Ross Island

About Ross Island

Ross Island is a wonderland for any visitor. Spread over 70-acre land mid-ocean, the fantastic view of Ross Island can be visible from Port Blair, barely 5 km away. This little island is liberated from occupants and is commonly known and saved for its premium British design. Immensely popular among all the tourist spots of Andaman, Ross Island is known for its cute virgin ocean side.

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How To Reach
Ross Island?

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The most effective way to get to Ross Island is by ferry. It is only a 15-minute ride on the water from the Aberdeen Jetty up to the island. A fully circular trip solo trip roughly cost Rs 100. Ross Island is located very close to Port Blair, in fact, the whole island is perfectly visible from the Water Sports Complex and is completely disconnected by land so it’s not possible to reach there by road. Ross Island is very close to Port Blair, you can also book a return ferry with a local travel agent. Options are that you can either do a two-island tour to North Bay, Coral and Ross or make bookings for an evening light and sound show. For city tours, autos are available there.

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Wondering What Is The Ideal Time To Visit Ross Island?

The ideal time to Visit Ross Island is October to March. The weather during these months is clear without chancesof sudden rainfalls, allowing sightseeing without hurdles. The temperature does not decrease much during this time and the sea condition remains fair. Hot and humid summers create a tropical area climate. The average summer temperature ranges from 35 to 38 degrees making it uncomfortable for travelling.

How To Reach
Ross Island?

WATCH NAUTIKA VIDEO

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Ross Island is very close to Port Blair, you can also book a return ferry with a local travel agent. Options are that you can either do a two-island tour to North Bay, Coral and Ross or make bookings for an evening light and sound show.

For city tours, autos are available there.

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Wondering What is the Ideal Time To Visit Port Blair

Ross Island- The Ghost Island of Andaman!

Do you know why Ross Island, the tiniest island measuring only 0.3 km is called ‘The Ghost Island’?
The British marine surveyor Sir Daniel Ross while guarding the Port Blair harbour, discovered the island and named it after him. On the 10th of March 1858, Ross Island officially came under British occupation and they remained here for over 80 years.They built a bakery, church, stores, water treatment plant, tennis court, clinic, graveyard, and many more by coercing the political prisoners into construction. The ghostly ruins of the structures scream immense torture in a penal settlement.

Connect with Nature on Ross Island

Ross Island is known for thriving greenery amidst ruins and we are listing the locations you can visit here. The Sanctuary: The sanctuary in the middle of the island has deer and peacocks. Safeguarded by the Andaman organization has led to their high population. Feeding animals is strictly prohibited here. The Man-Caves: Uniquely interwoven man caves were built by Indian workers to help British officers escape during an attack. Now they are abandoned and stand testimony to as a showcase of skills and hardships faced while constructing them. The Pond: The pond in Ross Island has stagnant water that has turned green. There are a couple of little ruins close to the lake utilized by the British in the past. Surrounded by tall trees from all sides with a cosy place to sit back, you can enjoy quality time. Follow the signs to reach here in less than 15 minutes of walking.

Duration of Ross Island Trip

Exploring the island by foot takes a maximum of 3 to 4 hours. Being the smallest tourist-accessible island in the Andaman, it is preferred by most tourists for a daytime trip while others cover It while exploring nearby islands.

Getting Around in Ross Island

Since Ross Island is a deserted tiny island, you cannot avail yourself of any local transport options here. The best way to explore the island is by walking or trekking. There is a one-way ferry that takes you to Ross. We suggest you wear light cotton clothes on your trip and comfortable pair of shoes to explore the remnants from the British era.

Can You Stay on
Ross Island?

Ross Island bears testimony to the British torture of Indians before India’s independence. But after the Allied forces recaptured the islands in 1945, they left the island in ruins. World War, unfortunately, you are not permitted to stay on Ross Island by the Government and therefore there are no hotels here. You have to return to Port Blair after your Ross Island tour because the closing time is 4 P.M. You are allowed to stay on the island for a few hours until the closing time before by the same boat.

Ross Island Trip

Ross Island, also officially known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island is about 3 km East of Central Port Blair. It was in the 1850s that the British government had taken charge of the island and they wanted to develop the region with all infrastructural facilities. Hence came up utility stores right from bakeries to hospitals and even water treatment plants. The Japanese government had taken over the island in 1942 but a massive earthquake in that period forced them to abandon the area. While taking a trip to Ross Island, you will travel back in time.

As you all know by now Ross Island is a mute witness to the once-developed island region, constructed with the vision of British colonisers and the help of Indian freedom fighters who were there as inmates. The penal colony during the British rule housed inmates in exile, far away from the Indian mainland. The tiny island of Ross is scattered with ruined buildings from the era of British and Japanese rule and you will be able to get a glimpse of their luxurious lifestyle on the island. The British clubhouses, Chief Commissioner’s bungalow and the Presbyterian church are a few buildings standing tall and remind you about India’s freedom struggle. You will see time flying by as you explore the nooks and crevices as you carry back with you slices of history.

Want to add a spark of history to your Andaman itinerary? We highly recommend you then to be an attendee at the Light and Sound Show at Ross Island. There is a popular light and sound show that happens inside the cellular jail premises. But this one at Ross is also an interesting and informative show.The show depicts in detail the effects of British colonization on India and how they did it. The light and sound show also focuses on the rigorous life of the deported inmates at Andaman and you will be left teary-eyed by the end of it.

Located in the middle of Ross Islands, is the wildlife sanctuary famous for deer and peacocks. The marine sanctuary here at Ross Island makes it the perfect place to spot beautiful coral reefs and underwater species. The beachline surrounded by tropical forests is highly preferred by many tourists for trekking and hiking. A favourable habitat for marine species like the Olive Ridley turtles, you might even chance upon a turtle nesting!

Ross Island

The pond is exactly like what the name says. This is a large waterbody where the accumulated water has stayed intact for a large period of time, turning the stagnant water green. Close to the place lies the scattered ruins of British-era buildings, shaded by huge leafy trees. Take a break from exploring the island, and sit and relax as you enjoy the natural beauty of the place.

What to do in Ross Island

Travel through Ruins of the British Era

Ross Island displays a collection of ancient British and Japanese structures after their occupation of Andaman. Ruins include: Church, Secretariat, Government House, Chief Commissioner’s residence, Luxury Gardens, Swimming pool, Grand ballrooms, Tennis court, Water treatment plants, Hospital, a printing press and much more…

Explore the Wildlife & Marine Sanctuary

The wildlife and marine sanctuaries on Ross Island are home to a rare variety of aquatic animals like the Olive Ridley turtles besides peacocks, spotted deer and rabbits among others. All these animals are cared for by the Andaman administration with help of specialists.

The Light and Sound Show

The light and sound show at Ross takes us to the past, narrating the reformatory settlement period when Britishers came to Andaman and how they ran their administration, besides the struggles of imprisoned Indian revolutionaries.

Important Points While Visiting Ross Island

• You can pre-book your tour guide in your Andaman package or at Port Blair to explore the Ross Islands. • Do not litter the island. • Because it is a remote and isolated island, we suggest you carry all the essential things you need in a backpack. • Never visit the island without your ID because you will be registered since it is an island operated by the Navy. • It is forbidden to have alcohol on Ross Island, so don’t bring any along. • Do pack some sunscreen because it can get quite sunny and hot. • Please carry a map of the island once you arrive there because you may get lost with too many things to see in a limited visiting time.