When it comes to vacations, Andaman and Nicobar Islands tick all the boxes. A beautiful paradise on Earth, the archipelago is a land of gorgeous beaches and lush forests boasting exotic flora and fauna. It is the best place to go if you want to just relax and pamper yourself and also the perfect place if you want an adventurous vacation. If there is a beach to unwind yourself, there would also be a fascinating diving spot close by and maybe even a volcano.
Yes, the Andamans is home to the only volcano in India. Barren Island is a majestic volcanic island that attracts many curious and adventurous tourists. In fact, taking a charter fishing trip to Barren Island is slowly becoming one of the must-do activities in the Andamans.
Top reasons to visit Barren Island volcano
The Barren Island volcano has been around for a long time, but it is only in recent years that the island has become popular among tourists. If you still haven’t made up your mind to take a charter fishing trip to Barren Island, here are your reasons:
Active volcano: Barren Island is not just a volcano it is an active volcano. Better still, it is the only active volcano in South Asia. The volcano lies along a chain of volcanoes from Myanmar to Sumatra and is known to have erupted quite a few times since the 90s since being dormant for over 100 years.
Charter boat trip: While the idea is to visit the Barren Island volcano, your boat trip will in itself be an experience to remember throughout your life. Imagine sipping delicious beverages in the middle of the sea instead of just on the beach. Are you tempted yet?
Fun activities: Barren Island is not just about witnessing an active 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.
Game fishing in Barren Island
Of all the activities you can do on Barren Island, game fishing is the most popular. And why not? The Andamans is known for their rich variety of massive fish like marlin and tuna. At Barren Island, you’ll find both the blue and black varieties of marlins, while among tunas, you’ll see, and may be able to catch, the dogtooth and Yellow Fin varieties. You never know, you may actually catch a trophy here.
Given the fact that the island sits in a remote location and is not always crowded with people, you can expect a huge volume of fish roaming freely in the water. This means that you’ll be able to easily catch not one but many fish without having to spend the entire day fishing. Also, your boat charter to Barren Island will include a guide who shall be able to guide you to the best spots for fishing.
How to go for a charter fishing trip to Barren Island
The easiest, best, and the only way to go on a fishing trip to Barren Island is by charter boat. You cannot take a ferry so far into the water. Also, regular passenger ferries do not go to Barren Island as the island is uninhabited. So, a charter fishing trip to Barren Island is the only way to visit the volcano.
Charter boats to Barren Island are only available from Port Blair or Havelock Island. Port Blair is around 140 km away from Barren Island which is covered within 4-5 hours. From Havelock, it takes 2-3 hours to reach Barren Island as both islands are separated by a 100 km distance. If you plan to travel from Havelock, remember that the island itself is 2-3 hours away from Port Blair and is only accessible from the capital via ferries. It is better to make a plan to explore Havelock and add a day-long fishing trip to Barren Island to your itinerary.
Best time to go on a charter fishing trip to Barren Island
The best time to go for a charter boat trip to Barren Island is from November to February. The weather around this time is perfect for a charter fishing trip to Barren Island as the sun is mostly out and there’s less humidity. The chances of rain are also low, which means that there’s less chance of your plans getting cancelled, especially, those that involve going on a sailing trip to a volcanic island.
October, March, and early April are also not bad for travelling to the Andamans; although, you’d have to be ready for a humid climate. From May onwards, the weather gets very wet and stormy. It is best to avoid travelling to the Andamans around this time as the rains are unpredictable and heavy around this time. You may not be able to do any of the activities you set your mind to do.
Cost of visiting Barren Island
Taking a charter fishing trip to Barren Island may be an expensive affair. But the trip promises all the luxury and fun that comes with charter boat trips. You may have to spend anything between INR 130,000 to 150,000 on your trip to Barren Island. Charter boats usually accommodate up to 8 people, so it would be best to travel with friends, family, or large groups.
You’d also have to pay for a tourist permit before you make your way to Barren Island. Getting a tourist permit applies to anyone who wants to do any activity around Barren Island. The cost of the permit is around INR 1000 for Indian nationals and INR 3500 for foreign nationals.
Charter Fishing Trip to Barren Island: FAQs
1. Where can you hire a charter boat to Barren Island?
Answer: Charter boats to Barren Island are available only from Port Blair and Havelock Island.
2. How long is the trip to Barren Island?
Answer: It is better to keep an entire day aside for Barren Island as the island is far from both Port Blair and Havelock Island. Your journey to and from the island can take you 3-4 hours on one side.
3. What are the best things to do on Barren Island?
Answer: Game fishing, snorkelling, and scuba diving are some of the best things to do on Barren Island.
4. When is the best time to visit Barren Island?
Answer: The best time to visit Barren Island is from November to February.
5. What kinds of marine life can you see on Barren Island?
Answer: Barren Island is surrounded by a very biodiverse marine flora and fauna. Reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, marlins, and tuna are very common around Barren Island.
