Ross Island, officially renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep in December 2018, is one of the easiest and most rewarding half-day trips from Port Blair. It sits about 3 km east of the town in South Andaman district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and packs an unusual mix into a tiny footprint: the roofless ruins of a British colonial capital, a water-worn Anglican church swallowed by banyan roots, Japanese wartime bunkers, and spotted deer and peacocks that wander the old lanes. A short ferry from Aberdeen Jetty gets you there.
Ross Island is a small, ruined former British administrative capital in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 3 km east of Port Blair in South Andaman district. Reached by a short ferry from Aberdeen Jetty, it is a day-visit site managed by the Indian Navy, known for its colonial ruins, resident deer and an evening light-and-sound show.
Key takeaways
- Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) is 3 km east of Port Blair; a ferry from Aberdeen Jetty takes roughly 15–20 minutes, and most visitors spend three to four hours ashore.
- The island is open through the day (the Incredible India listing gives 9 am–5 pm). Carry a photo ID; tickets are issued at the jetty counter.
- Entry is modest — around ₹50 for adults and ₹25 for children as an indicative, reconfirm figure — plus a round-trip ferry fare of roughly ₹370 per person (planning estimate, reconfirm).
- The evening light-and-sound show resumed on 13 February 2025, runs daily at 5:30 pm, and uses Hindi narration by Gulzar and English narration by Shabana Azmi, per the A&N Directorate of Tourism.
- The island has been with the Indian Navy since 1979 and was renamed after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in December 2018; spotted deer and peacocks roam freely and must not be fed.
- Best season is roughly November to May; the June–September monsoon brings rough seas that can disrupt ferries.
About Ross Island and quick facts
Ross Island is a small island at the mouth of Port Blair harbour, officially called Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep since December 2018. According to Wikipedia’s geographic listing it covers about 0.312 sq km, rises to roughly 45 m at its highest point, and lies some 3 km east of central Port Blair. It was named after the marine surveyor Daniel Ross; do not confuse it with the Ross Island in Antarctica or the one in Alaska.
The Directorate of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, markets it under the banner “Walk through the Paris of the East.” It is a day-visit site — there is no accommodation on the island — and the Indian Navy has administered it since 1979.
| Official name | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep (renamed December 2018) |
|---|---|
| Location | About 3 km east of Port Blair, South Andaman district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Size | About 0.312 sq km; highest point roughly 45 m (per Wikipedia) |
| Managed by | Indian Navy (since 1979) |
| Getting there | Ferry from Aberdeen Jetty, Port Blair (about 15–20 minutes) |
| Island hours | 9 am–5 pm (Incredible India listing); reconfirm locally |
| Time needed | Three to four hours for a day visit |
A short history: the Paris of the East
Ross Island served as the administrative headquarters of the British in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 1858. The first batch of prisoners from the 1857 uprising landed on 10 March 1858, and the British soon built a self-contained township on the island — the Chief Commissioner’s residence on the high ground, an Anglican church, clubs, ballrooms, gardens, a bakery and more. This lavish lifestyle, in sharp contrast to the penal regime across the water at Cellular Jail, earned it the local nickname “Paris of the East,” as the Directorate of Tourism records.
The island’s fortunes turned in 1941, when a powerful earthquake — the A&N tourism material calls it “the Great Earthquake,” and press reports cite a magnitude of about 8.1 — damaged Port Blair’s infrastructure and left Ross Island vulnerable. Japanese forces captured the Andamans in 1942 and fortified the island with bunkers and tunnels.
In 1943 the Japanese handed nominal control of the islands to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind administration; the Directorate of Tourism notes that Netaji hoisted the Indian national flag, an event history places at Port Blair on 30 December 1943. The British penal colony was formally disbanded on 7 October 1945. The island later passed to the Indian Navy in 1979, and in December 2018 the Prime Minister renamed it after Netaji. Today banyan roots grip the old walls while deer and peacocks move through the ruins.
Best time to visit Ross Island
The best time to visit Ross Island is roughly November to May, the dry season across the Andamans, when seas are calmer and ferries run reliably. The southwest monsoon arrives around late May or June and lasts into September, bringing heavy rain and rough water that can suspend harbour ferries at short notice. Port Blair itself stays reachable year-round, but a short island hop is far more pleasant outside the rains.
Ross Island is a morning or late-afternoon trip rather than a midday one — the open ruins offer little shade, and the Andaman sun is strong. The quick-facts above note island hours of 9 am to 5 pm per the Incredible India listing.
| Period | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| November–February | Dry, pleasant, comfortable humidity | Peak season; book ferries and the show ahead |
| March–May | Hot and humid, still mostly dry | Go early; seas start roughening from May |
| June–September | Monsoon, heavy rain, rough seas | Ferries may be cancelled; check daily |
| October | Tail of the monsoon, easing | Shoulder season; weather improving |
How to reach Ross Island
To reach Ross Island you first travel to Port Blair, then take a short ferry from Aberdeen Jetty. There is no airport or direct road to the island itself — it is a boat hop of about 15–20 minutes across the harbour.
By air: Fly into Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) at Port Blair (officially Sri Vijaya Puram), which has flights from the Indian mainland. From the town it is a short taxi or auto ride to the jetty.
By sea to the island: Ferries to Ross Island leave from Aberdeen Jetty, inside the water sports complex in Port Blair. Both government and private boats run through the day; buy tickets at the counter and carry a photo ID. The light-and-sound show uses a separate evening ferry from Phoenix Bay Jetty — more on that below.
| From | To | Distance / time |
|---|---|---|
| Veer Savarkar Airport (IXZ) | Aberdeen Jetty, Port Blair | About 4 km; 15–20 min by taxi |
| Aberdeen Jetty | Ross Island | About 15–20 min by ferry |
| Phoenix Bay Jetty | Ross Island (evening show) | Show ferry departs 4 pm; be there by 3:30 pm |
| Cellular Jail | Aberdeen Jetty | About 1–2 km within Port Blair |
Things to see and do
The main thing to do on Ross Island is walk a slow loop of the colonial ruins — the island’s circumference is barely over 1.5 km, so everything is within easy strolling distance. The standout sights, drawn from the A&N Directorate of Tourism’s own descriptions, are below.
- Anglican Church: the island’s most photographed ruin, built in the late 19th century with stone arches, now roofless and laced with banyan roots.
- The bakery: once producing European breads and cakes; its facade is now used for projection mapping during the light-and-sound show.
- Farzand Ali Market (store): a famous old store now kept as a small museum, with pictures of British-era island life.
- Swimming pool and boilers: a sea-water swimming pool and the boilers of a water-distillation plant that gave the settlement clean water.
- Officers’ Club: the social hub, with library, reading room and games spaces for British officers.
- Japanese bunkers: wartime defensive posts built during World War II to store arms and watch the sea; you can step inside.
- Lone Sailor Point: a statue dedicated to the sailors of INS Khukri, lost in the 1971 war, and her commanding officer Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla.
- Deer and peacocks: spotted deer and peacocks roam freely among the ruins; they are protected, so do not feed or chase them.
| Spot | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Anglican Church ruins | Roofless church engulfed by roots | 15–20 min |
| Bakery and market/museum | Colonial bakery; store turned museum | 20–30 min |
| Swimming pool & boilers | Sea-water pool; water plant remains | 10–15 min |
| Japanese bunkers | WWII defensive posts | 10–15 min |
| Lone Sailor Point | 1971 war memorial statue | 10 min |
The light-and-sound show
The light-and-sound show on Ross Island is an evening audiovisual performance set among the ruins, narrating the island’s British, Japanese and wartime history with projection mapping and music. According to the Nicobar Times, it resumed on 13 February 2025 and runs daily at 5:30 pm. The Directorate of Tourism credits Hindi narration to Gulzar, English narration to Shabana Azmi, and music to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, with a background score by Tabi Parekh.
For the show, the ferry departs from Phoenix Bay Jetty at 4 pm, so reach the jetty by about 3:30 pm. Show tickets are booked online through the A&N Department of Information, Publicity & Tourism, while two-way ferry tickets are bought at the embarkation terminal. Timings and the show language/schedule change; some older notices listed a Wednesday closure, so reconfirm the current schedule before you go.
A suggested half-day plan
Ross Island works best as a half-day outing combined with other Port Blair sights. A simple plan:
- Morning option: Take an early ferry from Aberdeen Jetty (first boat around 8:30 am). Spend three to four hours walking the ruins, the museum and the bunkers, then return by the early afternoon.
- Afternoon-plus-show option: Visit Cellular Jail or the town museums in the morning, then take the 4 pm show ferry from Phoenix Bay Jetty for the 5:30 pm light-and-sound show.
- Combine with North Bay: Many Port Blair boat operators pair Ross Island with North Bay Island (coral and water sports) in a single day trip; confirm the combined itinerary when booking.
Where to stay and eat
There is no accommodation on Ross Island, so you stay in Port Blair and visit for a few hours. Port Blair has the usual spread, from budget guesthouses to mid-range hotels and a few higher-end resorts; book ahead in the November–May peak. The figures below are indicative planning estimates (reconfirm), not quoted tariffs.
- Budget: roughly ₹1,000–2,500 a night for guesthouses and basic hotels (indicative, reconfirm).
- Mid-range: roughly ₹3,000–6,000 a night (indicative, reconfirm).
- Higher-end: ₹8,000 and up for sea-facing resorts (indicative, reconfirm).
On the island itself, food is limited — carry your own water and a snack. You may find coconut water or light refreshments near the jetty, but plan to eat in Port Blair, where you can try local seafood (grilled or curried fish is a staple), and tropical fruit. Explain any unfamiliar dish to yourself before ordering; coconut and fresh fish feature heavily in Andaman cooking.
Budget breakdown
A Ross Island visit is one of the cheapest sightseeing half-days in Port Blair, because the island entry and ferry are inexpensive. The table is a per-person planning estimate for the island portion only (excludes Port Blair stay, flights and meals), as of October 2026; treat every figure as indicative and reconfirm at the counter.
| Item | Indicative cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Island entry (adult) | About ₹50 | Children about ₹25; reconfirm |
| Round-trip ferry | About ₹370 | Varies by operator; reconfirm |
| Light-and-sound show | Reconfirm current rate | Booked online via Dept of IP&T |
| Local taxi/auto to jetty | ₹100–300 | Within Port Blair |
| Water/snacks | ₹100–200 | Carry your own |
Assumptions: one adult, day visit only, show fare not included because the current price could not be verified this session. Foreign-national entry may differ — confirm locally.
Permits and rules
No special permit is generally required for Indian visitors to make this short harbour hop to Ross Island; you simply buy a ticket and carry a government photo ID. Foreign nationals should confirm the current Restricted Area Permit and registration rules for the Andamans with the A&N administration before travel, as these have changed over the years — treat this as a point to reconfirm.
On the island, because it is a protected site under the Indian Navy, follow posted rules: do not feed or disturb the deer and peacocks, do not litter, and stick to marked paths around the fragile ruins. Drone and photography rules can apply at defence-managed sites, so ask before flying anything.
Practical tips
- Tickets and ID: Buy ferry tickets at the Aberdeen Jetty counter and carry a photo ID; the counter has limited hours, so go earlier rather than later.
- Timing: Morning light is kindest for photos and the ruins offer little shade at midday. Allow three to four hours.
- What to carry: Water, sunscreen, a hat, sturdy shoes for uneven ground, and cash — ATMs and reliable UPI/mobile signal are in Port Blair, not on the island.
- Health and safety: The nearest hospital is in Port Blair (G.B. Pant Hospital). The terrain is uneven; watch your footing around the ruins.
- Solo and women travellers: The island is a busy, staffed day-visit site and is generally straightforward; return on a scheduled ferry and keep an eye on the last-boat time.
- Weather: Pack a light rain layer in the shoulder months, and check whether ferries are running on monsoon days.
Nearby places
Ross Island sits at the heart of Port Blair’s cluster of sights, so it is easy to pair with others in a day or two.
| Place | Distance from Port Blair | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular Jail | In Port Blair town | The colonial-era prison and its own light-and-sound show |
| North Bay Island | Short boat ride | Coral, snorkelling and water sports; often paired with Ross |
| Chidiya Tapu | About 25 km | Sunset point and birdwatching at the island’s southern tip |
| Corbyn’s Cove | About 7 km | Port Blair’s nearest beach |
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Ross Island in Andaman?
You reach Ross Island by ferry from Aberdeen Jetty in Port Blair, a crossing of about 15–20 minutes. First fly to Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair, then take a taxi to the jetty, buy a ticket at the counter with a photo ID, and board a government or private boat.
What is the entry fee for Ross Island?
The island entry is modest — indicatively about ₹50 for adults and ₹25 for children, as travel listings report, plus a round-trip ferry fare of roughly ₹370 per person. These are planning estimates that change often, so reconfirm the current rates at the Aberdeen Jetty ticket counter before you board.
Why was Ross Island renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep?
Ross Island was renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep in December 2018 by the Government of India, honouring Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His Azad Hind administration was given nominal control of the Andamans in 1943, and he hoisted the Indian national flag, an event history dates to 30 December 1943 at Port Blair.
What is there to see on Ross Island?
On Ross Island you see the ruins of a British colonial capital: a roofless Anglican church wrapped in banyan roots, an old bakery, a market now kept as a museum, a sea-water swimming pool, Officers’ Club remains, and World War II Japanese bunkers. Spotted deer and peacocks roam the lanes, and an evening light-and-sound show narrates the history.
What time is the Ross Island light-and-sound show?
The Ross Island light-and-sound show runs daily at 5:30 pm, according to the A&N tourism department, which resumed it on 13 February 2025. The ferry for the show leaves Phoenix Bay Jetty at 4 pm, so arrive by about 3:30 pm. Book show tickets online through the Department of Information, Publicity & Tourism.
How much time do you need on Ross Island?
Plan for three to four hours on Ross Island. The island is small — a little over 1.5 km around — so you can walk the main ruins, the museum and the bunkers at a relaxed pace in a morning or afternoon. Add extra time if you are staying for the evening light-and-sound show.
Last updated and sources
Ross Island suits anyone who likes history, old ruins and an easy island hop near Port Blair; go in the dry months between November and May, early in the day or for the evening show. It pairs naturally with Cellular Jail and North Bay for a full Port Blair itinerary.
Last updated: 24 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Directorate of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, “Walk through the Paris of the East — Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island” (tourism.andamannicobar.gov.in); Incredible India, “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island” (incredibleindia.gov.in); Nicobar Times, “Sound and Light Show at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep to Resume from February 13” (nicobartimes.com); Wikipedia, “Ross Island, South Andaman district” and “Ross Island Penal Colony” (en.wikipedia.org), used for geographic and historical reference; go2andaman visitor listing for Ross Island (go2andaman.com), used for indicative fares and timings. Accessed September 2026.
