NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST
Remote island adventure in the Andaman Sea
India’s newest luxury untouched beach resort destination has recently opened in the relatively undiscovered Havelock Island. Located on crescent-shaped Radhanagar Beach, one of the best beaches in Asia, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans has constructed 72 luxurious villas on 46 acres of mangroves and forest while respecting and nurturing the island’s fragile eco-system.
The adventure starts on a journey to one of the most remote islands in the Andaman Sea, a two-and-one-half hour catamaran ride from Port Blair. Home to 135 marine species, divers will enjoy the archipelago’s Minerva Ledge, the gently sloping Neil’s Cove, and famous Johnny’s Gorge Manta Rays and Lionfish. Wreck divers will thrill at the discovery and exploration of the MV Mars. 47 square meters of awesome await at the Deluxe Villa on stilts, providing the best of luxurious outdoor living in a unique structure featuring an outside deck and a semi-circular thatched roof inspired by the Jarawa tribe.
Not a single tree was felled during construction of the villas that pay homage to the indigenous Jarawa’s pitch-roof stilted huts. The lobby on stilts invites guests to spectacular beach views and a 50-metre infinity swimming pool. Given its commitment to the region, Taj has set up an onsite bottling plant eliminating the use of plastic bottles, a waste disposal system which converts wet waste to gas, and a compost and treatment plant to limit its carbon footprint.
When lounging turns to wandering, enjoy the call of nature as a resident naturalist helps you understand the nesting populations of the Giant Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles, between December and February each year. Often these 2000-pound endangered species will be found right on the shores of Nicobar Island.
More natural encounters are served up on the southernmost tip of the Andamans at Chidiyatapu (Bird’s Island). Birders and photographers will enjoy this overnight excursion with sightings of many local exotic species including, White-breasted Kingfisher, Scarlet Minivet, Glossy Starling, Andaman Cuckoos and Bulbuls. taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-exotica-andamans