The eerie and beautiful Ross Island was the site of the British headquarters in Andaman and Nicobar, but it is now deserted and the buildings are in ruins. There is an interesting church on top of the hill and a museum near the boat jetty, which are worth seeing. Swimming is not allowed around the island.

Once the seat of British power and capital of these Islands, it stands now as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris. A small museum named 'Smritika' holds photographs and the other antiques of the Britishers relevant to these islands.

Pack a lunch, if you care, as the island has no eating facilities other than a small Kiosk selling some soft drinks. Ross Island, the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime, is a tiny island standing as guard to Port Blair harbour.

The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings like Ballroom, Chief Commissioner's House, Govt. House, Church, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop Barracks, all in dilapidated condition, reminiscent of the old British regime. 

The Britishers even persuaded the aborigines to come and live in some huts at Ross Island and even established an Andaman Home for them in 1863. Later on the services of these Andamanese were used to catch the escaping convicts from Ross Island.  From 1942 to 1945, the island was under the occupation of Japanese. However, the Allies reoccupied the island in 1945 and later abandoned it.

Ross island is open for the tourists to visit during day time as the boat services are available from the Phoenix Bay jetty at 8.30 AM, 10.30 AM, and 12.30 PM.

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