WHAT WILL YOU SEE FROM THE FERRY TO HAVELOCK?

Looking out the window on your journey from Port Blair to Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

For many visitors, the journey from Port Blair to Havelock Island is simply the way you get to the holiday.

You board the ferry, find your seat, put your bags away and wait for the announcement that you're on your way.

But if you take a moment to look out of the window, you'll discover that the Port Blair to Havelock ferry journey is also your first introduction to the Andaman Sea.

And sometimes, the best thing you will see is... nothing at all.

FIRST, THE BIG BLUE

As the ferry leaves Port Blair, the busy harbour gradually disappears behind you.

The view changes.

Buildings give way to open water. The shoreline becomes smaller. The horizon stretches further and further until there is nothing between you and the enormous expanse of the Andaman Sea.

Depending on the ferry, weather and route, you may catch glimpses of islands, forested shorelines, boats and other vessels along the way.

But don't worry if you don't.

The Andaman Sea doesn't put on a show to a timetable.

Sometimes it is turquoise and sparkling.

Sometimes it is deep blue.

Sometimes the sky and sea seem to merge into one enormous blue-grey landscape.

And sometimes... there is simply water, sky and horizon.

That's when you might want to stop looking for something to see.

And simply look.

WHICH FERRY WILL TAKE YOU TO HAVELOCK?

There are several ways to make the journey from Port Blair to Havelock Island, officially known as Swaraj Dweep.

Private high-speed ferries such as Makruzz and Nautika operate services between the islands, alongside government ferry services.

Whichever ferry you choose, try to get yourself a window seat if you can.

Not because you are guaranteed a spectacular view.

But because you never know what the sea will decide to show you.

The journey itself can become part of your Andaman Islands holiday.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE WATER - YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MIGHT APPEAR

One of the joys of travelling through the Andaman Sea is that the view isn't always about the islands.

Sometimes, the sea itself puts on a show.

As you settle into your seat on the Port Blair to Havelock ferry, keep looking out of the window.

You may see the occasional flash of silver as fish break the surface, sometimes leaping surprisingly high out of the water.

And if you're lucky, you might witness something even more spectacular.

FLYING FISH

Flying fish are one of the wonderful surprises of an ocean crossing.

You may only catch a glimpse—a flash of silver, a flicker across the waves and then they're gone.

Sometimes they seem to skim across the surface before disappearing back into the sea.

So keep watching.

You never quite know when the Andaman Sea will provide its own little wildlife show.

TUNA

Depending on the season and conditions, you may also see tuna breaking the surface.

A school of fish can create an extraordinary sight as several fish leap through the water almost simultaneously.

It happens quickly, so don't be surprised if you see something spectacular, look away for a second, and miss it completely!

That's part of the fun.

The Andaman Sea isn't a wildlife aquarium. There are no guarantees and no scheduled performances.

You simply have to be paying attention.

AND THEN THERE ARE THE DOLPHINS

Yes, dolphins are also possible sightings during the ferry journey.

Seeing dolphins from a ferry is one of those moments that can instantly transform an ordinary journey into a holiday memory.

You might see them travelling alongside the boat, surfacing briefly before disappearing beneath the waves, or spotting them in the distance.

Keep your eyes on the water and, if you see other passengers suddenly looking excitedly towards one side of the ferry, it's always worth looking too!

And remember: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

That's precisely what makes them special.

SOMETIMES YOU WILL SEE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

This may sound like strange advice for a travel blog.

But here's something worth knowing before your Andaman Islands holiday:

You might look out of the ferry window and see nothing particularly exciting.

No dolphins.

No dramatic island.

No spectacular boat.

No Instagram moment.

Just the sea.

And that's okay.

Actually, it might be wonderful.

Because when there is nothing demanding your attention, your mind gets a rare opportunity to wander.

There is no road to watch.

No traffic.

No buildings.

No signs.

No emails.

No list of things to do.

Just the horizon.

TRY THIS: LOOK AT THE HORIZON FOR A FEW MINUTES

We spend an extraordinary amount of our lives looking at things that are close to us.

Screens.

Books.

Roads.

Buildings.

Work.

Other people.

The ferry gives you an opportunity to do something very different.

Look far away.

Find the horizon.

And simply watch it.

There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about looking across an enormous expanse of ocean.

The gentle movement of the ferry, the sound of the engines, the changing light on the water and the enormous openness of the sea can create a natural pause between one part of your journey and the next.

And perhaps that's exactly what a holiday should begin with.

A pause.

WHY LOOKING AT THE HORIZON FEELS SO GOOD

There is something about looking into the distance that encourages us to slow down.

Instead of concentrating on a screen or a nearby object, your eyes are given a vast open landscape.

There is no tiny detail demanding your attention.

No notification.

No decision.

No problem to solve.

Just distance.

Spending time near water has also been associated with feelings of relaxation, restoration and connection with nature.

So if you find yourself sitting at the ferry window for twenty minutes doing absolutely nothing, don't feel as though you're wasting time.

You may actually be doing exactly what you need.

Sometimes a holiday begins when you stop filling every minute of it.

DON'T FORGET TO LOOK UP

The view isn't always in front of you.

Look up occasionally.

Cloud formations over the Andaman Sea can be spectacular, particularly around the changing weather of the tropical seasons.

On sunny days, the contrast between brilliant blue sky and deep blue water can be almost surreal.

And if you're lucky, you may see birds flying overhead or skimming across the surface.

The Andaman Islands are home to rich terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and Swaraj Dweep itself is known for its forests, beaches and surrounding marine environment.

WATCH HOW THE COLOUR OF THE SEA CHANGES

One of the simplest pleasures of the Port Blair to Havelock ferry journey is noticing that the sea isn't really one colour.

Near the shore, the water can appear pale turquoise.

Further out, it becomes a deeper blue.

Under clouds, it can turn silver-grey.

When the sun breaks through, patches of brilliant blue can suddenly appear.

Look at the water for a while and you'll start noticing these subtle changes.

It's a surprisingly good antidote to the urge to constantly photograph everything.

THE JOURNEY IS PART OF YOUR ANDAMAN ADVENTURE

By the time Havelock Island begins to appear on the horizon, you may find that something has changed.

You have left Port Blair behind.

The sea has surrounded you.

The horizon has stretched your sense of space.

And you have had time to simply sit and watch the world go by.

Then, gradually, the green outline of Swaraj Dweep becomes clearer.

The island gets larger.

The water becomes shallower and brighter.

The ferry slows.

And suddenly you are arriving.

THEN THE REAL ISLAND LIFE BEGINS

Havelock Island is known for its beautiful beaches, tropical forests and marine environment, and is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Andaman Islands.

But we think the holiday begins before you even step onto the jetty.

It begins when you leave Port Blair.

It begins when the buildings disappear.

It begins when you look out of the window and realise that there is nothing you need to do.

Just watch.

Breathe.

Look at the horizon.

And let the Andaman Sea carry you towards the island.

A LITTLE EMERALD GECKO TIP

When you board your Port Blair to Havelock ferry, don't immediately put on your headphones and start scrolling through your phone.

Find a window.

Put the phone away for ten minutes.

Look at the sea.

Look for islands.

Look for boats.

Look for flying fish.

Keep an eye out for dolphins.

Watch for fish breaking the surface.

And if you see absolutely nothing?

Enjoy that too.

Because sometimes the most valuable thing a journey gives us isn't something to look at.

It's a few minutes when there is nothing to look at—and nowhere else to be.

And that might be the perfect beginning to your island holiday.

EMERALD GECKO RESORT

Emerald Gecko Resort – Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), Andaman Islands

Come for the beaches.

Stay for the island life.

And perhaps, on the way here, put your phone away, find a window and watch the horizon.

Your Andaman adventure starts the moment you leave the harbour.