Long Island

2 daysBest: Oct–MarIslands#island#forest#offbeat

Offbeat forested island of quiet beaches

Why this weekend?

Jungle trailsDeserted beachesCoconut groves

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · Arrive & Merk
- Ferry from Rangat
- Village lunch
- Merk Bay swim
- Sunset beach walk
Day 2 · Lalaji & depart
- Morning boat or path to Lalaji Bay
- Coral swim
- Jungle walk back
- Afternoon ferry out

Geography & terrain

Long Island is a slender, forested isle of Middle Andaman, reachable by ferry from Rangat or the occasional harbour-line boat — its jetty village at one end, Merk Bay and the darker green beyond, and Lalaji Bay's coral-strewn sand on the far side, reached by footpath and boat.

History & culture

Once a timber and rubber island of the forest age, Long Island slipped back toward jungle when the estates thinned; its name stays literal — 2 km across in the middle, 12 km of forest spine — and today it survives as the north's quiet overnight retreat, with modest guesthouses and no cars beyond the village tracks.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–4,000/night

Mid-range

₹4,000–9,000/night

Comfort

₹9,000+/night

Things to do

Lalaji Bay
Merk Bay sands
Forest ridge
Jetty mangroves
West-coast sunsets

Eat & drink

Grilled reef fish
Coconut and seafood curries
Tropical fresh fruit platters

Getting there

Fly: Veer Savarkar Airport (IXZ), Port Blair
Train: No rail — island chain served by ferries
Road from Port Blair: road + ferry hub for all islands
Getting around: Autos and scooters on the islands; ferries between them

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹8,500–18,500 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,500–9,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹1,800–2,200

Month by month

Jan · Best: 23–30°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 23–30°C · None rain
Mar · Good: 24–31°C · None rain
Apr · Good: 25–32°C · Light rain
May · Hot: 25–32°C · Moderate rain
Jun · Monsoon: 25–30°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 25–29°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 25–29°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon: 25–30°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 24–30°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 23–30°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 23–30°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi / Bengali / Tamil (multi-language islands) (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–Mar
Connectivity: Patchy off the main islands — download offline maps
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

Ferry schedule is sparse — confirm timings with the Rangat jetty a day before
Lalaji Bay's reef is a morning thing; go with the tide
Ideal as a quiet overnight between Port Blair and Diglipur legs

Frequently asked questions

Is Long Island really off the map?

Mostly — one village, a couple of guesthouses and no cars; exactly why its two days feel like a retreat.

How do I get to Lalaji Bay?

By a short boat ride or a trek through the island spine; both are manageable and the bay's reef rewards the effort.

Where does it fit in a trip?

Best as the overnight node on a Port Blair–Rangat–Diglipur arc, or as the deliberately slow break before the south's busier islands.