Barren Island Volcano Walls

Barren Island is the only active volcano in South Asia and its underwater flanks are as dramatic as the summit. Black basalt lava flows reach the sea floor at 24 m and are colonised by encrusting hard corals, large barrel sponges, and gorgonian fans. The current-exposed outer walls attract schooling hammerhead sharks in January and February, grey reef sharks year-round, and large dogtooth tuna. A fissure on the south face releases a faint sulphurous seep. Liveaboard-only; a forest department permit is required before anchoring and the boat cannot approach the island without prior clearance.