Baratang Island is one of the prime islands of Andaman and offers tourists who wish to indulge in outlandish activities with fascinating prospects. The island is meant for those wanderers who are interested in getting out of the lap of luxury and exploring some adventurous activities. There is a minor touch of history also associated with this quaint island. Several residents of Ranchi were brought to the island by the British colonial rulers to work on the crops and reap benefits from them. This slice of history made Baratang Island popular among many circles as the Ranchiwalas Island.

Over a domain spanning around 243 sq. km, this island nurtures astounding limestone caves, breathtaking mangrove pathways leading through creeks, rare mud volcanoes, dense jungles, and virgin beaches. With its distinct collection of tourism sites, Baratang Island is frequently visited by thousands of visitors. Let us look over this intriguing travel guide to learn more about Baratang Island.

By Air:

The nearest airport to Baratang Island is located in the city of Port Blair, set 104 km apart from the isle. The Veer Savarkar International Airport offers domestic tourists with a host of flights. Visitors travelling to Baratang Island from cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata can make use of domestic airlines such as SpiceJet to get to Port Blair on a regular basis. From the airport, there are several internally running buses that can take tourists to the closest jetty and help reach Baratang Island.

By Water:

Tourists making their way to Baratang Island from neighboring cities such as Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam or Chennai can board a passenger cruise that covers sea water to reach the island. The ship ride boasts of some enthralling sceneries along the way. Visitors can also go aboard a local ferry boat from the Nilambur Jetty to reach Baratang Island. The short ferry ride is pleasing with sumptuous landscapes greeting tourists as they near Baratang Island.

By Road:

The Mohanpura Bus Terminus is a prime bus service center that has buses plying to the Nilambur Jetty on a regular basis. Once at the jetty, tourists can board a ferry to reach their desired island, Baratang. If tourists are looking for comfortable travel options, they can use the local auto rickshaws or taxis to reach the jetty.

With comforting weather prevailing on Baratang Island throughout the year, visitors can travel to the island at any time. But when it comes to the most affable season, winter stands tall as one of the best times of the year to visit the secluded isle. The summer season also holds beneficial climate for tourists, with the dry weather facilitating easy commutation.

Summer (March to May):

The climate in summer season maintains higher temperatures, constantly fluctuating between 25°C and 32°C. Early mornings and the shades of evenings hold relaxing sightseeing prospects. Tourists who visit during this time of the year can also pay a visit to the popular Beach Festival held every year. It is an apt time to soak in the sun on some of these dazzling beaches.

Monsoon (June to September):

Monsoon season in Baratang Island witnesses a substantial amount of rainfall owing to its tropical proximity. Conditions turn extremely humid, with temperatures alternating between 25°C and 30°C. Some brave adventurers do visit Baratang Island during the monsoon season too. They come here to experience some captivating festivities such as the Monsoon Festival and the Food Festival.

Winter (October to February):

The winter season brings to Baratang Island a cool and luxuriating climate. Temperatures sometimes hit a minimum of 20°C and occasionally touch 30°C too. With such pleasant surroundings, this season is the most favorable time of the year to explore Baratang. Underwater activities such as sea walking, swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling are at their best during winter, as the sea waters remain calm and composed. Tourists can also catch up on the Island Tourism Festival and the Film Festival on their visit during this season.

Venture through Mangrove Canopies:

Baratang Island boasts of some breathtaking creek vicinities that are flanked by impenetrable mangrove forests on either sides. The sheer sight of the creek waters making their way through a surreal canopy of mangrove vegetation is awe-inspiring. Tourists can take captivating boat rides through these creeks to enjoy their holiday. These mangrove creeks have been an integral part of Baratang Island’s persona for a long time, enticing a truckload of tourists to the island on a regular basis.

Remarkable Limestone Caves:

The sinuous shapes and figures carved out by Mother Nature within the limestone caves of Baratang Island are truly spellbinding. It took several centuries for nature to create these marvellous caves, with continuous discharge of lime taking place over the surface of the earth. With intricate figures thronging from the ceilings and the surfaces of the caves, tourists are provided with an intriguing eyeshot of nature’s brilliance. Tourists ought to visit the intricate limestone caves on their tour of Baratang Island.

Thrilling Collection of Water Activities:

With its unique assortment of sensational beaches and calm sea waters, Baratang Island is well-equipped to woo tourists with an adventurous soul to its shores. Tourists can partake in a unique activity called sea walking, where they have a chance to walk along the sea bed and indulge in intimate interactions with the amazing aquatic animals that reside beneath. Activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling provide divers with a perfect opportunity to swim with these magnificent marine creatures. Another mesmerizing activity that tourists can undertake is coral viewing. This interesting activity includes gazing at the exotic coral reefs and astonishing aquatic life below through boats that are embedded with glass surfaces.

Port Blair houses Aberdeen Bazaar, which is one of the prime commercial centres of Andaman And Nicobar Islands. Tourists travelling to and from Baratang Island can always make a detour to this exquisite bazaar. Aberdeen Bazaar boasts of an intricate collection of clothing and also offers household items for shoppers. Those tourists interested in intricate art work cannot miss out on some of their bamboo cane crafts, coconut shell lamps, and ornate jewellery items fashioned out of shells. Mats prepared from coconut palms can also act as apt souvenirs to take back home.