Diglipur Andaman Travel Guide 2026

About

About This Destination

Diglipur is the largest town in North Andaman, roughly 298 km from Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). It's the offbeat, adventure-focused counterpart to the archipelago's beach islands — known for the highest peak in the Andamans, twin islands connected by a sandbar, and key turtle nesting grounds.

The region is crossed by the Kalpong River, the only river in the Andaman Islands, and is known locally for oranges, rice, and marine life. With attractions spread far apart and long travel times to get here, Diglipur sees far fewer tourists than Havelock or Neil — making it the pick for travelers who want raw nature, trekking, and village life over resorts and water sports infrastructure.

Explore

Highlights

1Ross & Smith Islands — twin islands connected by a natural sandbar that submerges at high tide and reappears at low tide, offering swimming on one side and snorkeling on the other

2Saddle Peak National Park — the highest point in the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago (732 m), with trekking trails through dense evergreen rainforest

3Kalipur Beach — a key turtle nesting site, best visited in the evening during nesting season

4Ramnagar Beach — another major turtle nesting ground (December–March), also good for snorkeling

5Alfred Caves — limestone caves reached via a forest trek, less developed and less visited than Baratang's caves

6Dhaninallah Mangrove Walkway — a boardwalk trail through mangrove forest

Travel

How to Reach

🚗 By Road

Drive 10–12 hours from Sri Vijaya Puram via the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), by bus or private car
The route passes through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, where stopping is not permitted
Long but the more flexible option for those planning stops along the way (Rangat, Baratang)

🚢 By Sea

Government ferries run overnight from Sri Vijaya Puram, taking roughly 8–14 hours depending on the vessel and route
Slower but avoids the long road journey — useful if you prefer sleeping through the transit

Plan Ahead

How to Plan Your Trip

Decide your travel window

Book for November–March — the best combination of calm seas for Ross & Smith Island, clear trekking conditions for Saddle Peak, and peak turtle nesting season at Ramnagar and Kalipur beaches (December–March specifically for nesting).

Choose your route in

By road: 10–12 hours from Port Blair via the Andaman Trunk Road, passing through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve (no stopping allowed). By sea: an overnight government ferry, 8–14 hours. Road gives flexibility to stop at Rangat or Baratang en route; ferry saves you a long day of driving.

Arrange your Ross & Smith permit in advance

Get your visitor permit from the Forest Office in Diglipur or Aerial Bay Jetty — go early morning, since boats run only till early afternoon and daily visitor numbers are capped. Don't leave this for later in the day.

Book accommodation early

Options are limited to basic government guesthouses and a handful of private resorts (e.g., Turtle Resort at Kalipur). Capacity is tight — book well ahead, especially in peak season.

Arrange a private cab for 2–3 days

Diglipur's attractions — Ross & Smith, Saddle Peak, Kalipur, Ramnagar — are spread far apart. A private AC cab for multi-day sightseeing is the practical way to cover them without wasting time on logistics.

Plan a realistic day-by-day flow

Day 1: Arrive in Diglipur (road or ferry)
Day 2: Ross & Smith Island, evening at Kalipur Beach for turtle nesting
Day 3: Saddle Peak trek or Ramnagar Beach
Day 4: Return to Port Blair or onward to Rangat

Budget for the trip

Budget: ₹3,000–5,000/day (guesthouses, shared transport, local food)
Mid-range: ₹6,000–10,000/day (private cab, better stays, boat charges)
Add ₹15,000–27,000 for a private Ross & Smith + Saddle Peak tour package if not self-organizing

Pack right

Trekking shoes for Saddle Peak, reusable water bottles (plastic is banned at Ross & Smith), sufficient snacks and water (no shops on the islands), light layers for early morning boat rides, and cash — ATMs are scarce this far north.

Tips

Know Before Visiting

Permits

Ross & Smith Islands require a visitor permit, obtained at the Forest Office in Diglipur or sometimes at Aerial Bay Jetty — arrange this early morning, as boats run only until early afternoon and daily visitor numbers are capped.

Best time to visit

Post-monsoon through winter (November–March) for calm seas, clear trekking trails, and turtle nesting season. December–March is peak turtle nesting at Ramnagar and Kalipur.

No plastic

Carrying plastic is banned at Ross & Smith Islands — carry reusable bottles and eco-friendly packaging.

No facilities on-site

No shops or stalls at Ross & Smith — carry sufficient drinking water and snacks from Diglipur town before heading out.

Limited stays

Accommodation is mostly basic government guesthouses and a few private resorts (e.g., Turtle Resort at Kalipur) — advance booking is essential given limited capacity.

Basic medical facilities

Diglipur town has a hospital and clinics for general needs, but serious medical care means traveling back to Port Blair.

Plan for multiple days

Given the distances between attractions and the long journey to get here, a rushed day trip isn't realistic — budget at least 3–4 days including travel.

At a Glance

General Information

Also known as: North Andaman's main town (largest town in the region)
Distance from Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair): ~298 km
Nearest jetty for Ross & Smith: Aerial Bay Jetty (~30 min boat ride to the islands)
Highest point: Saddle Peak, 732 m — highest in the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago
River: Kalpong River — the only river in the Andaman Islands
Languages spoken: Hindi, Bengali, English, Tamil, Telugu
Currency: Indian Rupee (₹)
Time zone: IST (UTC +5:30)
Best time to visit: November to March
Nearest airport: Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), Port Blair — no airport in Diglipur
Ideal trip duration: 3–4 days (including travel)

Discover

Best Places to Visit in Diglipur: Complete Travel Guide

1. Ross & Smith Islands

The star attraction — two islands joined by a thin, silky sandbar that appears at low tide, with crystal-clear water for swimming on one side and vibrant coral for snorkeling on the other. Rarely crowded.

2. Saddle Peak National Park

A trek to the Andamans' highest point (732 m), through rainforest home to numerous indigenous bird, insect, and tree species — a serious hike best suited to reasonably fit travelers.

3. Kalipur Beach

A quiet beach known for turtle nesting in winter, and a good spot for a peaceful evening away from crowds.

4. Ramnagar Beach

A key nesting site for Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Green, and Leatherback turtles (December–March), with calm waters also suited to snorkeling.

5. Lamiya Bay Beach

A secluded beach around 20 km from Diglipur, prized for its clear water and untouched, laid-back setting — ideal for travelers looking to avoid crowds entirely and enjoy a quiet swim or picnic.

6. Shibpur Beach

A quiet, lesser-known beach in the Kalipur–Shibpur area of Diglipur, close to Turtle Resort — one of the few stays in the region. Less developed and far less crowded than the main tourist beaches, it's a good pick for travelers wanting a peaceful stretch of sand away from the Ross & Smith and Kalipur crowds, especially those already staying nearby.

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Did You Know

Interesting Facts

Diglipur is the northernmost major town in the Andaman Islands, located on the southern side of Aerial Bay.

The Kalpong River, which crosses Diglipur, is the only river in the entire Andaman Islands.

Saddle Peak, at 732 meters, is the highest point in the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago, home to over a dozen indigenous bird species and dozens of indigenous insect and tree species.

Ross & Smith Islands' connecting sandbar is a genuine tidal phenomenon — it's submerged at high tide and only walkable when the tide recedes.

The road to Diglipur passes directly through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, the same protected zone crossed en route to Baratang.

Diglipur is known regionally for its oranges — a distinctive local agricultural product rarely associated with the rest of the Andamans.

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