In our quest to be different and to showcase everything that the Emerald Isles have to offer, now you can dive Barren Island –the only active volcano in South Asia as a day trip. It’s brand new and it’s exclusive to Barefoot Scuba.

Book now! It’s an expedition, it’s an adventure, it’s magical, it’s nothing like you have ever seen before and it’s breathtaking!

Erruption at Barren Island on 28 Dec 2009

Barren Island, one of the most easterly of the Andaman Islands is the only active volcano in South Asia and lies 135 km northeast of Port Blair.

The first recorded eruption of the volcano dates back to 1787 and further eruptions were recorded in 1789, 1795, 1803–04, and 1852. After nearly one and half centuries of dormancy, the island had another eruption in 1991 that lasted six months and caused considerable damage. There were eruptions in 1994–95 and 2005–07, the later being . Since then, the volcano has erupted more than six times, most recently on 19 July 2009 and still continues to spew smoke and ash.

True to its name, it is a barren area uninhabited by humans, though it has a small population of goats, birds, bats like flying foxes and a few rodent species such as rats known to survive the harsh conditions.

Although a few liveaboards from Thailand have been diving Barren Island each year, there have been no operators from the Andamans itself diving here mainly due to the distance from populated shores and the lack of faster boats.

The chosen date was 28^th Dec and the first lucky divers who got to go on this trip were the Marleen Scheers Family and their friend Dider. Olivier, our extremely experienced French Instructor was to lead this expedition. With the food ordered, the speedboat leased for the day and the equipment loaded our explorers were all set to be captivated by this active volcano.

The trip departed from the Havelock Jetty at 4 am and by 6:30 am had arrived at Barren. Barren was everything they had hoped for and more.In a matter of half an hour, the otherwise white boat was covered in grey ash. Every 15 minutes or so a loud BOOM! was heard. Rocks the size of tennis balls were being expelled as if by magic and thick smoke loomed over the Island. An incredible sight indeed- one to remember and treasure forever.

Spectacular viz and Stunning Sea Fans

The 3 dives at Barren were simply enchanting. You most definitely won’t be bored at Barren. There is a deep endless wall on one side that’s teeming with life, a stunning coral garden to be lost in, vast expanses of black volcanic rocks and sand, colour contrasts that will leave you lost for words and clearly marked tracks or lava channels.

Definitely the abode of the larger pelargics, this beautiful volcanic Island offers splendid diving and the chance to see both reef fish and the larger ones as well. Turtles, white tip, black tip and oceanic white tip sharks were seen in addition to a large school of barracuda, giant sized jacks, kingfish and tuna.

Sitting pretty- A Nudibranch

With a sense of achievement and feeling like pioneers and explorers, the group returned to Havelock full of stories of their experience.

This was the first of many trips to follow and since the 28^th of December Barren Island dive trips have become hugely popular.

Simply Exhilarating!

Manta Rays and the frequent spotting of sharks have made this expedition trip the hot favourite of Advanced level divers. So get your gear together, your cameras ready and head to Havelock coz this is one experience you definitely don’t want to miss out on!

Diver's Delight