Interview Island, Andaman And Nicobar Islands Travel Guide

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Discover Interview Island: A remote Andaman sanctuary with feral elephants, pristine beaches, and untouched tropical wilderness.

Interview Island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, is a remote haven of untouched wilderness. Known for its feral elephants, diverse wildlife, and pristine beaches, this uninhabited island offers a unique ecotourism experience for adventurous nature lovers.

A brief summary to Interview Island

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, IN

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Interview Island.

Obtain necessary permits from the Forest Department in advance, as Interview Island is a protected area.
The best time to visit is between November and April when the weather is dry and sea conditions are favorable.
Pack essentials such as water, food, and appropriate trekking gear, as facilities on the island are limited.
Respect the wildlife and follow guidelines provided by the Forest Department to ensure safety and conservation.

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Explore Interview Island on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Interview Island, mapped for you.

Getting There

Boat

To reach Interview Island, you'll first need to travel to Mayabunder, a town in North Andaman. From Port Blair, you can reach Mayabunder by bus or ferry. The bus journey takes approximately 8-10 hours. Ferries are less frequent, with services once or twice a week. From Mayabunder, charter a private fishing boat (Dunghi) from the Mayabunder jetty to Interview Island. The boat ride takes approximately 3 hours, depending on sea conditions. Expect to pay around ₹4,000 - ₹6,000 for a round trip.

Discover more about Interview Island

Interview Island, located 125 kilometers north of Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is a captivating destination for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. As the largest island sanctuary in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it encompasses 99 square kilometers of protected land.The island's history is intertwined with the timber industry. Elephants were brought from the mainland in the early 1960s for logging operations but were abandoned when the timber company went bankrupt. These elephants have since become feral, roaming freely throughout the island's diverse terrain.The Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1985, protects not only the feral elephant population but also a rich variety of flora and fauna. The island is covered in semi-evergreen, littoral forests, and mangroves, providing habitat for spotted deer, three-striped palm squirrels, Andaman woodpeckers, and white-headed starlings. It is also an Important Bird Area (IBA), recognized for its significance in the conservation of various bird species, including the endemic and endangered Andaman Teal.Visitors to Interview Island can enjoy jungle treks, offering the chance to spot wildlife and experience the island's natural beauty. The island's beaches are pristine and untouched, providing a tranquil escape. However, it's important to note that Interview Island has no accommodation facilities, and overnight stays require permission from the Forest Department, with camping or staying on a boat as the only options.The lighthouse on Interview Island was damaged during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami but has since been repaired. The island is generally open to tourists from November to April, with a requirement to obtain a Protected Area Permit from the Chief Wildlife Warden.