HAVELOCK ISLAND BEACHES

Like the villages, the beaches are numbered, and as life is well done, the beach numbers correspond to the village numbers. The best way to get there is to hire a scooter and stroll along the many coves on the eastern side of the island, or to steal some of the green from the rice paddies on the way to Radhanagar.

- Beach n° 2: between Village n° 1 and Village n° 3, the beach is nothing but mangroves, where the island's children play. This beach is not suitable for bathing, but is a good place for a stroll, especially at sunrise.

- Govind Nagar Beach (Beach no. 3): at the junction of the road leading to the west coast. Many resorts can be found on this lovely beach.

- Vijay Nagar Beach (Beach no. 5): the most famous of Havelock's beaches, bordered by numerous resorts and fringed by coconut palms and mahuas that act as natural parasols. Its turquoise waters and white sand make it an idyllic spot for swimming or playing beach games.

- Kalapathar Beach: this beach takes its name from the nearby village perched in the jungle. Voted Havelock's most beautiful beach by Le Petit Futé, its deep turquoise waters, powdery sand, lush nature and low visitor numbers make it the ideal place to bring back postcard-perfect photos to make your friends drool. Just what you'd expect from a beach lost in the tropics.

- Radhanagar Beach (Beach n° 7): to reach the only beach on the west side of the island, you have to travel 12 km from Village n° 1. Time Magazine voted it one of Asia's most beautiful beaches. This sandy beach, lined with coconut palms and shrubs that cast a providential shadow, is a bather's paradise. Huge - you won't be bothered by your towel neighbors - lively with harmless little rollers (except during the monsoon season, when currents are powerful and dangerous) and perfect for admiring the sunset. Heading north up the beach, you'll reach Neil's Cove, a small, sandy cove of great beauty.

- Elephant Beach: It doesn't get much whiter than this. Located in the north-west of the island, it is only accessible by boat and attracts snorkelers. Its shallow coral reefs attract an abundance of multicolored fish, and its crystal-clear waters make it a dream spot for tailing fish. A victim of its own success, this is one of the only beaches that can be very busy in high season.