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18-Oct |
21-Oct |
Closed |
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22-Oct |
31-Oct |
Operational |
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01-Nov |
04-Nov |
Closed |
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05-Nov |
14-Nov |
Operational |
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15-Nov |
18-Nov |
Closed |
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19-Nov |
28-Nov |
Operational |
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29-Nov |
02-Dec |
Closed |
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03-Dec |
12-Dec |
Operational |
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13-Dec |
16-Dec |
Closed |
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17-Dec |
26-Dec |
Operational |
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27-Dec |
30-Dec |
Closed |
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31-Dec |
09-Jan |
Operational |
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10-Jan |
13-Jan |
Closed |
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14-Jan |
23-Jan |
Operational |
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24-Jan |
27-Jan |
Closed |
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28-Jan |
06-Feb |
Operational |
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07-Feb |
10-Feb |
Closed |
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11-Feb |
20-Feb |
Operational |
Andaman Tourism Opens: The Andaman & Nicobar administration has announced that all tourist spots in the South Andaman district will be opened for tourism activities with immediate effect 8 Feb 2022.
The tourists are allowed to visit Baratang/North & Middle Andaman on production of double dose covid certificate/ All other passengers viz. unvaccinated and partially vaccinated passengers (those who have taken only 1S1 dose of COVID vaccine) shall have to produce RT-PCR negative test report
General Guidelines defined for traveling to Andaman Islands during COVID :
What are the guidelines for testing for tourists coming to Andaman after August 03 2021?
On arrival at Port Blair :
1. The tourists need to carry COVID-19 negative test report from mainland based 1CMR approved lab using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). However, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken within 48 hours prior to starting the journey from the origin station. (For e.g. if the tourist takes a flight from Delhi at 0600 hrs. on 1st September, 2021, the sample for RTPCR test should have been taken not before 0600 hrs. on 30th August, 2021).
2. The tourists/visitors on arrival at Port Blair airport have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 screening with RTPCR test free of cost. Thereafter the tourists/visitors are allowed to move to their respective hotels. However, they will have to be under quarantine at Port Blair in their hotel rooms until the result of RTPCR tests are received. In case of RTPCR positive test results, the tourists/visitors shall remain in
institutional quarantine in hotels notified by the Hoteliers Association in consent with the A&N Administration, on rates as specified or to the designated hospital/ Covid-19 care centre on case-to-case basis.
3. Tourists may also have to undergo random Rapid Antigen Test conducted from time to time on payment basis as prescribed by A8N Administration.
What if the tourists test positive after arriving at the Andaman Islands?
If the tourists tests positive during their stay in the Islands, he/she will need to undergo institutional isolation as per existing health protocols. The
cost of such isolation for govt. facility will be paid by the tourists as fixed by the administration from time to time.
If the patient wants to stay at hotels, he/she can stay in the hotels if all the conditions below are met:
a) Patients are not symptomatic and not more than 60 years old.
b) Request/ undertaking is made by patient in writing.
c)lf allowed by doctors.
Hotels will make necessary arrangements to designate a part of their rooms for institutional isolation for this purpose.
From its lush green mangrove creeks to amazing Limestone Caves, Baratang Island has everything that fascinates tourists. In fact, it is so close to the capital of the Andaman Islands that people often take one-day trips to the island. So if you have limited time during your vacation, visiting Baratang Island for a day is a must. And now that we have convinced you, let’s find out how you can reach here.
Reach Port Blair
The first step to reaching Baratang Island is arriving at the capital first. You can reach Port Blair by sea or by air. We recommend the latter since it is time-effective. In case you are travelling from cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata, you will get a direct flight to Port Blair. However, if you are departing from another city, you will have to take a connecting flight.
From Port Blair to Baratang Island
Once you have reached Port Blair, you have several options for traveling to Baratang Island. The island is nearly 100 kilometres away, so it takes from 2 to 3 hours to arrive. And the best part is that it is connected to the capital by water as well as by roads. So you can take whichever you feel the most comfortable in.
Travelling by Road: Government buses are available every day from 5:30 AM to 11:00 AM. These start from Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair, and take almost 5 hours to reach Baratang Island. Since the roads are bumpy and the ride long, we recommend you take a private bus for the same. Other than that, you can also book a jeep or a private car, which will be the most efficient of all.
Some providers have AC coaches that even include a meal. These journeys take place in two parts - Port Blair to Jirakatang, which takes nearly 1 hour and 15 minutes, and then from Jirakatang to Baratang Island, which takes the same time as well. In any case, do not forget to book the tickets in advance.
Travelling by Water: Ferries ply from Port Blair to Baratang Island. However, they don’t depart on the same day due to the dangers of the sea in the evening. For government ferries, you can purchase the tickets two days prior to departure. In case you are visiting during the peak season, we suggest you book the tickets for private ferries ahead of your trip.
The fastest way to reach Baratang Island from Port Blair is by sea. Not to mention the beautiful scenic marine views that you will get during your journey on a ferry.
The Bottom Line
Baratang Island is the perfect tourist destination, especially for travellers who love nature since the place offers rich wildlife sights along with stunning natural sceneries. In order to reach here, you first need to reach the capital, Port Blair, by air. From there, you can take a ferry, a taxi, or a bus to Baratang Island. Booking tickets for the same in advance is highly recommended.
Baratang Island or Ranchiwalas Island is a gorgeous little island on the Andaman Islands and is nearly 100 kilometres from Port Blair. The limestone caves, mud volcanoes, and lush green mangroves are what make it unique. And since the place is not created for urban tourism, it is perfect for travellers who love living in nature. So if you are looking forward to such an experience, you must visit the island.
In this blog, we have shared some things you must know about Baratang Island before planning the trip. So let’s get right into the specifics.
Places to Visit in Baratang Island
While the island is relatively small, it has got a lot to offer to tourists. Below are some places you must visit during your stay on Baratang Island.
Situated less than 10 kilometres from the Nilambur jetty, this pristine beach is far from the hustle and bustle of the crowd. Upon your arrival, you will notice a beautifully curved sand bay entangled with fallen trees on one side and tall, mangrove trees on the other side.
The warm water of the sea is perfect for a peaceful swim after a long day of sightseeing. In fact, you are likely to have the beach all by yourself since the beach experiences very few visitors. Moreover, the islanders usually come here to have picnics only on the weekends.
As the name suggests, Parrot Island is home to numerous parrots. On your visit here, you’ll witness a number of these creatures flying back to their nests right before the sun sets. And while you will be required to stay the night on Baratang Island to experience it, it will be worth the stay.
Your excursion on Parrot Island will be a combination of an astonishing sunset view, a boat ride, and bird watching. The boats for Parrot Island leave after 4:15 p.m. and the overall journey is of nearly 2.5 hours.
In order to reach the mud volcanoes, you need to take a short boat ride from the Nilambur jetty and then a walk of 160 meters on a rocky track. The muddy, small craters are formed through the emission of natural gases by decaying organic matter. Although the view is not visually appealing, it is unique since Andaman is one of the few places in the world where such volcanoes are found.
Traveling in Baratang Island
Baratang Island is pretty small and is easy to travel around on. You can take a private jeep from the Baratang Jetty. Further, you can also book a private taxi that can drive you from the capital to Baratang Island, and back to the capital. Apart from this, you also have the choice to take the government bus that takes a few rides every day.
Unlike other islands on the Andaman Islands, like Havelock Island and Neil Island, you cannot rent bikes on Baratang Island. Further, there are no auto-rickshaws either. So it’s best to book a private jeep or taxi for utmost convenience.
Baratang Island is among the most popular tourist destinations on the Andaman Islands. The mouthwatering local cuisines, wildlife reserves, thrilling activities, and white sandy beaches all add up to an unforgettable experience. Hence, prior to visiting the island, it is good to know about certain aspects of the lifestyle of the islanders so as to avoid interrupting their peaceful lives. Given below are some do’s and don’ts you must be aware of to be a responsible tourist.
Do’s on Baratang Island
Don’ts on Baratang Island
Yes, you can easily reach Baratang Island from Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. From there, you can hire a private car or catch a private AC bus for Baratang. It is the fastest and the most comfortable mode. But if you are a backpacker and are on a tight budget, then the best option would be to take a government bus from Port Blair. You will be crossing the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) and then will have to move in a group with one short vehicle-ferry connection. The four-hour journey will let you witness the lush greens and blue waters. The whole experience would be memorable for sure. You should know in advance that two-wheelers are not permitted to go to Baratang Island.
Baratang Island is home to breathtaking natural sights and diverse wildlife. If you are a nature lover, then you are going to love this island. The best spots to visit are as follows: One of a kind natural marvels on earth, Limestone Caves in Baratang Island are going to leave you awestruck. Here, you can see rare stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations. It is a must-visit in Baratang. If you are fond of bird watching or want to try it once, then you should visit Parrot Island. It is an amazing attraction worth your time and attention. Here, you can see hundreds of colorful parrots and listen to their voice while they return to their nests in the evening. The sun setting in the backdrop provides a lovely background. Quite popular in Baratang Island, Mud Volcano is a small bubbling puddle of mud. The sight is quite unique and some people marvel at the science behind it while some consider it as a great natural miracle. This place is perfect for those who are in search of something rare while vacationing in the Andamans. Baludera Beach is a secluded and a less-frequented beach in Baratang Island. A hidden gem, swimming in its azure waters is a refreshing experience. It will offer you an energising beach experience. You can also go for snorkeling here in its warm blue waters. One thing you should know is that it has not so much of a developed tourist infrastructure.
Getting around Baratang Island is very easy. A private taxi/cab from Port Blair can be hired. You can get around the island in the below-mentioned ways:
Please note that no scooter or bike rentals are available in Baratang. Auto-rickshaws are also not allowed.
Baratang Island is still engaged in developing its infrastructure for tourists. Thus, finding a nice accommodation is a bit expensive and properties generally usually don’t welcome walk-ins. Making advance bookings is very much important here. The best hotels and resorts are as follows:
There are no as such fancy and lavish restaurants in Baratang but the food serves at its eateries and cafes is delicious. There are a few food outlets and small eateries on the Nilambur jetty that serve mouth-watering South Indian and Bengali dishes. There are refreshments, snacks, and tea on almost every corner. The food is pocket-friendly as well.
The best restaurants in Baratang Island serving yummy food are as follows:
There are not any lavish restaurants here but you will surely experience authentic taste at its food stalls and small eateries. One thing that you should not miss out on this island is its coconut water. It will help you beat the scorching heat. There are various street vendors also selling spicy cucumbers, lassis, and buttermilk at affordable prices.
You can visit Baratang Island at any time of the year as it experiences a pleasant weather throughout. But if we talk about the best season here, then winter stands tall as the best time of the year to visit this gorgeous island. You can also visit there in the summer season as the dry weather facilitating easy commutation.
Weather in Baratang Island
Winter (October to February): During the winter season in Baratang Island, temperatures sometimes hit a minimum of 20°C and occasionally touch 30°C too. This season is the most favorable time of the year to explore the island as it offers a very pleasant feel. You can also catch up on the Island Tourism Festival and the Film Festival on your visit during this time of the year.
The connectivity in Baratang Island is not smooth. Almost all networks fail to function properly there and the ones that work, offer very basic services. Some of the issues that you may face there include call drop, bad network, not being able to download applications, etc. However, it is found that BSNL provides better service than other networks around this area. So ensure that you carry a BSNL sim card with you when travelling to the Andaman Islands. You can also take the help of a tour operator for avoiding any kind of risk.
The medical facilities in Baratang Island are quite limited. However, it is in proximity to Port Blair, the capital city, and it offers good healthcare services with several medical stores and hospitals. Within its limited health infrastructure, you can see improvement and modernization in medical services. Medical facilities such as ambulances, X-ray machines, captive power generators, etc. are there to support outsiders. There are homeopathy dispensaries as well. GB Pant hospital is the most reputed hospital in the city that provides affordable and genuine medical treatments.
Carry a decent amount of cash with you when travelling to Baratang Island. You will find only a few ATMs around, and they are replenished with cash in four to five days. So you should carry enough cash with you. If you are visiting Port Blair also on this trip, then you don’t have to worry about cash as the capital city has various ATMs.
Baratang is a little destination in the Andamans and it has a couple of major attractions such as limestone caves, mud volcano, Parrot Island, etc. If you are on a short trip and don’t want to extend your vacation, then you can easily cover these places in two days.
You should wear and carry cotton and lose fit clothes in Baratang as they will make you feel comfortable. The weather there is very humid. Carry good shoes with you if you are an adrenaline junkie as you can engage in hiking and trekking activities. Also carry an umbrella if you are planning to travel there in the rainy season.
This gorgeous island offers a myriad of attractions and adventure activities. While driving to reach Baratang, you will be crossing the tribal zone that is protected by the Government of India (GOI). There are a few important things to keep in mind. Do not offer any kind of food item to tribal people as it may be injurious to their health. Taking photographs with them is also strictly prohibited there. You have to follow all the rules and regulations strictly.
Baratang Island receives heavy footfall throughout the year and thus, last-minute bookings will not be possible. It is highly recommended that you book everything well in advance including your stay and transfers.
Baratang is tiny piece of heaven that is home to overflowing natural beauty. It has secluded beaches, limestone caves, and mangrove creeks. It is located between Middle and South Andaman, and is sprawled over an area of 243 square kilometers. Known for its geological and natural wonders, Baratang Island has emerged as a popular tourist hotspot among nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. It has a couple of great places to visit such as mud volcanoes, Parrot Island, etc. The island is a less-frequented and that is a blessing in disguise as you can enjoy complete seclusion and peace.
Yes, absolutely! The island is safe for everyone. The locals of Baratang are also friendly and helpful. So you will not face any problem as such.
No. You can make your vacation on the island as cheap or as expensive according to your wish.
