Baratang
Baratang Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located between the Middle and South Andaman Islands. Approximately, 110 km from Port Blair, Baratang Island is another major attraction for most of the tourist visiting the islands. The Baratang Island trip is considered to be an adventurous trip due to its long distance from the capital town of Port Blair and the journey that starts at 3 Hours pass 1200 Hours. You’ll read more about the way toward Baratang in our section on How to reach Baratang.
What to Expect while Visiting Baratang?
What would you expect when you visit a tropical island? Dense Forest, Tribal inhabitants, Mangroves, boat rides through the mangroves, beaches, birds, caves, trekking, and volcano; Baratang is a platter serving all of this on your visit.
Even though Baratang is now growing briskly popular as a tourist destination, still it is considered a remote location. The telecom networks are not very good and there are very limited options for restaurants and hotels.
Government restrooms are available and these are the only option (yet hygienic) while traveling to Baratang.
On your way to or from Baratang, falls the area of Jirkatang to Middle Strait, here you will pass through the Jarawa Tribe reserve. The reserve is controlled and operated by the government for the protection of the Jarawas against diseases from which they do not have natural immunity. The government also provides medical aid to these indigenous tribes. This is the area where you might get an opportunity of seeing the Jarawa tribes by the roadside. But remember, this is not a part of your sightseeing. So do not fall prey to the myth that you’ll be taken to visit the Jarawas. It is recommended not to offer any food or take pictures of these tribes during this time. Interacting with the Jarawa tribe member, giving them food or clicking their pictures is strictly prohibited and is a punishable offense.
What is the Journey to Baratang like?
If you are planning to cover the Limestone Caves & Mud Volcano during your trip to Baratang, we recommend you start around 0300 to 0330 hours so that you can reach timely and see the sights and get enough gap of time before you return or proceed further from Baratang. The distance of Baratang from Port Blair can be 120kms approximately. And it takes 3 to 3.5 hours to cover this distance each way. So one can assume the total travel duration can be about 6 hours.
There is a speed restriction of 40kmph for all vehicles while crossing the tribal reserve area. The day trip to Baratang is a full day trip. If you want to visit Baratang from Port Blair, then you should be staying at Port Blair for the previous night as well as the night after completing the day trip to Baratang. Or this day you can also move towards North Andaman for an overnight stay. However, plan this before you arrive in the Andamans for better execution and the best experience.
After you have traveled about 45-60 minutes from Port Blair, soon you would leave the city behind and pass through scarcely populated areas. The jungle along both sides during your travel would be a treat to watch. On your way, you would pass through Jirkatang, a couple of decades ago people feared staying or passing through these places because of attacks by the native tribes who usually used to come to these places in search of food. Until recently, the government has made efforts to help and protect these tribes after which the attacks on people staying or passing through these places were reduced and now almost diminished.
Regular convoy timings from Port Blair to Baratang - 6 AM - 9 AM - 12 PM - 3 PM - Recommend timings for tourist to visit are 6 AM and 9 AM convoy
After reaching the Jirkatang check post, the vehicles would take a pit stop. You can get down for some refreshments here. From here when the vehicle proceeds further to cross the check post, the vehicles will be allowed to go in a group of 7-10 vehicles at a time.
A couple of security personnel will board the front and back vehicles (with rifles) for the safety of both travelers and the tribes. You would now pass through the Jarawa Tribe reserve, the driver may ask you to switch off your mobiles and cameras at this point of time, which is again due to the restrictions of taking pictures in the reserved areas (as mentioned earlier in this article- it is a punishable offense).
After passing through the tribal reserve you would reach Nilambur Jetty. You would then be transferred to a vehicle ferry, which would take you to Baratang Island. These ferries can accommodate buses, trucks, cars & bikes and the passengers too, to cross the waters between Nilambur Jetty at Middle Strait and Baratang.
Vehicle ferry crossing from Middle Strait to Baratang
To reach Limestone caves, a 10-seater fiber boat takes you from Baratang to the starting point of the trek to Limestone Caves. After reaching the trekking point an approximate 1.2 km trek has to be done to reach the limestone caves. Here you can hire guides who will help you with the knowledge about the formation of such caves and the various shapes it has taken over the year.
Post the visit to Mud Volcano and Limestone Caves you will return back to your hotel at Port Blair. This is the usual regular tour taken up. If you are planning to stay overnight at Baratang then you can visit Parrot Island on a boat from Baratang. In the evenings a lot of parrots come to their nest on an island near Baratang. Here you can sit on the boat and enjoy a magnificent sunset and wait for the parrots to come to their nest.
Check out Baratang Island packages where we have included all the top places to see at Baratang along with a night stay on the island.
Some of the packages that can be referred for day tours to Baratang Island
4 Night 5 Days – Baratang and Havelock Package – Check the detailed package
5 Night 6 Days – Wanderlust Andaman – Check the detailed package
6 Night 7 Days – Eternal Andaman – Check the detailed package
7 Night 8 Days – Island Signature Backpack Tour – Check the detailed package
7 Night 8 Days – Faraway Andaman – Check the detailed package
Accommodation at Baratang Island
The climate in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a warm tropical climate which is why the weather is pleasant most of the time. Port Blair has humid weather and no winter season, the monsoon lasts up to 120 days and the rainfall varies from medium to heavy. The Monsoon sets in towards the end of May. There is no fury of hot summer or the chilling winter, nor water clogging or traffic jams due to monsoon. For those who want to enjoy nature, beaches, sightseeing and a pleasant holiday, throughout the year it’s a good season for vacation. The mean temperature ranges from 25-27°C.
Dew Dale Resort
Coral Creek Resort
What are the food options at Baratang Island?
On the way to Baratang, you can have snacks or water when the vehicle takes pit stops. Upon reaching Baratang you will get options for major meals and a regular menu for Lunch. However, since Baratang is still developing as a tourist destination, do not expect star-category AC restaurants during this trip. But you will get Dhaba-style eateries which are hygienic and serve good food to treat your hunger amidst the adventures.