Around 350 km off the Kerala coast lies the most beautiful coral necklace in the Arabian Sea. Really like a precious jewel, the pure shores of the lakshadweep archipelago shimmer and shine in the sun kissed setting, and wink and beckon to every traveller.
The set of 36 islands is allied to the Republic of India and at a total area of 32 sq km is her smallest union territory. 51,000 people inhabit only 10 of the islands. The islanders are mainly Muslim and they speak a local version of the Kerala language. The economy survives on fishing and coir making. Only 6 of the islands are open for tourism and only 2 of these are open to non-Indian tourists.
There’s a range of things to do on the Lakshadweep Islands. Swim with the locals: turtles, dolphins, eagle ray and stay away from the bad crowd: sharks, octopus, barracuda! (Don’t worry, the sharks are completely harmless and octopus and barracuda too far from the shores – the waters are completely safe). Snorkel in the reef through colonies of fish. Surf the aqua marine waters, romp the white sands. Just go - must go!
ALERT! Resist the urge to collect corals as souvenirs. Picking up corals is prohibited and is a punishable act.
SPECIAL PERMITS: A trip to Lakshadweep requires a tourist permit from all. This can be arranged at the Lakshadweep Tourist Office in Cochin (Kochi). The only way to visit is to hook up with a package tour group. Tour operators start the first of the trips in October and continue till May. The most popular months are from January to the middle of May when the diving and fishing is good but it’s possible to visit any time in the year.
How to Reach Lakshadweep?
By Air : Kochi International Airport links Lakshadweep with the mainland of India. Agatti is the only airport in Lakshadweep with helicopter transfers being available from Agatti to Bangaram Island Resort during monsoon and to Kavaratti through out the year. The flight from Cochin to Agatti takes approximately one hour thirty minutes. Flights operate six days a week.
Best Time to Visit Lakshadweep
The best time to visit Lakshadweep is from September to May, when you can enjoy water sports activities. During the summer season, from March to May, the temperature varies between 22°C to 36°C. This is the ideal time to get into the water and enjoy different sports activities.
Summer months are followed by monsoon, when this place receives heavy rainfall. The monsoon season stretches from June to August, when there is greenery all around. During September and October, the weather is pleasant and comfortable for a vacation.
During the winter season, from December to February, the temperature varies between a minimum of 20°C and a maximum of 32°C. This is the peak season for Lakshadweep Islands.
The Lakshadweep Islands are characterized by a tropical climate with temperatures rarely rising beyond 35°C.
Things to do in Lakshadweep
The enigmatic charm, beautiful beaches, and the beautiful islands, make Lakshadweep a traveller’s paradise. The best things to do in Lakshadweep involve taking a trip to Bangaram and Kadmat islands, the oldest Lighthouse at Minicoy, and the Marine Aquarium and Museum at Kavaratti, to name a few. Shopping in Lakshadweep is restricted to picking up souvenirs made of shells.
One can indulge in the best of adventure activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing and water skiing. The people of Lakshadweep celebrate the Muslim festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr, Bakrid, Milad-Ul-Nabi and Muharram, with a lot of fervour.
Hotels in Lakshadweep – Choice is Yours
There are numerous hotels in Lakshadweep ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.