Why to visit Barren Island
Barren Island is located in the Andaman Sea, some 138 kilometres (86 miles) northeast of Port Blair, the territory's capital. It is the only active volcano in India, as well as the only active volcano along the range from Sumatra to Myanmar. Barren Island is a submarine emergent volcano that lies above the subduction zone of the Indian and Burmese plates and is a part of the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Barren Island is part of a restricted zone, and visitors must obtain specific permits to visit the island. Barren Island is also off-limits to visitors. Barren Island does not allow overnight stays, therefore plan an early morning journey to the island, such as starting at 3 or 4 a.m. The journey to the island takes approximately 4 to 5 hours. Tourists usually travel by ship and get a taste of the island's captivating atmosphere without having to set foot on the ground. Only with the agreement of the forest department and after obtaining the required licences can chartered boats reach the island.
Havelock is the closest inhabited island to Barren Island, and it is from there that you can hire a boat to go here. It takes roughly 4 to 5 hours to drive from Havelock to this location.