The short answer
Baratang Mud Volcano: what visitors should know first
Go only if the site is open when you travel. It is a short, easy-to-moderate stop compared with the caves, but access was suspended after the October 2025 eruption, so confirm the current rules with your operator or the forest office first.
History and context
The story behind Baratang Mud Volcano
Wikipedia notes that Baratang has the only known mud volcanoes in India, which erupt sporadically; the previous major recorded eruption before the 2004 earthquake was on 18 February 2003, and eruptions in 2005 are believed to be linked to the earthquake.
In October 2025 the mud volcano at Jarawa Creek erupted around 1.30 pm on 2 October after more than two decades of dormancy. News reports described a mound of 3 to 4 metres and mud spread over more than 1,000 square metres, and said the Geological Survey of India was sending geologists from Kolkata to investigate.
Useful facts
Baratang Mud Volcano facts at a glance
- Location
- Jarawa Creek area, near Nilambur jetty, Baratang Island
- Experience type
- Short guided visit to mud vents
- Known for
- Reported as India's only known mud volcanoes
- Latest eruption
- 2 October 2025, after more than two decades of quiet
- Access
- Suspended after the eruption; check current rules
- Walk
- A short rocky path, around 160 m by one guide's estimate
Why it matters
Why Baratang Mud Volcano is worth your time
Baratang's mud volcanoes are widely described as the only ones known in India. Gas from decaying organic material deep underground pushes mud to the surface, which builds cone-shaped mounds with a mud-filled crater on top. They erupt only sporadically. Earlier eruptions are recorded around 2003 and 2005, and the 2005 event is believed to be linked to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.
On 2 October 2025 the site erupted again after more than twenty years of quiet, with a loud explosion, building a mound several metres high and spreading mud over a wide area. The Geological Survey of India sent a team of geologists to sample the mud and gas. The site is a reminder that the Andamans sit on an active plate boundary, and it is why access is now treated cautiously.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Mud cones and craters
Small mounds topped with creamy mud show the process on a human scale, even when the vents are quiet.
- 02
Geology you can see
The site is a surface sign of the active tectonic setting beneath the Andamans; ask your guide about the 2025 eruption.
- 03
A short stop
It fits easily between the creek boat and the return convoy, with little walking if open.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Check first whether the site is open. After the October 2025 eruption, reports said tourist access was suspended and approach routes were closed by the forest department. Your operator or the Baratang forest office will know the current position. If visits are allowed, they are likely to be supervised, so follow the instructions you are given.
From Nilambur jetty the site is a short transfer by road or by boat, followed by a short walk up a rocky path. What you see are small cones and craters of creamy mud that bubble or ooze, not a fiery volcano. Expect something modest, and some of the vents may be dry or quiet on any given day.
Stay on the marked route and keep to the pace of the group. Ground around active vents can be soft and unstable. Do not climb on the mounds or take mud samples. Photograph from the edge, then head back; there is nothing more to see and no shade, so do not linger in the midday sun.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm the site is open before you set out
- Follow police and forest staff instructions
- Stay on the marked route; the ground near vents can be soft
- Do not climb on mounds or take mud samples
- Carry water and sun protection; there is little shade
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Jarawa Creek area, a short transfer from Nilambur jetty, Baratang Island
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour including the transfer and a short walk
- Best time
- Dry months, November to February; check access regardless of season
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- A short transfer by road or boat is followed by a rocky uphill path of roughly 160 m, reported by one guide. The ground can be loose or muddy and there is little shade or seating. Many older visitors manage it slowly; take a stick if you use one.
- Tickets and access
- After the October 2025 eruption, tourist access to the site was reported as suspended while police and forest staff monitored it. Check whether visits are allowed, in what batches and under what supervision, before you go. Follow staff instructions on the day.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Baratang Mud Volcano
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
A short transfer by road or boat is followed by a rocky uphill path of roughly 160 m, reported by one guide. The ground can be loose or muddy and there is little shade or seating. Many older visitors manage it slowly; take a stick if you use one.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is the Baratang mud volcano open to tourists?
After the 2 October 2025 eruption, reports said tourist access was suspended for safety. Check the current position with the Baratang forest office or your operator before you travel.
Is it an actual volcano?
No, it is a mud volcano. Gas from decaying organic matter underground pushes mud to the surface, forming small cones and craters. There is no lava.
How long does the visit take?
Allow roughly 45 minutes to an hour, including the transfer from Nilambur jetty and a short rocky walk, if the site is open.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Baratang Island
- The Week: Baratang mud volcano eruption, October 2025
- Vision IAS (Economic Times summary): India's only mud volcano erupts
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
