Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island in Andaman

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose island is a small island off port blair. It is visible from Cellular Jail or from Port Blair Jetty or from Ross View Hotel where we had stayed.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose island can be reached on a 10 min boat ride- you can buy exclusive ticket to go to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose island or can buy a package that involves island hopping beginning with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose island, then to North island etc. Problem with package ride is they give just enough time at each islands- you might wish to spend more time but it will be time to return.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (NSC Bose) island has following popular attractions- Lots of friendly deers that you can pet or feed, some old British colonial time buildings or their remains, including a church, including few buildings that are very photogenic due to tree roots growing all over them, and access to a beach/sea at the back of the island.

We spent most of our time with the deers- few are friendly enough to let us touch and pat them, most are still bit scary and won’t let us get too close though they are keen to get some food. A few shops are available near the jetty that sell basic stuff.

Once you walk away from the jetty towards the interiors, you will see lots remains of buildings with tree roots all over them. As you walk further interior, you will see some barracks, a church, official quarters etc- these are in very poor condition- nothing very photogenic or functional. If you have time you can walk further, go down the steps to ocean.

Officer's quarters

Presbytherian Church (there's one more old Baptist Church)

Way to beach

A graveyard is also present in the centre of NSC Bose island.

If you’re lucky you may spot some birds, rabbits and other inhabitants of the island. Lots of tree shade makes Netaji Subash Chandra Bose island a relaxing place to visit while in Port Blair, even when it is super hot outside.

Above left: drainage for water, above right- a water treatment facility to extract freshwater from salt water.

Well, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose island is so far known as Ross Island- it will be renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island this Sunday when PM Modi visits Port Blair. [News]. I visited this island during our Andaman visit in 2016 but was lazy to blog about it. The name change news gave me a boost to blog about it- I am the first person in the world to blog about Netaji Subash Chandra Bose island with its new name!

History: During British Occupancy Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose island was in its best, serving as a small town for British military people and their family members, with all the luxuries of life available. However a 1941 earthquake shattered the island and residents moved to Port Blair.

Besides the boat fee, an additional entry fee is charged while entering NSC Bose island. Foreign nationals will need additional permits.

Other Andaman posts: Cellular Jail Visit * Scuba Diving-10things to check * Jogger’s Park overlooking the airport * Andaman on extreme budget * Ross View Hotel  (will they also rename now?)