Overview
About Ross & Smith Islands
Ross and Smith are the reason people make the long journey to Diglipur. Two small forested islands sit a few hundred metres apart, and between them runs a natural bar of white sand that surfaces as the tide drops until you can walk from one island to the other with clear turquoise water on both sides. At high tide it is gone.
The water here is as clear as anywhere in the archipelago, largely because so few people come. The reef around the islands is in genuinely good condition, the sand is fine and white, and on a weekday you may share the whole place with one other boat.
Access is by boat from Aerial Bay jetty near Diglipur, about twenty to thirty minutes, and a Forest Department permit is required — issued at Diglipur before you sail. Numbers are managed, camping is not permitted, and the islands are day-use only.
The catch is simply distance. Diglipur is about 325 kilometres from Port Blair — a twelve-hour road day up the Trunk Road, or an overnight government ferry. Nobody does this on a short trip, and everybody who has done it says it was the best day of the holiday.
Why people come here
- Natural sandbar joining two islands at low tide
- The clearest water and healthiest reef in the northern islands
- Excellent snorkelling straight off the sand
- Almost no other visitors
- Turtle nesting beaches on the northern shores
Things to do
What to do here
Walk the sandbar
Cross from Ross to Smith on white sand with clear water either side. The reason the trip exists — check the tide before you book the boat.
Snorkelling
Healthy reef close to shore on both islands. Bring your own gear; rental at Diglipur is limited.
Beach time
Fine white sand, forest shade at the treeline and no development of any kind.
Turtle beaches
The northern shores are nesting sites; between December and February the tracks are visible on the sand at dawn.
Getting there
How to reach
Port Blair to Diglipur
About 325 km — a 10 to 12 hour drive up the Andaman Trunk Road including the convoy and ferry crossings, or an overnight government ferry.
Diglipur to the islands
Boats from Aerial Bay jetty, roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Arrange the day before through your guesthouse.
Permits
Issued by the Forest Department at Diglipur. Carry original photo ID for everyone in the party.
Best time to visit · December to April, on a low tide
The sandbar needs low water and the crossing needs calm sea. The monsoon months make both unreliable and boats often do not sail at all.
Good to know
Travel tips
- Plan the day around the tide chart, not your schedule. No low tide, no sandbar.
- Bring everything: water, food, snorkel gear, sun cover. There is nothing on the islands.
- Get the permit at Diglipur the day before rather than the morning of.
- Budget three days from Port Blair minimum. This is not a day trip.
- Take shells and coral photographs only — removal is an offence.
Gallery
Ross & Smith Islands in pictures
North Andaman (Diglipur & Mayabunder)
Combine it with
Tour packages
