Viper Island, Historical island in Andaman Islands, India.
Viper Island is a wooded island rising from Navy Bay near Port Blair, showing remains of colonial-era structures scattered across its forested slopes. The scattered ruins of a former prison complex can be traced through the hillside landscape, where walls and foundations are still visible among the vegetation.
The British built a prison here between 1864 and 1867, operating it until the construction of Cellular Jail was completed in 1906. After the newer facility opened, this earlier prison was abandoned and gradually fell into decay.
The ruins visible today mark where political prisoners were once held in harsh conditions during the colonial era. Walking through the remains, visitors sense the struggles of those who resisted foreign rule from this remote location.
Visitors reach the island on regular harbor cruises departing from Phoenix Bay jetty, with a journey of about 20 minutes across the water. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as the terrain is hilly and the sun can be intense.
The island got its name from HMS Viper, a ship that Lieutenant Archibald Blair used to sail to the Andamans in 1789. This naming connects the site's story to the early European exploration of the island group.
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