Total Vibe
55/100
About the Vibe
Twin islands near Diglipur connected by a stunning natural white-sand sandbar walkable at low tide, with pristine coral reefs, mangroves, and the feeling of walking between two different island worlds
Altitude
5m
Above sea level
Crowd
Sparse
Typical density
Cost
₹3,000
Per day (mid-range)
| Primary vibe | Sandbar walking & Snorkeling |
|---|---|
| Best season | October-May |
| Ideal trip length | 4 days (Short Getaway) |
| Nearest airport | No airport within easy reach - arrive by road or rail |
| Monthly crowds | View the 12-month crowd calendar → |
Go in October-May. That's when Ross & Smith Islands is at its best - and the 4-day version of this trip actually fits.
When to come
FebruarySerene · 15/100 crowd
February is the quietest month here that is still in season - 15/100 on the crowd scale. January is the worst of the twelve at 41/100.
Dates to avoid
- 14-17 Jan — Makar Sankranti / Pongal (one leave day makes it longer)
- 23-26 Jan — Republic Day (one leave day makes it longer)
- 1-3 Jan — New Year's Day
Long weekends landing inside this place's best season - when a quiet destination stops being quiet.
Fewest people: Before 8 AM. Arrive then for the view without the crowd.
Today's quiet window at Ross & Smith Islands
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Insider Intel
Crowd-free 82 · Uniqueness 65
Permits
Andaman Islands - what paper you need before the checkpost
No permit for the main islands
Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep) and most tourist islands are open. Tribal reserves and some outer islands remain strictly off-limits.
A&N TourismRegistration on arrival
RAP requirements were relaxed for the main islands - immigration stamps your entry at Port Blair. Nicobar and tribal areas stay closed.
A&N AdministrationPermit rules get revised - reconfirm on the official portal before booking non-refundable travel.
Visiting from abroad
Visa, permits for foreign nationals, and the nearest international gateway to Ross & Smith Islands
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Visiting from abroad
Visa, permits for foreign nationals, and the nearest international gateway to Ross & Smith Islands
Most nationalities can apply online for an e-Tourist Visa (30-day, 1-year or 5-year) instead of visiting an embassy. Apply at least 4 days before you fly; the 30-day visa can be applied for up to 30 days ahead, the longer ones up to 120 days ahead. Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan need no visa.
An e-Visa is valid for entry only at the designated international airports and seaports listed on the portal. Land borders are not on that list, so an overland arrival from Nepal or Bangladesh needs a regular visa.
Indian e-Visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in)Registration on arrival
RAP requirements were relaxed for the main islands - immigration stamps your entry at Port Blair. Nicobar and tribal areas stay closed.
A&N AdministrationPermit rules get revised - reconfirm on the official portal before booking non-refundable travel.
- Bhubaneswar (BBI) - about 1,089 km straight-line
- Kolkata (CCU) - about 1,148 km straight-line
Fly into the gateway, then use the domestic airports and transport listed above for the last leg. Road distance in the hills runs 1.3-1.6x the straight line.
Tourist SIMs (Airtel, Jio, Vi) are sold at international airport counters against your passport and visa; activation can take a few hours. Cards work in cities and larger towns; carry cash beyond them. UPI, the QR payment system you will see everywhere, normally needs an Indian bank account - some foreign visitors can get a prepaid "UPI One World" wallet at major airports.
Prices on this page are in Indian rupees. The currency selector in the footer shows estimates in yours.
Book your Ross & Smith Islands trip
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Today at Ross & Smith Islands
Unlock 14-day forecast windows
- 14-day weather + crowd ranked windows
- Tonight's moon + Milky Way visibility
- Wind, snow, altitude & UV risk flags
- Hour-by-hour crowd rhythm + insider tip
Air quality in Ross & Smith Islands
Destination Intelligence
Silence Index
79/100
🤫 Very tranquil
Ideal Stay
4 days
Short Getaway
Crowd Status
Low
Great time to visit
🌿 Carbon Footprint
From Kolkata
1144 km321 kg CO₂
Flight
61 kg CO₂
Train
101 kg CO₂
Bus
🌱 Save 81% CO₂ vs flight
From Chennai
1379 km387 kg CO₂
Flight
74 kg CO₂
Train
122 kg CO₂
Bus
🌱 Save 81% CO₂ vs flight
From Hyderabad
1622 km455 kg CO₂
Flight
86 kg CO₂
Train
143 kg CO₂
Bus
🌱 Save 81% CO₂ vs flight
💜 Solo Travel Readiness
Moderate
How welcoming this destination is for solo travelers, based on infrastructure, community, and regional data
Research accommodations with good reviews from solo travelers beforehand
Stick to well-traveled routes, especially after dark
Keep local emergency numbers handy
Network is patchy here - download offline maps and share your live location while you still have signal.
📊 Based on NARI 2025 (National Women's Safety Index) & NCRB data
Vibe Fingerprint
Traveller Reviews
First-hand accounts from people who've actually been
FAQs About Ross & Smith Islands
How do I get to Ross & Smith Islands?
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Ross & Smith Islands in Andaman & Nicobar is reached mainly by road; the nearest airport and railhead can be a long drive away. See the full "How to Reach" breakdown - air, rail and road with durations and fares - on this page.
What is the best time to visit Ross & Smith Islands?
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The best time to visit Ross & Smith Islands is October-May. This page breaks it down month by month with live weather, crowd levels and the best low-crowd windows so you can fine-tune the dates.
Do I need a permit to visit Ross & Smith Islands?
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For Indian nationals: No permit for the main islands. Port Blair, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep) and most tourist islands are open. Tribal reserves and some outer islands remain strictly off-limits. (nothing to arrange, via A&N Tourism.) For foreign nationals: Registration on arrival. RAP requirements were relaxed for the main islands - immigration stamps your entry at Port Blair. Nicobar and tribal areas stay closed. Permit rules get revised - reconfirm on the official portal before travel.
Is Ross & Smith Islands safe for solo travelers?
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Ross & Smith Islands in Andaman & Nicobar is generally considered safe for solo travellers who take standard precautions. It's a quiet, low-footfall place, so tell someone your plan, carry offline maps, and don't count on late-night transport or reliable network.
What should I pack for Ross & Smith Islands?
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Packing depends on the season and activities. Generally, pack comfortable walking shoes, layers for varying temperatures, and any activity-specific gear. Check the altitude and weather conditions before your trip.
Are there ATMs and mobile network in Ross & Smith Islands?
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ATM availability and mobile network strength vary by destination. We recommend carrying some cash and downloading offline maps before visiting remote destinations.
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