Shakahaar

Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)


Usually packed with visiting Indians, this back-to-basics, fast-and-furious thatched shack stars such pure-veg delights as tandoori mushrooms, vegetable biryanis (steamed-rice dish), channa (chickpea) masala and spicy-potato-stuffed paratha (flaky bread made with ghee and cooked on a hotplate).

It's signposted down a path just off the main road.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) attractions

1. Beach 3

0.17 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…

2. Beach 5

0.58 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…

3. Kalapathar

3.54 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…

4. Elephant Beach

3.84 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…

5. Radhanagar Beach

4.42 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

4.99 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

12.35 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 4

13.34 MILES

Neil Island's best swimming beach, though its proximity to the jetty (just west) is a turn-off, as is the rowdy day-trip scene packed with motorised boats…