When the island sleeps, the ocean reveals what daylight hides — paddle under the Andaman stars
Most people experience Havelock Island between sunrise and sunset — the turquoise shallows, the white sand, the postcard version. But the island has a second life that begins when the last restaurant closes and the beach road goes dark. Night kayaking in Havelock takes you into that hidden chapter — out onto water that feels different after dark, sounds different, moves different. The wind drops, the tide shifts, and the stars come close enough to touch.
This is not an adrenaline activity. Night kayaking in the Andaman Islands is meditative. It strips away the noise of the day, the itinerary pressure, and the constant checking of phones. On the water at night, you are fully present. Depending on conditions, you might paddle through patches of bioluminescent plankton, spot night herons hunting along mangrove roots, or trace the Southern Cross low on the horizon — a constellation invisible from most of mainland India.
Meet your guide, get fitted with LED safety kit and life jacket. Learn night-specific paddling protocol — formation, signaling in the dark, and low-splash techniques.
Push off from shore into water warmer than the air. The sounds of the island recede as your LED light creates a soft halo around your kayak on the dark ocean.
Paddle along the coastline or through mangrove channels. Your guide narrates constellations, identifies sounds, and explains the tides of the Andaman archipelago.
Kayaks raft together, all lights off. Sit in total darkness on the ocean as the Milky Way stretches overhead. The silence guests call “the loudest quiet they’ve ever heard.”
Paddle back with newfound confidence. At base, enjoy warm chai while your guide shares GoPro images and the group bonds over shared amazement at the night sea.
Every guide holds NIWS certification with additional training in night navigation, low-visibility communication, and dark-water emergency response.
Every kayak has a 360° LED beacon visible from 200m. Reflective strips, escort safety boat, and marine radio — real safety, not just a headlamp.
The whole point of night kayaking is immersion in the quiet. Our small groups move silently, see more, and leave the ecosystem undisturbed.
Departure times shift daily based on tides, wind, and moonrise — so you always paddle in the best possible conditions for that night.
Night conditions require extra safety measures, and we take this seriously. Every night kayaking tour is led by NIWS certified guides with extensive experience navigating Havelock waters after dark.
Is night kayaking safe in Havelock?
Absolutely. Our NIWS certified guides lead every tour with LED-equipped kayaks, safety lights, and escort boats. We only operate in calm, sheltered waters.
What will I see during night kayaking?
Depending on the moon phase, you may see bioluminescence, star reflections on the water, nocturnal marine life, and the stunning Andaman night sky.
What should I bring for night kayaking?
Wear comfortable clothes that can get wet. We provide everything else including life jackets, waterproof bags for phones, and headlamps.
How long is the night kayaking tour?
Our guided night kayaking experience lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, including a safety briefing and equipment setup.
Can beginners do night kayaking?
Yes! Our sit-on-top kayaks are extremely stable and our guides provide complete instruction before departure. No prior experience needed.
Book your night kayaking experience in Havelock today. Discover the ocean after dark with our expert guides.
While night kayaking in Havelock is the most popular after-dark paddle experience in the Andaman archipelago, the entire island chain offers extraordinary conditions for nocturnal water exploration. The absence of light pollution across the Andaman Islands means the Milky Way is visible in stunning detail, and on clear nights, the Southern Cross constellation sits low on the southern horizon, invisible from most of mainland India.
Night kayaking in Andaman waters is different from daytime paddling in every way that matters. Sound travels further across the calm evening sea, and without visual distractions, your other senses sharpen. You hear the splash of flying fish, the calls of night herons, and the gentle pulse of the tide against mangrove roots. The water itself feels warmer at night, and the darkness transforms familiar coastlines into entirely new landscapes.
Guests often ask about the difference between night kayaking in Havelock and our bioluminescence tour. Night kayaking is available on any clear evening year-round and focuses on stargazing, nocturnal wildlife, and the meditative experience of paddling in darkness. Bioluminescence kayaking is timed to new moon phases when plankton glow is strongest. If your dates coincide with a new moon, the bioluminescence tour is the way to go. On other nights, our standard night kayaking Andaman experience delivers a different but equally memorable adventure.
