Viper Island is a small island in Port Blair harbour with a big and sombre history. Before the Cellular Jail was built, this was where the British held convicts and political prisoners in the Andaman penal settlement, and the ruins of the old prison and its hilltop gallows still stand among the trees. It is quiet, atmospheric and thought-provoking, and it adds an important chapter to the story told at the Cellular Jail and on Ross Island.
Viper Island lies in the harbour a few kilometres west of the centre of Port Blair, and it is reached by a short boat ride. Access varies, so planning matters. This guide covers its history, what you will see, how to get there, the best time to go and how to combine it with other sights. If you would rather have the boat and timing arranged for you, explore our Andaman tour packages, planned by Andaman Emerald Travels, a travel team based in Port Blair.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | In Port Blair harbour, about 4 km west of the city centre |
| Type | Historic penal settlement ruins |
| Known for | Colonial prison remains, hilltop gallows, harbour views |
| Reached from | A harbour jetty in Port Blair, by boat (about 20 to 30 minutes) |
| Suggested time | 45 minutes to 1.5 hours on the island |
| Best season | October to May |
| Before you go | Check whether boats are running and which jetty they use |
| Best for | History lovers, photographers, curious travellers |
The island takes its name from the ship Viper, the vessel in which Lieutenant Archibald Blair arrived in the Andamans in 1789. Port Blair itself is named after him. The need for a jail grew after the British set up a penal settlement at Port Blair in 1858, following the Uprising of 1857. The first proper jail of the settlement was built on Viper Island in the 1860s, with construction recorded around 1864 to 1867.
Prisoners held here faced harsh conditions, hard labour and strict punishments, and the island became known for its gallows. The most famous person hanged here was Sher Ali Afridi, who assassinated Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India, at Hope Town in February 1872 and was executed on the island in March of that year. When the much larger Cellular Jail opened in the early 1900s, Viper Island lost its importance and was abandoned, and nature took over. The Indian Navy later took charge of the area to maintain the relics. For a wider view of the islands’ past, read our guide to the history of the Andaman Islands.
| Period | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1789 | Lieutenant Archibald Blair arrives on the ship Viper; the island takes its name |
| 1858 | The British set up the penal settlement at Port Blair |
| 1860s | The Viper Island jail is built, the first proper jail of the settlement |
| 1872 | Sher Ali Afridi is hanged here after assassinating Lord Mayo |
| Early 1900s | The Cellular Jail opens and Viper Island is abandoned |
| Later | The Indian Navy takes responsibility for maintaining the relics |
This is a simplified summary. Exact dates and details are explained by local guides and official sources.
The gallows are the island’s most striking feature. A brick structure stands on a small rise, partly open to the sky, with birds nesting in the old arches. Standing beneath it, looking out at the harbour, is a quiet and sobering experience. The gallows are better preserved than the buildings below and offer a clear view over the water and the surrounding islands.
Below the gallows, the remains of walls, cells and other structures are scattered through the trees. The jail was a simple, rough prison, and the ruins give a sense of how basic and harsh it was compared with the later Cellular Jail. Information panels or a guide help explain what each part was used for.
Near the jetty, a red-brick courthouse building is visible as you arrive. It is a good example of the colonial architecture used on the island.
From the island you can look across the harbour to Port Blair, Ross Island and the surrounding waters. In the early morning or late afternoon the light is soft, and the setting is especially atmospheric.
The island is green and quiet, with birds and the occasional spotted deer. Keep your distance from wildlife, and do not feed animals.
| Highlight | What It Is | Approx. Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Hilltop gallows | The best-known structure on the island | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Prison ruins | Walls and cells among the trees | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Courthouse and jetty area | Red-brick colonial building near arrival | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Harbour views | Views of Port Blair and nearby islands | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Boat ride | Harbour crossing from Port Blair | 20 to 30 minutes each way |
Timings are approximate and vary with crowds, tides and weather.
The best season is October to May, when the weather is dry and the sea is calm. Morning and late afternoon are best, as the island is mostly open and has little shade at midday. Monsoon months bring rain, rough water and possible cancellations, and the ground can be muddy and slippery.
| Months | Season | What to Expect | Our Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| October to November | Post-monsoon | Green island, fewer crowds | October, November |
| December to February | Peak season | Cool, clear days; busiest period | December, January, February |
| March to May | Summer | Warm and humid; visit early | March, April, May |
| June to September | Monsoon | Rain and rough water; trips may be cancelled | June, July, August, September |
Viper Island is reached by a short boat ride across the harbour, roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Boats are usually taken from a jetty on the harbour’s western side, such as Phoenix Bay, and some sources say Junglighat. They do not usually leave from the Aberdeen water sports complex used for Ross Island. Because the departure point and the availability of boats can change, always confirm before you travel. If you are on one of our packages, we arrange the boat, the timing and the transfer.
| Option | Best For | Things to Note |
|---|---|---|
| Shared boat or organised trip | Most visitors; lower cost | Depends on schedules and numbers; may not run every day |
| Private or rented boat | Families and groups with flexible plans | More flexible; arranged through our team |
| Combined tour | Visitors who want several sights | Often combined with Ross Island or North Bay |
Access to the island varies. Tourist boat services have been irregular in the past, and the island can be closed by the authorities. Carry valid photo ID, and keep a backup plan in case your trip cannot go ahead.
Boats generally run during the day, roughly from the morning to mid-afternoon, and the island is visited in daylight hours. Ticket and boat prices vary by operator, and rules can change. Please confirm current availability, timings and costs before you go, or ask our team to check for you.
Viper Island fits naturally into a history-themed day:
| Attraction | Why Pair It | Approx. Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Island | The administrative headquarters of the penal settlement, just across the water | 2 to 3 hours |
| Cellular Jail | The larger prison that replaced Viper Island, with the evening show | 1.5 to 2 hours plus the show |
| North Bay Island | A lighter, nature-focused stop for balance | 3 to 4 hours |
For more history, add a visit to the Chatham Saw Mill, which also dates from the colonial period.
Timings are approximate and vary with season and crowds.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Boat to Viper Island; explore the gallows and ruins |
| Late morning | Return to the jetty and head to a museum or the Chatham area |
| Afternoon | Lunch in the city, then the Cellular Jail galleries |
| Evening | Attend the Light and Sound Show at the Cellular Jail |
Looking for a ready-made plan that includes Port Blair history sights? See our 3 nights 4 days and 4 nights 5 days Andaman packages. You can also browse all Andaman destinations on our site.
Port Blair history sightseeing is part of many of our packages. Every traveller has different needs, so we offer a package for each:
| Traveller Type | Package | What It Offers |
|---|---|---|
| Couples | Andaman honeymoon packages | Romantic stays, private transfers and relaxed sightseeing |
| Families | Andaman family packages | Comfortable, child-friendly plans |
| Friends and colleagues | Andaman group packages | Shared planning for large parties |
| Value-focused travellers | Andaman budget packages | Affordable trips that cover the highlights |
| Government employees | Andaman LTC packages | Plans designed for LTC travel |
| Thrill seekers | Andaman adventure packages | Water sports and active excursions |
Not sure which suits you? Reach out through our contact page for a customised itinerary.
See what travellers say about us on Andaman Emerald Travels on Google, then call +91 9933245630 or send an enquiry for a free quote on your Andaman tour packages.
It is named after the ship Viper, in which Lieutenant Archibald Blair came to the Andamans in 1789.
It is famous for its ruined prison and hilltop gallows, where Sher Ali Afridi was hanged in 1872 after assassinating Lord Mayo.
It is about 4 km west of the city centre, and the boat ride takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
Yes. The jail on Viper Island was built in the 1860s, decades before the Cellular Jail opened, and it was abandoned once the larger prison was ready.
Access varies, and boat services are not always running, so check before you go. Our team confirms the current situation for guests on our packages.
Plan 45 minutes to 1.5 hours on the island, plus the boat ride each way.
It is a short, quiet visit, but the ground is uneven and the themes are sombre. Older children usually manage well, and seniors may prefer to avoid the uphill walk to the gallows.
Our Port Blair sightseeing can include it on request, subject to boat availability. Couples often choose a honeymoon package, families a family package and budget travellers a budget package. Our team can customise any plan.
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