Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans is the most polished place to stay in the Andaman Islands and the one to book if you want Radhanagar Beach on your doorstep with proper hotel comfort behind you. It sits on 46.5 acres of forest on Swaraj Dweep, the island most people still call Havelock. Its 72 villas stand on stilts among the trees rather than in rows facing the sea. The beach in front is Radhanagar, a long curve of pale sand with Blue Flag certification and a reputation as one of the finest in Asia.
Raised off the ground under tall trees, the villas feel more like a quiet camp in the jungle than a resort block. There are three restaurants, an infinity-edge pool and a spa, which on an island with few upscale options is a lot.
Booking sites show entry villas from roughly $300 a night in quieter months, approximate and higher over Indian holidays and the December to March peak. It suits couples who want beach days, snorkeling and diving with reliable food and air conditioning at the end of them. Couples who want private pools and butlers on tap will find more of that in the Maldives.
Highlights at a glance
- 72 stilted villas spread through 46.5 acres of forest
- Steps from Blue Flag-certified Radhanagar Beach
- Three restaurants, including regional Indian at The Settlers
- J Wellness Circle spa and an infinity-edge pool
- Diving, snorkeling and night kayaking arranged on site
Why Couples Choose Taj Exotica
The Andamans have plenty of simple beach huts and dive lodges, but very few places where you can count on a good bed, consistent service and a restaurant you would happily eat at three nights running. Taj Exotica fills that gap. It is part of the Taj group, so the standards feel familiar if you have stayed at a Taj palace on the mainland.
The setting does the rest. The villas are spread out under tall trees, paths are lit low at night and the sound you hear most is birdsong. A few minutes' walk takes you onto Radhanagar, which faces west and turns gold at sunset. Day visitors come and go along the public part of the beach, yet early mornings and evenings are calm. For a honeymoon that mixes Indian travel with real downtime, it makes a soft landing after Delhi or Rajasthan.
Villas to Book
Every room here is a villa raised on stilts, with a king-size canopy bed, a minibar and a veranda. You choose mainly by outlook: garden-view villas look into the forested grounds, while mangrove-facing villas sit beside the wetland edge and feel a little wilder. Ask the reservations team which villas are closest to the beach path if you plan to swim several times a day.
For a splurge, the Tata Suite is the top accommodation and the only one with butler service. It makes sense for a short stay when you want to stay put and be looked after.
Check what each rate includes before you book. The resort offers room-only and breakfast-inclusive rates as well as packages. The breakfast rate is usually worth it on an island where eating out means a drive. Book early for December to March.
Food, Drink and the Spa
There are three places to eat. The Settlers serves regional Indian food, a good chance to try Andaman seafood cooked with mainland spices. Turtle House leans Mediterranean and Mexican for nights when you want something lighter. Shoreline is the multi-cuisine all-day restaurant. Ask about a private dinner set up near the beach for one evening; it is the kind of thing the staff do well with a day's notice.
The J Wellness Circle spa offers organic treatments, yoga and a salon. A couples massage after a morning of diving is the obvious move. There is also an infinity-edge pool and an outdoor pool for days when the sea is choppy, plus a gym.
Alcohol is available at the resort, though prices are higher than on the mainland. Most couples settle into a routine of breakfast, beach, a long lunch and a spa slot before sunset.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do on Swaraj Dweep
The resort runs or books most of the island's best outings. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the headline: the reefs around Swaraj Dweep suit beginners and certified divers alike. The resort can arrange both. Elephant Beach, reached by boat or a forest walk, is the easy snorkeling day.
Other options include game fishing, forest treks, day and night kayaking through the mangroves, a visit to a Havelock village and turtle-nesting walks in season. Night kayaking in bioluminescent water is a highlight when conditions allow.
For a change of island, book a day trip to Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) for its natural rock arch and quiet beaches. Back in Sri Vijaya Puram, the Cellular Jail light-and-sound show is sobering and worth an evening if you have a night there between flights. Mount Harriet (Manipur) National Park and Chidiya Tapu are good half days from the capital.
Getting There
Fly into Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) in Sri Vijaya Puram, the city long known as Port Blair, usually via Chennai, Kolkata or Delhi. From there, a ferry of about 90 minutes crosses to Swaraj Dweep. The resort offers airport pickup and drop-off and can help with ferry tickets; call reservations at least 24 hours before arrival to set it up.
Ferries are the weak link. Schedules depend on weather and services can be canceled in rough seas, so avoid booking the last ferry of the day on the same day as a long-haul arrival. Many couples spend one night in Sri Vijaya Puram on the way in or out to protect their connection home.
Plan at least four nights on the island. The journey takes a full day each way from mainland India, so two nights would be mostly travel.
Good to Know Before You Go
The best weather runs from roughly November to April, with calm seas and clear water for diving. The southwest monsoon from about May to September brings heavy rain, rough ferries and limited diving.
Radhanagar can have strong waves and currents at times. Swim only where lifeguards are posted and follow the flags. The Andamans also have saltwater crocodiles in some creeks and mangroves, so heed any posted warnings and never swim near river mouths at dusk.
Mosquitoes are active year-round, so pack repellent and use the nets and screens. Dengue occurs in the islands; if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices before you go.
Dress is relaxed at the resort, but cover shoulders and knees in villages and at the jail memorial. Mobile signal and Wi-Fi can be patchy, which some couples count as a perk.
Is It Worth It?
For the Andamans, yes. Nothing else on Swaraj Dweep matches its mix of setting, food and service. At around $300 a night in quieter months it costs a fraction of a comparable Maldives resort. You are paying for the beach position and for not having to think about logistics on islands where very little runs smoothly.
It is not flawless. Villas are comfortable rather than lavish, there are no overwater rooms and the ferry adds friction at both ends. The public beach means you will share Radhanagar with day visitors in the middle of the day.
Pick elsewhere if you want total privacy and a plunge pool of your own, or if you would rather put the money toward a longer stay in Kerala. For couples combining India's cities with real beach time, it is the strongest choice in the islands.
Insider tips
- Book the breakfast-inclusive rate; eating out on Swaraj Dweep means a drive and limited choice.
- Call reservations at least 24 hours ahead to set up airport pickup and ferry tickets.
- Swim on Radhanagar early in the morning, before day-trippers arrive from the jetty.
- Ask about night kayaking; bioluminescence is best on dark, moonless nights.
