A trip to Barren Island, the only active volcano in India and South Asia, is as exotic as a trip can get. The island is secluded and lined with black sand beaches. The island is not frequently accessed by tourists and needs special permits for a visit.
Exciting News for Travelers! A brand-new fortnightly cruise to Barren Island has been launched from Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), making your volcano adventure smoother, easier and more comfortable than ever. Full details and fares updated below.
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Where is Barren Island Located?
It is located about 140 kilometers away from Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The nearest habited island is the famous Havelock Island of Andaman.
Is Barren Island an Active Volcano?
Yes, Barren Island is an active volcano. It last erupted in 2017 and 2018. More than 10 eruptions have been recorded since the 1700s.
Can you visit Barren Island?
Yes, you can go near the Island, but you cannot step foot on the island as the government does not allow anyone, even researchers to visit the volcanic island.
How to Reach Barren Island?
You can reach by either taking a boat from Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) or by a seaplane or cruise from Port Blair(Sri Vijaya Puram).
From Havelock:
You can charter a boat from Havelock Island. The boat trip will last for 8-10 hours and will cost INR 1,30,000 + GST for 8 people. For every extra individual, charges will be INR 10000. Boats can usually carry a maximum of 12 passengers.
You will be snorkeling in the pristine waters surrounding the island. The island literally has no human activity. The waters are undisturbed for millions of years with colorful corals and fish.
You can scuba dive with trained divers with prior permission from the authorities. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages are included.
You can even fish. You can do popping, jigging, and trolling.
Read more about reaching Port Blair or Havelock.
From Port Blair:
You have two options if you’re at Port Blair. You can either take a seaplane or a cruise. If you choose a seaplane, you will not be landing anywhere on or near the island. But if you choose a cruise, you will be on a relaxing round trip on the cruise that has many facilities.
Brand-new fortnightly cruise to Barren Island:
What’s special about this new cruise?
The Directorate of Shipping Services has introduced a round-trip cruise that leaves from Haddo Wharf, Sri Vijaya Puram, and sails directly to the waters around Barren Island. This is a non-landing trip, meaning you enjoy the stunning views of the volcano from the vessel, but you don’t get down at the island.
The idea is to give travellers a safe, scenic and memorable way to witness the dramatic landscape of Barren Island without worrying about complex logistics or chartering private boats.
How often does the cruise run?
The cruise operates every two weeks, depending on weather. The first voyage starts on 24 October 2025, and future runs follow the same pattern.
Here’s the basic schedule:
- • Departure from Haddo Wharf (Sri Vijaya Puram): Fridays at 9 PM
• Arrival near Barren Island: Early Saturday morning
• Departure from Barren Island waters: Saturday at 8 AM
• Arrival back at Sri Vijaya Puram: Around 2 PM on Saturday
Accommodation options and fares:
You can choose from four types of on-board accommodation:
- Coral Suite (2-berth) – Rs. 8310 per head
- Reef Suite (4-berth) – Rs. 6340 per head
- Island Breeze (6-berth) – Rs. 4290 per head
- Lagoon Dormitory (16/24 berth) – Rs. 3180 per head
On top of that, meals for the entire round trip are available for Rs. 2000 per passenger, covering bed tea, breakfast, lunch, snacks and high tea. The food coupon must be purchased on the day of boarding.
How to book your ticket?
Tickets can be booked easily through the official DSS e-ticketing portal. All fares are uniform for this special cruise service.
Why this is great for first-time travellers?
If you’ve never done a Barren Island trip before, this new service removes a lot of the stress. You get:
• A government-operated vessel
• A fixed schedule
• Clear pricing
• Comfortable accommodation choices
• A safe way to view the volcano at sunrise
• Meals taken care of on board
You simply book your ticket, show up at Haddo Wharf on Friday night, settle into your cabin and wake up to the unbelievable sight of India’s only active volcano.
Final tip:
Weather in the Andamans can change quickly, so always keep your phone handy for updates from the authorities. Other than that, this cruise is one of the easiest ways for travellers of all ages to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime view.
Barren Island entry fee:
There is no entry fee. You will just have to bear the transportation costs and the individual permit charge (INR 500 for Indians and INR 2500 for foreigners (per person per day))
Barren Island timings:
There are no visiting hours in particular. You will have to go according to the schedule of the boat or seaplane you will be traveling in.
Water Sports & Activities:
Below is a list of activities:
You can book any water activity online with us.
Facilities available:
Eateries:
There are no eateries on this island. You will be provided with food if you have chartered a boat. You can even carry your own meal.
Benches:
There are no benches installed on this island.
Changing Rooms:
There are no changing rooms.
Lifeguards:
Your boat will have lifeguards
Is Barren Island worth visiting?
Absolutely! Visiting Barren Island is an experience of a lifetime. Whether it is by boat or by seaplane, one must visit Barren Island. This island is untouched and has amazing blue waters and stunning marine life. Even though visiting this island will cost you a bit, if you are planning in a group, the experience will outweigh the costs anytime.
Read Next: All about Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep).
