Lakshadweep, formerly the Laccadives, is a group of islands situated 200–440 km off India's west coast in the Arabian Sea. They are India's only coral atolls and geologically a part of the same chain as the Maldives.
Lakshadweep is India's smallest union territory with just 32 km², and one of only two Indian administrative divisions with a Muslim majority (the other being the state of Jammu and Kashmir). The name literally means "a hundred thousand islands" in Sanskrit (laksha = lakh or a quantity of 100,000, dweep = island). It has ten inhabited islands, 17 uninhabited islands with attached islets, four newly formed islets and 5 submerged reefs.
Lakshadweep is one of the most beautiful destinations that you could visit during your holidays with beautiful marine life, relaxed village life, some tourist resorts and cherished mosques.
Peak season is December to May, when it is cooler and drier. May to September is the main (southwest) monsoon season, but the October–November northeast monsoon can also be rainy.
The people of the islands are ethnically similar to the people of the Kerala coast of India and are of mixed Indian and Arab descent. They speak a dialect of Malayalam, except in Minicoy where Mahl, a form of Dhivehi (the language of the Maldives) is spoken.
- Agatti Island. The gateway for the Lakshadweep, it's around 6 km long. Fishing is the main occupation for the people living here. Tourists can enjoy sailing, boat rides, water skiing, kayaking swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving, and also find huge lagoons.
- Bangaram. Beaches with smooth sand.
- Kadmat Island. A popular tourist destination. There is a huge lagoon on the west side of the island, around 10 km from the Amini.
- Kalpeni. Kalpeni is 76 km south of Androth. This place lies in an extensive and shallow lagoon. The lagoon is famous for its rich coral and marine life.
- Kavaratti Island. Kavaratti Island is the most developed Island in Lakshadweep. Kavaratti is the administrative capital of Lakshdweep and the population is dominated by non-islanders. There are around 52 mosques on the island, and the most beautiful one is Ujra mosque.
Agatti Island. The gateway for the Lakshadweep, it's around 6 km long. Fishing is the main occupation for the people living here. Tourists can enjoy sailing, boat rides, water skiing, kayaking swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving, and also find huge lagoons.
Bangaram. Beaches with smooth sand.
Kadmat Island. A popular tourist destination. There is a huge lagoon on the west side of the island, around 10 km from the Amini.
Kalpeni. Kalpeni is 76 km south of Androth. This place lies in an extensive and shallow lagoon. The lagoon is famous for its rich coral and marine life.
Kavaratti Island. Kavaratti Island is the most developed Island in Lakshadweep. Kavaratti is the administrative capital of Lakshdweep and the population is dominated by non-islanders. There are around 52 mosques on the island, and the most beautiful one is Ujra mosque.
There are basic leisure tours together with sea and lagoon based tours. There are plenty of opportunities for scuba diving, yachting, pedal boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. You may also visit local houses, the Marine museum, Lighthouse and a few local industries.
- Diveline Agatti. Operates the scuba diving shop at the Agatti Resort. ₹3000 per dive.
- Lacadives. Operates the scuba diving shops at the Bangaram and Kadmat Resorts.
Diveline Agatti. Operates the scuba diving shop at the Agatti Resort. ₹3000 per dive.
Lacadives. Operates the scuba diving shops at the Bangaram and Kadmat Resorts.
Lakshadweep is not a budget destination: in addition to the permit issue, there is no tourist infrastructure (hostels, restaurants, public transport etc.) for backpackers. The cheapest sports tours start from around ₹10,000 for four days, but this price is all-inclusive. One can purchase pure coconut powder and coconut oil from the factory situated at Kadmat island. Fish pickles and small souvenirs are available on Kavaratti Island.
There are few if any uniquely Lakshadweep dishes. Local cuisine is similar to Kerala.
Drink large amounts of coconut water, the most abundant drink on the island. Tap water here is through bore wells and a bit hard. Rainwater harvested during the rainy season is the major source of drinking water. Unavailability of drinking water accounts for a number of islands being uninhabited.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all islands except Bangaram. Picking up corals is a punishable crime.
The only way out is back to Kochi.