-swimmers?
Yes — it’s a short, life-jacketed hop in sheltered water on operating days. Snorkeling for non-swimmers is done holding a guide’s float ring in shallow water.
How long should I plan for Elephant Beach?
Half a day. Boat out by 9 AM, 2–3 hours on the beach and reef, back by early afternoon.
Can I book the boat in advance?
Yes — that’s exactly what we do. Message us on WhatsApp with your date and group size; you’ll get confirmation within the hour and pay the same jetty rate.
Is Elephant Beach worth it compared to Radhanagar?
They’re different products: Radhanagar is the walk-and-sunset beach; Elephant Beach is the in-the-water beach — snorkeling, sea walk, water sports. Most one-day itineraries do both.
Planning the full trip? Start with the Havelock Island guide, lock your ferry seats, and check the complete ferry schedule.