Game fishing is one of the most popular water sports across the world. In game fishing, anglers hunt for a specific type of fish for sport. There are many places in the world where fishing is very popular. The Andamans is one of them. The archipelago is a major hub for fishing as it boasts a variety of fish. This means that it also attracts many anglers who pursue fishing for sport.
There are many spots near Havelock Island and Port Blair where you can go for game fishing in the Andamans. But, if you want to get away from the crowd and catch yourself a trophy fish, you should try fishing in Barren Island.
Barren Island is a volcanic island located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is the only volcano in India and the only active one in South Asia. The volcano is first known to have erupted in the 1700s after which it went dormant for a long time. It erupted again in the 90s and then again in the 2000s post which the island has been witnessing a steady increase in tourists.
The island itself is uninhabited except for a few goats, bats, and rodents. The massive prehistoric caldera spews smoke most of the time and you can see it from miles away. The island has some vegetation but not enough to sustain human activity.
Charter boats are the best way to go to the Barren Island volcano. They are also a bit more expensive than other means of transport. As mentioned earlier, Regular passenger ferries do not go to Barren Island, so you’d have to hire a private boat charter to Barren Island.
You may have to spend around INR 130,000-150,000 on your day-long trip to Barren Island. The cost, however, covers most of the expenses you could incur during your trips like meals, fishing gear, beverages, and other facilities. Charter boats also come with boat staff and a guide to help you navigate through your trip and activities.
| Package Type | Duration | Price (Up to 6 Guests) | Extra Guests | Departure Point |
| Full-Day Game Fishing | 6–8+ Hours | ₹1,40,000 | On request | Port Blair / Havelock |
| Half-Day Game Fishing | 3–4 Hours | ₹70,000 | On request | Port Blair / Havelock |
The Andamans is a beautiful place that should be enjoyed under good weather. Imagine sitting on a sunny beach or fishing on a hot and humid day. Does not sound that appealing or even like a vacation, does it? If you are planning to visit Barren Island, you should plan your vacation between November to February.
The weather is pleasant around this time and there’s less chance of rain or storms. October, March and early April are also fine, but the weather does get a bit hot and humid around this time.
| Months / Season | Weather & Sea Conditions | Activities Suitability | Overall Experience |
| November – February | Pleasant weather, calm seas, low humidity | Ideal for charter fishing, cruising, sightseeing | Excellent |
| March – April | Warm temperatures, mostly stable seas | Good for fishing and offshore trips | Very Good |
| May | Hot and humid, changing sea conditions | Limited offshore activities | Average |
| June – September | Heavy rainfall, rough seas, monsoon winds | Offshore trips generally suspended | Not Recommended |
| October | Improving post-monsoon weather | Selective charters and cruising | Good |
One of the best activities that one can do in Andamans is to take a charter fishing trip to Barren Island. Barren Island volcano is a grand spectacle that comes out of the open sea and the topography of the area under water has been described as being dramatic and a spectacular view. This destination is indeed unique because of the deep water, volcanic shaping and little human interference.
Game Fishing: Game Fishing is still the best thing to do in Barren Island. The offshore waters around the volcano are home to the large pelagic fish and this makes it one of the best game fishing locations in that area. The scenic journey also added to the experience in which the excitement of fishing can be combined with the spectacular views of the volcanic island and the wide bay of Bengal.
Snorkelling: Other than fishing, there is also snorkelling that is common in the Barren Island. Snorkelling in this case enables the visitors to observe the coral formations that are a result of volcanic activity and schools of reef fish that cross over through underwater ridges. As snorkelling needs no prior experience or knowledge of swimming, it can be adopted by most of the travelers in a charter trip.
Scuba Diving: The Barren Island scuba diving is only suitable to advanced level divers as it has strong currents and the bed of the ocean is unique as a result of volcanoes. To certified divers, the experience is incredible and is accompanied by sight of rare coral formations and huge marine animals that thrive well in these waters with great amounts of food. These are the dives here that are regarded as some of the most unique in the Andamans due to the volcanic origin of the island.
Cruising: Besides water activities, scenic cruising of Barren Island is in itself an experience. Cruising around the active volcano of India, where the ocean views are continuous, and there are no crowds to surround the cruise, makes one feel special and adventurous. Whether fishing, diving or just grabbing a spot on the board, Barren Island also presents a natural beauty that is hard to find together with adventure and offshore discovery.
The popularity of Barren Island trips has been increasing steadily in the Andamans over the last few years. To accommodate the rising number of people showing their interest to visit the island, the Andamans offer many cruise and charter boat services. Regular passenger ferries don’t go to Barren Island, unlike the other islands in the archipelago. If you want to go fishing in Barren Island then taking a charter boat is your only option.
| Step | Details |
| Choose Departure Point | Select Port Blair or Havelock Island, the only locations offering fishing charters to Barren Island |
| Select Fishing Package | Decide between a full-day or half-day fishing trip based on time availability |
| Book a Charter Boat | Reserve an AC private fishing charter equipped for offshore travel and fishing |
| Confirm Crew & Gear | Ensure the trip includes an experienced captain, crew, and complete fishing equipment |
| Plan Travel Time | Allow 4–5 hours one way from Port Blair or 3+ hours from Havelock Island |
| Schedule Early Departure | Early morning starts provide calmer seas and better fishing conditions |
| Prepare Essentials | Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable clothing, and personal medication |
| Follow Safety Guidelines | Adhere to all safety instructions and fishing guidance provided onboard |
Price: ₹1,40,000 for up to 6 guests
Price: ₹70,000 for up to 6 guests
One of the largest business activities in Barren Island is game fishing, where all world wide anglers are eager to enjoy its deep rich powerful ocean ecosystem. The waters around the island are highly fertile which provides a large population of game fish that is significantly higher than most of the other fishing grounds in the Andamans. The island has the ideal conditions of serious sport fishing due to its remote offshore location and abundance. The size and variety of fish here makes the difference between Barren Island. Black and blue marlins, yellowfin and dogtooth tuna are common to the anglers and they are known to be strong and enduring. Moreover, dorado (mahi-mahi) and sailfish can also be easily seen, and it increases the excitement and the possibility of making a trophy fish. Each attack in this case can turn out to be a memorable fight. The other great benefit of game fishing at Barren Island is the action consistency.
This is in contrast to other fishing places where waiting is an important factor and it is common to spend hours waiting before getting a bite. The abundance of fish here ensures that a bite is made in a short time. It amazes many of the anglers how the fishing activity is throughout the day and they are often rewarded with a number of fish without spending long periods of time without capturing fish. The adventure is further supported by well trained local guides who are familiar with the weather conditions of the sea, feeding habits and seasonal patterns of movement of the fish in the island. In case, you do not know where to fish, your guide would take you straight to the hotspots that are proven and ensure the maximum success and safety. Leaving behind the combination of extreme action, huge fish and high adventure of the sea, angler will find themselves happily worn out and fulfilled by the end of the trip, leaving game fishing in Barren Island of Andamans as one of the most fruitful experiences in Andamans.
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First-time fishers can comfortably take part in a game fishing adventure to Barren Island. The crew describes methods and helps the process of fishing. This will enable the newcomers to have the experience without being overwhelmed.
On a full day trip, it has more time in the deep offshore fishing areas. It enhances the possibility of meeting bigger pelagic species. The half-day trips are; emphasizing faster offshore access and short fishing hours.
The currents may be stronger so that open-sea fishing may be more physical. Nevertheless, it also enhances excitement and rewards. The crew takes care of safety and correct positioning during the journey.
Game fishing is very discrete as the boats are chartered. It has no common crowds and predetermined schedules. This provides a more special and relaxing experience.
The experience does not end with the catch, yes. Cruising off-shore, volcanic landscape, and the open-sea adventure brings in extra value. Most tourists love the journey no matter the end prize.
The fishing pressure remains very low because of the distant nature of the Barren Island. This will enable fish to develop bigger and go about their business without being disturbed by humans all the time. Their growth is further enhanced by the deep and nutrient rich waters.
No, fishing methods may also be altered depending on sea conditions and the behavior of fish. Depending on the time, the crew determines which is best; trolling, jigging or popping. This gives them flexibility in enhancing success in fishing.
Normal fishing activities are not disrupted by volcanic activities. Cruises are made when the sea conditions and safety are stable. Closely monitored conditions are observed before departure by the operators.
In game fishing, no physical labor is hard, particularly when fighting fish. Visitors are allowed to have breaks between catches. Crew members are used to help minimize fatigue.
Barren Island has a rich offshore water, uncommon fish species and a little congestion. The environment is unpolished, elite and adventurous. The combination of these factors results in a high-end experience of fishing.
