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Home / Beaches / Elephant Beach

Elephant Beach

Пляж Элефант
India · Beach · Havelock Island
crystal
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for snorkelers, divers and water sports enthusiasts. Suitable for active recreation. Not suitable for those seeking solitude due to crowding.

Best month

January

Water
+28.0°C
Length
100 m
Elephant Beach, also known as Hathi Tapu, is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving. It features rich marine life and crystal-clear water, popular for coral and marine life watching. Accessible by boat.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Elephant Beach, also known as Hathi Tapu, is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving. It features rich marine life and crystal-clear water, popular for coral and marine life watching. Accessible by boat.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Powdery white sand
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Coral reefs
  • Excellent snorkelling
  • Water sports
  • Scenic forest trail
  • Suitable for all levels

Cons

  • Crowded
  • Paid water activities
  • Limited infrastructure
  • No lifeguards
  • Requires trekking or boat
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for snorkelers, divers and water sports enthusiasts. Suitable for active recreation. Not suitable for those seeking solitude due to crowding.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Elephant Beach is one of the best places in the Andamans for snorkelling thanks to coral reefs that start at a depth of less than a metre. The beach is named after the elephants once used for timber transport.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
powdery
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
100 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+31.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November December January February March April
Season end
April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
12.0 km
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
No
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
1 pcs
Best restaurants

Big BITE

Indian and Seafood

Restaurant at Havelock ferry ghat, near Elephant Beach, with Indian cuisine and seafood

Barefoot Bar & Brasserie

International

Popular restaurant on Havelock with a huge international menu, near Elephant Beach

Fat Martin Cafe

Cafe

Small cafe on Havelock with modest ambience but amazing food

Golden Spoon

Indian

Roadside shack opposite Gelato Café on Havelock

Full Moon Cafe

International

Beachfront cafe on Havelock with ocean views and fresh seafood

Nearby cuisines

Indian

Indian cuisine with seafood and spices

Must try: Curry, fresh fish, rice

Seafood

Fresh Andaman Sea seafood

Must try: Grilled fish, prawns, crab, lobster

International

International cuisine with seafood and steaks

Must try: Seafood, steaks, pasta

Andamanese

Traditional Andamanese cuisine with coconut and seafood

Must try: Coconut curry, fish, rice
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
active
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
plenty
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Cash Snorkel mask
Best Time to Swim
Best time is November to April, in the dry season. In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. For snorkelling, the best time is morning.
Local Rules
Swimming in permitted areas. Do not touch corals. Littering is prohibited. Follow guide instructions.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Elephant Beach Trail

1.8-kilometre trail through tropical forest to the beach.

Radhanagar Beach

One of Asia-s best beaches 7 km away.

Havelock Jetty

Jetty where ferries arrive.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Elephant Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +31.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Elephant Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Elephant Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Elephant Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — powdery. Beach length — 100 metres.
Elephant Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November, December, January, February, March, April. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Elephant Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Elephant Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Elephant Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: toilets. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Elephant Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Elephant Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Big BITE, Barefoot Bar & Brasserie, Fat Martin Cafe. Cuisines available: Indian, Seafood, International, Andamanese. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Elephant Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Cash, Snorkel mask.
Elephant Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Best time is November to April, in the dry season. In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. For snorkelling, the best time is morning.
Elephant Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming in permitted areas. Do not touch corals. Littering is prohibited. Follow guide instructions.
Elephant Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Elephant Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for snorkelers, divers and water sports enthusiasts. Suitable for active recreation. Not suitable for those seeking solitude due to crowding.
Elephant Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Elephant Beach is one of the best places in the Andamans for snorkelling thanks to coral reefs that start at a depth of less than a metre. The beach is named after the elephants once used for timber transport.
Elephant Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Powdery white sand, Crystal-clear water, Coral reefs, Excellent snorkelling, Water sports, Scenic forest trail, Suitable for all levels. Cons: Crowded, Paid water activities, Limited infrastructure, No lifeguards, Requires trekking or boat.
Elephant Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Elephant Beach Trail, Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Jetty. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Elephant Beach: how do I get to the city of Havelock Island?
The beach is located near the city of Havelock Island. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Havelock Island.

City

Havelock Island

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.