Jalakara

Top choice in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)


Easily the chicest place to stay in the Andamans, this ecoconscious British-owned luxe-boutique hideaway is built into a banana-and-betel-nut plantation, 3.5km south of the jetty. It wows with its rainforest-view infinity pool, organic cooking, small spa, daily yoga, open-air bathrooms and seven highly original, design-led, tropical-life rooms, styled with antiques, earthy tones, polished concrete, and curtains crafted from saris.

The gorgeous private villa centres on an ayurveda-inspired copper plunge pool.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) attractions

1. Beach 5

1.05 MILES

On Havelock's eastern coast, palm-ringed Beach 5 has your classic tropical vibe with cream-coloured sand, cerulean sea, shady patches and few sandflies…

2. Beach 3

1.13 MILES

A slender strip of platinum east-coast beach, dotted with palms and a few fishing boats and overlooked by clumps of natural jungle. Beautiful, though not…

3. Elephant Beach

3.09 MILES

Along the island's northwest coastline, the alabaster sands of Elephant Beach, a popular snorkelling spot, are reached by a 40-minute, 1.8km walk through…

4. Kalapathar

3.1 MILES

Pristine Kalapathar is a salt-white swathe of sand lapped by clear turquoise water. It's a favourite sunrise-gazing spot, and you may have to walk a bit…

5. Radhanagar Beach

3.48 MILES

One of India’s (and indeed Asia's) most fabulous and famous stretches of sand: a beautiful bleach-blonde curve of powdery sugar fronted by perfectly…

6. Neil's Cove

4.09 MILES

With its gorgeous teal ‘lagoon’, Neil's Cove is a gem of sheltered sand and crystalline water. Swimming is prohibited at dusk and dawn; take heed of any…

7. Beach 1

11.65 MILES

A long sweep of sandy white coastline and mangroves wrapping around the northwest end of the island, 2km from the jetty, and gazing across to Havelock …

8. Beach 2

12.64 MILES

On the southwest side of the island, signposted from Neil Kendra (1.5km), this rocky cove is famous for its striking Natural Bridge rock formation,…