National park · India
Long IslandLong Island, Andaman Islands
Go to Long Island only if you want a car-free forest village and a walk to Lalaji Bay: get the forest permit at the jetty office (closed Sundays) before you cross the island, and treat the boat as the only way in or out.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²)
approximate
Established
1957
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²)
- Rough land area of the island; boundaries of the forest area are not published in a visitor-facing map (check).
- Established
- 1957
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Long Island is a small, low-key island in North and Middle Andaman district, reached by a government ferry from Port Blair or Rangat. There is one village on the west side, one resort with huts, a government rest house, no cars and no rickshaws — you walk on concrete paths or sand. The main reason to come is the crossing to Lalaji Bay on the east coast, which needs a forest permit from the office near the jetty. Infrastructure is minimal, so plan around ferry days and carry cash.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1957.
Size and age
18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²) · national park since 1957
Rough land area of the island; boundaries of the forest area are not published in a visitor-facing map (check).
Why go
- A car-free island: the village, the jetty and the beach are all on foot.
- The walk or boat to Lalaji Bay, a long curve of sand on the sheltered east side.
- Dolphins are often seen on the boat crossing to North Passage Island.
- Very few visitors compared with Havelock or Neil Island.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, 27–32 °C (81–90 °F), calm seaDry, 81–90 °F (27–32 °C), calm sea
- FebDry and clear
- MarWarm; season still running
- AprHot; season ends
- MayMonsoon arrives; ferries unreliable
- JunHeavy rain; boats often cancelled
- JulMonsoon peak
- AugMonsoon peak
- SepRain easing but seas rough
- OctSeason restarts; some rain
- NovDry and settled
- DecDry; peak season
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins on the North Passage crossingOct–Apr · Most likely on calm mornings. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Reef fish and coral around the islandNov–Apr · Visibility is best in the dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Forest birdsNov–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Leeches on the Lalaji Bay trailMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Port Blair
Government ferry to Long Island jetty; days vary by schedule, so confirm at the jetty the day before.
3–5 h
From Rangat (Middle Andaman)
Local ferry or shared boat across to Long Island.
1–2 h
From Havelock or Neil Island
No direct service; return to Port Blair and take the Long Island ferry.
1 day
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Village and jetty (west side) | Shops, the Forest Office, the government rest house and the paths to the huts. | Open; walk everywhere. |
| Lalaji Bay (east side) | Long sandy beach reached by a forest trail or a boat. | Forest permit required. |
| North Passage Island | Deserted beach and dolphin sightings on the crossing. | By hired boat; check current rules with the Forest Office. |
| Interior forest | Unmapped forest covering most of the island. | Do not walk off the marked trail without a local guide. |
Sketch map
- 1Long Island jetty · Gate≈12.380, 92.928Map ↗
- 2Forest Office · Headquarters≈12.381, 92.930Near the jetty; closed Sundays.Map ↗
- 3Blue Planet huts · Sleep≈12.366, 92.928Map ↗
- 4Lalaji Bay · Beach≈12.376, 92.955Approximate; east side of the island.Map ↗
- 5North Passage Island · Beach≈12.320, 92.950Approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the island's interior is not accurately mapped.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest permit for Lalaji Bay crossing | INR 0–500 (≈ US$0–6) | person | Issued at the Forest Office near the jetty; fee varies and is sometimes waived (check). |
| Government ferry Port Blair to Long Island | INR 200–400 (≈ US$3–5) | person | 2026 estimate; government rate, book at the Port Blair jetty. |
| Private boat to Lalaji Bay or North Passage Island | INR 1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) | boat | Negotiate locally; no trips after dark. |
| Blue Planet hut (shared bathroom) | INR 500–950 (≈ US$6–11) | hut | Two-person hut; attached bathroom at the higher rate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Andaman entry permit permit or guide
Forest permit for Lalaji Bay permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹200–400≈ US$3–5
- ₹1,500–3,000≈ US$18–35
- ₹500–950≈ US$6–11
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Andaman and Nicobar Administration — Tourism before you go.
Park rules
- Forest permit
- Required to cross the island to Lalaji Bay; issued at the Forest Office near the jetty, closed Sundays.
- Camping
- Illegal on public land and beaches across the Andamans; only through a registered guest house, and check with the Forest Office first.
- Boats after dark
- Local boat owners do not run trips at night; plan crossings for daylight.
- Registration
- Register with the officer in charge on arrival; you do not need to check out when you leave.
- Litter and fires
- Carry out all rubbish; no fires on the beach or in the forest.
Where to stay
In the park
Blue Planet
A row of small huts around a patio, about 1.4 km (0.9 mi) from the jetty along the blue-arrow path; kitchen and diving centre on site.A row of small huts around a patio, about 0.9 mi (1.4 km) from the jetty along the blue-arrow path; kitchen and diving centre on site.
In the park
Government rest house
Two rooms near the boat jetty, booked in advance through A&N Tourism; often taken by officials.
Near the park
Port Blair
Full range of hotels for the night before or after the ferry.
Safety
Ferry cancellations in the monsoon high
Walking the Lalaji Bay trail late medium
Limited medical care medium
Cash low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The village paths near the jetty are flat but unpaved in places; wheelchairs are difficult.
- The Lalaji Bay trail and the beach landing are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy from the village shops so money stays on the island.
- Take all plastic back to Port Blair; there is no waste collection.
- Keep distance from dolphins and do not chase them with the boat.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Long Island?
There is no island entry fee. The Andaman entry permit issued at Port Blair covers Long Island. To cross to Lalaji Bay you need a forest permit from the office near the jetty; the fee is small and sometimes waived (check). Expect ₹200–400 for the government ferry and ₹1,500–3,000 for a private boat to Lalaji Bay or North Passage Island.
What are the best hikes in Long Island?
The Lalaji Bay trail is the main walk: 1–2 hours each way through forest to a long beach on the east coast, and it needs a forest permit. Shorter walks link the jetty, the village and the beach on the west side. The interior forest is unmapped, so do not walk off the trail without a local guide.
When is the best time to visit Long Island?
November to March is the dry season, with temperatures around 27–32 °C and calmer seas. October and April are shoulder months. May to September is the monsoon: heavy rain and frequent ferry cancellations, so keep buffer days in Port Blair.
How do I get to Long Island?
By government ferry from Port Blair, roughly 3–5 hours, with days that vary by schedule — confirm at the jetty the day before. There is also a local ferry from Rangat in Middle Andaman. There is no direct service from Havelock or Neil Island; you return to Port Blair first.
Is there anywhere to stay on Long Island?
Yes, but very little. Blue Planet has a row of huts about 1.4 km from the jetty, and there is a two-room government rest house near the jetty that must be booked in advance through A&N Tourism and is often occupied by officials. Book ahead in season.
Can I camp on Long Island?
No. Camping is illegal on public land and on beaches anywhere in the Andamans. It can only be arranged through a guest house where you have registered, and you should check the current position with the local Forest Office.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go