Rutland Island
Rutland - One of the Lesser Know Gems of Andaman
A view of the Rutland Island
Dani Nallah Beach
Fishing at Chidiya tapu
Snorkeling in Rutland Island
Turtle Breeding Centre at Dani Nallah
Turtle Breeding Centre at Dani Nallah
Glass bottom boat ride at Rutland Island
Rutland Island
Weather :
Tags : Island
Native Name : Kalapahad
Best Time to Visit : Dry season, i.e., Summers - from April to June and Winters - December to February
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Rutland Island, Andaman Overview
One of the beautiful islands in the Andaman island group is the island of Rutland, situated around 20 km south of Port Blair. This island is a segment of the Rutland Archipelago island sub-group and is nestled across the Macpherson Strait from South Andaman Island. It is a part of the Indian union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is the administrative district of South Andaman. Remarkably, Rutland island is rich in marine life & offers an idyllic combination of composure and thrill.
Rutland island used to be the home of the Jangil tribe (Rutland Jarawa), which is an indigenous Andamanese tribe. Presently, it encompasses six villages, and the vegetation of this island is identical to the North Sentinel Island's vegetation, featuring arid sandy soils. Even after being in proximity to the capital city of Port Blair, this island still has very little technological exposure. However, Rutland has a profuse marine life and is an ideal location for training open-water divers.
Visitors visit the Chidiya Tapu for fishing and the Cinque Island to explore the coral reefs, as it offers a fascinating diving experience at the beaches. Also, you can take a dip or enjoy snorkeling here. The leading tourist spots on the island are Photo Nallah, Dani Nallah, Jahaji Beach, Bada Balu, and Manner Strait. Conclusively, this island is a marvelous place to explore on a day trip when you are in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
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Must Know Before You Visit Rutland Island
Note :
- Visitors must claim their Restricted Area Permit and complete the necessary formalities in Port Blair itself, before visiting Rutland Island. Indian citizens require no permit for visiting Andaman & Nicobar Islands (entry to the tribal reserve area is prohibited for Indians too). However, residents of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and other foreign countries having their origin in these countries would need the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit Rutland Island, which is granted after the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Visitors can easily obtain the Andaman Islands Restricted Area Permit at Port Blair on their arrival, which includes the places where they will be allowed to stay for the night. Notably, issuing this permit is a procedure of the Immigration department and it is granted to all foreign travelers free of cost. You can acquire this from the immigration office at the Airport or waterways port for a validity of 30 days (a valid visa is a compulsion to get this permit). You can also get the permit extension for another 15 days with the permission from Superintendent of Police, Andaman District, Port Blair. Visitors can also obtain their RAP from foreigners Registration offices and immigration offices of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. You can duly complete the formalities there.
- In monsoons (May - September), this island becomes damp due to heavy rains and choppy waters. Traveling & sightseeing become quite risky at this time.
- Scuba Diving and Underwater Photography is allowed only in the identified areas and visitors are not permitted to remove corals, fishes, or any other item or creature from the Marine Park. This area is to be restricted to glass bottom boats or small boats.
- Camping on the beaches and in the jungle area is strictly prohibited at these islands and none of the visitors are allowed to stay at the sea beach or jungle after sunset.
- Please note that Rutland island does not have any telephone service in the area. Also, you will not receive mobile networks around.
- The visitors will find almost no eateries on this island. Being residing in a sea-locked location, the population on this island has scarce availability of food and mainly survives on seafood prepared in the Tamilian or Bengali style. Hence, it is advisable to take a considerable quantity of food with you, which will keep you satiated for the day, especially if you are vegetarian or vegan.
- There is no electricity on this island, and only one resort is available for the accommodation of visitors, which encompasses decently-equipped bamboo huts for a comfortable stay.
- Notably, as there is no telephone service available on the island, advance booking for your accommodation is not easy. You need to connect with travel agents that operate around the island and can help book your stay here.
- You should opt for a day tour package for touring this island. If possible, visit with a group to make sure that everything is well-managed.
- Also, visitors must carry a first-aid kit with them as there are no hospitals available at Rutland Island.
Rutland Island Highlights
1. Exploring Marine Life at Photo Nallah and Dani Nallah
Aspiring divers get trained here in open-water diving. The island has shallow waters around it embracing a rich marine life that offers beautiful sights of small fish and corals. Here, some of the bes (Read More)t marine life treasures in the country lie deep within the sea. It is an ideal opportunity for adventure seekers who love the underwater thrill to explore the exotic sea life at Photo Nallah and Dani Nallah. These beaches feature clean water representing remarkable aquatic creatures. Also, do not miss Cinque Island to catch the sight of massive coral reefs, seaweed, fishes, salt-water crocodiles, and water snakes. It is another great spot for deep-sea diving.
2. Fishing at Chidiya Tapu
Chidiya Tapu, offers a fine fishing experience and is one of the finest sunset points in Andaman. There is a lush layer of mangrove forests that embraces numerous varieties of birds. Also, on your way (Read More) to this spot, you can stop by Munda Pahad Beach for some awe-inspiring views and swim in the azure waters. For a pleasant fishing experience you should visit this island between April to June. You can catch some marine life with your fishing rod, such as Yellow Fin Tuna and Red Snapper.
3. Snorkeling
Another adrenaline-pumping activity that you can enjoy to make your trip a memorable one is snorkeling along the coral reefs. Rutland Island offers a perfect base for training divers at spots includin (Read More)g Bada Balu, Jahaji Beach, and Manner Strait. Firstly, you will get a briefing on the equipment usage and precautions to be taken by a professional instructor, and some time will be allotted to get used to it before going into the waters. Then, it will be a 30-minute dive session, which will let you witness the enthralling marine life creatures moving under the waters.
4. Visiting Turtle Breeding Center
Visitors who want to have an exceptional experience must visit Dani Nallah. Other than exploring marine life, visitors can also watch turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea here. Notably, turtl (Read More)es are a crucially endangered species in the Indian subcontinent, and the turtle breeding center in Dani Nallah is making considerable efforts to boost their population. Also, it helps the injured turtles trapped in fishnets in recovering. Visiting this center is one of the best family-friendly activities on this island.
5. Glass Bottom Boat Ride
Glass bottom boat rides are very popular amongst tourists visiting Rutland Island. It offers great opportunities to watch vivid corals, and aquatic flora and fauna floating in the shallow waters. You (Read More)will be on a boat with a glass bottom and as the boat will sail through the water, you will get a glimpse of marine life. You will get to see pipe fishes, sea turtles, eagle rays, and lush seaweed beds. It is one of the finest outdoor activities at Rutland island that surely offers a memorable experience.
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How to Reach Rutland Island
Rutland Island is set just 20 km away from Port Blair, which is the entryway for exploring the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From Port Blair, you first have to travel to the jetty point by road. Then, take a ship from the jetty to reach Rutland island. As all the surrounding tourist locations are well-connected through waterways, the jetty is the most popular & common mode to explore these islands. To reach Rutland island from Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), first, the visitors need to come to Port Blair via ferry ride, which will take approximately two and a half hours. Once they reach Port Blair, they can obtain their tourist permit for visiting Rutland Island by completing the formalities. Finally, take a boat from the jetty point to Rutland island.
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