Ross Island and North Bay at a glance
Ross Island lies near Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) and is now called Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, a name announced on 30 December 2018. Do not mix it up with Ross and Smith Island in the north, which is a different place near Diglipur. North Bay Island is a separate boat trip with coral viewing and organised water activities, reached by boat from Aberdeen.
Both are short, close to town and easy to fit into a day. Ross suits history and photography, and North Bay suits time on and in the water. If you would rather have the boats, tickets and timing sorted in one go, look at Andaman island tours and check which options include the island visit.
Ross Island boats and times
Boats depend on sea conditions, so check the current schedule before you set out.
Day boats
Day boats run from 08:30 to 14:00. Plan your return so you do not get stuck on the island.
Show boats
Boats for the evening show leave from 16:00. The show is in Hindi at 17:30 every day, with tickets at ₹300 for adults and ₹75 for children aged 5 to 11 (2026). A show ticket does not automatically include the boat or a day visit to the island.
Two shows, two evenings
The Cellular Jail has its own evening show with separate tickets, so plan the two for different evenings. See our Cellular Jail page for its times.
Our pick: a tour with Ross Island and North Bay
The six-day package has both islands in its itinerary.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ross Island and North Bay tours
Boat trips, water activities and combined Port Blair days with live prices and availability. Check which islands and activities a trip includes before you book.
Ross Island ruins
Ross Island was the seat of the British administration, and the ruins are the main sight. Brick walls with arched windows, a church wall and old buildings are held together and swallowed by large tree roots. The island also lived through the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945.
Walk slowly, mind your footing on uneven brick and roots, and stay on the paths. The ruins are fragile, and climbing the walls is a bad idea for you and for them.
North Bay Island
North Bay Island has free entry. The crossing from Aberdeen takes 15 to 20 minutes, with departures between 08:30 and 11:30 and return boats between 14:00 and 16:00. That timetable is an orientation, not a guarantee, so confirm it on the day.
Activities such as coral viewing, snorkeling and sea walk are booked separately with an approved provider. Free entry does not mean a free boat or free equipment. Rough sea can disrupt boats and reduce visibility under water. Coral bleaching hit parts of South Andaman in 2023 and 2024, so condition varies from reef to reef.
The North Bay lighthouse
The red and white striped lighthouse is the main sight on North Bay Island. It is known from the old ₹20 note. Do not plan on climbing it, because open access is not promised. The view of the tower above the palm trees is the part you can count on.
Pair the island with a snorkel or glass-boat trip if the sea is calm. For a longer water trip that includes other islands, see our snorkeling and sea walk page.
Ross Island or North Bay?
| Ross Island | North Bay Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Good for | Ruins, history, photography | Coral viewing, water activities |
| Boat times | Day boats 08:30 to 14:00, show boats from 16:00 | Departures 08:30 to 11:30, returns 14:00 to 16:00 |
| Entry | Show ticket, boat and day visit are separate items | Free, activities and boat extra |
| Evening | Hindi show at 17:30 | – |
For most visitors, North Bay in the morning and the Ross ruins or the evening show on another day is the better split.
Ross Island and North Bay: frequently asked questions
Is Ross Island the same as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep?
Yes. That is the current name of Ross Island near Port Blair. It is not Ross and Smith Island in the north.
Is North Bay Island free?
Entry is free. The boat and water activities are paid separately.
How long is the boat to North Bay?
About 15 to 20 minutes from Aberdeen.
What does the Ross Island evening show cost?
₹300 for adults and ₹75 for children aged 5 to 11 in 2026, in Hindi at 17:30. The boat and the day visit are not automatically included.
Can I climb on the Ross Island ruins?
No. Stay on the paths. The brick walls and tree roots are fragile and uneven, and climbing them is unsafe.