Vijayanagar Beach
Also known as Vijaynagar Beach, Vijay Nagar Beach or Beach No. 5, on the east coast of Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep).
Quick Facts About Vijayanagar Beach
Vijayanagar Beach is a calm, tree-backed beach on the east coast of Havelock Island, roughly 7 to 9 km from the jetty. Entry is free, it is best at sunrise, and the sea is shallow but rocky in places. Most visitors treat it as their resort beach, not a separate excursion.
| Location and distance | East coast of Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), also called Beach No. 5. Roughly 7 to 9 km from Havelock jetty. |
| How to reach, and how long | Ferry from Port Blair to Havelock (1.5 to 2.5 hours), then taxi, auto or rented scooter from the jetty, about 15 to 20 minutes. |
| Entry fee or permit | Free. No separate permit for the beach. Indian visitors need only a photo ID; foreign nationals receive a free Restricted Area Permit on arrival in Port Blair. |
| Timings | Open all day. No ticket gate. Best light is at sunrise. |
| Best time of day, best months | Early morning for sunrise and calm sea. October to May overall, with November to February the most reliable. |
| Swimming allowed | Yes, but the seabed is shallow and rocky in patches. Fine for wading and gentle dips, not soft-sand swimming. No lifeguards. |
| Activities available | Sunrise watching, snorkelling, kayaking, plus sea walking and scuba through nearby operators, beach walks and cycling. |
| Facilities | Basic. Resort toilets and cafes rather than public lockers or changing rooms. Natural shade from palm and mahua trees. |
| Food options nearby | Mostly resort restaurants on the beach itself. Independent cafes cluster near the main market and Beach No. 3, a few km away. |
| Time needed to do it properly | Two to three hours, or a slow half day if you are staying at a beachfront resort. |
About Vijayanagar Beach
Vijayanagar Beach, also called Beach No. 5, sits on the east coast of Havelock Island in the Andamans. It is a long, calm, tree-lined stretch known for quiet sunrises rather than swimming. Several resorts line the shore, so for many visitors it is simply the beach in front of their hotel.
Havelock’s postcard beach is Radhanagar, on the west coast. Vijayanagar sits on the opposite side, facing the Bay of Bengal, and its character is gentler, greener and much quieter through the middle of the day. It runs for a couple of kilometres behind a screen of palm and mahua trees, with resorts such as Symphony Palms and Havelock Island Beach Resort opening directly onto it. That is the single most useful thing to know: if your hotel is on the east side of the island, Vijayanagar is your doorstep beach, not a half-day excursion.
What Makes Vijayanagar Beach Special?
What sets Vijayanagar Beach apart is its east-facing calm. While Radhanagar draws crowds for sunset on the west coast, Vijayanagar stays quiet and catches the sunrise over the Bay of Bengal. It is also a resort beach, so shade, a deck chair and a coffee are usually within walking distance.
Vijayanagar is often sold as a secret. It is not one, and pretending otherwise sets you up for a let-down. What it actually is: the working front yard of a row of resorts, which is exactly why it is convenient. You get a wide, shaded beach with a bathroom and a kitchen a short walk behind you, and none of the tour buses that roll into Radhanagar every afternoon.
The sunrise is the real draw. The beach faces east with an open horizon, so the sun lifts straight out of the sea. In season you will not be alone at 5 am, but the crowd is a dozen early risers with cameras. By mid-morning most have left for Radhanagar or Elephant Beach and the sand empties out.
What to Expect at Vijayanagar Beach?
Expect a long, calm, shallow beach backed by palm and mahua trees, not a wild empty shore. The water is clear and gentle, good for wading and paddling. The catch is the seabed: patches of coral rubble and rock make it rough underfoot, so it is not the soft-sand swimming you get at Radhanagar.
Can you swim at Vijayanagar Beach?
You can swim at Vijayanagar Beach, but manage expectations. The water is calm and stays shallow well out, yet the seabed turns rocky and coral-strewn in places, so it feels rough underfoot. Wear water shoes, avoid low tide for swimming, and keep young children to the sandier patches.
The sand layer is thin and sits over coral and rock, so barefoot wading can be uncomfortable and low tide exposes more of it. There are no lifeguards, so read the water yourself. For an easy dip it is fine. For proper swimming, Radhanagar and Kalapathar are better.
Is Vijayanagar Beach a sunrise or sunset spot?
Vijayanagar Beach is a sunrise spot. It faces east across the Bay of Bengal, so the sun comes up straight over the water. Arrive by around 5 am in season for the best light. For sunset you want Radhanagar on the west coast, roughly 11 km away.
How busy does Vijayanagar Beach get?
Vijayanagar Beach is quieter than Radhanagar or Elephant Beach, but it is not deserted. Guests from the beachfront resorts walk it at sunrise and in the late afternoon. Midday is emptiest, because most people head to Radhanagar. You will rarely feel crowded, only occasionally have it to yourself.
Sand, shade and facilities
The sand is white and firm, with a thin layer over coral in parts. Palm and mahua trees give genuine shade near the tree line, which is unusual for an Andaman beach. Facilities are basic: expect resort toilets and cafes rather than public lockers or changing rooms.
Things to Do at Vijayanagar Beach
The main thing to do at Vijayanagar Beach is slow down: watch the sunrise, walk the shoreline, and swim gently. Treat it as a base for calm mornings, not a water-sports hub like Elephant Beach.
Watch the sunrise
The one thing worth setting an alarm for. Walk out before 5 am, pick a spot near the water, and wait. Sun beds and the resort decks give you somewhere to sit. It costs nothing and it is the best hour on this beach.
Beach walks and cycling
The beach is long enough for a proper walk in either direction, and the flat coastal road behind it is good for cycling. Many resorts rent bicycles and scooters. Early morning and late afternoon are the comfortable hours; midday sun here is strong.
Reading, picnics and doing nothing
With shade close to the sand and few crowds through the day, this is a good beach to bring a book, a picnic and no plan. Collect shells, nap under the trees, and let the resort handle lunch.
How to Reach Vijayanagar Beach
To reach Vijayanagar Beach, take a ferry from Port Blair to Havelock (1.5 to 2.5 hours), then travel about 7 to 9 km from the jetty by taxi, auto or scooter, roughly 15 to 20 minutes. There is no flight or road link to Havelock; the ferry is the only way onto the island.
Getting to Havelock from Port Blair
Ferries leave Port Blair through the morning. Private catamarans run by Makruzz, Green Ocean, Nautika and Sea Link are the comfortable option, and you book them online in advance. The cheaper government ferry sells tickets at the counter and books out fast, so plan ahead. Prices below are indicative and change with season and fuel surcharge, so confirm at booking.
| Ferry type | Indicative fare (one way) |
| Government ferry | Around 600 to 920 rupees per adult, plus port fee. |
| Private (economy to premium) | From around 1,000 to 1,500 rupees, plus fuel surcharge, GST and port fee. |
| Private (business class) | Around 3,000 rupees and up. |
From Havelock jetty to the beach
Outside the jetty you will find taxis and auto-rickshaws, with roughly fixed rates for the short run to the east-coast resorts. Renting a scooter gives you the most freedom. The road runs about 7 to 9 km through greenery, small shops and village homes, and takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Getting around once you are there
A scooter or bicycle is the easiest way to move between Vijayanagar, Radhanagar and the market. Mobile signal is patchy across Havelock, so if you use a taxi, fix a return pickup time with the driver in advance rather than relying on calling later.
Best Time to Visit Vijayanagar Beach
The best time to visit Vijayanagar Beach is October to May, when the sea is calm and skies are clear. November to February is the most comfortable. Avoid June to September: the monsoon brings rough seas, heavy rain and ferry cancellations. For the beach itself, come at sunrise.
The trade-offs sit inside that window. December and January are peak: best weather, highest prices, ferries and resorts booked out weeks ahead. March to May stays clear and good for snorkelling, but hot and humid. October and late May are quieter and cheaper, with a small risk of a wet day. Whenever you come, the beach is best in the first hour of light.
Where to Eat Near Vijayanagar Beach
Eating options right at Vijayanagar Beach are mostly resort restaurants, since the shore is lined with hotels rather than a food strip. For independent cafes you ride a few kilometres toward the main market and Beach No. 3. Carry cash, as card machines and signals can be unreliable.
- Something Different: a relaxed beachside cafe near the No. 3 market area, known for seafood and a slow, sit-a-while setting
- Full Moon Cafe: a long-running Havelock favourite popular for breakfasts, thalis and juices, a short ride from the beach.
- Resort restaurants on the beach: the dining rooms at properties like Havelock Island Beach Resort and Symphony Palms serve fresh seafood and Indian meals; some take non-guests by arrangement.
Nearby Hotels and Resorts
Vijayanagar Beach is one of Havelock’s main resort strips. Beachfront and near-beach stays include Symphony Palms Beach Resort, Havelock Island Beach Resort, Wild Orchid and the government-run Dolphin Resort, with mid-range options a short ride inland. Book early for December and January.
If you would rather not juggle ferry classes, transfers and which resort actually opens onto the beach, a local Andaman operator like andamantourism.org can arrange the trip end to end, with on-ground knowledge of routes, permits and seasonal conditions that mainland agencies tend to miss.
Additional Information
Entry Cost: Free. No ticket or gate.
Timings: Open all day, every day (weather permitting).
Address: East coast, Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Closed on: Not applicable, open daily.
Locker Facility: None public. Use your resort.
Life Guards: Not stationed. Swim at your own judgement.
Water Sports: Commercial water activities like snorkelling, kayaking, sea walking are not available on the beach. Your best option is Elephant Beach.
Mobile Connectivity: Patchy. BSNL and Airtel work best; expect dead spots.
Is Vijayanagar Beach Worth Visiting?
Vijayanagar Beach is worth visiting if you value a calm sunrise and a slow morning over swimming and drama. On a short 4-to-7-day trip, treat it as a bonus when you are staying nearby, not a separate excursion. For your headline beach day, Radhanagar still wins.
Put simply: do not build a special trip around Vijayanagar, and do not skip it if it is on your doorstep. If your resort is on the east coast, get up for one sunrise here, walk the beach, have a slow breakfast, and spend the rest of the day at Radhanagar, Elephant Beach or Kalapathar. Judged that way, it earns its place easily. Judged as a swimming or water-sports beach, it will let you down.
Related Andaman Terms and Places
- Swaraj Dweep: the official name for Havelock Island since 2018.
- Beach No. 5: the local numbering used for Vijayanagar Beach.
- Radhanagar Beach (Beach No. 7): Havelock’s famous west-coast sunset beach, about 11 km away.
- Elephant Beach: Havelock’s snorkelling and water-sports beach, reached by boat or a short trek.
- Kalapathar Beach: another quiet east-coast Havelock beach known for sunrise and black-rock scenery.
- Makruzz, Green Ocean and Nautika: the main private ferry operators between Port Blair and Havelock.
- Restricted Area Permit (RAP): the registration foreign nationals receive free on arrival to visit the islands.
- Mahua tree: the shade-giving tree common along Vijayanagar’s tree line.
- Bongadera: a local name sometimes used for the Vijayanagar area.
Vijayanagar Beach FAQs
Is Vijayanagar Beach good for swimming?
It is fine for a gentle dip, not for proper swimming. The water is calm and shallow, but the seabed is rocky and coral-strewn in patches, so it feels rough underfoot and low tide exposes more of it. Wear water shoes, and for real swimming choose Radhanagar or Kalapathar instead.
How far is Vijayanagar Beach from Havelock jetty?
Roughly 7 to 9 km, a 15 to 20 minute ride by taxi, auto or scooter. Sources vary on the exact figure because the resorts sit along a stretch of coast rather than a single point. Confirm the distance to your specific hotel when you book.
Is Vijayanagar Beach a sunrise or sunset beach?
Sunrise. It faces east over the Bay of Bengal, so the sun rises straight out of the water. Arrive by about 5 am in season. Havelock’s sunset beach is Radhanagar on the west coast, so you cannot see both from the same spot.
Is Vijayanagar Beach the same as Beach No. 5?
Yes. Vijayanagar Beach, spelled Vijaynagar or Vijay Nagar on some sites, is the beach locally numbered Beach No. 5 on the east coast of Havelock Island. Radhanagar is Beach No. 7. The numbering is a quick way locals and drivers identify each stretch.
Do I need a permit to visit Vijayanagar Beach?
Indian visitors need no permit, only a photo ID. Foreign nationals no longer arrange a permit in advance; they receive a free Restricted Area Permit on arrival in Port Blair, valid for the common islands including Havelock. A few nationalities remain exceptions and should check current rules.
Is Vijayanagar Beach crowded like Radhanagar?
No. It stays much quieter, especially in the middle of the day when most visitors are at Radhanagar. You will see resort guests at sunrise and late afternoon, but rarely a real crowd. That calm is the main reason to come here rather than the busier beaches.
What water sports can you do at Vijayanagar Beach?
Mostly snorkelling and kayaking in the calm shallows, with sea walking and beginner scuba arranged through nearby Havelock operators. It is not a dedicated water-sports beach like Elephant Beach, so book activities through your resort or a dive centre and expect to travel for the bigger dives.
Is Vijayanagar Beach worth visiting on a short trip?
Yes if you are staying nearby, no as a separate excursion. On a 4 to 7 day Andaman trip, give it one sunrise and a slow morning, then spend the day at Radhanagar or Elephant Beach. It is a bonus beach, not a headline one.
Are there ATMs and mobile signals at Vijayanagar Beach?
Not at the beach itself. ATMs sit a few kilometres away near the main market, and mobile signal across Havelock is patchy, with BSNL and Airtel the most reliable. Carry enough cash for the day and do not count on card machines or a steady connection.
What is the best time to visit Vijayanagar Beach?
October to May, and early in the morning. November to February gives the calmest sea and clearest skies but the highest prices. March to May is hotter but still good for snorkelling. Avoid the June to September monsoon, when rough seas and ferry cancellations are common.