Baratang Island

Baratang lies in the Great Andaman chain about 150 km north of Port Blair, between Middle Andaman to the north and South Andaman to the south. Covering some 242 square kilometres, it is crossed by the Andaman Trunk Road, with ferry crossings at Bamboo Trikery and Nilambur jetties. Excavations at Hava Beel Cave suggest people lived here by around 420 CE, and in the late nineteenth century the British settled Christian Adivasi converts from Ranchi on the island to farm, which is why it is also called Ranchiwalas Island.

The island is best known for its mud volcanoes, locally called jalki, the only ones recorded in India; an eruption in October 2025 wrecked the old visitor trail. Other draws are the limestone caves, Parrot Island, Baludera Beach and the mangrove-lined creeks, and there are forest and public works guest houses for overnight stays.