Ross & Smith are two tiny, forested islets off the coast of Diglipur in North Andaman, joined by a shifting, powder-white sandbar that emerges at low tide and narrows or disappears at high tide. Today, they are among the most photographed places in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, symbolizing the archipelago’s delicate balance between spectacular beauty and fragile ecology. Their story, however, is also a window into indigenous lifeways, colonial charting, conservation policy, and the evolution of tourism on India’s farthest northern Andaman frontier.
Located off Aerial Bay near Diglipur (North Andaman Island), Ross & Smith sit within clear, shallow waters with coral patches, seagrass beds, and a fringing reef. The sandbar that links them is a dynamic landform—its width and shape constantly altered by tides, currents, and storms. Smith Island (the larger of the two) typically hosts basic visitor facilities managed by the Forest Department, while Ross is smaller, more exposed, and often left undisturbed.
Long before modern tourism, the waters and coasts of North Andaman formed part of the maritime and foraging landscapes of the Great Andamanese groups, including communities historically associated with North Andaman. Small islets like Ross & Smith were not permanent settlements; rather, they were seasonal waypoints and resource zones for nearshore fishing and gathering. The open, low-lying nature of the twin islands—exposed to wind, salt, and storms—made them less suitable for long-term habitation but valuable as short-stay fishing or lookout points.
The twin islets appear in British hydrographic surveys from the 19th century, when the Andaman & Nicobar Islands were systematically mapped to support navigation, logging, and the expanding penal settlement at Port Blair (established in 1858). The names “Ross” and “Smith” follow a common colonial convention of commemorating surveyors or officers; while detailed attribution for these specific islets is not uniformly documented in public-facing sources, the nomenclature aligns with broader British mapping practices across the archipelago.
Unlike the larger islands that saw logging camps, penal outposts, or plantations, Ross & Smith remained largely uninhabited and peripheral, functioning mainly as navigational markers and occasional anchorage points for small craft. Their very small size and sandy, shifting landforms limited any attempt at productive exploitation beyond opportunistic copra collection, fishing, or temporary huts erected by passing crews.
After Independence, North Andaman—especially around Diglipur—grew as an administrative and agricultural region. Waves of settlers, including those rehabilitated after Partition, joined older communities and forest laborers. Even as Diglipur developed, Ross & Smith remained undeveloped offshore outposts. Their strategic value evolved from utility to amenity: pristine beaches, coral shallows, and a calm lagoon made them natural candidates for day visits once small boats and a local tourism infrastructure became feasible.
Recognizing ecological sensitivity, the Forest and Wildlife authorities designated the area around Ross & Smith for protection, emphasizing coral conservation and controlled visitation. The “twin islands” experience—walking the sandbar, snorkeling near the reef flats, and picnicking on Smith—was deliberately framed as a day-use, low-impact activity. This approach is consistent with the region’s broader conservation mosaic that includes nearby Saddle Peak National Park on the main island and turtle-nesting beaches at Kalipur and Ram Nagar.
Access is regulated through day permits typically issued by the Forest Department at or near Aerial Bay Jetty. Visitor numbers, timings, and permitted activities (such as swimming and limited snorkeling) are managed to minimize reef damage, littering, and wildlife disturbance. The islands generally do not allow overnight stays, fires, or removal of shells and corals.
The Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004 affected coastlines across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, altering beaches, damaging reefs, and reshaping nearshore sandbars. At Ross & Smith, the sandbar’s width, height, and profile changed in the years that followed, underscoring how this photogenic feature is a living, mobile landform. Periodic cyclonic systems and monsoonal shifts continue to rework the bar. Tourism authorities have adapted by refining seasonal guidelines, adjusting safety advisories, and reinforcing a day-visit model that can flex with changing beach conditions.
In the early 1990s, visits were mostly local and ad hoc. As Diglipur became more accessible by road and sea, and as travelers sought “beyond-Port-Blair” experiences, Ross & Smith emerged as a must-see in the North Andaman circuit. Social media accelerated their fame, with the sandbar walk becoming a signature image of the islands. Authorities responded by upgrading basic amenities on Smith Island, formalizing boat services from Aerial Bay, and tightening litter control and plastic restrictions.
The growth of day trips created new income streams for boat operators, guides, small eateries, and permit support staff in Diglipur. The area’s tourism footprint remains modest compared to South Andaman hotspots, but it has become an important element of the local mixed economy alongside agriculture, fishing, and public services.
Managing footfall on a narrow, shifting sand ridge requires careful rules. A few principles have shaped the site’s tourism culture:
Modern access typically involves a short boat ride from Aerial Bay Jetty (near Diglipur town). Permits are obtained locally, and fees may differ for Indian and foreign nationals, with camera fees sometimes applicable. Facilities on Smith Island are basic by design—benches, shaded areas, and changing rooms in some seasons—underscoring the site’s conservation-first ethos. Many visitors pair a Ross & Smith day trip with nearby attractions like Saddle Peak trek, Kalipur or Ram Nagar beaches, and limestone caves at Alfred Caves (seasonal), thus creating a broader North Andaman itinerary rooted in both nature and history.
The historical trajectory—from indigenous stewardship to colonial mapping to modern conservation—invites travelers to be co-stewards of Ross & Smith. Practical steps include:
As Diglipur’s connectivity improves and visitor interest grows, the future of Ross & Smith hinges on maintaining a strict day-use model, improving interpretation (signage about tides, coral ecology, and indigenous history), and continuing community involvement in visitor management. The lesson from the islands’ past is clear: small, low-lying cays endure only when human use adapts to the rhythms of wind, tide, and reef.
Ross & Smith Twin Islands are more than a postcard sandbar. They are a living exhibit of Andaman natural history, a remnant of colonial cartography, and a contemporary experiment in conservation-centered tourism. Visiting them connects travelers to a larger story—one that asks us to tread softly, look closely, and leave the islands as unspoiled as we found them.
Permit procedures, fees, and boat timings can change seasonally. Check locally in Diglipur/Aerial Bay for the latest guidance, weather advisories, and any temporary restrictions before planning a trip.
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