Land of Natural Wonders
Baratang Island
Jungle adventure : Baratang Island
Encapsulated by creeks and sea, Baratang Island is one of the main islands of the Great Andaman group of Islands. It has dense vegetation ranging from tidal mangrove swamp, evergreen to littoral forests, natural wonders (Lime Stone Caves and Mud Volcanos) and two very beautiful beaches, namely Baludera and Roglachang Beach.
Reaching Baratang Island
Located 100 Kms. from Port Blair (in North & Middle Andaman District), Baratang Island is accessible by road. One can hire a car or take a private AC bus. You can also take government bus from Port Blair. It’s a 4 hours drive via the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) and move in a group with one short vehicle-ferry connection. Please note that two-wheelers are not allowed to go all the way to the island.
One can visit Baratang any time of the year, however, winter is the best time of the year.
Getting around the island is quite easy. You can take a private jeep to a place like Mud Volcano from the Baratang Jetty. Please note that no scooter or bike rentals are available on the island.
The Nilambur jetty at Baratang is dotted with a few food outlets and small eateries that serve mainly South Indian and Bengali dishes.
Why Visit Baratang Island?
- Natural wonders like Mud Volcano near Jarawa Creek and Limestone Caves at Nayadera are very rare attractions.
- Bird watching at Parrot Island (Parrots home coming before sunset is a unique and one of its sights to see for all nature lovers).
- Cuthbert Bay Beach, Lalaji Bay Beach, Merk Bay Beach, Spike Island etc. are accessible from Baratang (in 30 to 45 min by sea).
- Its proximity to Port Blair, connected by road and accessible throughout the year.
- For its beaches at Baludera and Roglachang.
NOTE
- En route Baratang, from Port Blair you will be crossing the tribal reserve zone that is protected by the Government of India (GOI). Do not offer any kind of food item to tribal people. Taking photographs with them is also strictly prohibited there. You have to follow all the rules and regulations strictly.
- Baratang Island has limited access to medical facilities, one has to travel to Port Blair for medical emergencies.
- It is advisable to carry a decent amount of cash as there only a few ATMs around Baratang Island.
- One can easily cover the islands and places in around two days if you are on a short trip
Sightseeing place in Baratang Island
Limestone Caves
Located at a distance of 50 minutes by sea (via small speed boats) from the Baratang Jetty, these magnificent sedimentary limestone formations are worth a visit.
Permit from the Forest Department at Baratang is needed to visit the caves, which can be obtained from the Baratang jetty.
Mud Volcano
Baratang Island has an active Mud Volcano that squirts little fountains of mud. One has to reach up to Jarawa Creek from from Nilambur jetty, which is about 7 km from the jetty. From Jarawa Creek, the Mud Volcano is at a walk able distance of 250-300 meters.
Parrot Island
Parrot Island is a small uninhabited island located near Baratang Jetty and is a natural habitat for parrots in this region. Thousands of parrots returning home every sunset is a unique sight for all nature lovers. To reach near the island, one has to take a fiber boat from Baratang Jetty and cross through a creek.
