> > by Craig Tansley
With its pure white silica sands and clear, turquoise waters, home to the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world, it’s not hard to see why some people consider Beach Number Seven (or Radhanagar as the local’s call it), the best beach in Asia.
Located on Havelock Island, the largest of the islands that comprise Ritchie’s Archipelago in India’s unspoilt Andaman Islands, Radhanagar is a perfect protected bay ideal for year-round swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. A line of palm trees completes the picture and there’s very little development to taint the environment. You could undertake a Iyengar Yoga workshop or stay at an eco- resort beside the sea, or just spend your days snorkelling by the sea-grass beds at the southern end of the beach.
You can also go big game fishing, diving or swim with Rajan, one of the infamous ocean-swimming elephants of the Andamans.
Perfect for the couple who:
Always envied Robins on Crusoe. Beach Number Seven receives less than 10, 000 visitors a year because of its isolation. It takes two hours by air from Calcutta to Port Blair then a further two hours by ferry to Havelock followed by a 20-minute bouncy car ride – but the reward is well worth it.