Planning a vacation can be stressful. First, you have to search for the ideal location, then plan the itinerary and decide on where you’ll stay. The decision, however, is to find the ideal location. But if you are thinking of beaches, think no further than the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You will be awed by the brilliant white beaches and the never-ending gaze of the turquoise-coloured sea. If you want to do more than just relax and unwind, you can try going for adventurous hikes and even diving deep into the sea. The stunning coral formations are nothing like what you have ever seen in your life.
Add to that a visit to a volcanic island: the Barren Island. It is a majestic island standing tall in the middle of the sea, its caldera sending grey smoke signals to the blue sky. Read ahead if you want to know what are the top things you can do and how to visit Barren Island.
As mentioned earlier, Barren Island is a volcanic island located in the Andamans. Apart from being the only volcano in India, it is also the only active volcano in South Asia. The volcano has been active for quite some time after erupting a few times since the 1990s. Before that, it had been dormant for a long time since first erupting in the 18th century. Currently, the island is uninhabited apart from a few rodents, bats, goats, and pigeons. This is because the living condition on the island is very harsh for humans to survive sustainably. While the island may be a bit inhospitable, the water around is incredibly rich, making it a perfect spot for many water activities like snorkelling and scuba diving. Fishing, however, is the most sought-after water activity on Barren Island. Once you have figured out how to visit Barren Island, you should think about which activity you want to do near the Island. Here are the details:
Snorkelling: Snorkelling is a fun activity but doing it near Barren Island makes it far more interesting and adventurous. After all, it is an active volcano. You don’t need any experience to go snorkelling in Barren Island. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful world thriving underwater.You’ll also have guides who’ll help you enjoy your snorkelling activity.
Scuba diving: Scuba diving is by far the most fascinating water sport in the Andamans. The archipelago gets many visitors every year who specifically go there to scuba dive at its many gorgeous spots. Barren Island is an altogether different experience when it comes to scuba diving. The underwater terrain is unique and other-worldly thanks to many decades of volcanic activity. This also means that not everyone can dive in Barren Island. Only experienced divers with advanced certifications can scuba dive in Barren Island.
Fishing: This is the most popular activity that attracts many people to Barren Island. You can try fishing in Barren Island even if you have never tried it before. The area near the island is full of giant fish like marlins and tunas. You should not miss an opportunity to fish near the island once you know how to visit Barren Island.
You’ll have to find out how to visit Barren Island once you have decided you’ll visit the island. Chartering a boat is the easiest and only way to visit Barren Island. You’ll get a boat charter to Barren Island from both Havelock Island and Port Blair. The trip may take you anything between 3-5 hours, but it may take you less time to travel from Port Blair than from Havelock Island. Havelock is around 100 km away from Barren Island; that’s why most people prefer travelling from this island.
Most charter boats to Barren Island can accommodate up to 8 people, so it makes sense for you to travel with family, friends or a large group. Since the trip can take up an entire day, you’ll be provided with all the meals and other facilities required for the trip. There’ll also be instructors depending on whether you want to go fishing, snorkelling, or scuba diving. Also, a boat charter to Barren Island may start early in the morning so that you can make the most out of the day and come back on time safely.
Cost of travelling to Barren Island volcano
Once you know how to visit Barren Island, you have to figure out the cost of travelling to the island. You may have to pay around INR 130,000 if you want to charter an entire boat to Barren Island. This might be the case on many occasions. It also makes sense to get charter a boat if you are travelling with friends and family. You can also book individual seats at certain places. You may be charged around INR 25,000-30,000 if you just get a seat on a boat. All your meals and other facilities including your fishing and other gear will be added to the cost of the trip.
You’ll also have to pay an additional fee for a tourist permit. For Indian nationals, the price for the permit is INR 1000 while for foreign nationals, the price is INR 3500.
Answer: You should keep an entire day aside for your Barren Island visit. The trip to and from Barren Island itself can take around 3-5 hours whether you are travelling from Havelock Island or Port Blair.
Answer: There are no ferries that go to Barren Island daily. Therefore, the only way to travel to visit Barren Island is by chartering a boat.
Answer: If you book an entire boat, you’ll have to pay around INR 130,000. Some places let you book individual seats that may be priced at INR 25000.
Answer: Yes, you need a permit to visit and do any activities around Barren Island. The cost of getting the permit is different for Indian nationals and foreigners.
Answer: Most people go to Barren Island to do three activities: fishing, snorkelling, and scuba diving. While anyone can fish and snorkel in Barren Island, only divers who have advanced certification in scuba can dive near the island.
Answer: You can visit Barren Island during the period between November to February. You should avoid the monsoon season that starts around May.
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