Explore Neil’s Cove: Havelock Island’s Hidden Gem

Havelock Island, long celebrated for its beautiful beaches and vibrant marine life, also hides a quieter gem. Tucked beside the iconic Radhanagar Beach lies a serene hideaway, Neil’s Cove, Havelock, perfect for a peaceful coastal escape. Radhanagar Beach itself, often considered one of the best beaches in Asia by TripAdvisor, draws travellers with its gentle turquoise waters, soft white sand, and shallow coral patches.

Complementing this iconic stretch, Neil’s Cove adds to the area’s appeal with its calm, intimate setting, ideal for swimming, snorkelling, or simply watching marine life drift close to the shore. For slower days, the shores offer simple pleasures such as leisurely beach walks, shoreline fishing, and bodyboarding along gentle waves, making the cove a must-visit destination in Havelock.

Staying at Barefoot at Havelock, Andaman opens up even more ways to experience Neil’s Cove. Its close proximity means you can walk from the resort to the cove in about 15 minutes, making it easy to explore its natural beauty at your own pace.

An aerial view of a beach, clear waters, and trees surrounding it, with a a winding road next to it.

A view of a beach from seashore alongside a mountain.

Neil's Cove: Radhanagar Beach’s Secluded Shoreline

Neil's Cove sits around a 16-minute walk from Radhanagar Beach, positioned near the end of the shoreline and the trail leading towards Elephant Beach. It forms a gentle horseshoe shape, creating naturally calm waters suitable for swimming and snorkelling.

It is considered an extension of Radhanagar Beach, which gained international acclaim after being listed among Asia's best beaches. The entire area is surrounded by lush forest, offering a serene atmosphere that feels far removed from busier beach stretches.

A sandy beach with shallow turquoise water, rocky formations along the shoreline, and a clear sky, showing a quiet coastal landscape by the sea.

A tropical beach lined with palm trees stretches along calm waters under a clear sky.

Idyllic Natural Setting

Travellers are drawn to the stillness and beauty of Neil's Cove. Its clear blue waters and unspoilt white sand beneath tall trees create a picture-perfect landscape. Coral formations close to the shore attract small fish, making snorkelling enjoyable even for beginners.

The beach is also renowned for its golden hour scenery, with sunsets that gently illuminate the lagoon. For anyone seeking quiet moments in nature, Neil's Cove offers a serene and almost magical escape.

Unforgettable Experiences at Neil’s Cove

Exploring Neil’s Cove offers a range of peaceful, nature-rich experiences. Visitors can enjoy swimming, beach walks, shell collecting, or unfurling a mat for early-morning yoga, letting the sound of waves and fresh sea breeze guide their breath.

Sunset kayaking along the calm lagoon adds another dimension of adventure. As the sun dips toward the horizon, golden hour and gentle sunsets provide a stunning backdrop for peaceful reflection.

Scuba divers underwater positioned near a colourful school of fish on Havelock Island.

A family standing on a beach at sunset, jumping with their hands raised, with their reflections visible on the wet sand and the sky filled with clouds.

Picturesque Activities at Neil’s Cove

The cove is also excellent for photography, videography, and bird or wildlife watching, thanks to its blend of forest, reef, rocks, and calm lagoon. Many travellers cherish the golden hour here and often choose this spot for sunset watching, kayaking, or peaceful picnics. Since Neil’s Cove feels like a secluded extension of Radhanagar Beach, it is ideal for those seeking calm, scenic experiences away from the main crowds.

Rock Pooling at Neil’s Cove

One of the most fascinating ways to experience Neil’s Cove is through a guided intertidal walk, or rock pooling, a resort-led activity conducted during low tide. Led by our resident naturalist, this immersive walk reveals the hidden life of the shoreline, where wave-carved rock pools emerge and shelter marine creatures such as starfish, octopus, moray eels, and small reef fish until the tide returns.

Offering a rare opportunity to observe coastal ecosystems up close on land, the experience is both educational and enriching, perfectly complementing the quiet, forest-fringed setting and unspoilt beauty of Neil’s Cove.

A child crouching on a rocky shoreline during low tide, examining tide pools and wet sand formations with the sea visible in the background.

A family of 3 walking on Radhanagar beach with clear waters and forest cover on either side of them.

How to Plan Your Visit to Neil’s Cove

Best Time to Visit: November to February is ideal, with calm seas, pleasant weather, and excellent snorkelling visibility.
How to Reach: Walk north from Radhanagar Beach for 10–15 minutes along the sand and forest trail to reach Neil’s Cove.
Entry/Fees: There is no entry fee to access Neil’s Cove or Radhanagar Beach.
Timings: Visit during daylight hours only; the beaches are open from sunrise to sunset.

To Avoid:

Swimming at dawn, dusk, or high tide (sea conditions can be unsafe, occasional croc sightings).
Visiting during the monsoon season (June–September) due to rough seas and rain disruptions.

Essentials:

Reefsafe sunscreen, plenty of water, light snacks, hat/sunglasses, a towel, and slip-proof footwear.
There are no shops, stalls, or facilities near the cove.

Snorkelling gear:

Shore-based rentals directly near the cove are generally not available.
Snorkelling equipment is available for hire on Havelock Island and at popular beaches, with typical rates starting at around Rupees 500+ per hire, depending on the operator.

A woman in a white dress walks barefoot on a serene beach at sunset.

A room with a wooden four-poster bed, white bedding, 2 bedside lamps, patterned walls, a small desk, chairs, and a red rug on the floor at Barefoot at Havelock.

Island-inspired Comfort at Barefoot at Havelock

After a day exploring the tranquillity of Neil’s Cove Beach, Havelock, you can return to the soothing comfort of Barefoot at Havelock, Andaman, a nature-immersed retreat set just a short 16-minute walk (1.2 km) from Radhanagar Beach.

Our resort offers eco-villas, cottages, and thatched tents thoughtfully built using cane, thatch, wood, and other natural materials, ensuring the surrounding rainforest remains undisturbed. Each accommodation is equipped with modern amenities and a private veranda that opens into lush greenery, creating a calm setting, ideal for unwinding.

Guests can savour fresh, locally inspired cuisine across our multiple restaurants and bars or unwind with slow, holistic treatments at the forest-tucked spa. Our resort also offers seasonal specials and curated experience packages that elevate your stay, allowing you to experience Havelock’s beauty with added comfort and convenience.

With its serene setting, eco-friendly design and effortless access to beaches, trails and marine adventures, Barefoot at Havelock, Andaman, offers a stay that feels deeply connected to the natural beauty of Havelock Island.

A spacious open-air wooden seating area with sofas and tables, featuring a high ceiling and large openings that overlook trees and greenery near Neil Cove Beach, Havelock, at Barefoot at Havelock.

Whether you seek solitude, natural beauty, or unforgettable marine encounters, Neil’s Cove, Havelock delivers it all. Just a short walk from Radhanagar Beach, this horseshoe-shaped cove offers snorkelling, coastal walks, and serene sunsets framed by forest. Its secluded shoreline remains one of the Andamans’ most rewarding coastal escapes, where swimming, nature walks, and photo-worthy moments make every visit unforgettable.

Neil’s Cove on Maps

FAQs

1. What is special about Neil’s Cove, Havelock?
Neil’s Cove is a quiet, scenic lagoon known for calm waters, coral reefs, and a serene forest backdrop.

2. How do I reach Neil’s Cove from Radhanagar Beach?
You can walk around 15 minutes northwest along the shoreline from Radhanagar Beach to reach the cove.

3. Is Neil’s Cove good for snorkelling?
Yes, its shallow, protected reefs make it excellent for beginner-friendly snorkelling.

4. Can I swim at Neil’s Cove?
Swimming is allowed only during safe tide conditions and should be avoided at dawn, dusk or high tide.

5. Where can I stay near Neil’s Cove?
Barefoot at Havelock, Andaman, offers eco-friendly villas and easy access to Radhanagar Beach and Neil’s Cove.