Havelock Island

The beautiful Andaman Islands lie in the middle of the Bay of Bengal, 1,000 kilometres from India's east coast. The pristine Havelock Island is to the south of the archipelago and has a tropical feel with soft white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, its own distinct flora and fauna.

Named after Sir Henry of the 1857 Mutiny fame, the exotic island is relatively large and is home to a wide array of wildlife: during a stay here, you can spot more than a hundred species of birds flitting around, four out of the five known species of sea turtle - including the giant leatherback, saltwater crocodiles in the tangled mangrove swamps and spectacular butterflies.

If this is not enough to tempt you, the marine life is even more impressive! It is a dream destination for scuba divers, for an explosion of fish and coral life greets divers at most sites, so much so that Jacques Cousteau even filmed here in 1991. The palm-fringed beaches are idyllic, from Elephant Beach with its vivid reefs to Radhanagar Beach with its dazzling sunset views.

Havelock island is relatively easy to reach, simply take a plane to the capital Port Blair and then a two-hour boat journey to the remote island. Port Blair is worth a visit in itself, if you appreciate the hubbub of a minor Indian city. The capital is also home to a few noteworthy historic relics, such as the Japanese bunkers from WWII. We highly recommend visiting the Anthropological Museum to learn about the indigenous island dwellers and taking a coral safari in the world’s fastest glass-bottomed boat, the Andaman Dolphin, while here.

Choose between a few fabulous hotels here, from the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa to the boutique Jalakara; both of which have garnered attention across the world.

It is worth bearing in mind that while a large part of the beauty of this remote island is its secluded location, you will feel far away from civilisation and perhaps some homely comforts at times.

>> Read our blog: Ampersand Loves: The Andaman Islands

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson