Lakshadweep is known as Laccadive Islands, Lakshadweep translates to one hundred thousand islands in Malayalam. This place is home to a few of the country’s most beautiful islands and beaches. Lakshadweep lies 400 km off the southwest coast of the Arabian Sea and the smallest union territory of India has only 36 islands with a total area of 32 square kilometers. Lakshadweep is made up of 12 atolls, 5 submerged banks out of which then islands are inhabited and 3 reefs.
The unspoiled and enchanting beaches of the place will simply blow your mind. It is an ideal space for the hustle and bustle of your daily life and the cacophony of overcrowded cities or towns. Lakshadweep is a place that is full of adventure. You can either go for adventurous water activities or sit on the gorgeous beach to soak up the place’s natural beauty. The government of India is working on the development of the tourism industry of the place.
How to travel to Lakshadweep?
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This archipelago is one of the legit places for you if you are seeking peace or want to get a thrilling experience by indulging in some adventure activities. Additionally, this place offers a number of islands that are ideal for a tropical vacation and this place also lets you spend a luxurious vacation with opulent resorts along with fun-filled activities that will let you experience a perfect beach vibe to cherish for your whole life. The capital of the union territory Lakshadweep is Kavaratti.
How to reach Lakshadweep?
People often contemplate how to reach Lakshadweep from various parts of the country but it is not at all a problem as the destination is well connected to the rest of the world with different modes of conveyance but the destination can only be reached via water or air. Lakshadweep Island in India can be reached by ships as well as flights that are operated from Kochi, Kerala. For tourist purposes, Kochi is the gateway to Lakshadweep.
Bangaram and Agatti islands can be reached by flight from Kochi. Indian Airlines operate flights from Kochi and flights from Kochi are available to most the airports in India as well as abroad. One airstrip is there on Agatti island only and from Agatti boast are available to Kadmat and Kavaratti during the season of the fair from the month of October to May.
Helicopter transfer is also available from Agatti to Kavaratti during the monsoon season but it is subject to the availability of helicopters.
The flight from Cochin takes around one and a half hours to reach Agatti. MV Kavaratti, MV Lakshadweep, MV Corals, MV Minicoy, MV Arabian, MV Corals, and MV Aminidivi are seven-passenger ships operated from Cochin to Lakshadweep islands. The passage takes 14 to 18 hours depending on the island you have chosen for your journey.
The ships offer various classes of accommodation such as AC First Class with two berth cabins, AC Second Class with four berth cabins and push back or bunk class with AC seating. There is also a doctor who is also available on call on board.
MV Minicoy and MV Amindivi ships also offer comfortable AC seating that is perfect for your night travel and during the fair season, high-speed vessels operate between islands. To visit Lakshadweep islands, you need to get a tourism permit from Kochi, Kerala.
There are also cruise ships available to reach Lakshadweep island from Kerala and now from Mumbai as well. Recently, Cordelia Cruises is a cruise miner that started luxury cruise trips from Mumbai to Lakshadweep.
Where to stay on Lakshadweep?
To make your vacation a tad bit more comfortable, I have listed some stunning resorts and resorts on Lakshadweep’s Agatti island-
- Agatti Island Beach Resort
Agatti Island Beach Resort is one of the picturesque and comforting beaches in Agatti. While you will be staying at this resort you can visit the nearby islands throughout the day. Other than visiting the various beaches you can also do adventure activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling, etc.
- Bangaram Island Resort
Bangaram is a gem of Lakshadweep and Bangaram Island Resort is located on Bangaram Island that is located nearby Agatti. This resort is surrounded by paranormal views of green palm trees and spectacular beaches. You will witness significant sight to behold.
- White Pearl Beach Hotel
To witness mesmerizing views of the sea you just have to open doors at the White Pearl Beach Hotel. This place is no less than an international tourist destination and the White Pearl Beach Hotel has everything that you would need to spend a day of relaxation or adventure in water sports. White Pearl Beach Hotel is located in Agatti, Lakshadweep.
- Sea Shells Beach Resort
You only have to sit by the Sea Shells Beach Resort to enjoy your day with your love or yourself. Along with the spectacular views of the waters, watching sunrises and sunsets on these islands is a thing that you will cherish your whole life.
Things to do on Agatti Island
Aggati, Bangaram and all the islands are mostly about the sea and the beaches. If you know swimming then you will enjoy it throughout your vacation. Even if you do not know how to swim then you just have to wear a life jacket and go out to sea.
Snorkeling In Lakshadweep
You can snorkel off the beach or also on a boat. You should go on a guided boat snorkeling tour that would be more quiet and nice. You should trust yourself, trust your boatman and instructor, strap on your life jacket tightly and just jump into the water.
The variety of fish that you are going to see and the colorful coral will make you feel as if you are in another world. You can also snorkel near the beach and can find a reef, from the naked eye they appear like black mounds on the green sea.
You can swim obe to them wearing your life jacket. But you should keep in your mind that do not step on the coral or touch it as they can be damaged by doing this. It is important to appreciate a place without causing any damage to it.
Scuba Diving In Lakshadweep
You should not scuba dive when you are in Lakshadweep. There is a number of tour organizers that organize diving and snorkeling in group tours to Lakshadweep. The cost for scuba diving in Lakshadweep is around Rs 3000- this amount is probably the cheapest price in India, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The Lakshadweep sea is full of marine life. Some of the beautiful marine animals you would see while scuba diving and snorkeling are Powder Blue Surgeon Fish, Maldives Anemonefish or Clownfish, Sea Anemone, Butterflyfish, Humbug Damselfish, Moorish Idol Fish, Sting Ray, Oriental Grunt, Butterfly fish, Yellow Surgeonfish, Blue streak Cleat Wrasse among others. On shore, you would see a number of ghost crabs and strawberry hermit crabs.
Kayaking In Lakshadweep
Most of the resorts or hotels will have a few kayaks at hand. Kayaking is a simple water sport and the sea is very calm so you can go deep into the ocean. You should wear a life jacket and make sure your phone is in a waterproof cover and head out to your kayak partner.
Kalpati Beach In Lakshadweep
Kalpati island is just off the island of Agatti, it is a 10 to 15 minutes boat ride to the island. The island is uninhabited but the island is full of strawberry hermit crabs and you can easily take their pictures. But you should not touch or harm them.
Snorkeling near Kalpati is a really good thing to experience. You should ask your boatman to take you to the reef which is rich with marine life and you can snorkel there.
Paperwork or documents you need to go to Lakshadweep
Before traveling to Lakshadweep, you have to help the following things in your mind-
- You should book your flight or ship as early as possible as there is only one flight going daily and flight tickets get booked out fast.
- You need to have a Police Verification Certificate to get your Lakshadweep tourist permit processed. You can approach the nearby police station in your city and tell them you need PCC for traveling to Lakshadweep. The process might take around 10 to 20 days so you must apply at least a month before your travel dates.
- You will need an authorized Lakshadweep agent to process your tourist permit to visit your destination. You can mail him your Aadhar card, your PCC and a passport-size photograph so that they will help you to get the permit. You will also need to book your accommodation through an authorized agent.
It is safe to travel to Lakshadweep and can solo travelers go to Lakshadweep?
Lakshadweep is probably the safest place to go. So you do not be worried even for a minute if you are considering whether it will be safe to go to Lakshadweep. The islands are small, the people are friendly and simple.
Most people on Agatti know each other very well. They wave at you s they pass by you on bicycles, the dive instructors are helpful and friendly, the boatmen are enthusiastic to show you around and the staff members at the hotels or resorts go beyond to make your stay easy and comfortable.
Agatti island is super safe and people did not think twice before venturing out late at night, lying down on the green grass away from the resorts or hotels and gazing at stars, sitting by themselves at a corner of the beach even at 3 -4 am.
Important things to keep in mind while you are on Agatti island
- The resorts or hotels in Agatti are relatively less luxurious than you would find in any other part of the country. But they will clean your rooms and the staff in friendly and warm.
- The locals are conservative and if you are heading into town then you should dress conservatively. You can dress whatever you want when you are at the resorts, beaches or away from the main town.