Limestone Caves - Andaman.
Ancient Rock Formations & Natural Wonders

About the Limestone Caves of the Andaman Islands

The Limestone Caves are located on the far side of a mangrove creek from Baratang village, in a part of the island accessible only by boat. The caves sit within a forested area that the Andaman and Nicobar Forest Department manages as an eco-tourism site. Boat services and guided access to the caves are organised from a jetty in Baratang village, and all visitors go through the same route, boat through the creek, walk through the forest, enter the cave.

The cave system at Baratang is a limestone karst formation. The caves were carved out over a very long period by slightly acidic groundwater dissolving the calcium carbonate in the rock and creating hollow chambers and tunnels. What you see inside, the stalactites hanging from the ceiling and the stalagmites rising from the floor, are the reverse of that process: calcium carbonate redepositing slowly as water drips through the rock, building formations at a rate of roughly a cubic centimetre per century depending on conditions.

The accessible section of the cave is relatively compact. There is lighting installed inside, but the cave is still dark in sections and the floor is uneven in places. The temperature inside is noticeably cooler than outside, which after the boat ride and the forest trek in Andaman heat tends to feel like a considerable relief.

The History of Limestone Caves
- How the Limestone Caves at Baratang Were Formed

Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed primarily from the accumulated remains of marine organisms, shells, coral, and skeletal fragments, that settle on the seabed over millions of years and compress into rock. The Andaman Islands sit on a geologically complex zone where the Indian tectonic plate meets the Eurasian plate, and the limestone deposits here are part of a rock sequence that was laid down when these areas were below sea level.

As the land rose and the rock was exposed, rainwater, made mildly acidic by dissolved carbon dioxide, began percolating through the limestone along cracks and weak points. Over time this dissolved the rock and created underground voids, passages, and chambers. The formations inside the cave, stalactites and stalagmites, developed as mineral-rich water dripped through the ceiling of these chambers and deposited calcium carbonate with each drop, building up over thousands of years into the shapes visible today.

The caves at Baratang were known to local communities before they became a formal tourist site. The Forest Department developed the eco-tourism infrastructure, the boat service, the forest trail, the cave lighting, to make the site accessible while controlling the volume of visitors and limiting impact on the formations. The guided route ensures visitors stay on the designated path and do not touch or damage the cave structures.

Exploring the Limestone Caves
- Baratang Island's Natural Masterpiece

The Limestone Caves on Baratang Island are among the most fascinating natural attractions in the Andaman Islands. Hidden within a protected forest, these caves have taken thousands of years to form as mineral-rich water slowly shaped the limestone into impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Every chamber has its own unique rock formations, making each visit a little different.

The journey to the caves is just as memorable as the destination. Visitors first travel through narrow mangrove creeks by boat before taking a short walk through tropical forest to reach the cave entrance. The peaceful surroundings, rich greenery, and quiet atmosphere make the experience feel like an adventure into one of Andaman's untouched landscapes.

Most travelers visit the Limestone Caves as part of a Baratang day trip, often combining them with the Mud Volcano and a scenic mangrove boat ride. The best time to visit is from October to May, when the weather is pleasant and the trails are easier to explore.

Tips for Visiting the Limestone Caves at Baratang

• Leave Port Blair by 5 to 6 AM. The convoy from Jirkatang Checkpost departs at fixed times and will not wait. Missing it adds hours to your day. Most organised day tours from Port Blair factor this in and handle the convoy timing for you.
• Carry a torch. Cave lighting covers the main route but the sections between fixed lights are dark. A small handheld torch makes navigation easier and lets you look at formations that are off the main lit path.
• Wear closed shoes with grip. The forest trail involves roots and uneven ground, and the cave floor is rocky and can be wet. Sandals are manageable but closed shoes give better ankle support and traction.
• Do not touch the cave formations. Contact from hands deposits oils and salts on the surface that permanently disrupt the mineral deposition process. Formations that are regularly touched stop growing and discolour over time.
• Carry water and snacks from Port Blair or Baratang village. There are no food stalls at the cave site or along the forest trail. Options in Baratang village are limited, so stocking up before you leave Port Blair is the safer approach.
• Avoid visiting during the monsoon (June to September). Heavy rain makes the forest trail slippery, boat operations on the mangrove creek may be suspended on rough days, and road conditions on the Andaman Trunk Road can be affected by flooding.

Include Limestone Caves in Your Andaman Itinerary

The Limestone Caves work best as the first activity of a Baratang day trip, completed in the morning after the convoy drive from Port Blair. Follow it with the Mud Volcano after lunch and finish the day at Parrot Island for the sunset roosting. That structure covers the three main attractions at Baratang in one well-timed day without unnecessary backtracking.

Our team handles the convoy timing, boat bookings, and guide arrangements for the Limestone Caves visit as part of a full Baratang day trip or as part of a wider Andaman itinerary from Port Blair.