Eco-friendly Andaman luxury at Taj Exotica

Experience the beauty of the Andaman Islands at Taj Exotica, a rainforest resort on Havelock Island. We’re set just behind Radhanagar Beach, which is often listed as one of the best in the world for its white, crescent strip of sand with crystal waters – it’s a great sunset beach where leatherback turtles nest. The resort is camouflaged by protected rainforest filled with indigenous trees and flora, including Palmyras and towering Andaman ash trees that live for hundreds of years.

We built Taj Exotica with conservation in mind, ensuring that not a single tree in the entire 46-acres was cut; our villas are made from sustainable plantation timber and placed wherever there was a natural clearing. The Olympic-sized pool is planted among the trees, offering a glimpse of the beach in the distance, and our fitness centre is built around one massive tree that stretches up to pool level. Sustainability is very important to us, we have a zero single-use plastic policy, instead we give guests glass bottles that can be refilled from our own water treatment plant. For energy, we have a biogas plant and partial solar power.

When you arrive at Taj Exotica you’ll be greeted by our staff, many of whom are members of the Jarawa community. They’ll sing you a welcome song in their Nicobar mother tongue while you enjoy a jumbo coconut straight from the tree. We’re proud that around 60 percent of our staff are from the Andaman Islands, including members of the islands’ six indigenous tribes. Our 72 villas echo the local Jarawa style, set on stilts with semi-circular roofs – they’re enormous and very minimalistic, with animal-themed artwork. It’s the stuff of fairy tales, with four-poster beds and bathtubs set under skylights.

Dining takes place in our three restaurants. Poolside Turtle House is open-air and shaded by an awning – you can see migratory birds here during the daytime and thousands of stars at night. The Shore Line restaurant is our only air-conditioned space, which also has an al fresco area with ocean views. Our community dining restaurant, The Settlers, was named because in the 50s, the Prime Minister encouraged mainland citizens to go to the islands, taking a diverse food culture with them which is celebrated on the menu here.

Guests can explore with our naturalist or go cycling, we also have an in-house dive centre so you can discover Havelock’s marine life. People love kayaking through the mangroves surrounded by these huge roots. Night kayaking is also very popular: visualise being in the kayak in the dark, plunging your paddle into the water and creating a beautiful trail of bioluminescent light – it’s magical. Of course, you should also take time to visit our Jiva Spa and just enjoy being surrounded by the rainforest.