Mallika Dureja
Limestone caves on Baratang Island are stunning. These caverns are natural and one of the deepest man-made hollows. Limestone caverns were produced by compressing algae, marine life, corals, shells, and aquatic species’ bones. The caverns have rugged yellow and white walls, floors, and ceilings, and their cavities are still virgin and undisturbed, making it a must-see on any Andaman vacation.
How did these caverns form? Here’s Mother Earth’s obsession. An underground phenomenon created limestone caves. After overhead pressure compressed sediments, sea deposits and algae mixed. This combination released oxygen while reacting chemically. Acidic groundwater dissolved the calcium in the cavities as it rose from below.
These caverns were exposed to dry air due to water level changes and earth crust movement. Carbonic acid in rainwater degraded these limestones, creating various cave formations. The walls’ color, texture, and character are still changing. The caves are still changing. Before nature changes tomorrow, one must see this Andaman must-see.
Stalactite and stalagmites, the conical shapes hanging from the cave’s ceiling, are another intriguing sight. Unlike stalactites, stalagmites are conical rock-like structures on the cave floor. Instead of white ice, limestone stones will give you an Ice Age vibe.
These gorgeous caverns have amazing styles, designs, and textures created by their reactions. Slippery flooring, intriguing shapes, and the deepest caves where light cannot reach were visible. To explore these deep areas, you may need a torch. After a tour, replenish with coconut water and refreshments at neighboring vendor stalls and tropical seas and greenery.
Additionally, Baratang island’s limestone caves path is fascinating. It requires a long ride through the trees. This trail’s splendor reminds you how important nature is to survival. These caves appear alive after a 10-minute walk.
How to Reach Limestone Caves From Port Blair
In Andaman & Nicobar Islands, visit Baratang island to see limestone caverns. Skip the beaches and visit Baratang!
Port Blair to Baratang Island is 100 miles over the narrow Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) and takes 2-2.30 hours to drive.
To reach these stunning caves, one must first travel 46 kilometers from Port Blair to Jirketang, a three-step process. Since one must pass through the Jarawa Forest Reserve or tribal zone, one can visit here in time periods. For tourist safety, a state bus with armed forest guards leads the caravan. Plan around the convoy’s 6 AM, 9 AM, 12 noon, and 3 PM departures.
Drive 47 km to Middle Straits from Jirketang. The stretch is vulnerable again, so forest officers should traverse it. 2-wheelers are prohibited, and all vehicles drive at a constant speed without overtaking, noise, rolling down windows, or disturbing the locals. Forest officials patrol the area and forbid photography. One might watch Jarawa tribesmen go about their daily lives and marvel how they manage without fast technology or a fast-paced existence.
Jetty ride time. Park your automobile at the designated spots and get a 10-rupee ticket to cross the strait in 10 minutes. You approach Baratang (Neelambar) Jetty and acquire licenses to continue.
Limestone caves? Prepare for a 15-minute motorboat trip through thick mangrove forests that smile from the aisle. Visit the limestone caverns and take in their splendor.
Best Time to Visit Limestone Caves
Baratang island features tropical limestone caves. Summer sweat makes this atmosphere miserable. Monsoon is sticky and sweaty. Additionally, water levels rise, making long-term seaside stays unsafe.
Visit limestone caves from November to February.
Winter is lovely with gentle winds. This alone draws travelers to Andaman. Winter makes exploring, photographing, and enjoying Baratang’s splendor simpler.
Other Essential Info about Limestone Caves
Mobile Connectivity
Baratang island is far from Port Blair and crosses protected wilderness areas, making cell service difficult. Airtel, Vodafone, and BSNL still work in Port Blair and Havelock. In Baratang, disconnect from the internet and enjoy nature.
Medical Facilities
Due to low population and remoteness, Baratang Island has few doctors and medical services. Port Blair, 100 kilometers away, has good medical care. We recommend bringing a first aid kit and needed medicines to Baratang and seeking help from officials in an emergency.
ATMs Nearby
You won’t be able to find ATM in Baratang island. It is always best to carry enough cash before beginning the journey from Port Blair. The good part is that Port Blair has a good number of ATMs to dispense the cash. So plan the journey by counting food, travel expense and tickets to any attractions you like to visit.
Places to eat near Limestone Caves
Tourists can buy Indian food including Idli, Sambhar, chai, and coffee at tiny restaurants and kiosks on the road to Baratang. One can also locate little stalls near caves on the island. Baratang jetty serves average meals to satisfy hunger. Fish fry eateries are also found here.
If you think, you will not be able to settle with them all, please carry your own extra food.
Minimum Duration for Visiting Limestone Caves Baratang
Well, we would say, take a whole day out for visiting Baratang. If you are traveling to a 100 km distance, it is easy to go and come back in 5-6 hours along with a rush visit to limestone caves. But take some time, visit other attractions, observe the beauty around and then come back with wonderful memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How caves are formed in limestone?
Imagine a big rock made of limestone that is buried deep in the earth. Acidic rainwater is getting into it and making holes that stay there for a long time. Now that there is life here, algae are growing and going through photosynthesis. Different chemical reactions, the release of oxygen, and the movement of the earth’s crust reveal the rock to the dry zone. Rainwater and weak carbonic acid keep breaking down the limestone over time, giving it different forms and surfaces.
This big rock is actually a big mountain rock with holes in it that serve as caves. With enough time, the rock forms into a real cave because of a number of different things.
2. What is a limestone cave?
The presence of limestone beneath the earth’s surface gave a chance to form limestone caves with the passage of millions of years. The rocks got dissolved by natural acid in groundwater and rainwater creating cavities and ultimately, caves.
3. What type of weathering causes limestone caves?
It is well-known that each and every rock structure gets eroded with time in form of physical or chemical weathering. Limestone caves face chemical weathering as weak carbonic acid becomes the reason of the cavities and the caves.
4. How can I get to limestone cave?
From the Andaman and Nicobar islands, you can get to Baratang island by going through the rock caves. This island is 100 km away from Port Blair, and you can get there by driving and taking a wharf.
From Port Blair, you have to drive to Jirketang and then take a state bus to Middle Straits. To get across the straits, you have to pay 10 Rs to ride the wharf to Baratang. From here, you can take a speedboat ride that drops you off right at the starting place for hiking into the limestone caves.
5. What is the ticket price of limestone caves?
It is free of cost to visit limestone caves. But you must carry the cash to pay the jetty, speedboat, and food or personal expenses.
6. How far is Baratang island from Port Blair?
An approximate distance of 100 Km is recorded between the two locations. But one cannot reach here directly through one vehicle. A combination of a road vehicle, jetty ride, and speedboat has to be taken to reach Baratang and cover its major attractions.
7. Which are the best resorts to stay in Baratang Island?
Baratang island is a great place to stay, and places like the Dew Dale resort, Blue Planet resort, Pearl Park, and Tango beach resort will make your trip even better. The fact that these resorts are surrounded by tall trees, green areas, and white sand beaches makes them great for a honeymoon trip to Andaman.
8. Can we visit Baratang Island in one day?
Oh Yes! With good planning, one can take a to and fro trip of Baratang island. Make sure you begin early morning and cover all the major attractions along before finishing off the trip by the end of the day.
9. What are the timings to visit Limestone caves?
Limestone caves can be seen every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plan to leave Port Blair at the right time if you want to see these caves.
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