Long Island, just 47 nautical miles from Sri Vijaya Puram, 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.
Long Island is located 82 kms from Sri Vijaya Puram or 35kms north of Swaraj Dweep
There are regular boats from Sri Vijaya Puram to Long Island thrice a week with stopovers at Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep
You would need to get a bus early from Sri Vijaya Puram to arrive in Rangat early enough to catch the 4pm boat from Yeratta (near Rangat) to Long Island. There are later buses up to 11am but the journey takes 6 hours, so you may have to stay the night in Rangat and get the 9am boat to Long Island.
Forest Rest Houses namely Vanshri and Tapovan are available with the Forest Department which could be booked by sending requisition to the Divisional Forest Officer, Middle Andaman, Rangat (Phone : 03192-274210). There are also couple of private accommodations. Visitors should book well in advance for a confirmed reservation.
Attractions of Long Island
Vast marine wealth and exclusive beaches, cosy caves, green hills and magnificent mangroves – a perfect package for adventure tourism.
The pristine beauty of Long Island and adjacent islands in the form of lush green tropical forests, untouched virgin beaches coupled with unique Marine ecosystem attracts the tourists from different parts of India and abroad.
The Islands have dense tropical forests of all types ranging from Tidal Swamp forests to Evergreen Forests.
It has beautiful virgin silvery beaches along its coasts at Lalaji Bay and Merk Bay of North Passage Island adjacent to Long Island.
Cruising through the creek at Yerrata and the sunset view from Long Island can attract any nature lover to these places. Long Island is also a paradise for birding.
What to do ?
First of all, relax and give yourself time to adapt to the pace of life on this beautiful island.
Plan a trip to Guitar Island. Neighbouring ‘Guitar Island’ is stunning.
A varied and rewarding trek exists through the main village, plantations, fields, regenerated forest and primary rainforest on Long island for those travelers who wish to explore. This is a 6 km trail starting at the jetty and ending at Lalaji Bay. Another small trail runs north from Lalaji Bay, leading to a secluded cove with calm water, some regenerating coral and a white sandy beach. It is perfect for those who want to snorkel or sunbathe in complete privacy.
Snorkel and Scuba Diving : The Andaman Islands are a world-class destination for scuba diving, and the area around Long Island has some of the best dive sites in the Andamans.
Day trips: You can take boat trip to Lalaji and/or Merk Bay, on North Passage Island, the most delightful, secluded beach, where you can see dolphins also!
You can venture further afield to the exotic Button Islands: North Button, South Button and Middle Button are accessible from Long Island.
Day trips: You can go to Rangat in North Andaman for a day trip: it’s a lovely boat ride through the mangrove creeks, and you can shop in the main bazaar at Rangat and/or visit the beach at Amkunj.
More Information and Important Phone No.
Tourist Information Centre : Directorate of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Administration Port Blair.
Phone: 03192: 232694/232747(F)
