Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 10 October 2025
In a major step towards promoting tourism in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), under the directives of the A&N Administration, has announced the commencement of a new fortnightly round-voyage cruise service to Barren Island from Sri Vijaya Puram.
This landmark initiative will offer tourists a unique opportunity to witness the country’s only active volcano from the sea, providing a spectacular and unforgettable experience. The inaugural voyage of the service is scheduled to commence on Friday, October 24, 2025, from Haddo Wharf, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The cruise will operate on a fortnightly basis, subject to weather conditions, and will be a complete round trip from Sri Vijaya Puram to Barren Island and back. No disembarkation will be permitted at the island.
According to the schedule announced by the Directorate, the vessel will depart from Haddo Wharf, Sri Vijaya Puram, on Fridays at 9 PM and reach the vicinity of Barren Island early the following morning. It will then depart from Barren Island at 8 AM on Saturday and return to Sri Vijaya Puram by around 4 PM the same day.
Tickets for this exclusive cruise can be booked online through the DSS e-ticketing portal (https://dss.andamannicobar.gov.in/eticketing) from October 11, 2025. The Directorate has fixed a uniform fare structure for all passengers. The tariff for the Coral Suite (2-berth accommodation) is ₹8,310 per head, for the Reef Suite (4-berth accommodation) ₹6,340 per head, for the Island Breeze (6-berth accommodation) ₹4,290 per head, and for the Lagoon dormitory (16 or 24-berth accommodation) ₹3,180 per head.
Food for the entire round voyage will be available at an additional cost of ₹2,000 per passenger. The inclusive meal coupon will cover bed tea or breakfast, lunch, snacks, and high tea. Passengers are required to purchase the food coupon from the reception counter after boarding the vessel.
The Directorate has also announced that special trips for Government School students will be planned separately to allow them to experience this educational and scenic voyage.
Officials from DSS stated that this new service marks a pivotal milestone in enhancing the tourism experience of the islands. “The Directorate of Shipping Services remains committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable, and memorable journey for all passengers,” the press release said.
The DSS further indicated that similar innovative and exciting voyages may be introduced in the future to attract more tourists and showcase the natural marvels of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
