Exploring a volcano is a rare opportunity that nobody would want to miss. Volcanoes are located in many parts of the world, but you don’t have to go that far. There’s a volcano close to home in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Barren Island volcano is increasingly becoming a hotspot for tourists, especially, those who want to fish or snorkel near a volcano.
If you are planning to visit the Andamans, you must take a charter fishing trip to Barren Island. While a little expensive, the trip promises to create some of the most iconic memories of your life.
Taking a charter fishing trip to Barren Island is by far the best thing you’ll do in the Andamans. The volcano is majestic, of course, but you’d be surprised to know that there are many things you can do on the island. Barren Island is not just about witnessing a volcano. You can explore some very fun and adventurous water activities near the island like fishing, snorkelling, and scuba diving. It is also an excellent spot for underwater photography. If you need more reasons to visit the island, here are some:
Of all the reasons why Barren Island is famous, game fishing is probably as high up on the list as an active volcano. Game fishing is a type of fishing sport where anglers go to the open seas to catch giant and strong fish that offers competition to the angler. It is also called bluewater fishing as it is only possible deep into the open sea. Barren Island sits in a remote location out in the sea where there isn’t a lot of human activity. As such, the island attracts a lot of strong and giant fish. Some examples of such fish are the Yellowfin Tuna, Dogtooth Tuna, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Dorado, and Sailfish.
The density of fish near Barren Island is also very high. This means that you’ll never have to wait for hours before being able to catch a fish. Don’t be concerned about finding the right spot to fish either; a guide accompanying you on your charter fishing trip to Barren Island will take you to the best spots for fishing.
How to go for a charter fishing trip to Barren Island
The only way to go to Barren Island is to charter a boat. You won’t get any regular ferries going to the island as you would for other islands around the Andamans. This is because not only is the Barren Island volcano situated far away from the rest of the islands in the Andamans, but it is also uninhabited. This means that there’s no one to travel back and forth from the island every day.
Charter boats can accommodate up to 8 people excluding boat staff and can take anything between 3-5 hours to reach their destination. They usually start from Port Blair or Havelock Island. Since it takes a long time to reach Barren Island, your boat will start early morning, sometimes even before sunrise so that you can go and come back from the trip on time.
The cost of taking a charter fishing trip to Barren Island can vary between INR 130,000-150,000. But this price applies if you book the entire boat. Some places let you book individual spots on the boat for which you may have to pay around INR 25000. You also have to pay for a tourist permit separately if you want to do any activity near Barren Island. Indian nationals can pay INR 1000 while foreign nationals have to pay INR 3500 for the same.
Answer: Port Blair and Havelock Island.
Answer: It can take you 3-5 hours to reach Barren Island. You should keep an entire day aside for your charter fishing trip to Barren Island Volcano.
Answer: Barren Island is popular for activities likegame fishing, snorkelling, and scuba diving.
Answer: The period between November to February is the best time to visit Barren Island.
Answer: Yes, you have a tourist permit to visit and engage in activities around Barren Island.
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