Island Escapes

Island Escapes

Beaches

Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep — the only genuinely clear water in the country.

21 places

Lakshadweep
Agatti Island
The gateway to Lakshadweep with its own airport, Agatti is ringed by a vivid turquoise lagoon and coral reefs, with snorkelling, diving and lagoon kayaking run from the island. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Lakshadweep
Bangaram Island
A teardrop-shaped, uninhabited resort island in Lakshadweep, Bangaram is famed for crystal lagoons, untouched white sand and exceptional diving and snorkelling. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Corbyn's Cove (Port Blair)
The closest beach to Port Blair, Corbyn's Cove is a coconut-palm-fringed crescent popular for a quick swim, water sports and easy island access. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Elephant Beach (Havelock)
Reached by boat or a jungle trail on Swaraj Dweep, Elephant Beach is the Andamans' top spot for snorkelling, scuba diving and shallow-water coral. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Havelock Island, officially Swaraj Dweep, is the most popular island in the Andamans. Radhanagar Beach is the reason most people come — powdery white sand, and the sunsets it is known for — and there is serious scuba diving off the island as well. Turquoise water, coral reefs, kayaking through the mangroves and unhurried beach shacks fill out the rest of it. Elephant Beach is where the diving and snorkelling are done. Honeymooners, divers and backpackers all come for it.
Lakshadweep
Kavaratti Island
The capital of Lakshadweep, Kavaratti is known for calm lagoons, water sports, an aquarium and some of the archipelago's most accessible coral gardens. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Long Island (Andaman)
A remote, road-free island reached by ferry, Long Island has Lalaji Bay, jungle trails and no cars on it at all. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Lakshadweep
Minicoy Island
The southernmost and most culturally distinct island of Lakshadweep, Minicoy is famed for its tall lighthouse, crescent lagoon and unique Maldivian-influenced culture. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Radhanagar Beach (Havelock)
Regularly rated among Asia's best beaches, Radhanagar on Swaraj Dweep is a flawless arc of white sand, turquoise water and west-facing sunsets. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Vijaynagar Beach (Neil)
On laid-back Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), Vijaynagar is a calm, shallow beach lined with mahua trees, shallow a long way out, and an easy cycle at sunrise. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Bangaram Island
Bangaram Lagoon
A shallow lagoon inside the reef, calm enough to snorkel straight off the beach. Diving is run through the single resort on the island.
Minicoy Island
Minicoy Lighthouse
A historic British-era lighthouse with views over the lagoon.
Long Island (Andaman)
Lalaji Bay Beach
A secluded white-sand bay reached by boat or jungle trek.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Radhanagar Beach
A long west-facing crescent with nothing built behind it, which is why it photographs the way it does. Lifeguards work set hours and the flags are worth obeying. Sunset is the busy hour.
Radhanagar Beach (Havelock)
Radhanagar Sunset Point
The northern end of the arc, where people gather as the light goes. The beach faces west, so the sun drops into open water — rare on this side of India.
Kavaratti Island
Kavaratti Lagoon
A sheltered lagoon for kayaking, glass-bottom boats and snorkelling.
Agatti Island
Agatti Lagoon
A shallow turquoise lagoon for snorkelling and kayaking.
Elephant Beach (Havelock)
Elephant Beach Reef
A shallow reef a few metres out from the sand, which is why every boat from Havelock comes here. Gear is hired on the beach. Take the first boat, before the water is stirred up.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Elephant Beach
A reef-fringed beach popular for snorkelling, scuba diving and water sports.
Corbyn's Cove (Port Blair)
Corbyn's Cove Water Sports
Jet-ski and speedboat rides off the cove.
Vijaynagar Beach (Neil)
Natural Rock Bridge
A naturally formed coral rock arch near the island's shore.