For eighty years this tiny island was the administrative headquarters of the British in the Andamans — a "Paris of the East" with ballrooms and bakeries. Then the 1941 earthquake and the war emptied it, and the jungle moved back in. Today banyan roots pour through the old church windows, and spotted deer graze the parade ground.
It's an easy, atmospheric half-day from Port Blair and pairs neatly with North Bay in a single boat tour. Note: the island stays closed on Wednesdays.
How to reach
- Boats leave Aberdeen Jetty in Port Blair through the day; the crossing takes 15–20 minutes.
- Combined Ross + North Bay boat tours are the common (and best-value) way to visit.
- Plan 2–3 hours on the island — carry water and a hat; shade is patchy on the walking loop.
Top things to do
The ruins walk
Church, bakery, press and cemetery on one looping trail — the banyan-wrapped church is the photograph.
Deer & peacocks
Decades-old resident herds that barely mind people — keep snacks away, feeding isn't allowed.
Japanese bunkers
WWII-era concrete bunkers from the Japanese occupation dot the shoreline.
Evening light & sound show
The island's history told after dark — check running days before you plan around it.
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