Ross Island — now officially Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island — was once the administrative headquarters of the British in the Andamans, and is now one of the most atmospheric heritage sites in India. A short 10-minute boat ride from Port Blair, the island is a hauntingly beautiful collection of ruins: a chief commissioner’s bungalow, a bakery, a church, a tennis court, a swimming pool — all slowly consumed by strangler figs and tropical vegetation.
The ruins are well maintained and clearly labelled. The old church with its intricate brickwork and tree roots growing through the walls is the most photogenic structure. A small museum on the island tells the story of British colonisation of the Andamans. Spotted deer roam freely throughout.
A Light & Sound Show is also held at Ross Island in the evenings — a dramatic narration of the island’s colonial and wartime history using light projections on the ruins themselves.
Government ferries depart from Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair approximately every hour. The crossing takes about 10 minutes. Entry fee applies separately from the boat ticket.