1

Would probably depend on which beach you are on.I only spent time on the beaches on Havelock Island. Many Indian tourists seem to visit Havelock on a day trip from Port Blair and they spend time on Radhanagar beach. Here the women swim in their clothes, but they stick around the part of the beach closest to the road. If you wandered up the beach you would have privacy - which is what some of the western tourists did. The beach where the budget resorts are should be fine. It isn't a popular place to stay for the more traditional Indians. The other main beach is Elephant beach. This attracts a mix of people for the snorkelling - and it can get very busy. I am western (married to an Indian). I don't wear bikinis, but did wish I had shorts on Radhanagar beach (I was alone with young kids so wanted to stay where there were people). Elephant beach wasn't too bad because the whole idea is to be in the water rather than on the beach. I did cover up as soon as I got out though.

Another consideration is when you are going. I think December time there may be lots of westerners (and therefore more bikinis?). We went in May, during the Indian school holidays - very few westerners and lots of Indian tourists. Can't comment on Goa since I have always gone there during the Indian school holidays and have always covered up to swim.... (I actually took a bikini the first time but didn't even try since the beaches were full of women swimming in saris).

2

that was very hepful Api. thank u so much.

since u know so much abt that place might i bother u with few more doubts.

1. is it allowed &/or safe to swim at night on any beach of havelock?

2.i hav heard night camping is allowed on long island and north passage. just need some tips and tricks regarding the same and how safe(with reference to wild animals n humans as well) is it to do so?

3.is it safe to swim at night while camping in long island/north passage?

gracias..

3

The main thing that would concern me about swimming at night on the beaches there are the crocodiles. While I understand there has only been one tourist attack (on Radhanagar Beach) attacks on local people are more frequent (at least two this year, although not in tourist sites). There is a crocodile sanctuary within swimming range (for crocs) of Havelock. Whether you take this seriously or not is up to you (with two kids, I tend to be more cautious these days!). But, there are signs on several beaches that tell you not to go into the water because of the dangers of crocodiles (and one sign even gave the dates of the last sighting, which was just a couple of weeks before we were there). Since everyone ignores them and swims anyway I take it that this isn't taken too seriously.

I did see some people in the water at night on Havelock, but in the area where the budget resorts are. They weren't swimming though, since at low tide the water is too shallow here.

I don't know anything about long island and north passage. However, generally I found people very laid back here. It is very different to the rest of India - probably part the island culture and part the fact that everyone (that you will meet anyway) are immigrants. Traveling with kids often gives a very different perspective than as a single female traveler though! (i.e., everyone focuses on the kids instead).

4

thanks for the insight api.

will take heed abt crocs. we might go for little dip at night but definitely not swimming.

take care.