Interview Island Travel Guide

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.