Rutland Island Guide: Andaman’s Untouched Island That’s Got Everybody Talking

Rutland Island is an idyllic island lying 20 km south from Port Blair, Andaman. It is separated from North Clinque Island by Manner Strait and from Little Andaman by the Duncan Passage. You can easily reach the island via ferries or government-run or private buses. It belongs to the administrative district of South Andaman and they’re making every possible effort to boost tourism in this destination.

About Rutland Island

There are 6 villages on the island: Rutland village,R.M.Point village,Bamboo Nallaha,Kichad Nallaha, Bada Khari and Dani Nallah. The Island has only 119 households, with 347 inhabitants. The locals are fluent in Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil. The effective literacy rate is sixty four percent. The island is slowly emerging as a tourism hotspot for travelers from far and wide.

Best Time To Visit Rutland Island

Rutland Island experiences 3 seasons, namely summer, monsoon, and winter. Summer season falls between April and June. The temperature hovers between 24°C to 37°C. The waters are just the right temperature allowing tourists to partake in watersports. The monsoons fall between May and September. Heavy rains make travel and sightseeing dangerous and inaccessible. Since Rutland doesn’t have a lot of indoor activities, traveling in this season is not fruitful.

Winters again, from December to February are very pleasant. We suggest a winter or summer visit to Rutland Island, so that you enjoy your day to the fullest.

Must Read: Honeymoon In Andaman: A Handy Guide With 3 Legit Tips & First-Hand Experiences

5 Things To Do In Rutland Island

We’ve shortlisted 5 things to do in Rutland Island that will have you craving for more of Andaman. Check these things out:

1. Exploring Marine Life

Rutland Island is rich in marine life with the shallow waters near the island having a good representation of smaller fish and coral. Some of India’s best treasures lie deep within the waters here. The vegetation of Rutland Island is similar to that of North Sentinel Island with dry sandy soils. This is a perfect opportunity for adventure enthusiasts who love the rush of being underwater.

Location: Photo Nallah and Dani Nallah

Andaman Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle

Indulge in snorkeling or scuba diving to see magnificent coral reefs or stay in beach resorts at Havelock island. Visit Port Blair, Ross Islands, Neil Islands, Gandhi marine park, and Cellular Jail. Book memorable holiday packages on TravelTriangle.

2. Snorkeling

Rutland Island offers an ideal base for training divers. You will be briefed about the equipment and precautions you need to take by an instructor first and you will be given time to get used to it before entering the sea. It’s around 30-minute dive, which will take you about 12 meters deep in the sea and you will be amused to witness beautiful marine life creatures wading through the sea.

Location: Jahaji Beach, Bada Balu, and Manner Strait

3. Visit A Turtle Breeding Center

Crowds of people gather at Dani Nallah to watch turtle hatchlings make their journey to the water. The turtles are a critically endangered species in India. In order to improve their numbers, the park is making every possible effort. They also help turtles recover from injuries sustained by getting trapped in fishnets. This is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Rutland Island.

Location: Dani Nallah

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4. Fishing

You will never forget the charm of fishing in Rutland Island by casting a fly dipped inside the flowing streams to snap a sweeping fish. Professionals always prefer trying a hand on gracing the three pounders. Tourists gathering up for fishing on the island opt for the summer season to catch some fish. Make sure to drop by between the months of April and June for a delightful fishing experience.

Cost: Free

5. Glass Bottom Boat Ride

Tourists in Rutland Island enjoy glass bottom boat rides immensely. It provides an excellent opportunity to see bright and beautiful corals and marine flora and fauna, that float on the shallow water. Get your eyes on sea turtles, pipe fishes and eagle rays and luxuriant seaweed beds. For those who are afraid of getting into the water, yet they want to experience the colorful aquatic life, this is a good way to do that.

Location: Jolly Buoy Island

Travel Tips For Rutland Island

Follow these tips for visiting Rutland Island in Andaman as recommended by our travel experts to get the most out of your trip:

1. There is all but one resort in Rutland Island for you to crash at. Booking a room in Totani Resort in advance isn’t easy since there’s no telephone service on the island. Connect with a travel agent who can help you book your stay.
2. The resort tariff is steep throughout the year, so if you’re on a budget holiday you can opt for a day trip to Rutland Island instead of an overnight trip.
3. If you’re traveling with old people, traveling via the jetty might get inconvenient for them. You may want to rent out a car for them.
4. It is wise to carry a substantial amount of food or atleast a whole lot of snacks that’ll suffice you for the day, especially if you’re a vegetarian.
5. Make sure you carry a first aid kit along with you as Rutland Island doesn’t have any hospitals.

How To Reach Rutland Island

Rutland Island is 20 km south of Port Blair. If you’re in Port Blair, take the road to the jetty point, then take a boat from Port Blair to reach the island. However, if you’re in Havelock Island, you need to first head to Port Blair by ferry. The ride will take approximately 2.5 hours. Once in Port Blair, you can buy your tourist permit and complete the necessary formalities required to visit Rutland Island.

Further Read: 19 Best Hotels And Resorts In Andaman That Fit Under Every Budget

Rutland Island has no telephone service or electricity, and scarce availability of food. Accomodation too, is rare, with simply one resort comprising bamboo huts that is equipped enough for a comfortable stay. Make sure you book a day tour of Rutland Island with TravelTriangle to ensure you and your loved ones are well taken care of.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rutland Island

What kind of amenity is provided by this Rutland island?

The Rutland island contains seven villages in it. With very less technological exposure, these are a few of the places in the world which don’t want to upgrade themselves in terms of technical services.

What are some of the most important activities which fun-loving people shouldn’t miss?

Rutland Island is full of fun and makes you feel more connected to nature. You should not miss scuba diving, a boat ride of glass bottom, fishing and breeding of turtles.

What is the common source of transportation to reach Rutland Island?

This island is situated in the south of Port Blair. You can take jetty from Port Blair or you need to take the ferry to reach Port Bair.

What are the travelling modes available in the Island?

The island is very small and roadways are not well maintained or used. Jetty is the most common way to explore the island since all spots are well-connected with waterways.

What are activities that can be enjoyed in Andaman?

Andaman is an island as well as a tourist place full of enjoyable activities. If you are planning to visit please do, scuba diving, beach bumming, wander new tourists place and perform activities of water.

What is the most popular thing in Andaman?

As it is already mentioned, Andaman’s market is the most famous market where you can find the range of sovereigns, products of seashells and many more things.

According to the roaming area, how many days are required to visit the whole Andaman?

Andaman is not at all a big place to roam. It will take about 6 days to visit every famous place in Andaman. That means you can utilize your 6 days to cover Andaman island.

What about the safety of Andaman?

There is no visa required for Indian citizens. As it has become one of the most loving tourist places by tourists, the security henceforth has increased than before.