About Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island (Ross Island)
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, formerly Ross Island, is a small heritage island located about 2 km east of Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It served as the British administrative headquarters for the Andaman penal settlement from 1858 until 1941. The island is known for its well-preserved colonial ruins, including the Chief Commissioner's residence, church, bakery and barracks, set amid dense vegetation and freely roaming deer and peacocks.
Visitors guide
Visitors reach the island by a short ferry ride from Aberdeen Jetty at Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex in Port Blair. On the island, visitors can walk along paved paths through dense tropical vegetation to see roofless colonial ruins including the Chief Commissioner's House, Government House, Presbyterian Church, bakery, press, barracks and Japanese bunkers from World War II. The island has a small museum, spotted deer and peacocks roaming freely, and a light and sound show in the evening. No overnight stay is permitted.
Key highlights
- 01
Ruins of British colonial administrative buildings including Chief Commissioner's residence and Government House
- 02
Presbyterian Church and other preserved structures like bakery, press and barracks
- 03
Japanese bunkers and wartime relics from 1942-1945 occupation