Baratang Island lies 90 kilometers from the capital city, Port Blair. Grand Andaman Trunk Road is the gateway to enter the Northern Andamans, and one can reach the island via the same. The 2.5-hour-long journey splits into two phases—Port Blair to Jirkatang and Jirkatang to Bartang. Travelers can either choose government/private buses from the terminal or hire a taxi from the airport. The journey incorporates one short vehicle-ferry connection among the islands. The road cuts through a jungle that is home to the indigenous Jarawa tribe when travelling to Baratang from Jirkatang; hence, the vehicles are required to leave in convoys. A stretch of 49 kilometers of Jarawa Reserve Forest leads to Middle Strait Jetty, which transports one to the other side of the strait, which then leads to Baratang.
What's Noteworthy—
Getting around Baratang is accessible for most, as there are limited but enough means of transport. In the absence of tuk-tuks/auto-rickshaws and with no scooter or bike rentals possible, travel within the island can be in the following ways.
What's Noteworthy—
It is not easy to grasp what primarily constitutes Baratang Island. As soon as you fall for its beaches and mangrove creeks, limestone infested caves divert your awe. These caves, marsh woods, beaches, mud volcanoes, and what have you, Baratang is a massive island that has long been a favourite amongst travellers. How to Reach Baratang Island from Port Blair? Nestled between Middle and South Andaman, Baratang is the first gateway up north from Port Blair, the capital city which lies 100 kilometres away. The island sprawls over an area of 243 square kilometres and has everything to set your holiday mood. Despite its popularity as a one-day trip destination, Baratang offers umpteen experiences for travellers.
Locally known as Ranchiwalas Island, Baratang Island got the name when a group of people from Ranchi migrated here and settled in. The island, however, is home to the local Jarawa tribes who were the primary inhabitants followed by Ranchi settlers. The major attractions that draw tourists to Baratang continue to be the Limestone Caves and the Mud Volcano. With fascinating opportunities such as sea walk, a boat ride through the mangroves, limestone cave trekking, hiking the mud volcano and more, Baratang is an emerging destination to quench your thirst for adventure.
Andamans being a beach destination draws imagery of the landscape painted in hues of blue, adding places to visit in Baratang Island to the itinerary brings a fresh and perhaps greener version of Andamans to light. Those who choose to spend a night or two in the island can revel upon the virgin beaches, rare bird watching opportunities, a rural way of life on an island, adventurous boat rides and plenty of inexpensive authentic local dishes. From trekking and hiking to underwater expeditions, Baratang Island is a treat for a gipsy soul! Not yet developed into a commercial tourist destination like its neighbours, Baratang is a natural delight.
Sightseeing spots in Baratang Island are beyond what you ever imagined. Did you ever imagine yourself surrounded by volcanoes? Well, in Baratang you can even hike around these volcanoes that do not emit molten lava, but instead, natural gases like methane. Did you ever imagine yourself taking a casual stroll underwater? Well, in Baratang you can walk with the schools of fishes. What felt like a dream once can now be a reality. To top it all, a half an hour boat ride through mangrove creeks and a one and a half kilometre walk through the forest leads to caves with sedimentary limestone formations hanging from the top and growing on the ground. The exquisite limestone caves of Baratang island feels like stepping into the magical realm of Alice in Wonderland.
And that is not all. Tourist attractions in Baratang Island also have some alluring beaches that are perfect for sitting by and taking in the view of the sun painting the skies crimson, or go traversing the land like the traveller you are. And if you want to get adventurous, then one can try canoeing, snorkelling, swimming or the epic sea walking. If your idea of paradise is serene and postcard-perfect landscape, then Baratang Island is the answer to all your prayers.
To reach Baratang Island, first you have to reach Port Blair as it is the entry point for the Andamans. You can hire a private car or catch a private AC bus to reach Baratang Island from Port Blair. It is the best and the most convenient way. If you are on a tight budget, then taking a government bus from Port Blair is the best option. You will have to drive via the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) and move in a group with one short vehicle-ferry connection. It will take a total of four hours but the lush greens and blue waters will make the whole experience unforgettable. Please note that two-wheelers are not allowed to go all the way to the island.
Offering magnificent natural sights and diverse wildlife scenery, the island is a perfect destination for nature lovers. You can visit the below-mentioned spots to appreciate its splendor:
Getting around the island is quite easy. You can hire a private taxi/cab from Port Blair. You can explore Baratang Island in any of the following ways:
Please note that no scooter or bike rentals are available on the island. Also, there are no auto-rickshaws as well.
Finding nice accommodation here is tricky as well as expensive. Also, the properties usually don’t welcome walk-ins. So, you have to book in advance. The best options are as follows:
Don’t expect fancy restaurants on this island, but for sure you won’t stay hungry. The Nilambur jetty is dotted with a few food outlets and small eateries that serve mainly South Indian and Bengali dishes. On almost every corner, you can find refreshments, snacks, and tea. The food is pocket-friendly, and is served with a smile!
Some of the best restaurants here serving yummy food are mentioned below:
You will not find any lavish restaurants on this island but you will surely get to experience the rich taste through its food stalls and small eateries. One thing that you should not miss out on this island is its coconut water. It will help you beat the scorching heat. Along with this, you will also spot various street vendors selling spicy cucumbers, lassis, and buttermilk at affordable prices.
Visitors can travel to the island at any time as it witnesses comforting weather throughout the year. But when it comes to choosing the best season to visit there, winter stands tall as one of the best times of the year to visit the secluded isle. With the dry weather facilitating easy commutation, the summer season is also beneficial for tourists.
Summer (March to May): The weather in the summer season maintains higher temperatures, constantly fluctuating between 25°C and 32°C. Early mornings and evenings are amazingly pleasant. If you are visiting Baratang Island during this time of the year, then you should also pay a visit to the popular Beach Festival that is held every year.
Monsoon (June to September): Owing to its tropical proximity, the monsoons in Baratang witnesses a substantial amount of rainfall. With temperatures alternating between 25°C and 30°C, conditions turn extremely humid.
Winter (October to February): During the winter season in Baratang Island, temperatures sometimes hit a minimum of 20°C and occasionally touch 30°C too. This season is the most favorable time of the year to explore the island as it offers a very pleasant feel. You can also catch up on the Island Tourism Festival and the Film Festival on your visit during this time of the year.
It is a major concern for tourists visiting Baratang Island. Almost all networks fail to function properly there and the ones that work, offer very basic services. Call drop, bad network, not being able to download applications, etc. are some of the issues that you may face at the island. However, it is found that BSNL provides better service than other networks around this area. So make sure that you carry a BSNL sim card on your trip to Baratang Island. It is recommended to take the help of a tour operator in order to avoid any kind of risk.
The island has very limited access to medical facilities but its close proximity to Port Blair makes things easier for the tourists. The capital town has a good healthcare service with several medical stores and hospitals. The health infrastructure here is limited but you can easily see improvement and modernization in medical services. There are enough medical facilities to support the outsiders that include ambulances, X-ray machines, captive power generators, and a lot more. One can also find few homeopathy dispensaries here. GB Pant hospital is the most reputed hospital in the city. It is known for providing affordable and genuine treatments to patients.
It is advisable to carry a decent amount of cash with you as you will find only a few ATMs around Baratang Island. The ATMs here are replenished with cash in four to five days. Thus, while visiting Baratang Island, you should carry enough cash with you. In case you visit Port Blair on this trip, then you don’t have to worry about cash as it has various ATMs and you will not face any trouble there.
It is a tiny island having a couple of major attractions including limestone caves, mud volcano, Parrot Island, etc. You can easily cover these places in around two days if you are on a short trip and don’t want to extend your vacation.
You should wear and carry cotton and lose fit clothes as most of the time, the weather in Baratang Island is quite humid. This will make you feel comfortable and easy throughout the journey. Don’t forget to carry good walking shoes with yourself if you are an adventure lover who is willing to engage in hiking and trekking activities. Don’t forget to carry an umbrella with you if you are planning your journey in the rainy season.
Baratang Island is a gorgeous place offering a plethora of activities and attractions. However, travelling to this lovely destination is not that easy as you have to cross the tribal zone that is protected by the Government of India (GOI). Therefore, there are a few important things that you must consider on your journey to this island. You should not offer any food items to the tribal people as it might prove to be injurious to their health. Also, taking pictures with tribal people is strictly prohibited in this area.
As the island remains crowded with tourists throughout the year and last-minute booking might result in inconvenience, you should book decent accommodation well in advance.
Absolutely! Baratang Island has everything that will set your holiday mood on. It is home to captivating beaches, limestone caves, and mangrove creeks. Cradled between Middle and South Andaman, it is sprawled over an area of 243 square kilometers. From Port Blair, the island is situated at a distance of 90 kilometers. Baratang Island is known for its geological and natural wonders. It has emerged as a preferred tourist destination among travellers and adventure enthusiasts owing to the alluring sites such as mud volcanoes and Parrot Island. The island serves you with umpteen opportunities to quench your thirst for adventure in spite of being one of the lesser-visited tourist places due to the accessibility hindrance.
If you want to witness the ingenious version of the Andaman Islands which is a serene parallel world mostly unnoticed, then you have to visit Diglipur to fulfill your travel dream. It is a small town with lodges, a vegetable and fish market, a temple, bakeries, and a water stream swarmed with hyacinth. Tourists are an unusual sight here, which is a good thing if you don’t like crowds.
