Barefoot at Havelock

Set on a white sand beach backed by lush rainforest, and fronting a turquoise sea shimmering with pristine coral reefs, Barefoot at Havelock Island is the perfect place to hide yourself away for a week or six, and enjoy remote luxury, India’s finest diving experience and just a dash of adventure. The property’s twenty or so simple but tastefully decorated thatched cottages and suites echo the local tribal Andaman and Nicobari houses, and the philosophy is very ecologically minded.

Superb Indian fare is served, and there are plenty of charming spots, along with an Ayurvedic spa and gentle yoga classes to enjoy where it is all too easy to let a few hours drift by. If you prefer being active, the diving or snorkelling, organised by Barefoot’s own PADI dive shop is simply mesmerising. You can also rent a sea kayak, go on a nature walk and spend some time with Rajan the elephant who sometimes enjoys a swim in the sea. In short, Barefoot at Havelock is utter bliss.