Barren Island Trip

Barren Island Trip  (The only active Volcano in Southeast Asia)

Barren Island is in the Andaman Sea, about 140 km northeast of Port Blair. It is the only active volcano in India and a very interesting place for people who love nature and adventure. The island is about 3 km wide and has a large crater that is 2 km across. The volcano rises 354 meters above the sea, but most of it is under the water and reaches down more than 2,250 meters.

Barren Island is known for its active volcano, which has erupted more than ten times since 1787. The last big eruption was in 2017. It included lava fountains, ash clouds, and flowing lava, attracting both scientists and tourists.

The island has black rocks from old lava and a landscape shaped by past eruptions. Around the island, coral reefs are growing quickly.

No people live on the island because of its harsh volcanic conditions. These eruptions have affected the island’s birds. The number of bird species has dropped from sixteen to six. The pied imperial pigeon and Feral goats is now the most common is there.

Exploring Barren Island

Barren Island is one of the few active volcanic islands in the Indian Ocean. It helps scientists learn more about how volcanoes work, how nature recovers, and how the Earth’s surface changes over time. Both old and recent eruptions have shaped the island’s story, making it a fascinating and powerful place. Barren Island’s history shows the strength of nature and the many secrets still hidden in our planet’s past.

Barren Island is a special place where you can see an active volcano and enjoy exciting ocean activities. Getting there isn’t easy—you need a permit and a private boat—but the trip is worth it. Visitors can enjoy amazing underwater life, exciting fishing, and the rare chance to see a live volcano in the Indian Ocean.

 The key things you need to know about visiting Barren Island how to get there, what to do, and why it’s such a unique place, based on the latest travel tips and expert advice.

Become an adventurer as you go on a special trip to see the amazing power of an active volcano and explore the stunning beauty of volcanic coral reefs.
 

 Visit Barren Island

To visit Barren Island, you need to plan ahead, and you must get special permission from the local forest department because Barren Island is in a restricted area. There are no regular passenger boats to the island. The only way to go is by booking a private boat (charter boat MFV Caiman) from Port Blair or Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep):

1. From Port Blair, it takes about 4 to 5 hours.

2. From Havelock Island, it takes about 2 to 3 hours.

This boat can carry 7–8 people and usually includes fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving, lunch, and drinks. The total cost is between ₹1,50,000 and ₹1,70,000 per trip, and Permit Charges Rs.. 500 for Indians, Rs. 2500 for Foreigners, so it’s better to travel in a group to share the cost.

You are not allowed to get off the boat and walk on the island because it is dangerous. But you can go around the island by boat, enjoy water activities, and see the volcano from a safe distance.

There is also a seaplane tour from Port Blair to see the island from the sky. It is more expensive and must be booked in advance.

You can’t stay overnight on Barren Island, so all visits are day trips that usually begin early in the morning. And a total duration of minimum 10 hours.

Activities on Barren Island

Barren Island is known for a few exciting activities:

 Game Fishing

The waters around the island are home to big game fish, making it a great place for fishing lovers. Local guides can help find the best fishing spots.

Fishing Techniques:

 Popping

A surface fishing method where special lures called poppers are used to make splashes and noise, attracting fish to come up and bite.

 Jigging

Jigging is a fishing method where a heavy fake bait called a jig is moved up and down in the water to attract fish. There are different ways to jig, like fast jigging, slow jigging, vertical jigging, and shore jigging.

 Trolling

Trolling is a way of fishing where a lure or bait is pulled behind a moving boat at a slow speed. There are different types of trolling, like fishing near the surface, deep in the water, close to the bottom, or even using a kite to hold the bait.

Snorkeling

Snorkelling here is a fun way to see reef sharks, manta rays, and colourful coral reefs. Most visitors can try snorkelling, even if they’re not scuba divers.

 Scuba Diving

Only skilled and certified advanced scuba divers can dive here because the underwater area is tricky due to the island’s volcanic past. Popular dive spots include Purple Haze and Barren Garden, both famous for their bright coral life.

Checklist

Get Required Permits 

Apply for permission from the local forest department in advance.

Book a Private Charter 

Arrange a private boat from Port Blair or Havelock Island (MFV Caiman).

Plan Budget 

Trip cost is ₹1.5–1.7 lakhs per boat (share with a group if possible).

Day Trip Only 

No overnight stays allowed; start early as trips last around 10 hours.

No Landing Allowed 

You can’t walk on the island; all activities are from the boat.

Try Adventure Activities 

Enjoy game fishing, snorkelling, and scuba diving.

Certified Divers Only 

Scuba diving is for advanced certified divers due to tricky conditions.

Optional Aerial Tour 

Book a seaplane ride from Port Blair for a bird’s-eye view of the volcano

 About breakfast & lunch

Packed breakfast, ready-to-eat lunch, and refreshments are provided onboard. Bottled drinking water and cold drinks are also provided onboard.

FAQs

1. Is it safe to visit Barren Island?

Yes, it is safe if you follow the rules. People are not allowed to walk on the island because the volcano is active. But you can go around the island in a boat, enjoy water activities, and see the volcano from a safe distance.

2. Can I stay overnight on Barren Island?

No, you can't stay overnight on Barren Island. Since it's a restricted area, visitors can only admire its beauty from a distance. No one is allowed to set foot on the island because it is uninhabited and has harsh volcanic conditions.

3. What should I bring when visiting Barren Island?

Bring things like a hat, sunscreen, water, swimwear, and a camera. If you want to go fishing or diving, make sure you have the right equipment or ask the tour operator if you can rent it.

4. Do I need a diving certificate to do scuba diving in Barren Island?

Yes, you need to be a certified and experienced scuba diver. The underwater area is difficult because of the volcanic rocks and deep water.

5. Can I explore the volcano up close?

No, visitors cannot walk on the island or go near the volcano because it is dangerous. But you can safely see the volcano from a boat at a distance.

6. Do I need a permit to go there?
Yes, permits are required. It costs ₹500 for Indian citizens and ₹2,500 for foreigners.

7. How much does a boat trip cost?
A full trip costs around ₹1,50,000 to ₹1,70,000 per boat, which can be shared by 7–8 people.

8. Can I walk on the island?

No, getting off the boat is not allowed because the volcano is dangerous.

9. What is the total trip duration?
The trip usually lasts around 10 hours, including travel and activities.

10. What marine life can I see there?
You might see reef sharks, manta rays, and bright coral reefs around the island., Port Management Board, and Indian Coast Guard for Barren Island. We do all the permissions for you, you just need to send us your photo id proof at least 02 working days before the trip.