The Andaman and Nicobar Administration is set to introduce a new maritime tourism experience titled ‘Dweep Darshan’, a heritage harbour cruise that blends scenic beauty with historical storytelling. Organized by the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), the initiative follows the successful run of the Barren Island Volcano Cruise, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the islands’ rich colonial and freedom movement heritage from the sea.
Scheduled to commence operations on November 17, 2025, the inaugural sailing will depart from Phoenix Bay Jetty at 9:30 a.m., with bookings opening on November 15. The four-hour circuit will take passengers through a panoramic route covering Chatham Island, Viper Island, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, before returning to the Phoenix Bay Jetty. The fare for the cruise has been fixed at Rs. 550 per person.
The ‘Dweep Darshan’ cruise aims to merge leisure and learning, offering a glimpse into the islands’ layered past, from British-era industrial activity to India’s freedom struggle and the symbolic rise of the national flag in 1943. The journey is designed to appeal to both history enthusiasts and casual travellers, highlighting significant landmarks that shaped the archipelago’s identity.
The first stop on the route, Chatham Island, is home to one of Asia’s oldest sawmills, established by the British in 1883. The island still bears visible scars from World War II bombings and stands as a living archive of the Andamans’ industrial and strategic evolution.
Next, the cruise halts at Viper Island, historically known as the site of the first British jail built before the construction of the Cellular Jail. The gallows at Viper Island serve as a poignant reminder of the freedom fighters who endured imprisonment during the colonial period. The island’s name is derived from the ship H.M.S. Viper, which met a tragic fate near its shores, adding a maritime tale of loss to its already storied past.
The journey culminates at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, once known as Ross Island, famously described as the “Paris of the East” during the British era. The island served as the administrative headquarters of the British Government in the Andamans before being renamed in honour of Netaji, who raised the Indian National Flag here in 1943, marking one of the earliest assertions of India’s independence. Today, its overgrown ruins, including the church, bakery, and Chief Commissioner’s residence, serve as evocative relics of a colonial chapter reclaimed by nature.
The cruise, operated by the Directorate of Shipping Services, is part of the Administration’s efforts to promote heritage tourism while enhancing visitors’ engagement with the islands’ historical and cultural fabric. Tickets will be available both online and at DSS’s STARS counter, ensuring accessibility for tourists and residents alike.
Officials said the ‘Dweep Darshan’ initiative is designed to complement existing tourism offerings by blending education, recreation, and heritage conservation. By allowing travellers to experience history from the sea, the same vantage point through which the islands first entered India’s colonial imagination, the project seeks to foster a deeper appreciation of the region’s historical continuity and natural charm.
The launch of ‘Dweep Darshan’ underscores the Andaman Administration’s growing focus on sustainable heritage tourism, inviting visitors to explore the islands not just as scenic destinations but as living repositories of India’s struggle, resilience, and cultural diversity.
