Andaman Islands India (Havelock)

The Andaman Islands are part of India's Andaman and Nicobar archipelago located in the Andaman Sea (Bay of Bengal). Andaman and Nicobar have a total population of around 400,000 (including around 350,000 living on the Andaman Islands) and total land area approx 8250 km2 (3190 mi2) of which 6408 km2 (2474 mi2) are the Andaman Islands.

The Andamans are best-known worldwide for the indigenous tribes Sentinelese, Jarawa, Onge, Andamanese, Shompen. Some islands can be accessed only after receiving a permit. North Sentinel Island can't be accessed as it is banned by law. The off-limit islands are occupied by generally hostile tribes, with little to no contact with tourists.

The most visited by cruise ships destination in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is Havelock Island. Some smaller ships and megayachts can also visit Henry Lawrence Island, Ross Island, Neil Island, Inglis Island, South Cinque Island, North Cinque Island.

Havelock Island

Havelock Island is approx 41 km (25 mi) northeast from South Andaman Island (capital city Port Blair). The island has a population of around 6,500 and a total area approx 92 km2 (36 mi2). The highest elevation point (Yulutang) is 167 m (550 ft). The isle is among the few places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands where tourism industry development projects are not only permitted, but encouraged, with the goal of promoting eco-tourism activities. Among the island's best-known features are the lighthouse (2005-built, at the northern tip), beautiful beaches and the elephants used as a major tourist attraction.

Fortunately, Havelock avoided the Indian Ocean's 2014 earthquake (on December 26), when the resulting tsunamis devastated most lands along the ocean's coast and killed around 280,000 people in 14 different countries. As the epicentre ( Richter magnitude scale 9,3) was off Sumatra island's west coast, Indonesia was the most devastated country, followed by Sri Lanka, India, Thailand.

On Havelock can be booked numerous premium hotels and beach resorts, with best-rated being Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Sea Shell Havelock, Silver Sand Beach Resort Havelock, Coral Reef Resort, Aparupa Sands Marina Beach Resort, Havelock Farms Resort, Golden Pebble.

South Cinque Island is approx 41 km (25 mi) south from Port Blair. To the north is located North Cinque Island (at approx 1,5 km / 1 mi) and to the south is located Passage Island (at approx 6 km / 4 mi). South Cinque is uninhabited and has land area approx 5 km2 (2 mi2), coastline 14 km (9 mi) and highest elevation point 166 m (545 ft).

Henry Lawrence Island is approx 60 km (37 mi) northeast from Port Blair).

Henry Lawrence is uninhabited and by land area (approx 55 km2 / 21 mi2) is ranked archipelago's 2nd largest - after Interview Island (101 km2 / 39 mi2). The isle's highest elevation point is 137 m (450 ft).

Inglis Island

Inglis Island is approx 67 km (42 mi) northeast from Port Blair. It is part of Ritchie's Archipelago and is located west of John Lawrence Island.

Chain Nalah point is the most popular tourist beach and is located on the island's west coast. Inglis is among Andaman island's most visited scuba diving destinations.

The island was named after Sir John Eardley Wilmot Inglis (1814-1862), Major-general and a British Army officer. He became famous for defending the British compound for 87 days during the siege of Lucknow (the capital city of India's Uttar Pradesh state).