- Access
- Speedboat from Havelock jetty (~20 min) or 1.2 km trek
- Boat timings
- First departure ~08:30, last return ~15:30
- Trek
- 40–50 min each way, muddy and closed in heavy rain
- Boat cost
- ₹1,000 – ₹1,300 return, per person
- Facilities
- Basic changing tents, snack shacks, no lockers
- Best months
- November – April for visibility
Trek or speedboat — which is actually right for you
The trek starts near the forest check post on the Radhanagar road and is free apart from a forest entry formality. It is genuinely pretty and genuinely muddy. The speedboat is the default for a reason.
- Take the boat if you have children, limited time, or want to do multiple activities — it lands you on the activity side of the beach
- Take the trek if you are travelling light, comfortable in ankle-deep mud, and want the mangrove walk; start before 09:00
- The trek is often shut after heavy rain, and in the monsoon it is closed more often than open
- Trek arrivals land at the far end; activity operators are a 300 m walk down the sand
What the reef is actually like
Elephant Beach's reef is a shallow, partly bleached flat. It is excellent for a first snorkel or sea walk and unremarkable for an experienced diver — if you dive, go to Nemo Reef or the Havelock dive sites instead.
Booking on the sand vs booking ahead
- Rates below are the standard range charged by government-licensed operators
- Cash is still king on the beach; the nearest ATM is in Havelock market and frequently empty
- Ask for the operator's licence number before paying — insured operators display it
- Combo packages (3 activities) usually save 15–20% over paying individually
Rate card
Standard Elephant Beach activity rates, per person
| Sea walk | 20–25 min, helmet dive, includes photos | ₹3,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Snorkelling | 30 min with guide and gear | ₹1,000 – ₹1,200 |
| Jet ski | 10 min, pillion with operator | ₹1,200 – ₹1,500 |
| Parasailing | Single flight, boat-towed | ₹3,500 – ₹4,000 |
| Banana / bumper ride | 10 min, minimum 4 people | ₹600 – ₹800 |
| Glass-bottom boat | 20–30 min over the reef flat | ₹700 – ₹900 |
| Scuba (shore dive) | Beginner, 25–30 min underwater | ₹3,500 – ₹4,500 |
Speedboat transfer (₹1,000–₹1,300 return) is charged separately and is not included in any activity price.
Cost tool
Elephant Beach water sports budget calculator
Licensed-operator rates verified on 14 August 2026. Picking three or more activities applies the combo pricing operators sell at Elephant Beach (roughly 15% off walk-up rates).
- Per person
- ₹5,600
- Combo saving
- —
- Group total
- ₹11,200
Beach operators take cash. The nearest ATM is in Havelock market and is frequently out of notes — carry what you plan to spend.
Add these activities to a costed itineraryFrequently asked questions
How much do water sports cost at Elephant Beach?
Sea walk is around ₹3,500, snorkelling ₹1,000–₹1,200, jet ski ₹1,200–₹1,500, parasailing ₹3,500–₹4,000 and a beginner scuba dive ₹3,500–₹4,500 — all per person, with the ₹1,000–₹1,300 return speedboat charged separately.
Should I trek or take the boat to Elephant Beach?
Take the boat if you want to do activities, are short on time, or travelling with children — it drops you at the activity end. Trek only in dry weather, starting before 09:00; it takes 40–50 minutes each way through mud and mangrove.
What are Elephant Beach boat timings?
Speedboats start around 08:30 from Havelock jetty and the last return is about 15:30. Boats do not run in rough sea conditions, which is common June to September.
Do I need to know swimming for the sea walk?
No. The sea walk uses a weighted helmet and you stand on the seabed at 5–7 metres with an instructor holding you. Non-swimmers do it daily.
Free download
Printable Andaman ferry & logistics cheat sheet
One page with every ferry class and fare, cab rates, activity prices, convoy timings and the rules that catch people out. Print it or keep it on your phone — the islands have patchy data.
Want it checked against your actual dates? Leave your details and our Port Blair desk sends a dated version with live ferry availability.
Ask our Port Blair desk about Elephant Beach water sports
Timings and fares shift with the season. Tell us your dates and we'll confirm what is actually running — no obligation, no call centre.