Taxi fares on Swaraj Dweep, better known as Havelock Island, are drawing growing scrutiny from tourists amid complaints of steep charges for short-distance travel on the popular tourist hub.
The island, located about a 1.5- to 3-hour ferry journey from Sri Vijaya Puram, covers roughly 113 square kilometres. Despite its relatively compact size, visitors say transport costs between the jetty, hotels and beaches are unexpectedly high, often adding significantly to the overall cost of a holiday. In many cases, taxis are arranged directly by hotels and resorts, with fares bundled into room tariffs, reducing transparency for travellers.
A business-to-business (B2B) taxi rate card accessed by The Wave Andaman lists a standard jetty-to-hotel pickup or drop at ₹450. Transfers to premium properties such as Taj, TSG Blue and Barefoot are priced at ₹1,200, while trips to Silver Sand or Sandyy Waves Beach Resort cost ₹600. A transfer to Silver Sand Village Resort is listed at ₹2,000. Other destinations include Jalakara (₹600), De Foret or Sea Hills (₹800), and Dolphin Beach Resort (₹450). Popular sightseeing trips also carry premium pricing, with round trips to Radhanagar Beach charged at ₹1,500 and Kalapathar Beach at ₹1,200. Elephant Beach transfers are priced at ₹350, with additional charges applicable in some cases, including for luggage.
Beyond the published rate card, some visitors have complained that during peak tourist season they were charged far higher amounts for select rides. In a few instances, tourists claim they ended up paying as much as ₹20,000 for bundled or extended taxi movements during their stay. While these claims could not be independently verified, they have intensified concerns around fare regulation and disclosure.
When contacted by The Wave Andaman, a local taxi driver confirmed that the rates cited were B2B prices. He declined to share what he described as “community rates,” saying these varied from driver to driver and were not disclosed publicly.
The situation has prompted comparisons with the taxi system in Goa, where local transport has long faced allegations of cartel-like behaviour and limited competition. While stakeholders caution against drawing direct parallels, the comparison has highlighted the absence of officially notified fares on Swaraj Dweep.
With ferry tickets already accounting for a substantial portion of travel costs, high local transport charges can significantly inflate visitor expenses. Some accommodation providers offset this by including taxi services within their packages, but many travellers remain dependent on private taxis at prevailing rates.
As tourist footfall continues to rise, the lack of transparent and standardised fare guidelines has emerged as a concern, prompting calls for clearer pricing norms to protect Swaraj Dweep’s image as a tourist-friendly destination.
