North Bay Island Coral Safari & Radhanagar Beach Sunset

The Andaman Islands combine some of India's best reefs with some of its finest beaches, and this day brings both together: a morning on the coral at North Bay, near Port Blair, followed by the ferry to Havelock Island and an evening at Radhanagar Beach, named Asia's best beach by Time magazine in 2004. Because the last ferries back to Port Blair leave in the afternoon, the day ends on Havelock, where you stay the night.

The day begins with a pickup from your hotel in Port Blair at 8:00 AM. A short boat ride takes you to North Bay Island, whose white lighthouse appears on the back of the old twenty-rupee note. The reef here begins in shallow water close to the shore, making it one of the easiest places in the islands to see coral.

A glass-bottom boat glides over the reef, so that non-swimmers can see brain coral, staghorn coral, sea anemones and schools of reef fish without getting wet. Those who swim can join a guided snorkelling session, looking for clownfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish and, with luck, a moray eel or lionfish among the rocks. The water is warm and usually calm in the morning.

After lunch, you board the ferry to Havelock Island, officially renamed Swaraj Dweep, a crossing of around one and a half to two and a half hours depending on the vessel. On arrival, a transfer takes you across the island to Radhanagar Beach, on the western coast.

Radhanagar is a long curve of fine white sand backed by tall forest, with shallow, clear water that is ideal for swimming. The beach faces west, and the sunset over the Andaman Sea, when the sky turns orange and pink behind the trees, is one of the most beautiful sights in the archipelago. Lifeguards patrol the swimming areas, and the beach has changing rooms and small food stalls.

The best time to visit is from November to April, when the sea is calm and visibility is good. The monsoon, from May to September, brings rough seas and can cancel ferries and boat trips.

Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a change of clothes. Please do not touch or stand on the coral, and avoid feeding the fish.

The day lasts around eight hours. Boat transfers, the glass-bottom boat tour, snorkelling equipment and a guide, beach time at Radhanagar and a packed lunch are included. Accommodation on Havelock is not included; the ferry ticket is confirmed with your booking.