Barren Island: Seeing India's Only Active Volcano From the Sea
Barren Island sits alone in the Andaman Sea, about 135 to 140 km north-east of Port Blair. It is the only active volcano in India and South Asia, and nobody lives on it. You cannot step ashore, but a boat will take you close enough to see the black lava slopes, the crater and, on a lucky day, smoke rising from the summit. This page covers the ways to get there, what the day looks like, permits, cost and the best months to go.
Updated October 2026 by the Blue Bubble Andaman team in Port Blair
About Barren Island
The island is the top of an undersea volcano. The cone rises 354 metres above the water, and its base sits more than 2,000 metres below the surface. Eruptions have been recorded since 1787. After a long quiet spell it woke up again in 1991, and it has been throwing out ash and lava every few years since, with plumes picked up on satellite images as recently as late 2022 and fresh activity reported in 2025.
From the boat you see a ring of dark, bare rock with the cone in the middle, and patches of green where the forest is growing back. A herd of wild goats lives on the island, the descendants of animals left behind by a ship in the 1800s, and you can often spot them on the lower slopes.
Plan for a very early start. Charter boats from Havelock leave around 5:00 am and get back by late afternoon, so stay in Havelock the night before and the night after. If you are only based in Port Blair, the government overnight cruise is the easier option.
Ways to Visit Barren Island
There are three ways to see the volcano. Which one suits you depends on where you are staying, your budget and whether you want to get into the water.
Most Flexible
Private Charter From Havelock
Up to 8 people · About 12 hours · Snorkelling and fishing
The whole boat is yours for the day. Havelock is the closest inhabited island to Barren, so the ride is roughly three to four hours each way.
You get time to circle the island slowly, stop for a snorkel where the crew says it is safe and try some fishing. Families and small groups usually pick this one.
For Couples and Solo Travellers
Shared Charter From Havelock
Usually Saturdays only · Seat-wise booking · Same route as private
Same boat, same day plan, but you share it with other travellers and pay per seat. It works out much cheaper if you are only two people.
Seats are limited and the trip runs only when enough people sign up and the sea is calm, so book early and keep a spare day in Havelock.
Best Value
Overnight Cruise From Port Blair
Haddo Wharf · Friday night to Saturday afternoon · Viewing only
The Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) started this cruise in October 2025. The ship leaves Haddo Wharf at 9:00 pm on a Friday, reaches Barren Island at dawn, turns back around 8:00 am and is in Port Blair by about 4:00 pm.
It runs every two weeks, weather permitting, and you sleep in a berth on board. There is no snorkelling, but it costs a fraction of a charter. Tickets go on the DSS e-ticketing portal and sell out fast in winter.
For Certified Divers
Dive Trip to Barren Island
Advanced divers · Via Havelock dive centres or liveaboards
The water around Barren is some of the clearest in the Andamans. Divers go for the black volcanic sand, lava rock covered in coral, big fish schools and, in season, manta rays.
These dives are deep and the currents can be strong, so dive centres take only experienced, certified divers. Tell us early and we will match you with a centre that runs Barren trips.
Barren Island Day Trip Itinerary
This is how a typical charter day from Havelock runs. Exact times shift with the tide and the weather, and the captain makes the final call.
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4:30 am
Meet at Havelock Jetty
Our driver drops you at the jetty. Carry your original photo ID, since the crew checks it against the permit.
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5:00 am
Safety Briefing and Departure
Life jackets on, a short talk from the crew, and the boat heads out into open sea. Breakfast and tea are served on the way.
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8:30 to 9:30 am
First Sight of the Volcano
After three to four hours you see the cone come up over the horizon. The boat slows down and starts a slow loop around the island.
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Late Morning
Circle the Island, Snorkel and Fish
You spend around three hours near Barren. The crew takes you past the lava flows and the crater side, then stops at a calm spot for snorkelling if conditions allow. Lunch is served on board.
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Around 1:00 pm
Head Back to Havelock
The return leg is the same three to four hours. Most people sleep through part of it.
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4:30 to 5:00 pm
Back at the Jetty
You are dropped back at Havelock jetty in time for a late afternoon walk on the beach and an early night.
What's Included and What's Not
For charter trips booked through us. The DSS cruise has its own ticket terms, and meals there are paid separately on board.
Included
- Licensed charter boat with an experienced crew
- Life jackets and basic snorkelling gear
- Fishing lines and tackle
- Breakfast, lunch, juice and drinking water
- Help with the Barren Island permit paperwork
Not Included
- Permit fee, paid per person
- Hotel to jetty transfers, unless part of your package
- Scuba diving, booked separately with a dive centre
- Alcohol and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Barren Island Permit and Trip Cost
Every visitor needs a permit from the forest department, even though nobody lands on the island. We sort it out once you send us your ID details, and it usually needs a few days, so do not leave it to the last minute. The fee is roughly ₹500 for Indian citizens and ₹2,500 for foreign nationals.
As a rough guide for this season, a private charter from Havelock costs around ₹1,50,000 plus taxes for up to 8 people, and a shared seat is about ₹25,000 per person. The DSS cruise from Port Blair starts at about ₹3,180 per head for a 6-berth cabin, with meals extra.
Prices change with fuel costs and the size of the boat, so ask us for a quote on your dates.
Best Time to Visit Barren Island
November to April is the window. The sea is at its calmest from December to March, which makes the long crossing much more comfortable and gives the best water for snorkelling and diving. Charters stop during the south-west monsoon, roughly late May to September, because the open sea gets too rough. Even in season a trip can be called off on the morning if the wind picks up, so keep one buffer day in your plan.
What to Carry on the Barren Island Trip
Bring your original photo ID (passport for foreign nationals), sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, since there is little shade on deck for most of the day. Pack swimwear and a towel if you plan to snorkel, a light jacket for the early morning, and a dry bag for your phone and camera. If you get seasick, take a tablet about an hour before the boat leaves and eat a light breakfast. A zoom lens or binoculars help a lot for the crater and the goats.
Plan the Rest of Your Andaman Trip
Most guests fit Barren Island between two nights on Havelock Island, with an afternoon at Radhanagar Beach on the day after. If you are taking the cruise, add a day in Port Blair for Cellular Jail and Ross Island, and finish with a slower night or two on Neil Island.
Want the Barren Island trip built into your Andaman holiday?
Where is Barren Island?
Barren Island is in the Andaman Sea, about 135 to 140 km north-east of Port Blair and roughly 90 to 100 km from Havelock Island. It is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands but has no people living on it.
Is Barren Island an active volcano?
It is the only confirmed active volcano in India and South Asia. It has erupted on and off since 1991, with ash plumes seen in late 2022 and fresh activity reported in 2025.
Can you land on Barren Island?
Landing is not allowed. The island is a protected area and the volcano is active, so every trip views it from the boat. On charter trips you can snorkel in the water nearby when the crew says it is safe.
How do I reach Barren Island?
There are three ways. You can take a private or shared charter boat from Havelock, book the overnight government cruise from Haddo Wharf in Port Blair, or join a dive trip run by a Havelock dive centre or a liveaboard.
How long does the Barren Island trip take?
A charter from Havelock takes about 12 hours, with three to four hours of sailing each way and around three hours near the island. The DSS cruise from Port Blair leaves at 9:00 pm on a Friday and returns around 4:00 pm on Saturday.
What is the cost of a Barren Island trip?
This season a private charter from Havelock costs around ₹1,50,000 plus taxes for up to 8 people, a shared seat is about ₹25,000 per person, and the DSS cruise from Port Blair starts at about ₹3,180 per head. The permit fee is extra. Prices change with fuel costs, so ask us for a quote on your dates.
Do I need a permit to visit Barren Island?
Every visitor needs one, even though you stay on the boat. The fee is roughly ₹500 for Indian citizens and ₹2,500 for foreign nationals. We arrange it for our guests once we have your ID details, and it can take a few days.
What is the Barren Island cruise from Port Blair?
It is an overnight round trip run by the Directorate of Shipping Services, the Andaman government shipping department. It started in October 2025 and runs every two weeks, weather permitting. You sleep on board, see the volcano at dawn and are back in Port Blair the same afternoon. Tickets are sold on the DSS e-ticketing portal.
Will I see lava or smoke from the volcano?
That depends on what the volcano is doing on the day. You will always see the crater, the cone and the old lava flows. Smoke from the summit is fairly common, while glowing lava is rare and impossible to predict.
Can I go scuba diving at Barren Island?
Diving at Barren Island is possible for certified divers, and it is one of the best dive sites in the Andamans for clear water, volcanic sand and manta rays in season. The dives are deep with strong currents, so most centres ask for advanced certification and a good number of logged dives.
What is the best time to visit Barren Island?
November to April is the season, and December to March has the calmest sea. Trips do not run during the monsoon, roughly late May to September. Keep a spare day in your plan, since a sailing can be cancelled on the morning if the wind is too strong.
Is the Barren Island trip safe for children and older travellers?
The trip is safe in calm weather and the crews are experienced, but it is a long day on open sea with very little shade. It suits children who are fine on boats and older travellers in good health. People who get badly seasick may find the crossing hard.
Why is it called Barren Island?
The name comes from how the island looked after its eruptions, with bare black rock and almost no plant life. Parts of it are green again now, and a herd of wild goats lives there, left behind by a ship in the 1800s.
Can I combine Barren Island with a Havelock stay?
Havelock is the best base for it. Most guests stay two or three nights there, do the Barren Island trip on one full day and spend the others at Radhanagar Beach, Elephant Beach and on water sports. We can plan the whole stay as part of an Andaman package.