Long Island in Andaman Islands
Long Island is an island of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the North and Middle Andaman administrative district, part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.[5] the island is lying 80 km (50 mi) north from Port Blair.
Long Island, just 47 nautical miles from Port Blair, having an area of about 18 sq.km., is a modern village with population of around 2000 having many plus points and facilities generally not available in other villages of Bay Islands. It has its own power-house, a well equipped Boat Building Yard, Senior Secondary School, bank, wireless facilities, hospital, Range Forest Office and even police outpost. Long Island is a dreamland settlement without any road network.
Only four feet wide concrete footpath connects different parts of the ‘Panchayat’ area starting from the jetty. Casurina trees make pleasant avenue astride the footpath leading to Government School and to Police Outpost area. Islanders cover these footpath kilometers several times just to reach work place, school, Range Forest Office or temple.
Basic Information
It is popular for its beautiful forest cover and coconut plantations. It can also be considered as the gateway to many hidden and unexplored spots like the Guitar Island and the Merk Bay Beach at North Passage Island.
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December to February
Interesting Facts
- It has its own power-house, a well equipped Boat Building Yard, Senior Secondary School, bank, wireless facilities, hospital, Range Forest Office and even police outpost.
Things to DO
- Swimming
- Lazing around in the beaches
- Island hopping in a private chartered boat
- Taking nature walks
- Trekking
- Viewing a splendid sunset from the island
- Nature Photography
Traveller Tips
- Long Island is a small rural settlement that is not connected by any road network to any of the islands.
- There is no blacktop road on the island. Different parts of the area are connected by a concrete footpath only.
How to reach
You can reach Long Island from the capital city by hiring a private chartered boat. Another way is to take a government ferry to move directly from Port Blair to Long Island.
Nearby Attractions
Lalaji Bay
Guitar Island
Merk Bay Beach
Lalaji Bay
It is a gorgeous, sandy beach on the west coast of Long Island. You have to take a fiber boat from the Long Island jetty to reach this serene and picturesque beach. The route from Long Island to Lalaji Bay Beach is in the midst of the open sea and is indeed an enthralling experience. On the way, the boat will cross through beautiful and unique mangrove creeks. The journey is made even more memorable with the picture-perfect scenic view. The beach has white silky sand and crystal clear water. To give a treat to your mind, body, and soul, just bask in the sun or get immersed in the clean water.
Guitar Island
It is a marvelous island near Long Island. The island has derived its name from its appearance. You should be beware of the photoshopped photos that promote the myth that Guitar Island looks like a guitar having a hole in between depicting the soundhole. But in reality, the depiction of this island as a guitar is that the island is adjacent to the small guitar island. Thus this Small Guitar Island (which looks like the headstock of a guitar) and the Guitar Island (which looks like the body of the guitar) are joined by a sand bar (which acts like the fret-board). Hence, giving it a structure similar to a guitar.
Merk Bay Beach
This beach is a pristine beach accessible from Long Island. It is located on North Passage Island. North Passage Island is very close to Strait Island that hosts the primitive Ongi tribe people. Dense mangrove forest covers one side of the North Passage Island. This is the part of the island where the boat stops. It anchors itself near a wooden jetty here. One has to walk through this narrow wooden jetty and walk for few kilometers through the mangrove forest that opens up to the beautiful Merk Bay Beach. The water of this beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. It is a paradise for snorkeling lovers.
Restaurants Facility
- Surmai Resort
- Blue Planet
Places to stay near Long Island
- Surmai Resort
- Forest rest house
- Tapovan
- Blue planet
Frequently Asked Questions
Marina Park and Aquarium
Samudrika Naval Marine Museum
- Annapurna Restauranat
- New Lighthouse Restaurant
- Amaya