Ross Island

Half a dayBest: Oct–MarIslands#ruins#ferry#history

British-era ruins reclaimed by forest

Why this weekend?

Colonial ruinsPeacocks & deerFerry ride

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The day-by-day plan

Half day · The ruined colony
- Morning ferry
- Commissioner's house
- Bakery & church
- Peacock walks
- Gun emplacements
- Return ferry

Geography & terrain

Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island) sits in Port Blair's harbour mouth, South Andaman — a 5-sq-km hill-island of colonial ruins being reclaimed by the forest, reached by a 20-minute ferry from the Aberdeen jetty.

History & culture

The British made Ross their Andaman headquarters from the 1850s — an imperial outpost of governors' bungalows, a church, a bakery and printing works, all abandoned after the 1941 earthquake; the Japanese then occupied the island and built coastal guns on it during World War II, and today the ruins — the chief commissioner's house, the church, the swank bakery — stand as one of the world's most evocative imperial-ghost towns, with the island renamed in homage to Netaji's 1943 flag-raising.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,500–4,000/night

Mid-range

₹4,000–9,000/night

Comfort

₹9,000+/night

Things to do

Colonial ruins
Fig-engulfed houses
Peacocks & deer
Japanese guns
Harbour views

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

Ferries run on fixed morning schedules — be early or skip the day
The ruins are uneven — grip footwear and water are essential
The island closes early afternoon in some seasons — check the boards

Frequently asked questions

Is Ross Island worth the ferry?

Yes — as one of the most photogenic ruined-colony island tours anywhere, perfect for a half-day.

How do I book the ferry?

Ticket counters at the Aberdeen jetty run the morning departures.

Can I stay overnight?

No — the island is a day-visit only.