Explore Barren Island: India’s only active volcano, its smoking lava, vibrant marine life in the Andamans, how to visit, permits and more |
Barren Island, the only active volcano in the Indian subcontinent, rises dramatically from the Andaman Sea, offering a stark contrast to the idyllic beaches of the region. While most travellers associate the Andamans with white sands, turquoise waters, and coral dives, Barren Island presents a far more raw and untamed side of nature. Its eruptions, rugged lava flows, and unique marine ecosystem have drawn the attention of scientists, filmmakers, and adventurous travellers alike. The documentary Barren Island: Born of Fire by Roundglass Sustain captures this volatile beauty, showing viewers a world where fire and life coexist in extraordinary balance.
Barren Island volcano: Geography, history, and how to witness its eruptions safely
Barren Island lies about 140 km to the northeast of Port Blair and is a small volcanic outcropping with no permanent settlement. Its small yet mighty form owes its origin to the repeated outpouring of basaltic lava and ash for centuries. The island’s peaks rise approximately 354 meters above sea level, with its structure spanning about 2,250 meters above the ocean floor. Barren Island is considered one of the volcanic arc groupings, an effect of the compression of the two tectonic plates beneath the Bay of Bengal. Barren began its era of volcanic eruptions in the year 1787 but experienced a brief pause before erupting again in the year 1991.Barren Island, from which travelers cannot set their feet owing to certain regulations, nevertheless appears almost alien or science fiction-esque in nature, owing to its blackened surfaces, ash deposits, and even smoke emanating in various spots on its land. While it appears to be more of a natural wonder, it also promotes or shows off the marine waters that surround it, as shown in the documentary. Various cruises can be undertaken via boats to see the beauty of Barren Island, where one can see its eruption, although it would not be possible to set foot on it. There are also opportunities to scuba dive in certain areas.
Barren Island’s marine ecosystem
One of the most remarkable things about Barren Island is the healthy marine ecosystem it harbors around it. There is much destruction above, but the reef fish, coral reefs, and many species of fish flourish in the waters below the volcano. Seabirds, bats, and a few rodent species live in the rough surroundings of the island. This theme of destruction above and flourishing conditions below is repeated in the documentary film with the coral reefs growing around the cooled lava flows, birds flying around the peaks, and many species of fish flourishing in the nutrient-rich waters around the volcano.
Visiting Barren Island: Permits and precautions
Reaching Barren Island is part of an essential planning procedure that needs government permission in order to do so. However, landing on Barren Island is strictly prohibited. Visiting in early mornings, between 3 or 4 a.m., is suggested in order to increase visibility or travel in calmer sea conditions. Tours from Havelock Island, along with private or shared trips, represent essential options with time slots ranging between 4 to 8 hours in order to visit Barren Island in Andaman Islands. Severe sea conditions, accompanied by volcanic activities, represent unique travel experiences with an added dash of excitement during such expeditions.
Safety measures and boat facilities
Boats operating within the Barren Island area have very advanced safety equipment, such as life jackets, GPS systems, first-aid equipment, VHF systems, etc. Most of them operate twin-engine vessels, providing maximum comfort during such expeditions. Safety is of paramount importance in such excursions, although the recent volcanic activities were minor, such as ash emissions or any erupting lava fountains, ranking very low in intensity in the Volcanic Explosivity Scale. Exiting information is provided during excursions, adhering strictly to guidelines while providing scientific facts about the geography of Barren Island in particular.
Other volcanic sites in the Andamans
Barren Island is only one of the many volcanic features in the region. On nearby Baratang Island, mud volcanoes produce a landscape forever shifting because of gas and sediment visible on land. Narcondam Island, a dormant volcano farther north, mostly remains out of bounds for visitors due to its fragile ecology and rare species, including the Narcondam Hornbill. All put together, the sites show that the Andamans are not merely a beach destination but a chain of islands shaped by tectonic activity, isolation, and natural extremes. Exploring these locations allows travellers to appreciate the geological forces that continue to shape the Indian Ocean.
Barren Island visits: Permits, costs, and guided excursion details
A visit to Barren Island is more of a journey and a learning experience in itself. Trips start from Havelock Island, where costs for a private charter lie between INR 1,00,000 and 1,50,000 for 4 to 8 adults. There are shared trips available, too, which include permits, meals, and guided activities. Needless to say, one needs to plan way in advance because permissions are really strict, and such excursions are most importantly dependent on the sea and weather conditions. But it’s all worth a watch when one gets to see Barren Island from a distance, safely standing, and gets to see the volatility and resilience of nature doing its thing.
