Kalapathar Beach

Overview

Kalapathar is the beach for the morning after Radhanagar. It runs along Havelock’s south-east coast at the end of the resort road, past the last of the Beach 5 hotels, and is named for the black volcanic rocks scattered along the shore. The road hugs the coast here so you get the whole panorama from your scooter — coconut palms, white sand, an unreal band of turquoise water, then the dark blue of the open sea — and there’s almost never a crowd.

Because it faces east it’s the island’s sunrise beach, and because it’s tidal, it changes character completely between high tide (swimmable shallows) and low tide (a wide, glassy expanse you can walk out across).

Getting there

From Havelock Jetty take the east-coast road through Villages 3 and 5 and keep going; the beach is 8–10 km, about 15–20 minutes by scooter. The road ends a little beyond the beach at Kalapathar village. Park at the roadside where you see the stalls.

What to do

• Sunrise. Come at first light with a chai from one of the stalls; you’ll have it more or less to yourself.
• Walk. The beach continues for a couple of kilometres south towards the tip of the island; the further you go the emptier it gets.
• Wade and float at high tide — the water is calm and clear.
• Photography — the black rocks against turquoise water at low tide are the classic shot.
• Explore tide pools at low tide (look, don’t touch).

Practical notes

• No facilities on the sand — a few tea and coconut stalls at the road are it. Carry water.
• Not a swimming beach at low tide — it’s ankle-deep for a long way out and there are rocks and coral rubble.
• The road along the coast is scenic but narrow; watch for autos and dogs.
• No lifeguard, no shade after mid-morning.
• Leave nothing behind — the beach is kept clean largely by the villagers.

Nearby

The Beach 5 café strip is on the way back; Radhanagar is on the opposite coast, about 30–35 minutes’ ride.