Andaman Launches Barren Island Volcano Cruise

Launching October 24, 2025, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands will run a fortnightly round-voyage cruise service to Barren Island—India’s only active volcano—offering B2B travel professionals a unique adventure tourism product to package and promote.

Andaman & Nicobar Unveils Round-Voyage Cruise to Barren Island: A New Frontier for Indian Cruise Tourism

In a bold move to elevate India’s cruise tourism portfolio, the Andaman & Nicobar administration has announced the launch of a round-voyage cruise service from Port Blair to Barren Island, the nation’s only operational volcano. The inaugural sailing is slated for October 24, 2025, offering travel professionals and agents a rare asset to include in their adventure-tourism offerings. 

This cruise initiative not only enriches India’s tourism inventory but also aligns with the government’s push for sustainable, nature-centric travel. It positions India more prominently in the Asia-Pacific’s adventure tourism narrative.

Unveiling the Volcanic Marvel: Barren Island by Sea

Barren Island lies approximately 140 km from Port Blair and spans about 8.34 sq km. It is the only confirmed active volcano in the Indian subcontinent. Recent minor eruptive activity in September 2025 has heightened global interest in this beliedly remote landmass. 

Because of the volcanic risks and uninhabited status, disembarkation on Barren Island will not be permitted. Instead, the cruise will offer panoramic, close-in views of volcanic formations, ash plumes, rugged shorelines, and coastal marine features from the safety of the ship itself.

For B2B travel planners, this is a product with strong “wow” appeal—especially for markets seeking novelty, adventure, and experiential tourism.

Cruise Logistics & Fare Structure

Schedule & Route

• Departures: Fortnightly, every Friday at 21:00 from Haddo Wharf, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair)

• Arrival near Barren Island: Saturday morning

• Return leg departs ~08:00 Saturday, with estimated arrival back in Port Blair by ~16:00

• No disembarkation permitted (non-landing cruise)
  
  

Ticketing & Accommodation Options

Bookings can be made via the DSS e-ticketing portal, enabling B2B agents to integrate ticketing workflows.

Fare categories (uniform across sailings):

• Coral Suite (2-berth): ₹ 8,310 per head

• Reef Suite (4-berth): ₹ 6,340 per head

• Island Breeze (6-berth): ₹ 4,290 / ₹ 3,180 per head (depending on occupancy)

• Lagoon dormitory (16/24 berths): ₹ 2,000 per head
  
  

Meals are not included by default but may be added via onboard meal coupons (covering snacks, high tea, bed tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea) purchasable on board. 

These segmented fare tiers create flexibility for both luxury and value-oriented segments—a useful tool for B2B agents to upsell.

Tourism Infrastructure & Sustainability Focus

To support this cruise, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are ramping up related infrastructure—transport links, eco-friendly guest facilities, and enhanced marine safety protocols.

Importantly, the cruise is designed to be low-impact: no shore landings, limited interference with the coastal or marine environment, and alignment with the region’s eco-tourism mandate under India’s broader sustainable development goals.

In effect, it becomes a test case for how to commercialize remote natural wonders with minimal footprint—something that travel and aviation stakeholders globally are watching closely.

Economic & Stakeholder Implications for B2B Travel

Local Economy & Ancillary Services

As the cruise draws tourist interest, Port Blair and adjacent service providers stand to gain from increased demand for accommodations, transfers, F&B, local tours, and logistics support. For travel agents and consolidators, this is a new node in tourism flows—one that encourages extension of itineraries around the Andaman archipelago.

Product Differentiation & Competitive Edge

For B2B agents designing niche and high-value itineraries, the Barren Island cruise is a strong differentiator. It can be bundled with stays in Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island, or the Ritchie’s Archipelago to create curated “Andaman volcano & island circuit” packages. International Branding & Market Reach

To promote the cruise globally, the Andaman administration is collaborating with international tour operators and cruise networks. This paves the way for overseas markets (Europe, Middle East, Asia) to view India not just as a cultural or beach destination, but as a geological/volcano tourism hub.

For B2B players, early partnerships, quota allocations, and promotional programming can yield first-mover advantages.

Challenges & Risk Mitigation

• Weather & sea conditions: Fortnightly scheduling is weather-dependent, so operational flexibility is essential.

• Safety & regulation: Volcano proximity demands strict safety and monitoring protocols.

• Awareness & demand generation: The novelty must be translated into market demand; B2B actors need strong promotional support.
  
  

• Sustainability pressure: Ensuring that the tourism venture remains eco-balanced is critical to long-term viability.
  
  

Conclusion & Takeaways for B2B Travel Professionals

The introduction of a round-voyage cruise to Barren Island marks a seminal moment in India’s ambition to raise the bar on experiential and eco-adventure tourism. For travel agents, consolidators, and airline professionals, this is an opportunity to:

• Differentiate your product catalog with an exclusive, volcanic cruise experience

• Leverage promotional tie-ups early to capture inbound demand

• Bundle intelligently with neighboring island visits to increase yield

• Advocate sustainability and safety in your offerings, which enhances credibility

As India tests the waters (literally) for high-value adventure cruises, B2B stakeholders who align early with this offering can become regional leaders in thematic tourism packaging.

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