The short answer
Ross and Smith Islands: what visitors should know first
Yes, if the weather and tide are kind. It is the most photogenic outing near Diglipur and needs only a half day. Get the forest permit at the jetty first, take a boat early, and expect to wade or walk the sandbar at low tide.
History and context
The story behind Ross and Smith Islands
Smith Island lies in Aerial Bay near Diglipur, about 298 km north of Port Blair. It covers roughly 20 square kilometres, its highest point is 131 m, and the 2011 census counted 600 people in three villages. At low tide a thin sandbar links it to Ross Island. It is part of the Diglipur taluk of North and Middle Andaman district.
Useful facts
Ross and Smith Islands facts at a glance
- Location
- Aerial Bay, off Diglipur, North Andaman
- Experience type
- Boat trip and sandbar walk
- Known for
- A natural sandbar joining Ross and Smith Islands
- Access
- Boat from Aerial Bay jetty; forest permit needed
- Time or schedule
- Plan around low tide; check the tide table
Why it matters
Why Ross and Smith Islands is worth your time
The twin islands show what the north of the Andamans looks like away from the road: green islands, shallow water and almost no development. Ross Island, in Aerial Bay, is a protected area, so the visit is a small, regulated one, and the permit system is how the forest department keeps numbers low.
Smith Island is much larger, about 20 square kilometres, with a population of a few hundred in the 2011 census and three villages. It is also a nesting area for Olive Ridley turtles. Seeing the two islands together, joined by a sandbar that comes and goes with the tide, is the clearest picture of the bay's character.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The sandbar
A thin strip of sand, about 50 m long, that joins the islands at low tide and disappears at high tide.
- 02
The crossing
A short boat ride across Aerial Bay, usually in a chartered fishing boat.
- 03
Smith Island
The larger island, with villages and simple eco rest houses.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start at Aerial Bay jetty early, because the permit is usually issued at the forest shed nearby and boats leave through the morning. The crossing is short, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by the accounts we read, and boats are usually chartered from local fishermen, so agree the duration and a return time before you set off.
The sandbar between the islands is about 50 metres long and covered at high tide, so plan the visit around the tide table if you can. Walk it slowly: the sand is soft and the water on either side is shallow. Ross is thickly forested and mainly of interest for its quiet; Smith has a small settlement and eco rest houses.
Bring water, a hat and sun protection, because there is little shade on the sand. Do not take shells or coral, and carry your rubbish back. If the sea is rough, boats may not run, so keep a spare morning in your schedule.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Collect the forest permit at the Aerial Bay jetty before boarding
- Agree boat price, duration and return time in advance
- Check the tide so the sandbar is walkable
- Carry water, sun protection and your own rubbish bag
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Aerial Bay, a short boat ride from the Aerial Bay jetty
- Time needed
- Half a day including the crossing
- Best time
- Morning at low tide, November to April
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Boat landings are the hard part: you step onto and off a small wooden boat, often in shallow water, and there is little shade or seating on the sandbar. Travellers with weak knees may prefer to see the islands from the boat.
- Tickets and access
- Forest department permission is needed, as Ross Island is a protected area. Permits are issued near the Aerial Bay jetty; ask locally about current fees, boat availability and hours.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Ross and Smith Islands
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
Boat landings are the hard part: you step onto and off a small wooden boat, often in shallow water, and there is little shade or seating on the sandbar. Travellers with weak knees may prefer to see the islands from the boat.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Do I need a permit?
Yes. Ross Island is a protected area and visitors need forest department permission, usually issued near the Aerial Bay jetty.
Can I stay on Smith Island?
There are simple eco rest houses, bookable through the Andaman and Nicobar tourism system; check availability.
When is the sandbar visible?
At low tide. It goes under at high tide, so check the tide before you book a boat.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
