Andaman Sea Pilot - the definitive cruising guide for the Andaman Sea...and more

The definitive guide to 380 anchorages in more than one million square miles of ocean

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BARREN & NARCONDAM ISLANDS

Barren Island

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Narcondam Island

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Barren Island is a spectacular active volcano that last erupted during the earthquake that caused the 2004 tsunami. It is still very active: it howls and screams, throws volcanic ash into the air and has dramatic lava flows into the sea. Shore visits on Barren Island are not permitted.

Anchoring is generally difficult as the island is surrounded by near vertical drop-offs to over 1000 metres deep.

There is incredible diving here with vertigo inspiring drop-offs. Underwater the landscape is even more spectacular than above, with live coral set against a black volcanic ash backdrop.

There are lots of large pelagics and big sharks. Fishing is superb but you often catch half-a-fish as something else eats it as you are trying to wind it in.

A shallow shelf sticks out from the small, black volcanic beach ashore. Anchor on the outer edge of this shelf in 5-7 metres – if possible swim the anchor down to position it between the coral bombies.

You have a steady stream of volcanic grit landing on you in this anchorage. This anchorage also suffers from groundswell in the North-Easterlies.

This is an unlikely looking but good and easy anchorage if conditions are calm. Get as close to the point as possible and anchor in 10m on black volcanic sand. The bottom slopes away gradually to 15 metres and there is then a wall that vanishes into the depths.

This is undoubtedly the most spectacular anchorage at Barren Island. Common sense dictates you should have a long hard look at the volcano before anchoring here at the bottom of the lava flow.

You will need a good bow and stern anchor to anchor here. Basically you want to end up strung across the mouth of the small inner bay formed by the lava flow with a bow anchor on the shelf on one side, a stern anchor on the shelf on the other side and the yacht sat between these in deep water.

This spot is exceptionally well protected and is out of the volcanic dust fallout.

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Narcondam Island

Probably one of the most spectacular and isolated spots in the world, Narcondam is an extinct volcano covered in thick jungle. Although the volcano is extinct, there are still impressive underwater volcanic plumes around the island.

Narcondam has white sand beaches, stunning scenery and amazing diving, snorkelling and fishing.

Narcondam summit walk
On the west side of island, look for a distinctive deep valley that runs up the volcano to just below the summit (see chart).
Land here on a rock pebble beach.

Ignore the deep valley and walk north along the beach about 150 metres to some large boulders – behind these is a steep sided gulley; walk up this.

After about 200 metres, strike right out of the gulley on some large tree roots and climb steeply for about 400 metres on a heading of about 140º to just below the ridgeline. Stay below the ridgeline and turn left paralleling the ridgeline until you get to a very large fallen tree. Head up to the ridgeline and then walk up through mature forest to the summit.

Ascent time 3 hours; descent 2 hours. This is not a gentle stroll. You need to be reasonably fit and agile to attempt it.

Anchor in 18m clear of the rock cliff. Reasonable protection in north-easterlies.

Anchor in 15-20 metres on a sand and broken coral bottom. There are silly numbers of mantas in this anchorage.

Anchor in 5-7 metres in front of the abandoned police post.

Superb anchorage in 15 metres off a fringing coral reef. A white sand beach, coconuts, jungle, the volcano and fabulously clear water complete the picture.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the charts of anchorages are based on personal experience and satellite imagery and are intended as a guide only. They should not be used for navigation. Please refer to Official Hydrographic charts of the respective countries.

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