Ross Island, officially known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, is an island of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.[6] The island is situated 3Â km (2Â mi) east from central Port Blair. The historic ruins are a tourist attraction.
The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island- popularly and formerly known as Ross Island is situated in the South Andamans. The Island is just a few miles away from Port Blair and can be accessed by boats from Port Blair. Ross Island can be reached via ferry from water sports complex. These ferries sail daily to Ross Island. Usually the ferry ride covers both Ross Island and North Bay Island in a single-day tour.
This island was occupied by the British Colony during the pre-independence era and it was their Administrative Head Quarter until an earthquake rocked the islands in 1941, after which the British moved to Port Blair for settlement abandoning the Ross Island. The Japanese also had occupied Andamans in 1942 during World War II. The Japanese war bunkers and cannons still stand as a memorial on the island.
Ross island was named after marine surveyor, Daniel Ross. In December 2018, it was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island as a tribute to India’s most prominent freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.[7]
After Archibald Blair‘s survey of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1789, a settlement was established at present day Port Blair (then called Port Cornwallis). In 1792 it was shifted to the Northern harbour (present day Diglipur) which was also christened Port Cornwallis (the former became Old Harbour). But, that settlement was abandoned in 1796 because of the high mortality rate. Between 1789 and 1792, Blair established a hospital and a sanatorium at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island.
Ross Island used to be the capital of Andaman and Nicobar till 1941 when it was devastated by an earthquake. The isolated island takes you back to the Colonial days with old buildings and churches lying in ruins. You can also enjoy the beautiful sand beach and solitude that the island offers.
Ross Island is just a few kilometers away from Port Blair and can be reached 15 to 20 minutes. You can find different type of ferries operating in the same route ranging from luxurious modern high-speed vessels to small boats.
The ferries have different capacities- some boats can carry 120 passengers while others have seating capacities of 80, 35 and 22. You can also rent small ferries which accommodate up to 10 passengers.
Andaman Emerald Holidays can arrange your reservation in popular ferry services such as Mak Marina and Island Explore which have fully AC cabins for your comfort. We can also arrange budget ferry service to Ross in non-AC boats operated by companies such as White Safari and Musafir.
This elegant island which was deserted let nature take its toll slowly but steadily as banyan trees engulfed the buildings thus replacing the structures created by man. The Indian Navy has rebuilt some of the buildings like the bakery and local stores, where souvenirs are sold. At present, the Ross Island stands as a place of historical ruins and importance.
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The British had built various structures back then which were rebuilt and are open for tourists. The island is well organized with barricades, pathways and proper signboards for directions. This charming little island gives you a feeling of nostalgia as you enter and it takes you back in time. The island is sure to get its visitors spellbound by its incredible ruins and work of nature on these abandoned buildings is remarkable and is a pleasure to history and nature buffs. Do not miss a visit to this quaint island as it is a different experience on the whole.
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Ross Island has very few amenities to offer the tourists. Drinking water and other refreshments are to be bought by the tourists as there is just one shop operated by the government and it only provides lunch. The tourists always have the option of taking lunch from North Bay Island which is the next destination they will visit after completing this trip. Plenty of coconut water is available on the island and it is advisable to carry water bottles always.
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There are not many activities available on the island but there are few things that one can do. Take a walk to the other end of the island and experience the scenic view of an open beach and also take a moment to enjoy the cool breeze under the shady trees on the shore. While wandering on the island you can spot peacocks, eagles, and parrots moving around.
The island has a good population of deer, who are accustomed to seeing humans. Please avoid feeding the deer let nature grow and live on its own without human intervention as this is a policy followed in the Andaman Island. You can click some wonderful pictures of the historical places, birds and the beautiful scenery the island has to offer.
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Accommodation is not available on the island as night stay is prohibited here. The visitors are to exit the island on completing the trip and stay at Port Blair.
Ross Island is a beautiful destination to visit when in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This is a lovely place to tour if you want to make a day out it by traversing for hours amidst its historical importance. Ross Island was the headquarters of the British colony and today it houses its ruins of the buildings that were built during the British time. The Islands century old trees have captured few important landmarks by its wild vines, roots, and trunks like the Officers Quarters and rundown Church of the British times. Besides, some must visit attractions in Ross Island are like the Chief Commissioner’s house, the Cathedral, and Graveyard of the Britishers.
Today, if you visit the Island you will see the state of the art light and sound show commissioned by the tourism department to keep alive the vibes of the past. However, when in Ross Island, you are bound to get a great panoramic view of the nearby Island and get a chance to see a number of animals like peacocks, deers and ducks amidst the cool breeze and the amazing view of the sea.
Getting to Ross Island is not a difficult task, there are plenty of ferry ride from Marine Park, Port Blair. To cover the entire Island in a day, it is wise to take a ferry in the morning and return back in the afternoon because the ferries run from 7 am to 3 pm.
Ross Island has become a hot spot tourist destination to see its ruins and savour the glory of the bygone days.
The best time to visit the Ross Island is during the months of November to February. These months are an ideal time to visit and explore the Island because during this season the weather remains fresh resulting best for sightseeing and other water activities.
You are welcome to get in touch with us if you want to get your tickets quickly. Andaman Emerald Holidays will ensure you get confirmed seats according to your preference.
• All sailings are subjected to weather and sailing conditions
• Our agency cannot guarantee the sailing of the ferry
• Tourists must carry proof of identification for being allowed to get abroad the ferry
• You will need to pass through security check conducted by the police, Port Management Board and Andaman Tourism Management for safety.
• Children over the age of 2 years are considered adults and need tickets
• We will refund the value of the ticket in case of cancellation or non-availability of seats
The ferries for Ross Island leave from the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex or Andaman Water Sports Complex in Port Blair. Sometimes the ferries may also depart from Junglighat Jetty depending on administrative decisions.
Andaman Emerald Holidays will drop you in your preferred transfer car up to the boarding centers. You can take a trip of Ross Island and come back within duration of 2 hours or so.
The boats leave from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. You should reserve your seats in advance to eliminate any hassle of non-availability of seats.
The Ross Island ferry service starts from 8:30 am. You should report at least half hour in advance just to be careful and avoid any problems. We will ensure that you reach by time to catch your ferry if you are traveling with us.
The fare for each person is Rs 400 only.
We don’t charge anything extra for the booking.