Explore Baratang Island

Baratang lies about 100 to 110 km north of Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), a road journey of 3 to 4 hours, and is usually visited as a long day trip for its limestone caves, mud volcanoes and mangrove creeks. The road crosses the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, so vehicles travel in police-escorted convoys from the Jirkatang check post.

What to see at Baratang

The limestone caves are reached from Nilambur jetty: a boat runs through mangrove creeks, then a walk of about 1.2 km leads to the caves.

Baratang also has India’s only known mud volcanoes, about 11 km from Nilambur jetty plus a short uphill walk. Official visiting hours are 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. The volcano erupted on 2 October 2025 and access was suspended for a time; it has since reopened to tourists.

Parrot Island is a mangrove islet where thousands of native parakeets return to roost at sunset. You watch from a boat at about 4:30 to 5:30 pm, so seeing it needs an overnight stay in Baratang.

Permits and convoy rules

Indian citizens need no special travel permit, but carry original photo ID. It is checked at the Jirkatang check post, where the Forest permit for the caves and mud volcano is issued. On the 49 km stretch through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, stopping, photographing or interacting with the Jarawa is prohibited by law. Convoys leave Jirkatang at fixed times, the first at about 6:00 am, so expect an early start.

Where to eat

Small eateries at Nilambur jetty serve breakfast and simple lunches, vegetarian or seafood thalis, and tea and snacks are sold along the way. Nothing is sold at the limestone caves or the mud volcano, so carry water and a snack for the boat ride and the walk.

Best time to visit

October to May. Creek boats can be suspended in rough weather, and the whole trip is weather-dependent during the monsoon.