Just 300 kilometres off the coast of Kerala, lies one of nature’s best kept secrets – the beautiful, white sand covered Lakshadweep Islands. This isolated paradise offers breathtaking beaches, palm-crowned skies, and some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen.
The Lakshadweep Islands are technically an archipelago, that is, a stretch of sea with a dense cluster of independent islands inside it. The Lakshadweep Islands are therefore a cluster of 35 or so islands, scattered over 78,000 square kilometres of water, experiencing a similar climate as the South West of India and most locals dominantly speak Malayalam. The Lakshadweep Islands are collectively India’s smallest Union Territory, covering only 32 square kilometres of land amongst them. Not all the Lakshadweep Islands are accessible – with 10 of them uninhabited, 4 newly formed islets, and 5 submerged reefs. The islands that are inhabited and open to tourists though are also as beautiful as they are remote. If you think the Lakshadweep lands are beautiful, a whole world of beauty lies underwater! The area boasts of over 4,200 square kilometres of untouched lagoons, unspoilt coral reefs, and warm waters in which to wade, making it an attraction for many scuba divers and snorkelers.
With so much to offer at extremely affordable prices, the Lakshadweep Islands are a location you should definitely not miss visiting!
The best time to visit the Lakshadweep Islands:
The Lakshadweep Islands while beautiful, do carry a few obstacles. The islands are a seasonal tourist hub, which means that the best time to visit them is from October to mid May. From mid May to September, the islands are in the thick of the monsoon season, and due t the rains a lot of tourist services and transport opportunities close down. Though the resorts and lodging opportunities are still functioning, reaching there by ship becomes a difficult task to undertake.
Here are 13 must-visit places on the Lakshadweep Islands:
– Minicoy Island
– Kadmat Island
– Urja Mosque
– Kavaratti Island
– Marine Museum
– Urja Mosque
– Thinnakara Island
– Kalpeni Island
– Pitti Bird Sanctuary
– Bangaram Atoll
– Agatti Island
– Kiltan Island
– Amini Beach
– Andrott Island
Minicoy Island
While not the administrative capital, Minicoy Island, locally known as “Miliku” is one of the most prominent island in the Lakshadweep region and a census town. The islands acts as a central hub through which transport and resources are available to its sister islands. Located towards the south west side of the archipelago, Minicoy invites people from all walks of life due to its many, diverse attractions. An ideal location to get the flavour of the Lakshadweep Islands, Minicoy Island has the best of everything – beautifully white beaches, interesting monuments, and a view of the horizon like none other.
The furthest from Kavratti, Minicoy Island is actually the closest to the Maldives. Along with Viringili, Minicoy lies on the Maliku atoll, the southermost atoll of the Lakshadweep Archipelago. An atoll is a ring-shaped reef chain of islands that are primarily formed out of coral.
Visit if:
Ideal for groups of friends or a family hoping to enjoy a private, unique vacation
Entry fee:
None
Stay for:
2-3 days
Don’t miss out on:
- The Island’s main attraction is a lighthouse built by the British in 1885, and tourists are allowed to not only visit it, but go to its very top!
- The lagoon at Minicoy is one of the largest amongst all the Lakshadweep Islands
- Due to its distance from the others, the culture of Minicoy is truly unique, and the island is known for its lava dance, which is performed on festive occasions
- The island also boats of a tuna-canning factory, which represents not only the island’s dependance but also reverence of fishing and boat making activities
- There are many privately managed cottage along its coast
Kadmat Island
One of Lakshadweep’s most popular locations, the Kamat Island is paradise on Earth for those who enjoy water sports, especially under-water sports. The coral-formed Island is famous for its vibrant marine life and largely uninhabited area, creating a unique opportunity for a serene vacation. The few natives primarily earn their living via fishing and the local seafood is a must-try!
Visit if:
Best suited for avid water-sports enthusiasts
Entry fee:
None
Stay for:
2-3 days
Don’t miss out on:
- The tourist accommodation is actually situated at a distance from locals, and often the only noise audible is that of waves
- Kadmat has a very experience water sports Institute providing services like scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, marine life viewing, etc
- The islands isolation and beauty has made it very popular amongst honeymooners
Kavaratti Island
Close you eyes. Picture white sands and the most colourful sunsets possible. Kavaratti Island is more beautiful than anything you could ever imagine! As the administrative capital of the Lkshadweep Islands, Kavsratti is also the most developed. The beautiful sunsets are obstructed only by the equally breathtaking talk greenery and dense plantations. While there is much to do, perhaps the best task here is to sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Visit if:
Nature lovers looking for a break from concrete jungles . The area is even well suited for solo travellers.
Entry fee:
None
Stay for:
2-3 days
Don’t miss out on:
– The Island boasts of 52 mosques, spread all over the Island
- The Kavaratti Aquarium is a wonderful opportunity for those who can not go snorkelling or diving to experience Lakshadweep’s rich underwater life
- The glass-bottom boat tour of the area is a must-do
Marine Museum
The Marine Museum, aka Kavaratti’s aquarium is one of the most breathtaking opportunities to view and interact with sea life. The museum was created ignorer to facilitate awareness and education amongst visitors regarding the importance of climate control, marine ecosystems, and the various species of fish that naturally live in the Lakshadweep area.
Visit if:
The Museum is a wonderful opportunity for those who can not go snorkelling or diving to experience Lakshadweep’s rich underwater life
Location:
Kavaratti
Entry fee:
INR15
Stay for:
1-2 hours
Don’t miss out on:
- The most famous installation at the Museum is of a shark’s skeleton
- The museum is a great place to visit before embarking on underwater dives
Urja Mosque
Walking through the hustle and bustle of the narrow Kavaratti streets, one does not notice when the busy streets fall away to reveal the calm of the Urja Mosque. A major attraction in Lakshadweep, and a significant spiritual site, the Urja Mosque is unique in that it is not a site for any prayers, but only for meditation. Built on a beautiful elevated platform, the mosque sits serenely amongst tall palm trees, with the clear blue sky as its background. Similar to the temples of Southern Kerala, it has sloping roofing and has a unexpected absence of minarets or much adoration. But the mosque is not plain by any standard – The intricately carved pillars and elaborately designed verandah are a juxtaposition to the simple outside, reminding visitors in more ways than one of the power of introspection.
Visit if:
A traveller looking to reconnect with themselves, spiritually
Location:
Kavaratti Island
Entry fee:
None
Stay for:
Open from 7:00AM to 7:30 PM. Most tourists spend 1-2 hours in meditation here while devotees may spend much longer.
Do note:
While camera are allowed on the premises, pets are not.
Thinnakara Island
Just a 40 minute (8 kilometres) boat ride from the central Agatti Island, Thinnakara is one of the most popular locations for water sports in Lakshadweep. Its even endless lagoon is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also an ideal location for adventure. While accommodation on the Island’s resorts is extremely limited, some option for beach-side campaig are available. Either way, we recommend booking in advance if. You seek to enjoy an overnight trip to the location.
Visit if:
Ideal for romantic honeymooners or solo travellers looking for solitude
Location:
8 kilometres North East of Agatti Island
Entry fee:
None
Stay for:
An overnight trip
Don’t miss out on:
– The amazing water sports available here like snorting, swimming and more!
Kalpeni Island
Kalpeni is unique, in that access to it is via a larger ship and given its lack of privately run resorts, bookings for travel and lodging must be made in advance. The cuisine of the island is amongst one of its main attractions. Unfortunately, the island restricts the permits provided to foreign tourists which makes it sometimes difficult to access, but makes it even more attractive for National tourists looking for seclusion and calm.
Visit if:
Families and friend groups looking for an opportunity to sit back and relax
Location:
Close to Pitti Island
Entry free:
None
Stay for:
2-3 days
Don’t miss out on:
- Kalpeni has 3 uninhabited satellite islands that add a beautiful touch to an already spectacular lagoon
- From Koomel, Kalpeni’s bay that is the central tourist hub, one can actually see Pitti Island and Thilakkm Island
- The lagoon is said to be one of the most beautiful inLakshadweep with activities like coral walks, snorkelling and kayaking available
- All huts on the island are privately managed and prior booking is a must
Pitti Bird Sanctuary
This unique island is known for the fact that the island has absolutely no native residents/ inhabitants. The entirety of this Word Sanctuary is an important nesting ground for seabirds, and is maintained as the same. It is protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
It is primarily home to the pelagic birds (birds of the open ocean) like the sooty tern (Sterna fuliginosa), the greater crested tern (Sterna bergii) and the brown noddy (Anous stolidus) and is a hotspot for bird watching. Nearly 75 unique seabird speeches are found here.
Visit if:
An avid nature-lover
Location:
On a tiny island called Pakshi Pitii
Entry free:
None
Stay for:
Ideal for a day trip
Don’t miss out on:
You can time you travels in order to view different kind of birds
Bangaram Atoll
The Bangaram Atoll is often refereed to as paradise, being as it is a beautiful combination of nature and adventure activities. An atoll is different from a normal island in that it is a circular arrangement of coral reef, creating a ring of coral which previously would have surrounded an undersea volcano. When the volcano recedes back under the surface of the water, into the ocean, the atoll remains.
Visit if:
A traveller looking for a familiar beach-side experience in a unique location
Location:
Close to Kavaratti Island and Agatti Island
Entry free:
None
Stay for:
4-5 days
Don’t miss out on:
- Being an atoll, the Bangaram is surrounded by many uninhabited islands to which one can enjoy boarding, kayaking, rowing and sailing
- The breathtaking turquoise lagoon here is one of the largest and safest lagoons in Lakshadweep, and its creamy white sand and awe-inspiring sunrises are a sight that can not be imagined by the human mind
- The warm, even temperatures of the atoll have created an even more vibrant marine life in the area, drawing scuba divers from all across the world – it boasts of an abundance of mantras, harmless sharks, moray eels, stingrays, and even turtles!
- This region of clear blue waters and amazing lagoons is made further attractive by the fact that it is the only island on Lakshadweep where the sale of alcohol is permitted, though its availability can only be expected during the tourist season from October to May.
Agatti Island
One of the most accessible spots in Lakshadweep, the Agatti Island’s airport has frequent flight to and from Kochi. The added bonus? The islands beautiful lagoon is only 20 minutes from the airport! Local food like dried and smoked tuna are a must-try and the options for luxury and affordable accommodation and abundant.
Visit if:
A family looking for a fun vacation that is also very convenient
Location:
Closest to the coast of Kerala
Entry free:
None
Stay for:
2-3 days
Don’t miss out on:
– The island has many opportunities for fine dining spa luxury honeymoon accommodation
Kiltan Island
Highlgly accessible via water from the port of Mangalore in Karnataka, Kiltan is significant for its ties to India’s Colonial past. The Island is located just 52 kilometers from Amini and has historically been a significant location for the trade route between Ceyln and the Person Gulf. Besides the amazing views and beautiful lagoon, the area is also known for its British architecture and culture.
Visit if:
A traveller looking for a taste of Lakshadweep’s history
Location:
51 kilometres North East of the Amini Island
Entry free:
None
Stay for:
Ideal for a day trip from Amini
Don’t miss out on:
– The island is the home to the Sufi Saint Shaikh Ahmed Naqshbanthi
Amini Beach
A scuba hotspot of Lakshadweep, the island is completely covered with coral sandstone. The area offers various relaxing and exciting activities like snorkelling, reef walking, kayaking, and scuba diving.
Visit if:
Ideal for families looking for a fun day out
Location:
Amini Island is 407 kilometres off the coast of Kochi, located between Kavaratti Island in the South and Kadmat Island in the North.
Entry free:
None
Stay for:
Ideal for a day trip of 6-7 hours
Don’t miss out on:
- The island is famous for its experienced craftsmen who make intricately carved walking sticks out of tortoise shell and coconut shells
- Many specialised stone carvers live on the island and create custom-engraved goods on request
- The island has a rich tradition of folk songs
Andrott Island
The largest island in the area, Andrott Island is the hallmark for the last vestiges of the British era. Besides being known as a spiritual location given the Saint Ubaidullah Tomb, Buddhist ruins and the Jumaat Mosque, is it also known for the marine life on the island. Octopi and Turtles are abundantly seen in the area.
Visit if:
Ideal for history buffs
Location:
To the East of Kavaratti and Amini Islands
Entry free:
None
Stay for:
Best suited for a day trip of 5-6 hours
Don’t miss out on:
- Octopus spotting
- The Jumaat Mosque
While the island’s main administrative base is on Kavratti Island, its most prominent Island is Minicoy Island which is also a central hub for transportation. The history of the islands is very rich, but under much debate due to the lack of documented indigenous population, though the area is mentioned by the India rulers, the Pallavas. The Islands are also a part of the Gulf of Munnar Marine National Park and Biosphere Reserve, and when you see the beautiful scenery it offers underwater, there will be no doubt why. Each island is breathtaking in its own special way, and has something unique to offer.
Besides tourism, small cottage industries in fishing and choir are the area’s primary income stream, and the quaint simple lifestyle at view in the region will stay with you long after you have returned to the rat race of urban life.
The Lakshadweep Islands are the glimpse into pristine island living that you never knew you needed!