Lime Stone Caves
Limestone Caves is the most sought after attraction in Baratang. Its unique name is the first reason why people get attracted to it because the idea of visiting a cave in an island destination is a fascinating & adventurous one. The Limestone Caves are adorned with formations made of limestone. Inside the cave, the temperature is lower than outside. The cave contains beautiful formations.
Once a guide, while guiding us inside the cave mentioned: “Your imagination while seeing these formations will give face and name to them”. Doesn’t that sound enthralling? Limestone is mostly made up of the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate). Limestone is very soluble, meaning it is easily dissolved. Rainwater picks up carbon dioxide in the air and a weak solution of carbonic acid is formed. This water can dissolve limestone over time, creating a cave.
How to reach Limestone Caves?
After reaching Baratang, you will be boarding a small fiber boat which usually accommodates 6-8 people subject to the size of the boat. This boat will start from Baratang, and after sailing for 5-7 minutes; you’ll start seeing the mangroves and its breathing roots which make a natural gateway-looking path for the boat crossing the waters amidst the mangrove area. The boat operator will be your guide for this trip to the Limestone Caves.
The boat will be anchored near a narrow wooden bridge that leads you to a few steps, and after completing these small steps you’ll need to walk for about 1.2 Km is required to reach the caves entry point. In the middle, you can see some small shops serving fresh juice. The guide who tells you about this cave will be briefing the significance and history of the caves while taking you on a tour inside the cave. The guide will be briefing you in the Hindi language.
Post completion of the trip you return back via the same boat to Baratang Island. From Baratang island the cab will bring you back to Port Blair or if your Andaman package has Rangat or Diglipur as part of your tour plan then you will move further to the North Andaman Islands. If you have mud volcano added to the tour plan then we recommend you to start early from Port Blair around 3 AM so that you can take the 6 AM convoy and reach first to Baratang. Post that you can visit both the Limestone Caves and Mud Volcano easily. However, if you are taking the 9 AM convoy to Baratang Island then Mud Volcano gets missed as you will not have sufficient time.