The beautiful tropical islands of Lakshadweep are endowed with exotic coral reefs, sandy beaches and pristine, clear water, and are worth a visit. In an attempt to conserve theecology and culture of Lakshadweep, only some islands have been opened up for tourism and water sports. In this articleKavarattiKalpeniMinicoyKadmatBangaramAgattiClimateHow to reachBy shipWhere to stayWhen to visitDosDonts Kavaratti This is Lakshadweeps best-developed island and is famous for its fifty-two mosques. The most popular is the Ujra mosque, with ornately carved ceilings. Kalpeni Kalpeni has one of the largest lagoons in Lakshadweep and is popular for its coral reefs. Tourists can look forward to water sports, swimming and basking in the sandy beaches. The Marine Aquarium has a vast collection of marine life exhibits. Tourist facilities are located around the Koomel bay that directly overlooks the islands of Pitti and Tialkam. Minicoy Minicoy is one of the largest and Southern-most islands in Lakshadweep with a unique language, dress and food. Visit the tuna canning factory, the lighthouse built in 1885 by the British and dense coconut groves. If you are lucky you may catch the Lava dance, performed during festive occasions. Kadmat An ideal location for water sports, the Kadmat island has the finest diving spots. There is a full-fledged water sports institute and a diving school with trained instructors on the island and a long shoreline suitable for swimming. It also has a lagoon on both sides with thick green palm leaves forming a natural canopy over the entire area. Bangaram Shaped like a tear drop, the Bangaram island is encircled with a halo of creamy sand and picturesque blue-green waters. The island is a paradise for divers with its exquisite coral formations and a variety of coral fishes. Visit the three uninhabited islands of Tirmakara, Parali-I and Parali-II from here. The island has incredible flora and fauna you dont want to miss. Agatti Lakshadweeps airport is located in Agatti. Tourists have the flexibility to stay as long as they want or just take one day excursions because of the proximity to the airport. Climate Lakshadweep has a tropical climate. The Southwest and Northeast monsoons bring in a considerable amount of rain. Light cotton tropical clothes are sufficient throughout the year. A waterproof coat will come in handy during the monsoons. How to reach By air The Cochin International Airport links Lakshadweep with the rest of India. Helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to the Bangaram Island Resort during monsoon and to Kavaratti through out the year. The flight from Cochin takes approximately one hour thirty minutes. By ship Passenger ships operated between Cochin and Lakshadweep take approximately 20 hours to reach. There is accommodation available on the ships apart from cafeteria and snack bars, entertainment, etc. Where to stay Accommodation is available in the islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy Agatti and Kadmat. These islands have tourist huts with one or two twin-bedded rooms with attached baths. You can also opt for one-day tour packages. Visit the island during the day and return to the ship at night. When to visit If you want to avail ship-based packages, October to May is the best time to visit. Agatti and Bangaram may be visited throughout the year. Dos Make all reservations before reaching. Carry any special medications you require. Only basic medicines are available here. Donts Consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited in all the islands except Bangaram. Avoid picking up corals. It is a punishable crime here. Littering around the land or water is not allowed as it affects the natural environment. Swimming or sunbathing nude is prohibited. Coconut groves are privately owned. Unauthorized plucking of coconuts is deemed as a theft.
The beautiful tropical islands of Lakshadweep are endowed with exotic coral reefs, sandy beaches and pristine, clear water, and are worth a visit. In an attempt to conserve theecology and culture of Lakshadweep, only some islands have been opened up for tourism and water sports.
Kavaratti
This is Lakshadweep's best-developed island and is famous for its fifty-two mosques. The most popular is the Ujra mosque, with ornately carved ceilings.
Kalpeni
Kalpeni has one of the largest lagoons in Lakshadweep and is popular for its coral reefs. Tourists can look forward to water sports, swimming and basking in the sandy beaches. The Marine Aquarium has a vast collection of marine life exhibits. Tourist facilities are located around the Koomel bay that directly overlooks the islands of Pitti and Tialkam.
Minicoy
Minicoy is one of the largest and Southern-most islands in Lakshadweep with a unique language, dress and food. Visit the tuna canning factory, the lighthouse built in 1885 by the British and dense coconut groves. If you are lucky you may catch the Lava dance, performed during festive occasions.
Kadmat
An ideal location for water sports, the Kadmat island has the finest diving spots. There is a full-fledged water sports institute and a diving school with trained instructors on the island and a long shoreline suitable for swimming. It also has a lagoon on both sides with thick green palm leaves forming a natural canopy over the entire area.
Bangaram
Shaped like a tear drop, the Bangaram island is encircled with a halo of creamy sand and picturesque blue-green waters. The island is a paradise for divers with its exquisite coral formations and a variety of coral fishes. Visit the three uninhabited islands of Tirmakara, Parali-I and Parali-II from here. The island has incredible flora and fauna you don't want to miss.
Agatti
Lakshadweep's airport is located in Agatti. Tourists have the flexibility to stay as long as they want or just take one day excursions because of the proximity to the airport.
Climate
Lakshadweep has a tropical climate. The Southwest and Northeast monsoons bring in a considerable amount of rain. Light cotton tropical clothes are sufficient throughout the year. A waterproof coat will come in handy during the monsoons.
How to reach
By air The Cochin International Airport links Lakshadweep with the rest of India. Helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to the Bangaram Island Resort during monsoon and to Kavaratti through out the year. The flight from Cochin takes approximately one hour thirty minutes.
By ship
Passenger ships operated between Cochin and Lakshadweep take approximately 20 hours to reach. There is accommodation available on the ships apart from cafeteria and snack bars, entertainment, etc.
Where to stay
Accommodation is available in the islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy Agatti and Kadmat. These islands have tourist huts with one or two twin-bedded rooms with attached baths. You can also opt for one-day tour packages. Visit the island during the day and return to the ship at night.
When to visit
If you want to avail ship-based packages, October to May is the best time to visit. Agatti and Bangaram may be visited throughout the year.
Do's
- Make all reservations before reaching.
- Carry any special medications you require. Only basic medicines are available here.
Don'ts
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited in all the islands except Bangaram.
- Avoid picking up corals. It is a punishable crime here.
- Littering around the land or water is not allowed as it affects the natural environment.
- Swimming or sunbathing nude is prohibited.
- Coconut groves are privately owned. Unauthorized plucking of coconuts is deemed as a theft.
