🛳️ First-Ever Government-Run Liveaboard Cruise to India’s Only Active Volcano — Now Sailing from Sri Vijaya Puram
🌋 Experience India’s most dramatic ocean voyage — a government-operated liveaboard to witness the mighty Barren Island Volcano, deep in the Andaman Sea.
In a historic milestone for Indian maritime tourism, the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) under the Andaman & Nicobar Administration has launched the first-ever government-run liveaboard cruise service to India’s only active volcano — Barren Island, from October 24, 2025.
Departing fortnightly from Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair), this exclusive fortnightly round-voyage cruise offers travelers a chance to sail across the turquoise expanse of the Andaman Sea and witness the awe-inspiring sight of the smoking volcanic cone of Barren Island — a rare natural wonder and South Asia’s only active volcano.
This flagship project blends eco-tourism, adventure, and science, allowing passengers to enjoy the Andamans from a completely new perspective — on the open sea, aboard a comfortable, government-operated vessel.
⚓ Key Highlights
- Operator: Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), A&N Administration
- Cruise Type: Fortnightly round-voyage liveaboard (no disembarkation)
- Vessel Name: Barren Cruise
- Departure Port: Haddo Wharf, Sri Vijaya Puram
- Inaugural Voyage: Friday, 24 October 2025
- Frequency: Every 2 weeks (subject to weather)
- Total Duration: ~19 hours (8 hours each way + viewing time)
- Distance: ~165 nautical miles
- Experience: Panoramic sunrise views, ocean expedition, volcano sightseeing, snorkeling & scuba diving
- Landing at Barren Island: Strictly not permitted (eco-sensitive zone)
🕓 Cruise Schedule
| Segment | Timing | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Departure (Sri Vijaya Puram) | Friday – 21:00 hrs (9:00 PM) | Board at Haddo Wharf |
| Arrival (Barren Island vicinity) | Saturday – 05:00 AM | Spectacular dawn view of the volcano, Snorkeling/Scuba Diving |
| Departure (Barren Island vicinity) | Saturday – 08:00 AM | Return leg begins |
| Arrival (Sri Vijaya Puram) | Saturday – 16:00 hrs (4:00 PM) | Voyage concludes |
Note: Timings are subject to weather and sea conditions.
💺 Fare Structure
| Cabin Class | Berth Type | Fare (₹ per head) |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Suite | 2-berth cabin | ₹8,310 |
| Reef Suite | 4-berth cabin | ₹6,340 |
| Island Breeze | 6-berth cabin | ₹4,290 |
| Lagoon Dormitory | 16/24-berth shared dorm | ₹3,180 |
🍽️ Meal Coupon: ₹2,000 (optional)
Includes bed tea, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and high tea — can be purchased onboard at the reception counter.
🧭 Voyage Experience
The journey begins under the night sky as your ship departs Haddo Wharf, cruising eastward into the open Andaman Sea. By dawn, passengers are greeted with one of the most mesmerizing sights in India — the smoldering silhouette of Barren Island Volcano, glowing under the rising sun.
The vessel circles within safe distance, offering panoramic views of the caldera, lava slopes, and surrounding blue expanse. Dolphins are occasionally spotted in the vicinity, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
As the ship heads back to Sri Vijaya Puram, passengers can relax on deck, enjoy meals, and witness the vast serenity of the ocean — a true liveaboard experience, but with government-grade safety and organization.
🎟️ How to Book
Bookings for this exclusive voyage are live on the official DSS portal:
👉 Book Now via DSS e-Ticketing Portal
- Bookings open 11 October 2025 onward.
- Available to both Islanders and Non-Islanders (uniform fare).
- Early booking is recommended — premium cabins (Coral & Reef Suites) sell out quickly.
- Contact Helpline: 1800-345-2714
- Operated directly by the Directorate of Shipping Services, A&N Administration.
🧾 Permit & Policy
- No disembarkation or landing at Barren Island is allowed.
- The cruise operates under strict eco-regulatory and safety norms.
- Foreign nationals are allowed only onboard viewing — same as Indian nationals.
- Separate educational voyages will be organized for government school students.
- Passengers are advised to carry valid photo ID and booking confirmation.
🌦️ Best Time to Travel
October to March offers calm seas, clear skies, and the best visibility around Barren Island.
Avoid the monsoon months (May–September) when the sea can be rough and voyages may be suspended due to weather advisories.
🧳 Travel Tips
✅ Carry light woollens — sea breeze can be chilly at night.
✅ Take motion-sickness tablets if prone to seasickness.
✅ Keep your camera ready by dawn (between 4:30–6:00 AM).
✅ Binoculars enhance your volcano-viewing experience.
✅ Stay on upper deck for panoramic sunrise views.
✅ Do not litter — Barren Island lies within an ecologically sensitive marine zone.
📸 Image Captions (SEO-ready)
- The first government-run cruise ship departing Sri Vijaya Puram for Barren Island.
- Sunrise view of India’s only active volcano from the Andaman Sea.
- Passengers enjoy the open-deck experience aboard the Barren Island liveaboard.
- Distant view of Barren Island’s steaming cone and rugged lava cliffs.
🪶 Why This Matters
This liveaboard marks a pivotal development in Indian tourism.
It transforms what was once a restricted scientific site into a controlled, sustainable tourism experience, opening new avenues for eco-marine expeditions, geo tourism, and ocean awareness.
For the first time, ordinary travelers can sail under official safety and ecological guidelines to witness the living geology of India — a volcano that continues to shape the Andaman archipelago.
🏁 Closing Note
“All efforts are in hand to make this voyage a memory forever.”
— Directorate of Shipping Services, A&N Administration
The Barren Island Cruise is not just a journey — it’s India’s bold step toward oceanic adventure tourism, rooted in conservation, discovery, and wonder.
🔖 Tags / Keywords:
Barren Island Cruise, Andaman Volcano Tour, Barren Island Liveaboard, Sri Vijaya Puram Cruise, Government Cruise Andaman, Andaman Nicobar Tourism, Barren Island Tickets, Eco-Tourism in Andaman, Active Volcano India, Barren Island 2025 Voyage.
