Andaman and Nicobar islands are some of the offbeat destinations to explore during your holidays. Long Island is one such island in a plethora of islands. It is the underrated spot located in the north and middle Andaman administrative district. A small modernized island is famous for its untouched sand beaches, marine life, and dense natural vegetation. It is situated just 42 miles from Port Blair. Long Island has been garnering attention from travelers across the world. Due to its fantastic facilities and points with 2000 population. The island is a dreamland settlement without any road network. The exotic beauty and untouched beaches such as Merk Bay and Lalaji Bay are top picnic spots here. Long Island is relatively 18 Sq. Km is smaller than other islands but houses a lot of fun adventure activities.
Long Island is considered to be a getaway to the unexplored treasures of Andaman. From the stunning mangroves, cozy beaches to beautiful caves and green rolling hills. The island swamps you with its mesmerizing views, especially during sunset and sunrise. Long Island belongs to a part of Rangat Taluk and comes under the East Baratang Group of Islands. This tiny island is a heaven for backpackers and off-best travelers to escape from the toiling city life. However, the long island is not connected by any road network of any islands. But it is a rural settlement with a concrete footpath that connects different parts of the area. The island is an example of ecotourism as there are no vehicles available as long as one has to travel by foot to visit the attractions here. But the island has its government school, a hospital, a jetty, a temple, a police station, and an office for the range forest. There is also a powerhouse bank with facilities for wireless banking and a fully functional boat-building yard.
Things To Do/Places To Visit:
Long Island is popularly known for its extensive beaches with clear water shimmering with live corals. It makes an underwater ecosystem a memorable venture. The enchanting island is home to Lalaji Bay Beach and Merk Bay, covered in a beautiful forest cover and coconut plantations. You can experience the best of both worlds, such as an exotic beach as well as lush greenery filled with tropical forests. Long Island is a paradise for bird lovers if you visit during the right season.
Guitar Island:
One such place to visit near this Island is Guitar Island. The name is derived from its appearance joined by a sandbar which gives it a structure similar to a guitar on the way to the island, Guitar Island on the left, and Strait Island on the right. The tropical weather here makes it an ideal spot for newlyweds to spend quality time together amidst the extravagant beauty of this destination.
Lalaji Bay Beach:
The immaculate beauty of Long Island with unique marine ecosystems, exclusive beaches of Lalaji Bay Beach makes it easy for travelers to enjoy. One of the colorful beaches resembles the elephant beach very much on Havelock on the east. This beach is an ideal location for beach camping, snorkeling with picture-perfect views as you pass through the midst of the open sea in a boat through the unique mangrove trees. The silvery beaches with crystal clear water make it an adoring natural walkway. Some of the adventure activities to do while you bask in the glory of the mesmerizing sun. They are nature walks, forest camping, beach camping, and trekking exploring the villages through the dense greenery.
Merk Bay Beach:
Merk Bay Beach is famous for its adventure sports. From the likes of exploring the beautiful coral underwater to likes of snorkeling and scuba diving. The inviting waters of Merk Bay Beach are safe for bathing. Visitors can cruise through the North passage island to explore and enjoy your experience in boat rides. Overall it's a great place to enjoy your vacation as you can get a glimpse of dolphins with a spectacular view.
Mode Of Transport:
There are regular boats from Port Blair to Long Island thrice a week to reach there. All the major airports in India have connecting flights in Port Blair.
By Boat:
Travelers can head to the Phoenix Bay Jetty by public transport. Long Island is connected with Rangat using regular ferries that run every day. There are stable boats from Port Blair with stops at Neil Island and Havelock. It is pretty comfortable to reach Rangat from Port Blair via boat.
By Bus:
One can take an early bus from Port Blair to reach Rangat early and catch the 4-hour boat ride from Yeratta to Long Island. Later on, it takes a 9-hour boat ride to get to Long Island from Rangat.
Ferry Timings from Rangat: 7 AM & 2 PM daily
There are accommodation facilities available at the government guest house. For which a permit is required from the Andaman Tourism before traveling to Long Island. One can also head to a private hotel on Long Island. Long Island is truly a deserving place to explore because it offers an offbeat experience for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.
Best Time to Visit:
The climate is relatively stable in Andaman throughout the year. So travelers who cannot tolerate the summer season here can visit during winters. The ideal time to visit Long Island is between October and March, where the weather is pleasant to enjoy your vacation. Long Island is sheltered by other villages and islands on the west side. So it has not been affected by the tsunami. Also, the monsoon can be insane due to unpredictable rainwater, and the increase of water in the sea makes it quite a mess to travel during this period.
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