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:

• You can take a private jeep to a place like Mud Volcano from the Baratang Jetty.
• A government bus can take you to the Mud Volcano as well as Baludera Beach. There is no fixed schedule but a few rides per day are for sure.
• Private cars are expensive but are definitely the most convenient. You can drive from Port Blair, around Baratang Island and back. 

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:

• Dew Dale Resort
• Coral Creek Resort
• Hotel Avis

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:

1. Dew Dale Restaurant
2. Jetty Hotel 
3. AMS Restaurant
4. Port Canteen 
5. Sujath Bar & Restaurant 
6. Deeya Baroi Hotel

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

• Summer (March to May): The weather in the summer season maintains higher temperatures, constantly fluctuating between 25°C and 32°C. Early mornings and evenings are amazingly pleasant. If you are visiting Baratang Island during this time of the year, then you should also pay a visit to the popular Beach Festival that is held every year. 

• Monsoon (June to September): Owing to its tropical proximity, the monsoons in Baratang witnesses a substantial amount of rainfall. With temperatures alternating between 25°C and 30°C, conditions turn extremely humid. Ideally, you should avoid this season.

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.