Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) in May
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India
Skip — Andaman monsoon (May–Sep) makes Radhanagar Beach choppy and unsafe for swimming; ferry services from Port Blair to Havelock cancelled 30%+ of days, especially Jun–Aug. Scuba operators reduce fleet 60%. Better window: November–April.
Havelock in May is the last clean month before the southwest monsoon arrives. Water visibility starts dropping from 25m to around 18m as currents shift. Air 28-33C with humidity climbing - fans and sea breeze, not air conditioning, do most of the work in budget rooms. Ferries still run on schedule but check forecasts daily after the 15th - squalls cancel sailings with 6 hours notice. Diving still on but Cinque Island trips get patchy in the last week. Radhanagar Beach is empty by Indian-domestic standards - most plains travelers have gone home for school exams. Hotel rates 30-40 percent off peak. The version of Havelock locals actually live in.
Why May scores 8.0/10
Weather
Last clean month. 28-33C. Vis dropping to 18-22m. Ferries on schedule first 3 weeks.
PEAK ALERT · JANUARY
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) is at its best in January.
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What to do in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) this May
- 1diving (visibility drops)
- 2snorkeling
- 3beach relaxation
- 4early monsoon monitoring
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓last-chance dry-season divers
- ✓budget travellers
Who should think twice
- ✗Plankton blooms reduce underwater visibility to 5-10 meters, making diving and snorkeling less rewarding.
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.0/10 | Peak diving. 24-29C, 30m vis, ferries reliable. Book stays 30 days out. |
| February | 10.0/10 | Driest month. 25-30C, vis 30m+. Quieter than Jan once school holidays end mid-month. |
| March | 8.0/10 | Late peak. 26-32C. Vis 25-28m. Ferry timetables hold. Hotel rates 25% below January. |
| April | 8.0/10 | Hot 28-33C, vis 22-25m. Ferries on schedule, hotel rates 35% off January. Off-peak with full operations. |
| Mayviewing | 8.0/10 | Last clean month. 28-33C. Vis dropping to 18-22m. Ferries on schedule first 3 weeks. |
| June | 2.0/10 | Monsoon. 450mm rain, ferries cancelled often, dive shops closed. Do not plan a Havelock trip. |
| July | 2.0/10 | Peak monsoon. 500mm rain. Dive operators closed. Ferries cancel routinely. Skip entirely. |
| August | 2.0/10 | Monsoon continues. 420mm rain, dive shops still closed, ferries unreliable. Skip. |
| September | 4.0/10 | Late monsoon. 280mm rain. Dive shops reopen last week of month. Ferries patchy, vis 12-15m. |
| October | 8.0/10 | Season opens. 130mm rain mostly first week. Vis recovers 20-25m. Hotel rates 35% below December. |
| November | 8.0/10 | Strong shoulder. 60mm rain, 24-30C, vis 25m. Diwali week books out, otherwise great value. |
| December | 10.0/10 | Peak. 23-29C, vis 28-30m. Christmas-NY 50% premium. Book Radhanagar resorts 45 days out. |
What to pack for May
- ▸light diving suit
- ▸high SPF sunscreen
- ▸waterproof phone case
Nearby in Andaman & Nicobar Islands scoring high in May
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