The Natural Sandbar of Ross & Smith &
the Baratang Limestone Caves

The Natural Sandbar of Ross & Smith & the Rainforest Peaks

North and Middle Andaman together cover 3,243 km² and contain the largest contiguous stretch of tropical rainforest in India outside the Western Ghats, including areas designated under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest Plantation Development Corporation (ANIFPDC). Created in 2006 with Mayabunder as administrative headquarters, the district encompasses the major settlements of **Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur**.

The visual identity of North & Middle Andaman is island emerald teal and sandbar coral amber gold. Defining the district is the **Ross & Smith Sandbar**—a 500-meter white sand bridge connecting two tropical islands that emerges during low tide amidst crystal-clear turquoise waters. Inland lies **Baratang Island** (famous for mangrove boat rides to ancient limestone caves and mud volcanoes), **Saddle Peak** (732m high point), and **Kalipur Beach**.

Culturally, the district reflects deliberate 20th-century resettlement programs, most notably highlighted by the Karen community residing in villages around Mayabunder. Originating from Burma, Karen families were brought to the islands by Christian missionaries in 1925 to assist with forestry clearance and timber work, retaining their distinct language, traditional backstrap weaving, and wooden boat-building craft. The settler communities — drawn from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bengal, and Ranchi (Jharkhand) under colonial-era 'ex-convict' settlement schemes and post-Partition rehabilitation — live alongside protected tribal zones for the Jarawa and Onge people under the Andaman & Nicobar Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, 1956.

Geologically, the district is home to India’s only active mud volcanoes, located in the dense forests of Baratang Island. Known locally as *Jalki*, these mud volcanoes are created by the geothermal extrusion of underground clay, gases, and saline water, forming small grey craters that continuously bubble with methane gas. This rare phenomenon attracts geologists and nature enthusiasts alike. The journey to Baratang is itself a slow-travel adventure, involving a drive through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve corridor followed by a wooden boat ride through a network of ancient mangrove creeks, where the giant roots of *Rhizophora* trees form natural arched tunnels over the water.

"Where the white sandbar of Ross & Smith parts the turquoise sea at low tide, Baratang's mangrove creeks wind toward underground limestone caves."

The Chronology of the Island Wilderness

From ancient Jarawa tribal migrations and 1858 British island survey to 1950s Karen settler migration and 2006 district creation, North & Middle Andaman's timeline tracks island history. The chronicle below outlines this evolution.

The Twin Island Sandbar & the Baratang Limestone Caves

Explore the primary heritage of North & Middle Andaman. From walking across the Ross & Smith sandbar to cruising Baratang mangrove creeks and hiking Saddle Peak, these experiences define the northern Andaman wilderness. Click through the tabs below.

01. Ross & Smith Sandbar (Diglipur) 02. Baratang Limestone Caves & Mud Volcano 03. Saddle Peak National Park (732m) 04. Kalipur Turtle Beach & Mayabunder

Cultural Heritage Ross & Smith Sandbar

Ross & Smith Twin Islands & Natural Sandbar

Two tropical islands connected by a 500-meter natural crescent sandbar in Diglipur, 300 km north of Port Blair.

At low tide, the white sandbar emerges completely above the turquoise water, allowing visitors to walk between Ross and Smith islands. Smith Island features eco-huts and coconut groves.

• Accessed via 20-minute speed boat ride from Aerial Bay Jetty.
• Crystal-clear coral snorkeling waters around Smith Island.
• Forest department eco-permit obtained at Aerial Bay.

Cultural Heritage Baratang Caves

Baratang Limestone Caves & Active Mud Volcanoes

Geological wonders located on Baratang Island, 100 km north of Port Blair.

Reached via a speed boat cruise through dense green **mangrove creeks** to Nayadera jetty, followed by a 1.2 km forest trek to subterranean limestone caves with hanging stalactites and stalagmites. Nearby site features active **mud volcanoes**.

• Convoy road travel through Jarawa Tribal Reserve on ATR NH-4.
• Parrot Island evening parrot roosting boat tours from Baratang.
• Baratang jetty local fresh seafood markets.

Cultural Heritage Saddle Peak 732m

Saddle Peak National Park (Highest Peak in Andaman)

The highest mountain peak in the Andaman & Nicobar Archipelago, rising 732 meters inside a 85 sq km national park near Diglipur.

A 8 km forest trek through multi-tiered tropical evergreen rainforests leads past the Kalpong River (the only perennial river in Andaman) to panoramic peak viewpoints.

• Home to Andaman Wild Boar, Imperial Pigeon, and rare orchids.
• Kalpong Hydroelectric Dam site views.
• Forest trek permits issued at Lamia Bay entrance post.

Cultural Heritage Kalipur & Mayabunder

Kalipur Turtle Nesting Beach & Mayabunder

Natural coastal nesting grounds and Karen cultural settlement.

**Kalipur Beach** (Diglipur) is famous for night turtle nesting (Dec–March) of 4 sea turtle species. **Mayabunder** features Karmatang Beach and Burmese Karen village cultural heritage at Webi.

• Night turtle watching with forest department guides.
• Avis Island and Interview Island wildlife sanctuary boat trips.
• Cuthbert Bay Turtle Hatchery at Rangat.

The Twin Island Sandbar and the Limestone Caves

Explore the primary landmarks of North & Middle Andaman. From walking across the Ross & Smith sandbar to cruising Baratang mangrove creeks and hiking Saddle Peak, these destinations showcase the northern Andaman wilderness. Click or hover on the cards below.

Ross & Smith Natural Sandbar

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Ross & Smith Islands

Natural 500m white sandbar connecting twin islands across turquoise sea waters.

⏱ Speedboat from Aerial Bay | Diglipur

Baratang Limestone Caves

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Baratang Caves

Subterranean limestone caves accessed via mangrove creek boat rides.

⏱ Convoy Travel | Baratang Island 100 km

Saddle Peak National Park

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Saddle Peak (732m)

Highest mountain peak in Andaman with 8km rainforest trek past Kalpong River.

⏱ 6 AM - 5 PM | Diglipur 300 km

Kalipur Sea Turtle Beach

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Kalipur Beach

Volcanic dark sand beach renowned for winter night nesting of 4 sea turtle species.

⏱ Night Nesting Dec-Mar | Diglipur

Baratang Mud Volcano

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Baratang Mud Volcano

Rare geothermal craters bubbling grey clay silt pushed up by subterranean gas pressure.

⏱ 8 AM - 4 PM | Baratang Island

The Island Staples & the Grilled Sea Fish

North & Middle Andaman's cuisine is world-renowned for fresh grilled red snapper, Karen coconut fish curry, banana fritters, and tender coconut water.

Grilled Red Snapper & Garlic Butter

Fresh ocean red snapper marinated in garlic, island lime juice, and green chilies, grilled over hot charcoal embers.

Tasted at: Diglipur & Baratang local beach dhabas

Burmese Karen Coconut Fish Curry

Fragrant coconut milk curry slow-cooked with fresh local spices and tamarind by Burmese Karen cooks in Webi village.

Purchased at: Webi Karen homestays in Mayabunder

Island Banana Fritters & Tea

Hot golden banana fritters (*Kela Pakoda*) served with hot cardamom tea at jetty tea stalls.

Sipped at: Baratang and Aerial Bay jetties

Plan Your Journey

The Unhurried 4-Day Route

North & Middle Andaman is best experienced at a slow pace. Cruising Baratang mangrove creeks to limestone caves, walking across the Ross & Smith sandbar at low tide, trekking Saddle Peak, and watching sea turtles nest at Kalipur require time to settle. This curated route captures the northern island highlights.

Curated North & Middle Andaman Field Guides

Authoritative field guides covering Baratang's limestone caves, mud volcanoes, mangrove walkways, twin sandbars, and highest archipelago peaks:

Frequently Asked