Lakshadweep is one of the 8 Union Territories of India. It is an archipelago that is surrounded by Arabian Sea has 36 islands, 12 atolls, and 3 reefs. However, only 10 islands are inhabited. The famous islands of Lakshadweep are- Bangaram, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Thinnakara, etc.

In 1956, Lakshadweep became the Union Territory of India. It is a beautiful place with pristine white sand beaches, clear blue waters, diverse marine life, and serene atmospheres. The Agatti Island Airport in Lakshadweep is also one of the most naturally beautiful airports in the world because the runway is surrounded by sea on both sides and the blue-green waters give a surreal welcome to the tourists coming here.

Lakshadweep is one of the hidden gems of India that is recently opening to tourism. You can get the vibes of all foreign beaches and exotic destinations in Lakshadweep. There are no luxury resorts or posh cafes and restaurants in Lakshadweep but it is sure that the fresh coconut water from the trees, clear blue sea, white sand beaches, reefs along the beaches, and peaceful vibes will win your hearts. So, let's find out more about Lakshadweep and plan your trip at the earliest.

Best Time to Visit Lakshadweep

Usually, it is a necessity to know the best time to visit a particular destination for better exploration and maximum fun times. But, the story is not the same with Lakshadweep, because it is a place that you can visit all year long. However, you can understand the specific seasons at Lakshadweep and choose your preferable times to visit the archipelago.

1.March to May- It is the summer months in Lakshadweep and the temperature here ranges between 22°C to 35°C. The days are hotter and the nights are cooler during this time. Although, it is a pleasant time to visit Lakshadweep during this season. You can enjoy all the watersports and the beaches, especially during the evenings and nights.

2 June to August- It's the time for monsoons during these months in Lakshadweep. Though, you can visit during these months, but you may not be able to enjoy and explore the islands better during monsoons. So, it is recommended to avoid going to Lakshadweep from June to August.

3. September to February- Lakshadweep welcomes the Winters during these months and it is one of the best times to visit the archipelago. Tourists can enjoy a moderate temperature of 25° C during this time which calls for a pleasant weather and best for exploring all the islands and seeing all top attractions here. Although, water sports activities can be a little challenging, especially in the evenings and early mornings, but you can enjoy them in the mid-day.

How to reach Lakshadweep?

You can reach Lakshadweep from Cochin in Kerala. Currently, there are no other options available to reach Lakshadweep.

You can reach Cochin via flight, train, or bus from nearby states, towns, or villages. Cochin International Airport welcomes tourists from different parts of the world. You can also land at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru or Chennai International Airport and then take a train or bus to reach Cochin to head towards Lakshadweep.

From Cochin, you have two options to go to Lakshadweep- Flights and Cruises or Ships. There is only a single flight flying everyday from Cochin International Airport to Agatti Island Airport in Lakshadweep scheduled at 11am to 12pm in the afternoon.

If you want to soak in the sea vibes and wish to cruise to Lakshadweep then you have the option of 7 ships from Cochin- MV Kavaratti, MV Minicoy, MV Corals, MV Lagoon, MV Amindivi, MV Lakshadweep Sea, and MV Arabian Sea. Nowadays, you can find ships from Mumbai to Lakshadweep also. The famous private cruise liner, Cordelia Cruises, also started their trips from Mumbai to Lakshadweep. If you are a lover of extravagance, luxury, and serenity, you will love your trip in Cordelia and Lakshadweep.

Entry Requirements for Lakshadweep

There are a lot of documents, paperwork, and permits you need to visit Lakshadweep. Firstly, try to plan your trip in advance at least 2 months in advance to get tickets on the only flight that flies every day from Cochin to Lakshadweep.

Lakshadweep is an island that has restricted entry so you will need a permit from the Lakshadweep Administration in Willington Island, Cochin. The following are the steps that you need to follow to get the permits for Lakshadweep:

●    You need to get your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from the nearby police station in your city. It is a long process that may take 10-20 days, so it is ideal to apply for this at least a month in advance.

●    You’ll need your Government Id and related documents along with 3 passport size photos.

●    An authorised Lakshadweep Agent must give you an entry permit. You can submit your Aadhar Card, PCC, and photographs to get the permits.

●    You can download the permit and submit it to the station house officer in Lakshadweep. Also, you have to book your stay through an authorised Lakshadweep agent.

Top places to visit in Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep is a beautiful secret destination in India that is currently developing for tourism. The beachy vibes, clear skies, blue-green waters, and beautiful natural landscapes are the USPs of Lakshadweep. Here are some of the top places in Lakshadweep for you to enjoy a calm and pristine vacation:

Minicoy Island

Minicoy Island is one of the best ones of the Lakshadweep archipelago. It is also known as Miliku. All your plans to visit other islands in Lakshadweep will begin here. It is the central hub from where you can head to other islands in Lakshadweep. There are no entry fees to Minicoy Island and if you set aside 2 days for this island in your itinerary, you can enjoy the maximum.

Minicoy Island can be a great trip with friends and family. You can go boating and experience the picturesque views of the sea and the island. There is a lighthouse at this island and many white sand beaches that will give you a Caribbean feel at Lakshadweep. Hiking and great food are some more incentives you can gain by visiting Minicoy Island.

Kadmat Island

Kadmat Island is the place for the corals in Lakshadweep. It is a great option for the adventure lovers as you can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking here. The island has a rich marine life and fishing is the only source of income here, so you can have your sea food treats here. The local seafood preparations are amazing, it is like Kerala cuisine. You can spend 2 days of your Lakshadweep itinerary at Kadmat Island to explore completely. If you’re a calm yet adventurous person, you’ll love deep sea diving at Kadmat Island.

Kavaratti Island

When you are just thinking about greenery in Lakshadweep, you’ll find Kavaratti Island in your itinerary. If you dedicated at ast 2 days in your itinerary for Kavaratti Island, you can enjoy the maximum; however, you can cover everything in 1 or 1.5 days also.

Kavaratti Island is a beautiful lagoon in Lakshadweep that offers most picturesque and extraordinary sunsets. Here, you can find huge amount of plantations and greenery amidst the mesmerizing sea. Nature Lovers can have their visual and mental treat at this island. Travelers of all kinds love visiting Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep.

Marine Museum

The archipelago Lakshadweep has many beautiful islands, so naturally it will have an extensive marine life thriving underground. But, can you imagine a showcase of all the beautiful marine life here? Well, that is the Marine Museum of Lakshadweep. It is in the Kavaratti Island and is one of the most beautiful things to see here.

The idea behind establishing a marine museum in Lakshadweep is not just to showcase the diverse marine life but also to educate people about the importance of acquatic animals and marine life to balance the ecosystem. The museum has a Shark Skeleton which is the most popular exhibit here. The entry fee for this museum is Rs. 15/- and you need around 1-2 hours to explore the Marine Museum at Lakshadweep.

Pitti Bird Sanctuary

Apart from a diverse marine life in Lakshadweep, you can also explore the Bird Sanctuary in the Pitti Island. From Kalpeni Island, you can take a small boat to reach Pitti Island. It is a beautiful island which is small, secluded, clean, and extremely beautiful.

Pitti Island has some beautiful birds that you can watch for fee as there is no charges to enter the island. It will take 2-3 hours to explore this island. It is a dead coral island where you can go snorkeling and experience an amazing marine life too. Also, the beach has a calming effect, so you can just relax here and gaze at the sea or the setting sun.

Thinnakara Island

Another famous island in the Lakshadweep archipelago is the Thinnakara Island. You can reach this island by taking a boat from Agatti Island, its just a 40 minutes ride. If you're an adventurous soul, you’ll love this island because you can indulge in many water sports activities and other adventures.

If you want to stay on this island, you’ve to make your bookings beforehand because some say that the island has only 20 rooms available. However, the best thing to do is to book your accommodation in Agatti Island and go for a day trip to Thinnakara Island. You’ll fall in love with the amazing lagoons and coast on this island and it's a great place for solo travelers.

Kalpeni Island

If you're going to the Pitti Island, you must explore Kalpeni Island too. Almost all ships from Kerala end at the Kalpeni Island. However, there is no permit for foreign tourists here so it is a great option for people who love to be secluded and need more space to relax and rejuvenate. You’ll not find any private resorts here, so be very quick in booking your accommodation.

You can get the best seafood in Kalpeni Island, especially the fresh catch. In Lakshadweep, there are many few areas where you can get good food, so planning 2 days in your itinerary at Kalpeni Island can be great for your palate and taste buds. So, head over to Kalpeni Island to enjoy the serenity and calmness of the sea along with some great seafood.

Bangaram Atoll

Bangaram Atoll, also known as Paradise-like Island. It is one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep. People who have a relaxed itinerary can stay here for 4-5 days and enjoy at Bangaram Atoll. You can indulge in many adventure activities here, like snorkeling and hiking. Also, the sea has clear blue waters and your mind will replicate the same peace inside.

The most exciting part of Bangaram Atoll is that it is the only place in Lakshadweep where alcohol is allowed. You can find few bars here, so you can indulge in drinking and get the holiday feel right. Bangaram Atoll is one of the best place for couples in Lakshadweep.

Agatti Island

If you’re flying from Cochin to Lakshadweep, you’ll land at the Agatti Island Airport which is the only airport in the whole archipelago. It is a lagoon beach which is just 20 minutes away from the airport. It is the most accessible island in Lakshadweep and it is one of the places in the archipelago where you can get many food options. The most famous dish here is the smoked tuna fish.

Most people visiting Lakshadweep find their accomodations here as you can find many hotels and homestays in Agatti Island. You can relax at the beach or head to explore the town market in Agatti. You can come to this island with friends and family.

Kiltan Island

Kiltan Island is famous for colonial spots and it is accessible from Mangalore seaport. The view of this island is extraordinary and picturesque. Historically, Kiltan Island was one of the points on the trade route between Ceylon and the Persian Gulf.

You can explore beautiful reffs and lagoons on this island and it is 52 kms away from the Amini Beach. You can spend around 5-6 hours on this island and soak in all the beauty it has to offer. If you love silence, calmness, and peace along with beauty, head over to Kiltan Island to get all.

Amini Beach

Has Scuba Diving been on your bucket list for long? If it has, then you can strike it out because you can have the best scube diving experience at the Amini Beach in Lakshadweep. It is one of the serene tourist places in Lakshadweep. Adventure junkies can tie your seatbelts because, you’re in for an adventurous treat at the Amini Beach as you can indulge in Kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, reef walking, and many more.

Amini Beach is another place in Lakshadweep where you can manage to find alcohol. So, you can have all the fun and then relax on the beach with your cocktail to rejuvenate. You can also head over to the Kiltan beach to explore. Ideally, you can spend 5-6 hours at the Amini Beach.

Andrott Island

Did you find Oswald from the Cartoon Show cute? If Yes, then embrace yourselves with stunning views of diverse octopuses at the Andrott Island. Apart for octopus, you can find many other marine creatures here that you’ll love to watch.

Andrott Island is one of the biggest islands in Lakshadweep. Saint Ubaidullah Tomb in the Jumaat Mosque is another top attraction here. For history lovers, Andrott Island has many things, especially the ancient Buddhist ruins. Otherwise, there is always the sea to calm you down and relax yourselves. You can spend a good 5-6 hours here and enjoy this place.

Best Activities to do in Lakshadweep

Here are some of the fun activities that you can indulge in Lakshadweep:

Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving in Lakshadweep can be one of your best experiences. You can do them at Agatti, Bangaram, and Kadmat islands in Lakshadweep. You can find five centres that are attached to resorts that can help the beginners. Certified Divers can take up CMAS and PADI courses. Your diving experience can help you come across stunning corals, vibrant fishes, rays, coral sharks, turtles, and other diverse aquatic creatures.

Some things that you must take care when you opt for scuba diving in Lakshadweep are:

●    Research well about the best diving schools and opt for them as they will have good diving equipment increasing your safety inside the sea.

●    It is ideal that you are medically fit because while scuba diving, you will need artificial oxygenation that may not be appropriate for medically compromised individuals.

●    You must follow the divers’ instructions well to be safe and enjoy maximum.

The scuba diving cost at Lakshadweep starts from Rs. 2000/- and you can experience a broad range of calm to strong waters depending on the tides and diving region. The depth of the dive ranges between 15m to 40m. Ideally, you will need 1-4 weeks’ time to dive and the visibility in the waters is more than 35 m. Your difficulty level will range from easy to challenging in Lakshadweep.

Water Sports

You can play all types of watersports in Lakshadweep. More than any other tourist place, you’ll enjoy water sports here because of the clear blue waters. Some of the most popular water sports are- Kayaking, Snorkeling, Swimming, Canoeing, Pedal Boating, and many more.

Yacht Cruise

Yacht Cruise is the perfect luxurious adventure you can sign up for at the stunning Lakshadweep Islands. The sailing experience amidst the clear blue waters and the white sand beaches of Lakshadweep can be surreal and an unforgettable one. You can find some exotic fishes and turtles owing to the diverse marine life at Lakshadweep. You can take out one day in your itinerary to enjoy this divine experience.

Parasailing

Lakshadweep is one of the best places to opt for parasailing. You can go in the middle of the sea through steam or get a boat and set sail in the air where you can get the bird’s eye view of the island. You can have the most satisfying experience as you can witness the beauty of Lakshadweep sailing between the sky and the ocean. You must enrol for this magical experience in Lakshadweep.

Fishing

Fishing is another activity that you can indulge in on Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep. Owing to the diversity in tropical fishes and marine creatures here, you can get a lot of fresh produce and fill your platter with amazing seafood in Lakshadweep.

Kite Surfing

Kite Surfing is another adventurous activity that you can indulge in Lakshadweep. If you're a beginner, you can find good instructors in Lakshadweep who can help you get a good experience with kite surfing here.

Nightlife in Lakshadweep

The nightlife in Lakshadweep is limited to Bangara, Agatti, and Minicoy Islands. In Agatti, you will not find alcohol but you can have fun at amazing eateries here with delicious seafood and exotic beaches. However, if you are a party animal, Bangaram island is your best choice because you can enjoy a lot here and the availability of alcohol raises the bar of this island. In Minicoy Island also, you can find some alcohol and cocktails to have a fun nightlife in Lakshadweep.

Travel Tips for Lakshadweep

Since Lakshadweep Islands are new to most people even in India, there are a few things that you must keep in mind when you reach Lakshadweep, like

●    The locals in Lakshadweep are conservative so if you are exploring the towns here, it is ideal to dress conservatively.

●    The tourism here is still developing so you may not find very luxurious resorts or accommodations here; however, most of the hotels and other stay options are clean and have a hospitable environment.

●    You also will not find many posh cafes or restaurants, you must have most of your meals in the resort and that usually is a basic South Indian meal of rice, sambar, vegetable or chicken or fish. You can buy snacks at the town market or you can carry your own snacks if you are fussy about food.

●    If you are a beach baby and love to stay at the beach all day, it is ideal to carry your snorkelling glasses so that you can enjoy the reef close to the beach.

●    The permissions about carrying alcohol to Lakshadweep are contradictory, it's best if you ask your agent. Bangaram resort has a bar but Agatti Island has no bars.

●    It is ideal to choose a package deal with an authorised Lakshadweep agent for your trip because in this way you’ll be able to explore the island territory better.

●    You can either stay in Agatti or in Bangaram; you cannot book accommodations in both of them but you can visit these islands as a one-day trip. Agatti Island has relatively cheaper accommodations when compared to Bangaram island.

Conclusion

We all dream of going to foreign locations and exotic destinations but let's dive into the beauty of India and explore the serenity and beachy vibes of Lakshadweep. If you're an adventure freak, you can enjoy the water sports and other adventure activities in Lakshadweep. If you're an introverted calm person, you can speak to the peaceful islands and beaches here. Lakshadweep welcomes all types of tourists and embraces everyone. So, don't wait more to experience the magical islands of Lakshadweep, book your tickets now.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is it safe for girls or solo travelers to go to Lakshadweep?

●    Lakshadweep is a less popular island but is extremely safe for all types of travellers. There are very few local inhabitants in Lakshadweep but they're super friendly and welcoming. There are many tourists who spend time on the Lakshadweep beaches during midnight or in the early mornings.

2. How many days are ideal to explore Lakshadweep?

●    Ideally, a five day trip will be best to visit all the beautiful islands in Lakshadweep and soak in all the beach vibes here.

3.Is the trip to Lakshadweep expensive?

●    The trip to Lakshadweep is relatively expensive because the commute options to this union territory is only via flight or ship and accommodations also are few and on the expensive side.

4. What is the language spoken in Lakshadweep?

●    Most locals in Lakshadweep speak in Malayalam. Mahi is another language spoken in Minicoy island, it is slightly similar to Sinhalese. Some people also speak Hindi and English.

5.What is the popular food of Lakshadweep?

●    Lakshadweep’s food has its influence from Kerala, so you can enjoy yummy seafood here. Also, there are many rice and coconut preparations that you can find in Lakshadweep.

6.Can we find vegetarian food in Lakshadweep?

●    You can find delicious vegetarian meals all over Lakshadweep. Almost all islands have pure vegetarian meals in Lakshadweep.

7.What are the different types of fruits found in Lakshadweep?

●    You can find different types of fruits in Lakshadweep, like Colocassia, Chambu, Drumstick Moringa Kai, Breadfruit, Chakka, Banana, Coconut, Vazha, and Wild Almond.

8.Which airlines fly to Lakshadweep and which is the airport here?

●    Alliance Air is the only airline that flies to Lakshadweep. It flies from Cochin International Airport to the Agatti Island Airport, the only airport in Lakshadweep.

9.Why does Lakshadweep have restricted entry?

●    Lakshadweep is given restricted entry by the Indian Government to protect the fragile ecosystems here. The lush green trees, blue-green ocean, and indigenous tribes of Lakshadweep need protection.

10.Is alcohol permitted in Lakshadweep?

●    Lakshadweep has strict regulations related to Alcohol; it is prohibited in all islands of Lakshadweep except Bangaram Island. If you prefer alcohol, you can stay in Bangaram island as you can find bars here.

11.Does the Lakshadweep Ocean have sharks?

●    Most locals say that they can find sharks in Lakshadweep.

12. Can we smoke in Lakshadweep?

●    Smoking is strictly prohibited in Lakshadweep, especially in the public places.

13. Why is Lakshadweep a famous tourist place in India?

●    Lakshadweep has the most amazing white sand beaches, coral islands, marine life, and clear blue waters that makes it a famous tourist destination in India.

14.Which is the best island in Lakshadweep?

●    Among the 10 popular islands in Lakshadweep, Agatti and Bangaram are the best ones here. Agatti is the most popular island in Lakshadweep; however, if you prefer alcohol then Bangaram will be your best choice.

15.Is Lakshadweep a good choice for Honeymoon couples?

●    The serenity, calmness, adventure activities, and the secluded environment all speak in favour of Lakshadweep for honeymoon couples.